From the Cosmic Mind: The Cosmic Fox
On July 15, 2013, Michel Gagné premiered the opening segment of The Saga of Rex, adapted from his graphic novel published by Image Comics.
Share in the wonder of Rex:
Here’s a pencil test of Rex where he meets Aven, “an enigmatic biomorph.” uploaded August 13, 2013:
“The Saga of Rex: The Animated Film Project Pt. One: Abduction” was funded by 880 backers through Kickstarter.com.
Power Rangers Ninja Turtles
Oh, dear. Jason David Frank of the Power Rangers is about to be attacked by a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle at Wizard World 2013. Who will win?
Photo (c) Jason David Frank
Space Battleship Yamato, Chapter 7
At last, Yamato’s finale is here. Here’s a 15-second peek from Bandai:
Chapter 7 contains episodes 23-26. Dai-nanashō: Soshite Kan wa Iku / “And Now the Warship Comes” premiered August 24, 2013 in Japanese theaters, followed by a release on DVD and Blu-ray on October 25, 2013. Yamato, hassin!
Adventures in Microsoft: The Mysterious Changing Text
I use Microsoft Word as my processor. But once in awhile as I’m typing along, the program develops a problem. When this happens, I’ll mention the problem and report the answer to this blog, in case you face the same situation.
Today I was typing text in French, when suddenly the letters changed into a red color, and the letters were underlined as I typed. I couldn’t undo the problem with the “clear formatting” button. So, I contacted Microsoft for an answer. One would think the makers of the product would know the solution and would be happy to correct it. And they are happy to do so, as long as you engage their premium service and pay them $99 for the “privilege.” No, thanks. If they make buggy software, they should own up to the responsibility themselves. The customer shouldn’t have to pay for the manufacturer’s mistakes.
So on Google, I typed the question, “Why does Microsoft Word text suddenly change color?” Luckily, I found someone who had the same problem here.
But was there a solution? A fellow named Asker responded with this advice:
Sounds like you’ve accidentally turned on Track Changes. Here’s how to turn it off and get the red out.
In Word versions prior to Word 2007:
1. On the Reviewing toolbar (the one with the Final Showing Markup list box), click the one with the blue checkmark.
2. Select Accept All Changes In Document. That should clear them all out. Now to turn off future ones.
3. On that toolbar, click the Track Changes button, the second from the right, the one with the page with red lines.
In Word 2007:
1. Click the Review tab on the Ribbon.
2. In the Changes group, click the arrow under “Accept”.
3. Click Accept All Changes In Document.
4. In the Tracking group, the Track Changes icon should be selected. Click it to unselect it.
That should do it.
***
And it did.
Thank you, Asker.
Back, you mewling quim! Loki Comes to ComicCon and Conquers Hall H
Saturday July 20, 2013 6:00pm – 7:00pm. During the Marvel Cinematic Universe panel at San Diego ComicCon, Tom Hiddleston appeared as Loki before a throng of 6,000 Marvel fans—and conquered them. Now this is how you promote a franchise! Feast your eyes:
His discourse in print:
“Humanity! Look how far you’ve fallen, waiting all day in the sweltering heat, huddled together in the dark, like beasts. [lightning flash] I am Loki of Asgard, and I am burdened with glorious purpose. Stand back, you mewling quim! The bright lure of freedom diminishes your life’s joy in a mad scramble for a place in this chamber, this meager palace of Midgard, in the arena they call Hall H. You should have let me rule you when you had the chance. Yet here you are! Kneel! Your ears yearn for untold stories. Your eyes crave unseen sights. Your imaginations ache and hunger. Where are your Avengers now? Claim loyalty to me and I will give you what you need. Say my name! Say my name! Say my name! SAY MY NAME! It seems I have an army. Feast your eyes!”
Thus was the trailer to Thor: The Dark World introduced.
Afterward Hiddleston talked about his Hall H appearance:
The Star Wars Reference Guide: Progress Report 7/17/2013
Hello friends,
For the last two weeks I’ve been researching at Steve Sansweet’s Rancho Obi-Wan and George Lucas’s Skywalker Ranch Research Library, scanning and cataloging literally hundreds of hard-to-find magazines, comics, books and newspaper articles.
Here I am in front of Steve’s extensive magazine storage room.
W.R. Miller at Rancho Obi-Wan, Magazine Archive
Photo by Anne Neumann
(c) 2013 W.R. Miller
And here I am at Skywalker Ranch’s main house.
Main House, Skywalker Ranch
Photo by Robyn Stanley
(c) 2013 W.R. Miller
The Skywalker Ranch Research Library—formerly the Lucasfilm Research Library prior to Disney’s acquisition of Lucasfilm—is itself a treasure trove of information. There’s also a separate Archives building, which reminds one of the last shot of Raiders of the Lost Ark, a storage area of books and filing cabinets and boxes and containers galore. It’s a cool, temperature-controlled environment, helping preserve not only Lucas’s own materials, but the acquired libraries of Paramount and Universal Studios.
In this kind of deep research, it’s amazing to discover some fascinating stories. Like Anthony Daniels wearing his heavy C-3PO costume in the streets of Oslo, Norway, to promote Star Wars in August 1978. Or the reception Star Wars received upon its release in Latin America.
My gratitude extends to Steve Sansweet and Anne Neumann for their hospitality, and to Skywalker’s wonderful librarians Jo Donaldson and Robyn Stanley for their generous time and help. Thanks to their support, The Star Wars Reference Guide and Historical Sourcebook will have the most comprehensive documentation of Star Wars (original trilogy) media coverage in the world.
If you can help, my want list can be found here.
Designing a Reluctant Dragon
Here’s a nifty little video of artist Den Beauvais designing and sculpting a dragon as a reference model for an illustrated children’s book, The Reluctant Dragon.
Here’s a painting of the creature:
Gorgeous, isn’t it?
This version of The Reluctant Dragon takes advantage of 21st-century technology, presenting itself in iPad and other electronic devices.
Chris Derochie of Cobblestone Media wants to fund the project through Indiegogo. He talks about it here.
Yes, you can be a part of this worthy project. But hurry! The fundraiser ends July 19, 2013.
Walking with Dinosaurs … Again
In a rapidly-changing primeval world, a dinosaur is hatched. He is sniffed at by other dinosaurs. He is the last hope for his tribe. He takes charge of a great migration. This movie is
The Land Before Time (1988)
Disney’s Dinosaur (2000)
Walking with Dinosaurs (2013)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9v9_ws_WTM
Dinotopia: Utopia or Dystopia?
Once upon a time a talented painter, James Gurney, created a paradise where humans and intelligent dinosaurs lived together in peace. Dinotopia: A Land Apart from Time and Dinotopia: The World Beneath became best-sellers and thus, attracted the attention of media moguls Robert Halmi Jr. and Robert Halmi Sr. They produced an $80 million mini-series released in 2002, followed by a TV series. Family-friendly, and fun.
June 16, 2013. Amazon.co.uk sent an email announcement about Dinotopia’s DVD re-release with this image:
Here’s the box art, as presented at Amazon:
Dinotopia — or Dino-dystopia?
