Topics

In 1947 Life Magazine, for reasons best known to them, asked a bunch of comics artists to draw their characters blindfolded. You can see the results here.

It's, um, interesting.

This story seems to crop up every few years, doesn't it? This time it's got Murdoch's filthy lucre behind it though.

Link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7364663.stm" target="_blank">Clicky

If you're in London on Wednesday, you might be interested in this documentary screening and discussion at the Science Museum's Dana Centre featuring the man with the most misspelled surname in comics, John(ny) Hicklenton, talking about his battle with MS.

Link: http://www.danacentre.org.uk/events/2008/01/30/358" target="_blank">Here's Johnny

http://www.danacentre.org.uk/images/events/lead/bedlam.jpg">

I know there are a few gamers loitering about these parts, so you may be interested in this event at the Science Museum in London next week, exploring how the body reacts when gaming.

Link: http://www.danacentre.org.uk/events/2007/11/21/336" target="_blank">In the Game

Just been told about this, various talks and the like at the ICA and other venues. Featuring appearances from Alan Moore, Pat Mills, Gerry Finley-Day and Kevin O'Neill, among others.

Link: http://www.paulgravett.com/comica/comica07/comica07.htm" target="_blank">Comica 07

According to no comment from Jane Tranter at the suggestion he's going to replace Rusty Davies on Doctor Who.

I thought this wasn't out until next week, so I was pleasantly surprised to find a prominent display in Foyle's on Charing Cross Road.

The first thing that strikes you is what a beautiful object it is - it's a bloody great doorstop of a book (over 300 pages), hardbound, lovely glossy thick pages. I read the first 50 pages or so on the train home, and it's great so far. The term "graphic novel" is much abused, but this really looks like it's going to live up to it, a rich and complex work that does for Sunderland what "Voice of the Fire" does for Northampton, a fascinating interplay of fact and legend. Well worth 17 quid of anyone's money. Is anybody else going to Bryan Talbot's talk on April 5th at the Cartoon Museum?

"I'm ready for my close-up", a programme on the excellent I'm ready for my podcast

Oi, Green Bonce!

I'm sure there's a lot of detail about the 30th birthday celebrations you don't want to tell us yet, because you want to tease us/ haven't got round to organising it, but is there any chance of dropping a heavy hint as to the date such celebrations might occur? My diary's filling up fast, and I daresay others could do with some notice to avoid double-booking misery.

Oh, and Happy New Year ;)

This promises to be the infotainment sensation of 2007.

Link: http://www.guardian.co.uk/religion/Story/0,,1946370,00.html" target="_blank">Prepare to believe!

I'm hoping to get to this, at least partly on Beeb-related business. Any London Squaxx fancy meeting up for a pint in the Russell Square area on Sunday?

Link: http://www.bookpalace.com/events.htm" target="_blank">clicky clicky

I only caught a glimpse of this in someone else's paper on the train into work, so I've no idea what it's about, but there's a cartoon in the Times today that parodies that McMahon picture of Dredd sitting on the bullet-riddled word "CRIME" with a big gun. Anyone else get a better look at it?

Who will save us from the Monkey God now, eh?

Link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/5047846.stm" target="_blank">http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/5047846.stm

http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/judgeparsnip/images/3-picture.jpg?0.1464646657985348">

Fans of ill-conceived and overblown sci-fi movie adaptations may be pleased to know that there's a free DVD of David Lynch's Dune being given away with the Observer this weekend. Underrated  epic or just the load of old donkey's cock that everyone says it is? Here's your chance to decide for yourself!

London - it's surely England's finest capital city. Other cities may cite their lower population densities, affordable housing and functional public transport systems, but let's face it, they'll never be as London-y as London, and therefore they're just not quite as good. So with that in mind, it must be about time for London squaxx to assemble in the Horse & Groom to drink booze and wallow in a fug of smug self-congratulation.

I'm thinking next Tuesday (18th) might be a good day, as there's bugger all on telly on a Tuesday. Anyone up for it?

As suspected, Sarah Jane will be accompanied by a metal doggy.

Link: http://ariel.gateway.bbc.co.uk/viewDailyNews.asp?storyID=8849" target="_blank">http://ariel.gateway.bbc.co.uk/viewDailyNews.asp?storyID=8849

Yes, I know I'm way behind all you hep cats who saw it in the cinema, but...

My brother got me both of them for my birthday, and I watched them over the weekend. I have to say I really enjoyed them, they're beautifully filmed and quite spectacular, but my problem with them is the same as my problem with all Tarantino's films, that all he seems to do is pastiche other movies. I've nothing against films that comment on other films (hell, I love Leone, after all) but I wish he'd occasionally stop it and try and say something original. Surely someone who's capable of producing such technically accomplished work is capable of more? Any thoughts?

(And isn't the terminology "Volume 1/2" tremendously pretentious?)

Yes, the longest sulk in British political history is over.

And yet Thatcher still lives. Where's the justice, eh?

I was on the phone to the lovely Denise yesterday (tangental moan to Rebellion: Why oh why can't you sort it so subbers can pay by Direct Debit? It'd save a lot of hassle all round) and she warned me next week's prog will be late due to the printers having flooding woes.