Books, movies, TV, anything like that.
If you ever wondered what the backstory behind apple Slice soda or Real Ghostbusters Kenner Proton Packs were, you may have heard of Matt and Jay of The Purple Stuff Podcast. They also go by the internet pseudonyms of Dinosaur…
Well, I tried to delete this article, because it's sort of random compared to most of my regular gaming content, but man you guys love this article! Whether you know it by its formal name, D&D, The Forgotten Realms, or…
Well, I guess this review is going to be a trial attempt at an idea I've had. It takes me days to churn out a full volume review, which I don't really mind or anything, but it's nice to just pick something up for about the length it takes me to create solo dev showcases. Anyway, whatever, so today I'm taking a look at Bebop and Rocksteady Hit the Road Issue 1. I have to confess,Well, I guess this review is going to be a trial attempt at an idea I've had. It takes me days to churn out a full volume review, which I don't really mind or anything, but it's nice to just pick something up for about the length it takes me to create solo dev showcases. Anyway, whatever, so today I'm taking a look at Bebop and Rocksteady Hit the Road Issue 1. I have to confess, I thought I was reading Bebop and Rocksteady Destroy Everything, which is an entirely different series apparently. This one is good too though, and Bebop and Rocksteady's dimwitted fully loaded antics are just as good here as they could be anywhere. Anyway, my idea here is, instead of trying to conquer every individual volume collection, I can taste a bit of everything for you and provide a swath of curated comics. So, let's go.
The World Before Your Feet is an independent documentary about a gentleman named Matt Green, hailing from--well, anywhere he goes, which is everywhere in New York City, every street, every block. He considers himself independently homeless, sufficing on $15 a day so he can afford to keep walking without a job. This is an interesting film as a concept and project. It highlights the human intricacies of finding purpose, especially purposes not motivated by conventional profit or advantage. I think if you're from New York or have an interest in its complexities, as I've always had, this is a pretty interesting, relatively efficient feature.
I've had this graphic novel sitting on my shelf for too long, setting aside a good time to sit down with it. These past couple of days, however, I've been flipping from page to page this excellently illustrated and narrated journey through the history of video games. I completed it last night and enjoyed it quite a bit. I never knew that so many unlikely events lead up to the powerhouse of video games that exists today. Seeing as the website I run here is currently undergoing a blend of games and books, I think this is a perfect topic for us all here. So, without further ado, let's light some diodes and insert a quarter with The Comic Book Story of Video Games: The Incredible Journey of the Electronic Revolution. "Let's a-go!"
While the industry in the gaming business model changes, Adam's family's pinball arcade and Whitney's eSports Cafe are in direct competition with each other, and consequently Adam and Whitney. You Can Go Your Own Way by Eric Smith is a November 2021 release YA book about two childhood friends, Adam Stillwater and Whitney Mitchell. They have gotten knee-deep in running their parents' businesses as their parents are either too busy or in Adam's father's case, not there. Through firey tweet threads and a plot that takes place almost entirely in the market area of Old City Philadelphia, the two find out that maybe they can restore their childhood friendship after all--or try at least. I truly adored this book, and I'll tell you all about it here.
One of the best actors in Hollywood passed away in the past couple of days at age 85. Dean Stockwell, the actor/artist/environmentalist/cigar-enthusiast, is notably remembered for his role as Al Calavicci in the '80s/'90s TV time travel show Quantum Leap. I had always intended to talk about Quantum Leap here somewhere since it is one of the most influential productions I have ever spent time with, "within my own lifetime." With the news about Mr. Stockwell, I guess maybe this is a good time.
This is another teen and YA appropriate, plus seasonally appropriate, review. Pumpkinheads is a very endearing and amusing graphic novel released pre-pandemic. It is the creation of author Rainbow Rowell and author / illustrator Faith Erin Hicks. It follows the tale of two friends, Deja and Josiah, who work at a pumpkin patch, on their last Halloween night before they go off to college. Instead of their assigned task of working as succotash cooks, Deja tries to insist Josiah do something about his multiple year spanning fascination with the girl who works at the fudge shop.