JIMSMASH ! ! !

FANART FRIDAY: POWER TO THE PEOPLE

2012-01-27T10:54:00.000-08:00

by Brent Cheshire

Prints are $35 HERE

'ALIENS: COLONIAL MARINES': CONTACT TRAILER

2012-01-27T10:14:00.003-08:00

Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!

SPACE JOCKEY PHOTOS

2012-01-26T15:32:00.000-08:00

Here are some super sweet pics of the SPACE JOCKEY from 'ALIEN', via toutlecine:

* Thanks to JasonG for pointing me to the page, which includes 272 gorgeous photos - many I've never seeen before!

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The Space Jockey is fucking awesome. I wish we could see them in 'Prometheus', but it appears(?) they aren't super cool giant giger creatures, but instead just giant human-looking-bald-dudes who just happen to wear super cool looking space suits. My [current] thoughts on 'Prometheus' coming soon....

WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN: 70s BLACK WIDOW TV SHOW

2012-01-26T15:09:00.000-08:00

Whoa, so there was almost a BLACK WIDOW & DAREDEVIL TV show in 1975, starring David Bowie's then-wife ANGELA BOWIE.

Over at blastr, they post:

In the early 1970s, the comic book version of Daredevil was living in San Francisco with his lady friend, superspy and superheroine Black Widow. Somewhere along the way, Angela Bowie—then-wife of David Bowie (and mother to Moon and Source Code director Duncan Jones)—decided she wanted to make this pairing into a TV series and co-star as Black Widow.

Bowie went to Stan "The Man" Lee with her ideas, and he actually agreed to let her move forward. She shot some conceptual photos with herself and actor Ben Carruthers in full costume, but the show never went further than that. Here's Bowie's own account as posted on the Daredevil fan site Man Without Fear:

"I received permission from Stan Lee to have the rights to Daredevil and Black Widow for a year. We were unable to place the series. Actor, writer, Benny Carruthers and I did the photo shoot with TerryO'Neill and Natasha Kornilkoff costume designer and Barbara Daly - make-up in London and that was all that ever happened. Unfortunately at that time it was considered too difficult and expensive to film, special effects etc."

Damnit, I kind of wish they had made it....

MR. SMASH !

2012-01-26T10:01:00.001-08:00

Ha, awesome!

*thanks JasonG!!

STAR WARS / TANK GIRL MASH-UP

2012-01-26T09:48:00.001-08:00

*thanks Kama!

PULSE RIFLES RULE

2012-01-25T17:25:00.000-08:00

"Let me introduce you to a close, personal friend of mine..."

WHAT IF...? MOVIE POSTERS

2012-01-25T16:07:00.000-08:00

by Peter Stults, who posts:

Awhile back a friend of mine forwarded me a site (http://hartter.blogspot.com/2009/11/misc.html) where artist Sean Hartter made posters of films that, title wise, we were familiar with, but there was a slight difference; they were remade as if they belonged to a different era or a different genre, the name of the movie was there, but the actors were different, the style was different, and I loved the concept. So I went forward with this theme; what if movies we were all familiar with were made in a different slice of time? Who would be in it? Who would direct it? So here we are...

MORE HERE

*thanks Donna!

HAVING SOME FUN WITH THE 'PROMETHEUS' POSTER

2012-01-25T10:59:00.000-08:00

So I was looking at the recently released PROMETHEUS International Poster and a few thoughts popped into my head...

"Hmm, that big stone head reminds me of The Chamber of Secrets...."

"...it also reminds me of Dr. Channard (from Hellbound: Hellraiser II)..."

The next logical step was to have some fun and make a pic:

ALIEN x3

2012-01-25T09:13:00.000-08:00

I received a text last night from my buddy WOO...
his 3 ALIEN TRADING CARD PACKS from ebay had arrived!

Woo-Hoo!

FEMTROOPER STATUE

2012-01-25T09:00:00.000-08:00

Here's a nice looking FEMALE STORMTROOPER statue from Gentle Giant.

I think it looks pretty sweet. I commend them for going with a tasteful approach (ie not T&A Cheesecake). She looks strong, confident and tough.... although the make-up might be a tad too much - she IS an evil Stormtrooper in an Evil Empire's Military. That tiny gripe aside, I still dig it.

You can order yours for $225 HERE.

RIP: BOB ANDERSON

2012-01-24T13:48:00.000-08:00

Before Jedi & Sith became Twirling Ninjas, we had BOB ANDERSON!! Sadly, Mr Anderson passed away this past January 1st. Star Wars Blog posts:

The world lost a key contributor to the Star Wars saga last week in sword master Bob Anderson, who coordinated the lightsaber duels of Episode IV: A New Hope, and even donned Darth Vader’s armor for the high-intensity dueling with Luke Skywalker in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi.

The man who established how “an elegant weapon for a more civilized age” should be wielded in the Star Wars universe passed away on January 1 in West Sussex, England. He was 89.

“Bob Anderson was essential in defining what a lightsaber duel would look like,” says George Lucas. “He was the Jedi Master of the original trilogy, training the actors to duel with a new kind of weapon. In Empire and Jedi, Bob donned Darth Vader’s cape and helmet to battle Luke Skywalker in all of the amazing lightsaber battles. It was pure movie magic that Bob became Vader.”

Rest in Peace, Good Sir!

LEGO RELIANT

2012-01-24T13:37:00.000-08:00

by Christer Nyberg, who posts:

"In late 2010 I decided to combine my two geek loves, LEGO and Star Trek. There is not a lot of good Star Trek MOCs on the net, there's some really cool micro-scale stuff but not much in the large category. I realised quickly that it would be impossible to contruct a large scale USS Enterprise using pure LEGO, so I had to look for another ship. The USS Reliant from Wrath of Khan is much more compact and less spindly, so it seemed a suitable candidate. Many bricklink orders and bricks later (and over a year of prototyping and building) here she is! I have not counted the pieces (my sanity is grateful!) but I would estimate somewhere in the 10-15k range."

*dedicated to SpaceJase (LEGO fanatic) and Grayson (Child of Khan)

SOME SKELTOR PICS

2012-01-24T10:46:00.000-08:00

These were some fun Skeletors pics I stumbled upon...

I don't think I've posted them before...?

METROID'S SAMUS FIGURE

2012-01-24T10:40:00.000-08:00

Ooooooh, me likey!
Someone buy this for me

TUESDAY COSPLAY: KIDD DREDD

2012-01-24T09:31:00.000-08:00

Speaking of 'JUDGE DREDD'.....

JUDGE DREED HELMET REPLICA

2012-01-24T09:28:00.000-08:00

Rejoice! They are finally making a replica of JUDGE DREDD'S HELMET!! I've been wanting one of these for years! Unfortunately they're not cheap, running around $400+. But I must have one to wear while watching TV on the sofa and drinking beer.

DON'T BE JEALOUS...

2012-01-23T12:03:00.000-08:00

...but I found my old "EXTREME SACRIFICE" tpb in Storage. I think I bought it for like a dollar back in the 90s. It's so extreme!

CROSSOVERS!

2012-01-23T09:57:00.000-08:00

Aww yeh! We have 2 great Comic Crossovers on the horizon!!!

CONAN VS GROO? Um, yes please!

Then, in the upcoming THE TICK #100, The Tick meets INVINCIBLE!! A classic Chocolate-Fell-Into-My-PeanutButter scenario if I've ever seen one. So much so, I'm finding myself nerdraged that this crossover hasn't already happened!

I gotta say... there better be a fucking LITTLE WOODEN BOY cameo!!!

Here are some other fun Crossovers:

(click image to enlarge)

ALIEN HEALTH & SAFETY POSTER

2012-01-23T09:30:00.000-08:00

by Matt Ferguson

*thanks JasonG!

MONDAY.

2012-01-23T08:29:00.000-08:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ROBERT E. HOWARD!

2012-01-21T10:15:00.000-08:00

Creator of CONAN!

SKELETOR'S NEW ORIGIN & DEMO-MAN

2012-01-20T14:11:00.000-08:00

So here's something about SKELETOR I recently discovered and found.... interesting...

After I stopped paying attention to HE-MAN (ya know, when I grew up & became super mature) Mattel began mucking with various backstories. Suddenly SKELETOR's orgin was that he was once KELDOR, older brother to RANDOR (the Burger King dude).

Sigh, ok...

Now, in the early days of creating 'The Masters of the Universe', the main villain was called "DEMO-MAN". He was green and had a skull-ish face and looked like the King of the Dead from 'Lord of the Rings'...As Mattel developed the concept that would become the toyline, Demo-Man was replaced with a different character named 'Skeletor'. This tidbit of trivia survived through the Underground Nerd Network for decades and became Legend. So much so, that Mattel then brought Demo-Man into the Mythos.....

So now Skeletor's Origin includes this - one day Randor throws acid into Keldor's face! Keldor goes crying to his mentor, the evil HORDAK... who is stuck in another dimension called "DESPONDOS"... but is still able to "help" poor Keldor somehow. To "save" Keldor, Hordak merges him with an extra-dimensional being called DEMO-MAN. Merged, the two beings formed SKELETOR. Think "Ghost Rider" (Johhny Blaze merged with the demon Zarathos).

So there you have it - that's now the official origin of Skeletor, according to Mattel. Skeletor just got less cool for you, didn't he? Bah. BAH I SAY!

*I might not have all this 100% straight... if so, please let me know!
**Special thanks to Fwoosh, who helped fill-in some information while researching this.

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BONUS PIC: Custom re-design Demo-Man figure

FANART FRIDAY: LOUNGIN' SPACE JOCKEY

2012-01-20T09:21:00.000-08:00

Haha, this is by Travis Pitts who posts:

anxiously anticipating Ridley Scott's return to the ALIEN universe this year.
supposedly they are going to answer the mystery of the mummified pilot, but I really hope they don't explain away everything...
the jokey idea for this started with the 'space jockey' farting in the tub (much like how he is encased in the original pilot chair)..but then it became 'what else can i put him in, in the same position?' and then became 'a day in the boring life of the space jockey'...

DARK TOWER: THAT OBNOXIOUS RED MARVEL LOGO

2012-01-20T09:11:00.000-08:00

Maaan... so the 8th 'DARK TOWER' Hardcover came out from Marvel. I picked it up with giddiness and couldn't wait to put it on my shelf with the others. There's nothing quite like seeing a series of matching books on your bookshelf. Among others, my Dark Towers always bring a grin to my geeky face... but no longer - for some reason, Marvel decided to change the trade dressing with this 8th volume, slapping their obnoxious red logo on the spine. Not only does it throw off the coloring of my once-beautiful Dark Tower collection, it pushes the Title down the spine. Misalignment, gah!!

Now I have no choice but to make my own cover, print it out, and swap it out with this crap one that will soon be in the trash. Seriously, what the fuck Marvel? Stuff like this is a huge pet peeve of mine. Anyone else get annoyed with stupid shit like this?

INSANE MISSION UPDATE 21

2012-01-20T09:06:00.001-08:00

Check out this copy of the ALIENS NOVELIZATION that Kid Kyoto sent me... from Trinindad! Sweet!!!

I haven't seen this cover before... it shall go into the 'INSANE MISSION' Special Section, alongside my Japanese Copy. Yay!

Thank, Kid Kyoto!!!!
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Want to contribute to the INSANE MISSION?! Simply send an amazon.com gift card to jimsmash@gmail.com ($4, 8, 12, 16, etc - see link for further info). Or if you have a copy, email me!

* "What's this about?" ---> Click HERE.

JULIET'S FIRST HARDCORE SONG

2012-01-19T17:46:00.000-08:00

"Let's open up this Pit! Oh! Oh! OH!"

*via The Mary Sue

DC COMICS' NEW LOGO (YES, ANOTHER NEW ONE)

2012-01-19T15:55:00.000-08:00

DC Comics has unveiled their new, boring logo. It looks like a logo for a software company, like Initech. They are describing it as "interactive", meaning it will "change" per use.... here are some examples:

For those keeping track, in 2005 DC changed their decades-spanning logo to a new flashier one... to be replaced again 7-years later. Instead of re-branding its corporate look every few years, I'd prefer if DC would instead concentrate on putting out good product. A few titles aside, the New 52 sucks.

X-O MANOAWESOME

2012-01-19T08:33:00.000-08:00

Valiant Comics Returns! And one of the first titles to be relaunched is X-O MANOWAR, with killer art by CARY NORD. If you were reading CONAN the past 10 years, you know the dude kicks ass.

The new X-O Manwar will be:

"Born into battle and raised under the oppressive thumb of the Roman Empire, Aric of Dacia is a beloved figure among his men and a leader of the Visigoth people. But when he's taken prisoner after a brutal encounter with an alien strike force, he must capture the X-O Manowar armor - the most powerful weapon in the universe - if he's to save his family and return to his people. But when he arrives he finds 1,600 years have passed and the most primitive man on Earth - a man out of time - now wields a weapon capable of incalculable destruction."

Sweet.

And check out that rad cover by ESAD RIBIC!! Holy crap! I want a huge poster, big headphones, and Speed Metal blasting into my ears! \m/

X-O Manowar #1 will be on sale May 2, 2012.

JIMSMASH SCREENSHOT: SOPA & PIPA PROTEST (1/18/12)

2012-01-17T22:04:00.000-08:00

[screenshot of Wednesday's blackout to protest SOPA & PIPA]

Tell Congress:

PLEASE DON'T CENSOR THE WEB!

ALIENS: COLONIAL MARINES COLLECTOR'S SET

2012-01-17T14:58:00.000-08:00

I really want to place this game... and own this Collector's Edition Set.
I might have to buy a game console....

'Alien: Colonial Marines' is set for Spring 2012

MY FAVORITE SHIRTS BY NINJAINK

2012-01-17T10:46:00.000-08:00

More HERE

DELICIOUS STORMTROOPER CAKE

2012-01-17T08:59:00.001-08:00

Check out this 6'4" tall Stormtrooper CAKE, by Amanda Oakleaf Cakes! It was for the Arisia Sci-Fi Convention in Boston. Yummy!

Aren't you a little tall for a Stormtrooper?

*via neatorama

T-SHIRT OF THE DAY: CALL OF FETTHULHU

2012-01-16T18:34:00.001-08:00

On sale TODAY ONLY!

FRIDAY THE 13TH MUSIC

2012-01-16T15:32:00.000-08:00

This past FRIDAY THE 13th (1-13-12), The Vista in Los Feliz showed 'FRIDAY THE 13th PT 1 and PT 6'. You could also pick up the newly released soundtrack boxset which includes the music from Parts 1-6 by Harry Manfredini . My buddy Timewaster went and yes, bought the cds. Check out the pic he sent me today! Oh, and he also got to meet Adrienne King, the star of of Part 1! She asked for his autograph or something.

CROCHET BOBA FETT HAT

2012-01-16T10:58:00.000-08:00

$50 HERE, by BeeBeeKins

MAGUS STATUE

2012-01-13T11:43:00.000-08:00

Sweet. While I didn't like "Infinity War", I thought the Magus looked cool... no Fro... although my buddy loves the Fro. Anyway, you can own this for $225 HERE.

*I kinda want him... I have a small Cosmic Bowen collection of statues going on; Thanos, Cpt Marvel (70s) and Nova (Modern).... and plan on Beta Ray Bill.

CHEWBACCA HOODIE

2012-01-13T10:52:00.000-08:00

About 70-bucks HERE

(Although I prefer this one)

FRIDAY THE 13TH

2012-01-13T09:11:00.000-08:00

HAPPY FRIDAY the 13th!

TOLKIEN BIRTHDAY TOAST PIC

2012-01-12T18:23:00.001-08:00

Remember last week (Tues Jan 3rd), I posted a "Happy Birthday" shoutout to Tolkien?.... and that every year, Tolkien Fans in L.A. gather at THE CAT & FIDDLE to raise a toast?... well my buddy Maker went and took a pic of the toast. Sweet! Thanks, man!

I'm still waiting for the video of everyone singing in Dwarf... which I'm sure has a specific name and I will be yelled at by Fantasy Nerds for not knowing it.

'ALIENS VS PREDATOR' CLASSICS

2012-01-12T17:57:00.000-08:00

Wait, what? In 1997, Dark Horse re-released the classic, awesome 1990 'ALIENS VS PREDATOR' mini-series... with new covers?! How did I miss this? Well, I must own them now....

T-SHIRT OF THE DAY: MONSTER PARK

2012-01-12T12:01:00.000-08:00

by Tony Centeno

BOBA FETT LAMP

2012-01-12T10:22:00.000-08:00

Made by MclanesMemories
I want one.

(source)

AMAZON REVIEW: NIF-MIB-FIT-KIS

2012-01-11T10:32:00.001-08:00

This cracked me up!.... via TheDailyCaller, via Amazon...

THE SINGLE GREATEST
AMAZON REVIEW EVER WRITTEN
*(according to TDC)

I have been a user of Ninja Forearm Machete Blade Full Tang Knife Swords (NFMBFTKS for short, pron ‘nif-mib-fit-kis’) for most of my career, and have some that are quite nice. As a professional mercenary and vendor of ‘blood diamonds’, ‘blood coffee beans’, ‘blood Nike knock offs’, and other ‘conflict-zone’ products, I find myself in need of a good NFMBFTKS regularly.

I was a bit disappointed for several different reasons when this product arrived at my secure compound.

First, this product is sold by a company called ‘Martial Arts Land’, which is the same name I gave to my home in the Democratic Republic of Congo. I wish the company had done more research into other entities who are also using that name before naming their company. The post office had quite a time, seeing as the shipping label read ‘From: Martial Arts Land’ and ‘To: Martial Arts Land’. I hope they are not the people who have been getting my missing issues of ‘Soldier of Fortune’ magazine, as the ‘help wanted’ section is crucial to my ability to earn a living.

Second, when I saw the description of a ‘hi-tech’ strap in the product description, I was fully expecting something computerized and perhaps operated by hydraulic machinery that would maybe shoot spikes into the arm if someone besides the owner attempted to use it. Imagine my disappointment when it was shipped to Martial Arts Land (my secure compound in DRC, not the original shipping company, see how confusing this is getting?) with a simple Velcro strap. There is no failsafe in the weapon as-shipped to prevent an enemy skilled in the use of ninja weapons from taking this particular NFMBFTKS from you and using it against you.

Thirdly, I did not find the handle to be particularly ergonomic. After using this product as intended for approximately 8 hours a day, I have developed ‘repetitive ninjitsu stress disorder’ in my rotator cuff caused, I believe at least in part, to the lack of adequate wrist support. I saw an occupational health ninja who agreed with my assessment and suggested I spend hours on end standing under an icy water fall in the middle of the woods in the dead of winter doing ninja poses to help it heal.

All in all, I can see myself using this as a back up ninja forearm machete blade full tang knife sword day-to-day, or maybe on light trips to the grocery store or library, but I will not be replacing my primary ninja forearm machete blade full tang knife sword any time soon.

Pro:
Powerful Ninja Weapon
Machete Blade
Full Tang Knife Sword

Con:
Velcro strap not hi-tech
Lack of good ergonomics
Company name ‘Martial Arts Land’ is a problem, as I as my home address is also ‘Martial Arts Land’

*thanks, Maker!

BUFFALO RIDER - FULL MOVIE

2012-01-11T08:57:00.002-08:00

I haven't seen this, but its a movie with a dude riding a buffalo. Sold!

CUSTOM AVP CHESS

2012-01-10T10:30:00.000-08:00

Neat, I love custom stuff like this! It looks like for the Aliens, creator Joker Laugh used the litle KONAMI figures.

Personally, the use of the 'Resurrection' xenomorphs & Newborn turn me off. Bah I say!

*thanks, Timewaster!

TUESDAY COSPLAY: LADY CASSANDRA

2012-01-10T10:03:00.000-08:00

I've been watching DR WHO this week and absolutely love CASSANDRA from S1:Ep2. Her life has been extended through 708 plastic surgeries, and she is the last living ["pure"] Human Being alive 5 Billion Years from now.... if you can still call her "Human" - she is but a thinly stretched piece of skin with eyes & a mouth, connected to her brain which is stored in a container below.

"Moisturize me!!!!"

Sweet, they made a toy of her - Wantie!

'MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE' 30TH ANNIVERSARY ART

2012-01-10T08:51:00.000-08:00

Check out these MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE 30th ANNIVERAREY pics from MattyCollector.com. I'd love to see a cartoon that looked just like this!

*30th anniversary? When did I get old?

MORE HE-MAN VERSUS FIGURES

2012-01-09T13:37:00.000-08:00

I saw these at TRU the other day...

love the Supergirl Vs She-Ra!

'ALIEN' ST PATTY'S DAY FLOAT

2012-01-06T17:12:00.000-08:00

I want one for the roof of my house!

*via Aliens and Predators

DC NOTEBOOKS

2012-01-06T09:55:00.000-08:00

I saw these DC Notebooks at Target the other day.

The Wonder Woman was purchased.

AFS RAPTURE - AZURIAN STARSHIP

2012-01-06T09:01:00.000-08:00

Check out this custom Star Trek ship by Mike H, which combines the ENTEREPRISE-A and a KLINGON BATTLECRUISER.

Mike H posts:

This is the second Star Trek conversion that I did. It was based on one I had done years ago using the AMT 3-in-one Original Series kit Enterprise and Klingon ship. This time I used the Enterprise-A kit and the Klingon Battle Cruiser kit. All the ships in this series were given the designation of belonging to the Azurian Federation, a race of winged humanoids from the Helmsman Books by Bill Baldwin. The base color is Intermediate Blue with highlights in Light Gray and Wine Red.

KILLER MOHAWK STORM STATUE

2012-01-06T08:41:00.000-08:00

I love this statue...
I much prefer this one to the previous one.

KNITTED TUSKEN RAIDER HAT

2012-01-05T13:35:00.000-08:00

Now you can reenact the deleted scene in 'ATTACK OF THE CLONES' when Anakin slaughters the Sand People and wears their heads as a hat!

$50 HERE at etsy.

5 'ALIEN' ITEMS I WILL BE BUYING

2012-01-05T11:52:00.001-08:00

ALIEN CHOPSTICKS!!!

ALIEN ICE TRAYS!!!!

Now all I need to do is make an ice tray PRESS out of 2 of them, so the ice-alien and ice-egg are not just one-sided. Then I need an icetray of a facehugger, make it into a press... so then I can place a 3-dimensional ice-facehugger inside a 3-dimensional ice-egg. Then World Peace breaks out.

Made by Kotobukiya.

CUSTOME 'ALIEN' PLAYING CARDS

2012-01-05T09:39:00.000-08:00

Check out these custom ALIEN trading cards... I kinda want them, just to have in the ole Collection. Dunno if they are for sale... but here's the link.

*via Facebook

**while I hate that the Newborn is in the deck, I like how its the Joker Card

EUROPEAN STAR WARS BURGERS

2012-01-04T16:39:00.001-08:00

You know what I'm craving? Yep, a burger with BLACK BUNS. I hope the Dagobah Burger has Soggy Brown Lettuce!

via Buzzfeed:

To promote the re-release of “Star Wars: The Phantom Menace” in 3D, the France- and Benelux-based fast food chain Quick is launching the Darth Vader Burger on a Sithy black bun. A less frightening looking (read: boring) Yoda Burger will also hit select locations through March 1.

Fun promo, though. *(Vador?)

"In your belly, it will bring a whole new meaning to pain and suffering as it is slowly digested for a thousand years." --JimSmash Reader TIMPRO

Thanks, Timewaster!

'AVENGERS' MOVIE INSPIRED DESK

2012-01-04T09:01:00.001-08:00

via comicbookmovie who posts:

Tom Spina Designs, designers of the Han Solo carbonite desk, had a unique request from one of their customer named Mark Hall. Mark wanted a custom built desk that showed his passion for Marvel's upcoming Superhero team up movie The Avengers. So Tom and his team got together and designed this beautiful desk that uses made from scratch props. You will notice front and center is Captain America's shield, and surrounded on both sides of it is Thor's mighty hammer Mjölnir as well as Iron Man's helmet ans Arc Reactor. The back of the desk has a special place for Hawkeye's trick arrows that opens up to to reveal drawers along with The Hulk's Gamma container that gives more space for all important paper work. The top of the desk includes an officially licensed Nick Fury Needle Gun for display.

*thanks Willie!

FAVORITE COMICS OF 2011

2012-01-03T14:22:00.000-08:00

A little late.... but HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE!

Here's Jim's FAVORITE COMICS OF 2011:

DAREDEVIL

This was the surprise hit for me - the latest DAREDEVIL series. What does it for me is the awesome art by rotating artists MARCOS MARTIN and PAULO RIVERA. Their art reminds you just how good sequential storytelling can be. Rivera'swork makes me giddy when I see it. The writing is fun, and what you'd expect from Mark Waid (its also refreshing to actually LIKE Matt Murdock again). Check it out... the art is worth the money alone!

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ULTIMATE COMICS: ULTIMATES
This one is only a handful of issues in, but I'm loving it... and tend to hate the Ultimate Stuff! Its written by FF's Jonathan Hickman and its pretty sweet so far! Great art by Esad Ribic, too! If you were a fan of the early days of Wildstorm and/or just kickass shit in general, check this book out.

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JEFF PARKER'S HULK
I know, right? I hated-hated-hated the RED HULK when he first appeared. Jeph Loeb's run was some of the crappiest crap I've ever had the misfortune to read. But on a recommendation, I picked up HULK #25 which was then-new writer JEFF PARKER'S first issue. I've been reading it ever since. Plus you have kickass art by rotating artists GABRIEL HARDMAN and PATRICK ZIRCHER. If you're a fan of fun 80s Marvel, try this book out - you might be pleasantly surprised like me!

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FLASHPOINT: BATMAN: KNIGHT OF VENGEANCE
Ugh, Flashpoint, right? Well don't let that put you off from this 3-issue mini by Azzarello & Eduardo Risso! You don't need to know anything about the super-lame 'Flashpoint' mini-series "event" (that destroyed the DCU as we knew and loved - different rant!), all you need to know is this is an "Alternate Reality Tale". The story will surprise you and the art is breathtaking. I wish Risso had his on monthly Bat-Book. Seriously, why doesn't he?

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JONATHAN HICKMAN'S FANTASTIC FOUR & FF
This is one of the best FF runs ever... Lee/Kirby, Byrne, now Hickman. Even if you're not a big FF fan, this is just some good ole readin'! Go pick up the 4 trade paperbacks... it then transitions directly into "FF", with the first trade available now. My only gripe: I wish either Dale Eaglesham or Steve Epting handled the art the entire time. I like consistency.

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SCOTT SNYDER'S BATMAN

Snyder's run on DETECTIVE COMICS (vol 1) and his run thus far on BATMAN (vol 2) have been some of the best Bat-Stuff ever!
With artist Jock on Detective and Greg Capullo on Batman, they are definitely bat-must-haves.

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UNCANNY X-FORCE: "THE DARK ANGEL SAGA"
2011 saw the awesome storyline "The Dark Angel Saga" play out. It's been a loooooong time since I've impatiently awaited each new issue to hit the stands. The art is great and the story is insane & jam-packed. I've already picked up the first Hardcover (of 2). If you haven't read, I highly recommend... and if you want to go for it, start with the first trade ("The Apocalypse Solution"), then jump into "The Dark Angel Saga".

-----------------------------------------------
BONUS: While I loved the MAGNETO part of 'X-Men: First Class', the only Geek-Movie I loved in 2011 was 'Harry Potter 7: Part II'.... of the few select movies I actually saw last year. 'Captain America' was fun, 'Thor' was ok & light, 'Green Lantern' was a crime....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, J.R.R. TOLKIEN

2012-01-03T13:02:00.000-08:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TOLKIEN!

For you Los Angeles residents... every year on this day, at 9pm, a bunch of Tolkien Fans gather at the THE CAT & FIDDLE to raise a toast. If you go, take pics and please share!

The Cat & Fiddle
6530 Sunset Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90028-7202
(323) 468-3800

HOLIDAY GUIDE TO STAR TREK: NEW YEAR'S EVE

2011-12-30T09:00:00.000-08:00

...continuing on...

THE JIMSMASH HOLIDAY GUIDE
TO STAR TREK MOVIES
-(post #7 in a 7-post series)-

HOLIDAY: NEW YEAR'S EVE

TREK FLICK: STAR TREK VI: THE UNDISCOVERED COUNTRY

WHY?: It's a party that goes all wrong. People get too drunk... There's lots of Action... A fight breaks out... Someone goes to sleep with a woman only to wake up to a sasquatch... Some harsh words are said but in the end, everyone learns a lesson and it leaves the Future wide open... Respectfully leaving the Past.

"Note to Galley; Romulan Ale no longer to be served at diplomatic functions."

'THE HOBBIT' TRAILER

2011-12-29T14:00:00.000-08:00

Cool. I'm glad Peter Jackson is doing this... we'll have one kickass, uber-epic Tolkein saga soon.

*(trailer post is a little late, but hey its the Holidays)

HOLIDAY GUIDE TO STAR TREK: HALLOWEEN

2011-12-29T09:00:00.000-08:00

...continuing on...

THE JIMSMASH HOLIDAY GUIDE
TO STAR TREK MOVIES
-(post #6 in a 7-post series)-

HOLIDAY: HALLOWEEN

TREK FLICK: STAR TREK: "THE CAGE"/"THE MENAGERIE"
*(yes, technically not a Movie, but "The Menagerie" is a 2-part episode)

WHY?: It's the crew, but not. Like Halloween, everything and everyone are weirdly dressed, things are not what they seem, monsters that aren't, and tricks & treats abound. People are trying to scare you... women are trying to tempt and seduce you by dressing in sexy outfits & green skin paint... It's as if even the cast themselves are pretending to be someone else. You always catch it once a year, and delight in the entertainment and nostalgia of it.

"Beep. Beeeeeep."

MR. FIXIT STATUE

2011-12-28T13:56:00.000-08:00

Ha! They're making a MR. FIXIT statue.
(check out the rip down the back)

While absurd, and arguably stupid, I've always liked Mr. Fixit
(Peter David's run)

I guess its based off Wolverine #8....
except doesn't look like sweet Buschema art. Boo.

Now, if they made a statue that looked just like
McFarlane's Gray Hulk...!

HOLIDAY GUIDE TO STAR TREK: INDEPENDENCE DAY

2011-12-28T09:00:00.000-08:00

...continuing on...

THE JIMSMASH HOLIDAY GUIDE
TO STAR TREK MOVIES
-(post #5 in a 7-post series)-

HOLIDAY: 4th of JULY - INDEPENDENCE DAY

TREK FLICK: STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN
WHY?: "And the rocket's red glare! The bombs bursting in space!"

This movie perfectly captures that gung ho, kickass feel of the 4th of July. BBQ, Beer and Ceti Eels. Kirk uses his whits, cunning and luck to lead a young crew of upstarts who are thrust into the battle of their lives, forever shaping the history, and memory of the franchise.

Sacrifices are made, and a new life begins. The final Nebula battle is like Kirk leading his crew over the frozen Potomac, winning our independence all over again.

"I don't like to lose."

*can also be viewed on Father's Day

T-SHIRT OF THE DAY: BUDDHA FETT

2011-12-27T13:50:00.000-08:00

I saw this Facebook, for get who originally posted it....
Chime in if it was you!

HOLIDAY GUIDE TO STAR TREK: EASTER

2011-12-27T09:00:00.000-08:00

...continuing on...

THE JIMSMASH HOLIDAY GUIDE
TO STAR TREK MOVIES
-(post #4 in a 7-post series)-

HOLIDAY: EASTER

TREK FLICK: STAR TREK III: THE SEARCH FOR SPOCKWHY?: It's a resurrection story that only the true fans are interested in. So, to make it more appealing to the masses, sleek, brightly, new ships are introduced to appease our sweet tooth for action and suspense, while the crew tries to find the hiding Klingon Bird of Prey.

And like the Easter Bunny, Christopher Lloyd appears and leaves everyone scratching their head saying, “What the hell is he doing here?..... I don't get it...” But in the end, he becomes the most memorable character in the film.

Bonus:
ST:III has the Foxy Klingon, VALKRIS!

HOLIDAY GUIDE TO STAR TREK: VALENTINE'S DAY

2011-12-26T09:00:00.000-08:00

...continuing on...

THE JIMSMASH HOLIDAY GUIDE
TO STAR TREK MOVIES
-(post #3 in a 7-post series)-

HOLIDAY: VALENTINE'S DAY

TREK FLICK: STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE
WHY?: It's the most over looked Original Crew movie... but the one that stays closest to home as we watch it alone, or with those who truly enjoy. It starts out with excitement and goes into slow paced motions of showing off how wonderful and thoughtful it is. There's enough tease and action to keep you going... You try and placate & swoon that person through nostalgia of the past and clever banter into giving you what you want. Then it ends with a moment of Flash and Excitement as V'Ger joins with the Creator...

It's A Love Story.... about finding one's self, one's purpose, one's true love.

"Is this all that I am? Is there nothing more?"

MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE!

2011-12-25T00:00:00.000-08:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Check out my buddy's tree topper -
VULTURE STATUE!

PEACE & GOODWILL TO ALL!

HOLIDAY GUIDE TO STAR TREK: CHRISTMAS

2011-12-23T10:00:00.000-08:00

...continuing on...

THE JIMSMASH HOLIDAY GUIDE
TO STAR TREK MOVIES
-(post #2 in a 7-post series)-

HOLIDAY: CHRISTMAS

TREK FLICK: STAR TREK V: THE FINAL FRONTIER
WHY?: This movie is horrible... but also awesome in its own right... it's essentially 'The Star Trek Holiday Special' (ala the Star Wars Holiday Special). The acting, the plot... All it needed was 'special guest stars'. If Christopher Lloyd was in it (instead of Part III) it would have been perfect.

"And guest starring as Commander Kruge - Christopher Lloyd!!" [applause].

They actually leave the movie on a sing-a-long! Just replace "Row Your Boat" with "The 12 Days of Christmas" including the whole crew. Just Imagine: Christmas decorations everywhere, snuggled up on the couch, egg nog, fire burning... "And tonight a CBS Christmas Special..."

Replace God with Santa Claus, and you knock it out of the park.

"What does SANTA.... Need......with-a-star-ship?"

'PROMETHEUS' HAS ME GIDDY

2011-12-23T08:36:00.000-08:00

I emerge from my Holiday Vacation (through the New Year) to announce that the new 'PROMETHEUS' trailer is out, confirming it is in fact an 'ALIEN' Prequel of sorts. SPACE JOCKEYS!!

First, watch the trailer to 1979's 'ALIEN':

Here's the 'PROMETHEUS' teaser:

And then the First Trailer itself:

And then feel free to masturbate to these screenshots, via iO9.com:

Space Jockey Head! Holy Shit!
Space Jockey Chair! Holy Shit!
"Derelict Ship"! Holy Shit!
Oh man, fingers crossed triple-time on this one!
Bring it, Ridley Scott! Do it right!

HOLIDAY GUIDE TO STAR TREK: THANKSGIVING

2011-12-22T09:35:00.001-08:00

One of my geeky traditions in Life is to watch STAR TREK IV: THE VOYAGE HOME on Thanksgiving. My buddy, Maker, does the same thing! And through more geeky conversation, we've come up with...

THE JIMSMASH HOLIDAY GUIDE
TO STAR TREK MOVIES
-(post #1 in a 7-post series)-

HOLIDAY: THANKSGIVING

TREK FLICK: STAR TREK IV: THE VOYAGE HOMEWHY?: It's a feel good story that lets us reflect on our past while we venture back home to our roots. We all gather around our close-nit family for support... Somebody brings along their new girlfriend (who we know we will never see again).... and some light horseplay ends up sending someone to the hospital. It's got it's ups, it's downs, and some unexpected turns. But in the end, we all manage to pull through and everything turns back to normal!

"Can you tell us where the nuclear wessels are?"

T-SHIRT OF THE DAY: KOMBAT BROTHERS

2011-12-22T08:47:00.000-08:00

(find it)

SCORE: RENEGADES SNAKE EYES

2011-12-20T18:09:00.000-08:00

Saw this lil puppy at Target the other day and couldn't resist.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: WOLVERINE...

2011-12-20T14:43:00.000-08:00

"And then as for Wolverine, he fights until his very end, but I just hate when Wolverine is so goddamn powerful. He's not. He's just not. Wolverine up against a cosmic deity like an Apocalypse? It's not going that far, in my mind. I don’t care how it’s been portrayed in the past. Not to be a total D&D geek, but if I had to get out my manual and start rolling die, I'd say that Archangel ascended to the role of Apocalypse takes down Wolverine..."
--Rick Remender, writer of Uncanny X-Force (article)

Yes! Thank you!

CUSTOM RAMOS WOLVERINE

2011-12-19T09:21:00.001-08:00

I really dig HUMBERTO RAMOS' Wolverine... well, when his mask is ON (off, not so much). Anyway, chuchorajas has made a killer custom figure/statue based on Ramos' Wolvie - Check it out!

And he apparently takes commissions, too! $80 for unpainted, and $120 painted (+shipping).

You can contact him here: grunytaz@hotmail.com

JAPANESE 'ALIEN' DVD

2011-12-16T18:04:00.000-08:00

My buddy Jason (Sweet Lew!) was recently in Japan on a business trip and bought me the Japanese ALIEN dvd. Recently I inadvertently began to collect ALIEN & ALIENS dvds from around the world. Japan... Russia... and I might get an Israeli soon, too!

'GIJOE 2: RETALIATION' TRAILER

2011-12-16T17:21:00.000-08:00

COBRA VIPERS!!!

JOE SIMON PASSED AWAY

2011-12-15T17:33:00.000-08:00

JOE SIMON passed away today at the age of 98.
Simon, a WWII Veteran, co-created CAPTAIN AMERICA in 1940
(with Jack Kirby).

Please, a moment of silence if you will......

'PROMETHEUS' POSTER

2011-12-15T17:27:00.000-08:00

NATIONAL MONKEY DAY

2011-12-14T11:54:00.001-08:00

HAPPY NATIONAL MONKEY DAY!!

I was going to do a "Top 10" List of the Best Monkeys,
but thought instead I'd let you JimSmashers do it!

So chime in with your favorite Pop Culture Monkey
in the Comments Section below!

And remember:
Chimps, Gorillas and other apes are NOT MONKEYS
(they are APES)

ANOTHER XENOBANANA PIC

2011-12-13T09:55:00.001-08:00

To coincide with the previous Xenobanana pic.

*thanks, Néstor!

ARCHIE MEETS KISS - SIGNED!

2011-12-13T09:53:00.000-08:00

Aw, yeh! I got my ARCHIE MEETS KISS #1 (and Variant cover) signed by PAUL STANLEY and GENE SIMMONS! Woo Hoo!

BRIDE PLAYS 'MASTER OF PUPPETS' AT HER WEDDING

2011-12-13T08:52:00.000-08:00

Awesome.

'Master of Puppets' around the 1:00 mark.

And it gets better - they are later invited to play onstage with Metallica at the Fillmore!

*way to go, Dennis! YEAH!!

FANART FRIDAY: XENO-REPRODUCTION

2011-12-09T11:49:00.000-08:00

Check out this reproduction painting by JimSmash Reader VICTORIA MATHIS SANDERS!

She says of the piece:

"I got the source image from one of the comics and blew it up to 4feet x 6feet for the project :) the project was to reproduce a piece of art we liked....I like anything with Xenomorphs in it so it was a no brainer!!"

I like Xenomorphs, too! Hugs!

SUNFIRE STATUE

2011-12-09T11:42:00.000-08:00

I love SUNFIRE's original 1970s Japanese Style costume. I want to love this new statue from Bowen, but there's just something about it that's underwhelming... maybe its how the white lines look on his torso(?). But if you love it, you can buy it HERE for $250.

NECRONOMICAKE

2011-12-08T09:12:00.000-08:00

(source)

AT-AT LIQUOR CABINET

2011-12-07T13:20:00.000-08:00

Sweet, I want one!

(link)

THE BEST-WORST E.T. EVER

2011-12-07T13:19:00.000-08:00

*dedicated to Melchy!

BONUS CLIP:

*thanks Rojo!

OH GOD

2011-12-07T13:16:00.000-08:00

*via Derek S!

TUESDAY COSPLAY: MR MOJO RISING

2011-12-06T16:17:00.000-08:00

PROTOTYPE ARMOR BOBA FETT

2011-12-06T15:45:00.001-08:00

Yay, my mail-away PROTOTYPE ARMOR BOBA FETT figure arrived!
It looks so good next to my other mail-away Boba!

XENOBANANA

2011-12-06T12:38:00.005-08:00

*thanks Daniel L. and Joshua M.L!

HOLDAY CARD: "BATMAN INSPECTS A GIFT"

2011-12-06T12:36:00.000-08:00

Just received this fantastic Holiday Card from ULISES FARINAS!

FETISH FRIDAY: ALIEN SUIT

2011-12-02T13:57:00.000-08:00

Don't tell Mrs Smash, but for Christmas this year I had a suit like this custom made for her!

READER MAIL: AVP XMAS CARD

2011-12-02T13:43:00.000-08:00

Check out this XMas Card that Ryan DeLuca made to send out from his Family! Nice, dude! Thanks for sharing and Merry Christmas!

JLA SNUGGIES

2011-12-02T11:45:00.000-08:00

The Wonder Woman is amazing!

(available at amazon.com)

HAPPY DECEMBER!

2011-12-01T14:53:00.000-08:00

Yay, it's December! The jolliest month of the year!
Soon Santa will arrive bringing toys for good boys & girls!

Here's a Holiday pic to kick off the Season!

BARONESS STATUE

2011-11-29T13:41:00.000-08:00

$350 HERE at Sideshow Collectibles

CYBER MONDAY: HELP REIGNITE INSANE MISSION

2011-11-28T00:00:00.000-08:00

INSANE MISSION UPDATE 021:

I've started to slightly reignite the ole INSANE MISSION to fill a bookcase with copies of the ALIENS Novelization; I returned from my Thanksgiving Travels with 3 more copies in hand! This brings the total amount of books to 68!!

I think I just need 14 more books to fill up SHELF #2....

So while you're buying presents for all your loved ones today on "CYBER MONDAY", why not also buy me some ALIENS NOVELIZATIONS?! For the cost of a Starbucks coffee, you can contribute to the INSANE MISSION and drive Mrs Smash further into Madness!

TO CONTRIBUTE:
Amazon currently has almost 100 used copies priced at a PENNY (with $3.99 shipping). So, to contribute to the INSANE MISSION, simply send an amazon.com gift card to jimsmash@gmail.com ($4, 8, 12, 16, etc - see link for further info). Or if you have a copy, email me!

Note: Non-U.S. donors, please send a gift card via the U.S. based Amazon website as it will not accept amazon.uk, etc gift codes (lame!).
Upon each new books' arrival, I will post an update & pic of the shelves. I also place inside each book a card with the above "Hulk reading Aliens" image with the generous donor's name written up the right side. Fun!

Here's an updated pic of the shelves which now include the newly added 3 books:

TOTAL BOOKS ON SHELF TO DATE: 68

Buyers of Books 1-68 listed here
THANKS EVERYONE!!!

* "What's this about?" ---> Click HERE.

* See the shelf grow via previous posts