Missyisms

Star Trek: Countdown

If you are a fan of Star Trek you don't need me telling you that a new Star Trek movie is opening this weekend. The movie is a prequel to the original TV show, a.k.a. The Original Series (TOS), but also has a direct connection to the second Star Trek TV series, The Next Generation (TNG).

To help viewers understand the connection between TNG and the new movie, the producers had a comic book series developed. Star Trek: Countdown was originally produced as four comic books. It's now available in multiple formats from trade paperback to comic books to Kindle* to iPhone/iPod Touch apps* and maybe others.

Out of curiosity, and because they were cheap (only $.99 each), I downloaded all four parts via iTunes and read it on my iPod Touch. The work done to re-create a comic book for the Touch/iPhone is remarkable; the graphics are detailed, colorful and pop off the screen. I'm not a comic book reader, so I can't comment on the artwork as far as comic books go, but it was very easy to read and enjoy on the Touch. To see what I'm talking about, click the iPhone/iPod link above to view the sample screens...they look better on the device. I also compared the content to the trade paperback, using Amazon's "Look Inside" feature, and it appears to contain all the original content (at least on the first few pages).

Continuing my curiosity, I also downloaded a free sample of the Kindle version of Star Trek: Countdown #1 to the Kindle application on my iPod Touch. Ouch...its not in color, is in portrait-mode instead of landscape, had small text, and is more expensive than the iTunes color versions. I don't know if you purchase the Kindle versions if they would be in color, but I don't think so since I believe the Kindle reading device is not color (right?). I doubt they have a separate Kindle version for the Kindle application on the iPhone/iPod Touch, even though color is available on these devices. (I'm tempted to display sample screen shots, but it's late and that might violate some copyrights.)

I wonder if they'll try to explain the TNG connection in the movie or just jump in assuming viewers either know it or that the story works without the explanation. Since I have several friends that want to see the movie, I'm sure I'll be seeing it sometime after the opening crowds die down. If you see the movie before me, which won't be hard I'm sure, let us know what you think and about the explanation. "Live long and..." you know.

*The Kindle and iPhone/iPod Touch links are to Part 1 of Star Trek: Countdown. Parts 2-4 are available, but must be downloaded individually.

Marvel Pride and Prejudice

Marvel, yes the comic book people, are inking into the Jane Austen frenzy. They are releasing Pride and Prejudice in five-serial comic books. I believe the first issue will be released in April, but I can't say for sure.

If you need smelling salts to recover from the thought of P&P in comic book form, then you might want to pre-order all five editions from Marvel via this location. Personally, I'm the cautious type (OK, maybe over cautious), but I think I'd like to see them first and will try to find them in a local comic book store. Plus, I'd rather they arrive unbent from the post office. I can't say the cover art for the first edition thrills me, except "Bingleys Bring Bling" is rather funny.

It's also possible that Marvel will eventually combine the five comics into a hardback or trade paperback in the future. I'm not an expert on this, so check out the comments over at AustenBlog.com to see what other readers say about Marvel's habits in this regard.

(I'm still hoping for Lego Jane Austen. I want my Pemberley!)

UPDATE: There is conflicting information on whether Marvel will release hard cover or trade-paper editions of the comic strip. 

Image Copyright: Marvel Comics.

Just Had to Laugh

This Bound & Gagged comic made me laugh this morning. Always appreciate a good laugh. Click image for better view.

Copyright: Dana Summers and Tribune Media Services, Inc.

Ta-Daaa!!

Gotta love the 'tude. VBG! (Click for cleaner, bigger image.)

Image: Copyright Universal Press Syndicate

Stop Target Practice!

I'm pretty sure these folks use me for target practice...and they are darn good!

Click to enlarge the comic. Comic copyrights are the Tribune Media Services.

Chicago, Dear God

When I was in grade school two of my social studies (a.k.a., history) books had a political cartoon that I have remembered all my life. I don't have a copy of the cartoon, but it was from the Roaring Twenties and was a picture of a little girl kneeling next to her bed praying. She said:

"Dear God, tomorrow we are moving to Chicago. Please help us."

Keep in mind that in the 1920s Al Capone and his buddies lived, to put it mildly, in Chicago. I think there's another version of the comic from the late 1960s.

Tomorrow, I have to get up early and go into Chicago for jury duty. All I can think is:

"Dear God, tomorrow I'm going to Chicago. Please help me."

It's no that I'm afraid to go to Chicago, not in the least, I enjoy visiting Chicago...it's just such a hassle to have to go there for jury duty. I'd be happy to do jury duty at a less busy time, when I'm not fighting off a cold, or if it were a lot closer to home. Sigh. And I really, really hope it is only one day.

Final Daily Foxtrot

This is it, gang. The last, the final, the ###, the end, the last hurrrah...

Here's the concluding daily strip of Foxtrot (click to enlarge):

At least there will still be Sunday strips; just not the same.

Image copyright Bill Amend.

Foxtrot into the Sunset

Sob! Foxtrot, the fabulous comicstrip, is ending daily publication and going to Sunday's only! How can they do this to us! First Calvin and Hobbes ceased publication, but Foxtrot was there to sustain us. Until Dec. 30, 2006 that is. Now, sob, Foxtrot leaves us bereft on workdays! Sundays only! Help, help, help.

*

I need my daily dose of Jason torturing Paige, Jason's computer and sport adventures, Peter's pit-less stomach, Mom trying to stay sane with her wacky family...Foxtrot was a promised laugh day-in and day-out! How do I get motivated for work every morning now?

Click here to read more. Sigh; I'm going into mourning. See y'ah on the Foxtrotless dark side.

*Image copyright uComics and/or Bill Amend.

Calvin (and Hobbes) College

The Chicago Tribune included an article yesterday about Calvin and Hobbes being used by college professors to help illustrate points on topics ranging from cubism art, mathematics, Biblical studies, biomechanics, ethics, and natural history. (Calvin covered a lot of ground!) I don’t remember my professors using the comic strip during classes, but I definitely put Calvin to work for me during college. I’d try to read the comic every day and put photocopies of some of my favorites in a three-ring binder. That binder was used by myself and lots of friends on those occasions that we needed a good laugh. Now I use my computer to read Calvin and Hobbes  every morning.

The Trib article is here, but a subscription might be needed.

Zits

No! Not those zits! The comic strip Zits! 

If you have access to today’s Zits comic strip, it has a thoughtful (pun intended) laugh about blogging. Unfortunately, I can’t find an online copy to share. And I don’t have a working scanner, so I can’t even contemplate loading an illegal copy myself. Sorry. 

   

   

   

If you can’t find it, read my extended blog for a description, which is a bit lame since the drawings are missing.