In this unmissable look at the magic of comics, cartoonist Scott McCloud bends the presentation format into a cartoon-like experience, where colorful diversions whiz through childhood fascinations and imagined futures that our eyes can hear and touch.
Fox/Warner Settlement: Watchmen is ON!
By Casey Lynn
Contributing Writer, [GAS]
Most of you have probably already seen the trailer for Watchmen by now, and if you’re a fan, you’ve probably been on pins and needles knowing that the film might not actually see the light of day. The two studios have been waging a battle for a year over the distribution rights, stemming from Fox’s allegation that they had already optioned Alan Moore’s graphic novel, and Warner Brothers producer Larry Gordon had failed to obtain the rights before beginning his own Watchmen project.
On December 24, a District Court judge (working on Christmas Eve?) granted Fox’s copyright claim. This must have been pretty scary for Warner Brothers, since they’ve already been advertising like mad, and slated the film for a March 9 release.
Of course, no matter whose name ended up on it, the real tragedy would have been if the film simply languished in litigation and negotiations for years. Luckily for the fans, the studios apparently realized that neither of them would make money if that happened, and came to a settlement. They haven’t announced the exact details, but various news sources have reported that Warner agreed to pay Fox as much as 8.5% of the film’s gross receipts and $1.5 million to cover the development costs.
The studios did do a nice job of patting each other on the back in a joint statement: “Warner Bros. acknowledges that Fox acted in good faith in bringing its claims, which were asserted prior to the start of principal photography. Fox acknowledges that Warner Bros. acted in good faith in defending against those claims.” They probably figured that bad PR for either one of them would only hurt the film.
I think this is great news, and I can’t wait to see the film. Alan Moore has been notoriously disappointed in the previous adaptations of his work (including The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and V for Vendetta), to the point where he’s said he doesn’t watch them. I’ve still got pretty high hopes for this one, though, just based on the buzz and the trailer.
College Girl Drops Out of School Because of… Ubuntu?
Hmmm… don’t you find her excuses just a little… how should I say… pathetic? Yep, I think that’s the correct word.
[Via [H]]
Star Wars Motivator: Jedi Squirrels
MIT’s TOFU Really Knows How to Groove
Meet TOFU, a funny little robot that has been developed by a team of MIT researchers.
Cute little fellow isn’t he? TOFU has been built as a mean to explore new ways of applying social expressions to robots. I can only imagine that one day, a new generation of toys will use the same techniques to interact with kids in a whole new ways.
[Via Engadget]
Original Star Wars Trilogy Retold
Ladies and Gentlemen, here’s the complete story of the original Star Wars trilogy – as retold by an uninitiated young woman who has never seen the entire film – only bits and pieces of it.
Just remember, Geekdom, we’re laughing with her, not laughing at her. I’ve only seen bits and pieces of “Titanic,” and I’m sure my rendition of it would be just as hilarious to a Titanic fan.
[Via Neatorama]
Star Wars Motivator: Sense
Job of the day: High-Voltage Power Cable Inspector
This guys sure does have a serious pair of humongous balls to do this for a living. I don’t know about you, but even for a few hundred k’s per year, I wouldn’t even want this job.
His suit is 75% Nomex to prevent him from catching on fire and 25% stainless steel thread, which creates a faraday cage around him that pumps about a half a million volts around him at all times. The steel allows the electricity to flow around the outside of his suit, completing a circuit, but none of it touches him.
[Via Gizmodo]
Wednesday Geeky Pics: Comic Book Love
By Casey Lynn
Contributing Writer, [GAS]
This week we celebrate the bond between a geek and his (or her) comic books.
Star Wars Motivator : Teamwork
If you’re having difficulty with your coworkers, Lord Vader has been known to inspire teamwork…