Signal Watch Watches: Toy Story 3

Likely you've already seen Pixar's latest in Toy Story 3, or you've read about it somewhere already, so there's really no need for me run down the plot, or, likely, to tell you that Pixar knocked it out of the park.

Once again, kids will enjoy the funny characters of a Pixar film and adults will revel in some of the strongest storytelling the studios have to offer.

I'm a fan of Buzz and Woody, too. And after three movies, I think we can expect that Toy Story will carve out its own little niche of the pop landscape for a couple of generations, unlike the pop-culture junk food Disney has turned to since their 90's-era renaissance, between forgettable features (and blaming CG for taking them down? Bad show, Disney.) and utterly disposable direct-to-video sequels to stories that needed no follow-up, resulting in Disney going from the premier creator of all-ages entertainment to a sausage factory of mediocre, ultimately forgettable cookie-cutter movies.

What's curious is how Toy Story 3 truly turns the movies into a sort of saga, expanding upon the premise without diluting what made the prior movies work, and without straying from the core of the characters. As a final chapter in the series, it works very, very well. And it will be a shame if anyone tries to exploit the characters and their story beyond this very neat finishing point.

As an aside: You know who I really like?

Jessie the Cowgirl. I have no idea why, but I think Jessie is pretty rad.


that cowgirl cracks me up

Anyhow, we're definitely recommending this one for all audiences, although I'd think hard before taking really small kids. And if you get a chance, try to see it in 3D. There's not a lot of extra 3D stuff, but it works amazingly well in the opening animation, too.


There's a snake in my boot!

The Weird World of Jimmy Olsen

Bob Hope has a Bizarro costume just lying around?

Superman meets Jerry Lewis

My life was improved 150% today when I stumbled across this comic in the bin at Half-Price books for $3.00.

If only there were a "Batman meets Cary Grant" or "Tony Stark drinks heavily with Frank" comic I could buy. Heck, I'd take a "Ant Man shares a cab with Joey Bishop" or "Red Tornado gets stranded at the airport with Norman Fell" comic.

Unfortunately, I don't believe any of these great ideas ever happened. It doesn't mean that they shouldn't have happened.

Also, sadly, today's celebrities do not lend themselves particularly well to meeting superheroes. "Wonder Woman meets Snooki" doesn't do much for me.

But maybe "Ray Palmer meets The Mythbusters...?" Call me, publishers. I am full of ideas.

Dressing for Success

upcoming Mister Miracle shirt with Kirby art from issue #1


I am going to buy this shirt. Oh yes. I will.

Happy Burfday to Randy

In honor of Randy's birthday, we are giving Randy the things he likes best.



Computers



Baptist Bears (who, tragically, are forbidden from dancing)



Pop stars



useful code



comics with monkeys



That girl from "Transformers"



Houstonians



machine guns adorned with Hello Kitty



Peanut butter. Peanut butter all for Randy.



This guy.



Gadgets.



Mrs. Randy, AKA: The Mysterious M



his daughter, Lil M

Weekly Watch Wind: 06/25/2010

Scott Pilgrim/ Me: hey, look! Its my personal Scott Pilgrim Avatar. I'm really skinny!

Batman/ Dr. Who!: This is just funny.


Webcomics: A list of ten webcomics. I am adding all of these to my list for the time being.


Tron/ Jeff the Cat: I have found a new way to drive my cat insane. New Tron toys can drive up walls.


Comics Business: In case you missed it (what with all the announcements about digital), music and media retail chain, Hastings, is looking to become a chain of comic shops. There hasn't been a Hastings in Austin that I can remember since the location on Guadalupe closed when I was in high school. But the shops still exist in mid-size towns across my part of the US of A. Lawton, Oklahoma gets listed! I am unsure how this will shake out, but it looks like they're going to give it a real try, versus the half-baked efforts I've seen from Tower and other media retailers.

Having a chain involved is GOOD. It gives a wider outreach to untapped audiences, but it also means someone on the retail side of the table might actually have some bargaining power. And if print comics want to survive, they need to escape the direct market model and return to locations where the public will find them.


Superman/ Don't Ask, Just Buy It!: DC Comics has released Chip Kidd's intro to the upcoming "All Star Superman, Absolute Edition". It's one hell of a sales pitch for one of my favorite comics of all time.


Superman/ Contest: In the upcoming Superman series, Superman is walking America from East to West Coast. You can nominate your town to be one of the spots Superman wanders through during his journey. He's staying north of Texas, so, alas, I can't pitch Austin. I think DC was focusing on a path through the US that's a bit more populated that the southern route, which... once you pass Austin, its a long walk between towns when you're headed west.


Sweet/ Horsies!: An adorable moppet of a girl is setting out to make her life amazingly ready for adaptation into a made-for-TV movie. She loves a really homely horse, and that is going to save this pony's life. Apparently, being an ugly horse will get you executed.

Superman/ Theatre! #1: Our non-existent readers in New York should go to the Upright citizens Brigade theater to see So, I Like Superman: A One Nerd Show.


Superman/ Theatre! #2: Dallas-dwelling Superman fans can catch the revamped Superman musical! Just head on down to the Dallas Theatre Center!



Disney/ Lifestyle: Now you can just up and live at Disney World. Pretty nuts. Especially as all the animals in your yard will be able to wear clothes, emote and sing. No more glue traps for mice, I suppose.


DC Comics/ Politics/ Editorial: Oh, geez, Didio. Even when I sort of agree with you, you manage to botch things. Recently DC came under fire when character "All-New Atom", Ryan Choi, featured in the Batman: Brave and the Bold cartoon and who was the featured star of his own comic for more than two years, was unceremoniously killed off in a 3rd tier series. In responding to questions about criticism regardng DC's treatment of non-anglo/ white characters, Didio insisted that it isn't us, it's you, you stupid readers.

It's a complicated issue as DC relies on legacy characters developed during a far WASPier past, and its not just minority characters who don't seem to sell. Its anything introduced after 1965. At some point, DC sells what people buy. Unfortunately, DC is a company that relies upon nostalgia, and newer characters can't seem to get much of a foothold. So, in many ways, you kind of have to point the finger back at the fanbase and what they seem willing to support.

I suspect that's what Didio is trying to say, but... you know, he doesn't always do great when challenged in an interview.

And, Dan... that peer sitting next to you? Your co-publisher sharing the interview? He's Asian-American. Let him answer the "did DC kill Ryan Choi because you hate Asians?" questions next time. Schniekies.

Dinosaur Comedy

Do you have a favorite dinosaur? Sure, we all do! (Triceratops is the Mad Max vehicle of dinosaurs.) This dude explains why your favorite dinosaur is lame.

However, he uses lots of naughty language. Beware.

This may be the nerdiest thing I've ever laughed at.

New Trailer for "Red" confirms Helen Mirren with a machine gun is awesome

I've never read the comic book, but this movie looks kind of up my alley.

Also, Helen Mirren seems awesome in this.

Tiffany/ Debbie Gibson/ SyFy/ Mutant Animals = I am watching

Nathan C. sent this link along. He must have known it would need to go up as an emergency post.

Apparently SyFy is trying to blow all our minds with a low budget giant monster yarn featuring 80's teen pop stars Tiffany and Deborah Gibson.

Gibson will play a fanatical animal-rights activist who frees illegally imported exotic snakes from pet stores, sending them into the Everglades, where they grow to mega sizes. Tiffany will play an overzealous park ranger who uses dangerous methods to save endangered alligators.

In the script, the pair brawl at a party, then take matters outside into the swamp.

SyFy, who have just won yourself a viewer.

DCU Digital Announcement: Brilliant or Lucky?

It just now occurs to me that Marvel may have miscalculated by tieing their digital comics launch in with the launch of the iPad. What's the bigger news that day? iPad or "oh, look, Iron Man!" Of course, it seems to have fit neatly with the release of the Iron Man movie, but people are buzzing about DC's efforts as if we hadn't already seen Marvel pull this off already, and Boom! make an announcement just last week.

That said, I was discussing iPads with my boss, and I think I am waiting for the HP Slate and whatever Dell produces. Not just to be contrarian, but I like to look at YouTube and stuff.