It’s the Electric (boogie woogie woogie woogie) Company! A few nights ago I went to an ASIFA-East panel starring some producers, writers, and animators of this funky new revival. I… am too young to have been emotionally impacted by the original Electric Co, but not so many many other people. Let’s see if I learned anything from them:
The original TV show aired from 1971-1977 and had over 700 episodes. They were a sketch comedy show for kids starring the talents of Joan Rivers, and the Hubleys (a cute animator couple who inspired John Canemaker) among others. It was a “melange groove tune” for “people who like to scratch things.” That is “it’s a TV show not for kids, but for little people,” says Karen Fowler the executive producer. She is a very LOUD happy person who wanted to combine pop culture, righteous music, comedy and ‘the freedom to make mistakes’ to recreate this show. PBS Kids was lucky to receive a “Ready to Learn” grant to kick off the business, but ‘favors’ still had to be called in to get over 80 different animations done cheaply for the first season. On top of new animated segments, and a new narrative storyline, a special emphasis is placed on vocabulary skills. Hear hear.
Continue reading ‘Electric Co.’
The New York Geeks jump out of the screen and into your homes for a discussion on the recent resurgence of 3-D media; where it’s been, where it’s going, and whether it will ever be seen as more than just a gimmick.
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Continue reading ‘NYGC Episode 35 – 3-D: The Stereoscopic Gimmick’
DC Comics is relaunching Wonder Woman with a brand new origin and a brand new look, starting in this weeks issue #600.
Bomber Jackets never go out of style, right?
So, this new costume is designed by Jim Lee, an artist I tend to like. But, man, do I not like this costume. It feels incredibly 90’s.
The new origin is similarly frustrating. The god’s went back in time 20 years and changed something, causing Wonder Woman to go from a walking swimsuit-clad bondage fantasy to a hip “urban” warrior princess who rebels against the idea of practical shoes.
The writer on this run is Babylon 5 creator and all around good guy, J. Micheal Straczynski, who share’s his thoughts on the redesign and the new origin on DC Comic’s Blog. He takes a small jab at the 60’s era Wonder Woman, where she becomes a super sexy hippie spy. That run is badass. Low blow, Straczynski. Other than that, he seems to have thought this whole thing through and approaches the subject with the respect of a comic fan. Oh, and he drops this gem:
“What woman only wears one outfit for 70 years? What woman doesn’t accessorize?”
Women be shopping! Am I right?
Friend Kori Valz pointed us towards some discussion on NPR’s Talk of the Nation. Apparently they did a piece on the concept of the word “geek”, and whether the popular concept what the word “geek” means has become too accepted. You can listen to part of the story here, and take part in the poll here.
Personally, I think this is a bit insipid. The word geek is what it is, and just because geeks are no longer the objects of intense ridicule and social exclusion doesn’t mean we have to “change our branding” now, as if the geek community was some sort of corporate entity.
If anything, we should come up with a word to differentiate actual geeks from the wannabe poseur geeks, who appear to be more hipsters than anything. Anyway, take a listen and decide for yourself, and then let us know what you think!
Made by our friend Christi Bertelsen. I wish this was a real Chase card I could order.
If you’re a LOST fan, as I am, you’re probably kind of curious as to where this is all going. This weekend is the series finale of the show, and to celebrate, The Paley Center for Media is holding a little get-together:
“The Paley Center for Media and New York Comic Con are going to help EASE YOUR PAIN with a fun-filled celebration featuring a slew of events—a DHARMA aptitude test (aka trivia contest), a custom-made Lost game, prizes, giveaways, a panel discussion, and a special screening of a pop-up version of the program that got it all started: the pilot episode.”
The Last Lost Weekend: A Celebration | The Paley Center for Media
David and I will have a table at the MOCCA Festival this saturday and sunday. M.O.C.C.A. stands for the Museum of Comic and Cartoon art. Lots of independent artists sell their comics, illustrations, toys and various other cool stuff at this venue.
The event will be held at 69th Regiment Armory @ 68 Lexington Avenue NYC. It starts at 11am on Saturday April 10th and we’re at table D2.
Both of us geeks will be selling various wares that we’ve created such as My Monster and Shapesmith Book, and David’s Little Guys short!!! We will also have a limited number of New York Geekcast posters to adorn your studio, bedroom or basement in your mom’s house.
And even if you don’t want to necessarily buy some of our awesome creations (Though why wouldn’t you?) you can still stop by the table and pick up a postcard, sticker, or just let us interview you about your love of comics and what you enjoy about MOCCA.
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