Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Who Hates Robotech and Transformers?
Last month when our new graphic artist came in (he's a few years older than me), we found we had lots of things in common. Eventually the situation drifted to The Transformers movie and he went "Did you like Transformers?" and I'm like "Who didn't?". I think the same goes for Robotech. Unless, of course, I'm missing something.
Library Stories Part 1
I was recently reading some entries from The Filipino Librarian and it got me thinking, what were my experiences with libraries?
I think I already discussed before (How old was that entry? One year, two years ago?) about the myth of libraries -- TV and teachers will tell us that if we need a book, we should visit our local library. But the fact is, it's physically impossible for any library (barring "digital libraries") to stock every single book in the world, much less every single book a person might be interested in reading.
As a kid, I wasn't your conventional reader. That is, I spent most of my growing years reading magazines instead of books (and I'm not regretting that fact). That's not to say I wasn't in the school library often--I was, but it's not because of the books. And neither was I alone in the library. In fact, it was frequently populated. But again, it's not because of the books. Of course when I entered college, the state of the university library wasn't any different. And I'll be brutally honest, here's the reasons why people were in the library (whether I was in grade school, high school, or college):
I think I already discussed before (How old was that entry? One year, two years ago?) about the myth of libraries -- TV and teachers will tell us that if we need a book, we should visit our local library. But the fact is, it's physically impossible for any library (barring "digital libraries") to stock every single book in the world, much less every single book a person might be interested in reading.
As a kid, I wasn't your conventional reader. That is, I spent most of my growing years reading magazines instead of books (and I'm not regretting that fact). That's not to say I wasn't in the school library often--I was, but it's not because of the books. And neither was I alone in the library. In fact, it was frequently populated. But again, it's not because of the books. Of course when I entered college, the state of the university library wasn't any different. And I'll be brutally honest, here's the reasons why people were in the library (whether I was in grade school, high school, or college):
- The place has an air-conditioner. It's cool. It might not seem much to foreigners, but bear in mind that the Philippines is a tropical country that has been influenced by Western colonial mentality (we have skating rinks in our malls!).
- It's a good place to sleep, everything from sofas to tables. Oh, and air-conditioning too!
- It's a good place to chat, where bullies won't bother you and there's table and chairs which you can use.
The Wikipedia Contradiction
Make no mistake, I use Wikipedia (and a bit too often at that). And as much praise as I have for it, I think it's fair that I warn people: do your research. What I mean by that is that while using Wikipedia as a resource is a good start, it shouldn't end there.
The strength and weakness of Wikipedia is that nearly everyone can contribute. Unlike encyclopedias which have "professionals" writing those articles, that's not the case with Wikipedia. Of course that's not to say that all the information in Wikipedia is erroneous (or that all the information in an encyclopedia, any encyclopedia, even say The Britannica, is all factual). The problem I think is that there's a mix of facts and not-quite-facts in there--identifying which is which can be troublesome to say the least. But the advantage of a web-based resource is that unlike in print, once an error is spotted, corrections can immediately be made. That's not the case with your 1977 encyclopedia however, which has information three decades outdated.
But I think the problem of Wikipedia stems from the fact that it's written by people--many people. Let's face it, people are biased. History isn't irrefutable. Magellan discovered the Philippines one day, and he didn't decades later (and who knows, he might be attributed to "discovering" a new place or item in the future). Encyclopedias have editorial direction--that is, they focus on one "truth" and stick to it. The same goes with history books. That's simply not the case with a Wikipedia entry. While it's possible that people settle matters amicably, it's also likely that each party will fight for what they believe is "the truth". And I think that's human nature. In the end, there will be various interpretations of events, ideas, and people.
Of course the past three paragraphs is nothing but build-up for the "Wikipedia Contradiction". That is while actual history is disputable, Wikipedia tends to be accurate when it comes to "fictional history" when the topic is covered. What do I mean by fictional history? Well, basically anything from your favorite TV series to your favorite fantasy/science-fiction world to your favorite comic. And perhaps what I'd like to add is that these entries are "accurate" mainly because there's only one source (the text, be it the TV episode, a specific comic issue, etc.) in contrast to reality where there are multiple viewpoints. That's not to say there hasn't been arguments in such entries (and there have been attempts to "vandalize" an entry and skewing it towards a certain fan perspective, such as the pairing of certain characters or whether a person "kicks ass" or "sucks") but rather the "fictional historical events" are undisputed.
What does this all mean? If you're a geek like me, Wikipedia is your best friend. If you're a researcher/scholar, I'd check my sources.
The strength and weakness of Wikipedia is that nearly everyone can contribute. Unlike encyclopedias which have "professionals" writing those articles, that's not the case with Wikipedia. Of course that's not to say that all the information in Wikipedia is erroneous (or that all the information in an encyclopedia, any encyclopedia, even say The Britannica, is all factual). The problem I think is that there's a mix of facts and not-quite-facts in there--identifying which is which can be troublesome to say the least. But the advantage of a web-based resource is that unlike in print, once an error is spotted, corrections can immediately be made. That's not the case with your 1977 encyclopedia however, which has information three decades outdated.
But I think the problem of Wikipedia stems from the fact that it's written by people--many people. Let's face it, people are biased. History isn't irrefutable. Magellan discovered the Philippines one day, and he didn't decades later (and who knows, he might be attributed to "discovering" a new place or item in the future). Encyclopedias have editorial direction--that is, they focus on one "truth" and stick to it. The same goes with history books. That's simply not the case with a Wikipedia entry. While it's possible that people settle matters amicably, it's also likely that each party will fight for what they believe is "the truth". And I think that's human nature. In the end, there will be various interpretations of events, ideas, and people.
Of course the past three paragraphs is nothing but build-up for the "Wikipedia Contradiction". That is while actual history is disputable, Wikipedia tends to be accurate when it comes to "fictional history" when the topic is covered. What do I mean by fictional history? Well, basically anything from your favorite TV series to your favorite fantasy/science-fiction world to your favorite comic. And perhaps what I'd like to add is that these entries are "accurate" mainly because there's only one source (the text, be it the TV episode, a specific comic issue, etc.) in contrast to reality where there are multiple viewpoints. That's not to say there hasn't been arguments in such entries (and there have been attempts to "vandalize" an entry and skewing it towards a certain fan perspective, such as the pairing of certain characters or whether a person "kicks ass" or "sucks") but rather the "fictional historical events" are undisputed.
What does this all mean? If you're a geek like me, Wikipedia is your best friend. If you're a researcher/scholar, I'd check my sources.
Friday, May 04, 2007
Thoughts on WotC's Digital Initiative
Taken from my D&D blog:
My initial thoughts on the end of Dragon and Dungeon's print run can be found here. It's only now however that I've extensively thought about Wizards of the Coast's (WotC) Digital Initiative and what could possibly be done with it (pretty much like any disclaimer you've seen in most blogs, this is a musing rather than a "things-that-will-be" or "insider information"). And if WotC has been silent about the matter and appear to be uncertain at what their final product will be, I think that's a good thing as they can still make some changes (and hopefully read this blog) -- that's one of the benefits of going digital: I work for a magazine and I know how much lead time it takes to work on printed material. (And in a way, that's the same problem D&D Miniatures faces -- it adjusts to the metagame two expansions in advance rather than in the succeeding set.)
Interface
A big chunk of the complaints and rants stems down to interface. A lot of fans want a printed product. The Digital Initiative simply isn't that, at least not at first glance. Personally, I think it boils down to people's ability to adapt. eBooks for example haven't caught on but that's not to say the medium is completely hopeless. And a lot of RPG products out there are being distributed as PDFs including one of my favorites, Malhavoc Press. As I previously stated, it boils down to whether you're wiling to adapt or not. iPod screens aren't optimum for watching videos but hey, people do so. I'm not comfortable reading eBooks on the computer but I find reading it on a PDA not much of a problem (unfortunately I don't own a PDA).
Yes, the Digital Initiative ain't Paizo's Dragon or Dungeon any more than Pathfinder is an exact equivalent: they're new products in different mediums, each with its own strengths and weaknesses.
Of course it's starting to be a pet peeve when people complain on an online message board that they have difficulty reading something online. I mean you're posting on a message board! Doesn't that necessitate the use of a computer and a monitor? If you've adapted to posting on message boards, you'll adapt to online delivery (in whatever form it may be). And if you're somehow handicapped (nearly blind, color blind, etc.), there's a better chance that you'll find a solution thanks to the fact that the document is online. I mean I don't see Paizo releasing a Dragon Magazine: Braille Edition anytime soon, but programs that reads out text out loud or magnify text size isn't unreasonable.
Lastly, unless there's some nifty electronic protection involved, you can print it (even if it involves using the Print Screen button for PC users or Command + Shift + 3 for Mac users). Better yet, you don't need to print everything. I mean if people hate ads or what they consider "unnecessary material" in magazines, this is the perfect solution: you get to print only what you need.
Format
There's several ways to go with online delivery, each with its pros and cons. Right now what springs to mind is either they go web-based (using html, dhtml, xml--whatever as long as it can be viewed with a regular web browser) or PDF-based. Irregardless of what method they'll use, however, it'll have the benefit of coming out on time. Irregardless if I'm residing in the US, in Australia, in Germany, or in the Philippines, the publication will come out on time, simultaneously. I'll never need to worry about shipping, whether that means waiting for the package to be delivered to my door step or going through the hassle of picking it up at the post office.
1) Some people complain that they can't "collect" something that's not in print. Not true--if the Digital Initiative is released as a PDF, they're just as collectible. It's simply a different medium: they're called files. I mean I collect the web enhancements that's currently availble now. I save it in my hard drive and in my flash drive. I can port it over to another computer. It still counts as collecting. If it goes web-based, however, the complaint is understandable. I'll need online access and it'll appear as "one huge package" instead of the "monthlies" we're used to. That's not to say collecting "issues" will be impossible, it's just more difficult. I can only click "save us" so many times. If you want "collectability" PDF is the way to go and it's easily transportable to other machines/devices. If you want to print the product, PDF also seems like the likely answer. Lastly, if you want something that you can use once your subscription expires, again, PDF is a good answer. But PDF is not by any means the perfect solution as you'll see in my next points.
2) By going web-based, I don't have the restrictions of a paper medium. What I mean by constraints is that an article only needs to be long as it needs to be (or as short as it needs to be). There's less need for unnecessary material just to make it appear that the page is "filled up". Normally in a magazine, this takes the form of ads, additional illustrations, or simply statements in the article that is repeated and has a bigger size for emphasis. The problem with going PDF is you're essentially still reproducing a printed product without the printing costs. Eventually you'll need to layout the product as if it were a printed magazine which again means empty spaces and/or fillers. And because it's web-based, there's little need to cut out "necessary" material because of page limitations. Of course going web-based isn't without its disadvantages. Anyone who's done web design and layout knows how mutable the format is. What might look good on my computer might look horrible on someone else's computer. A lot of variables are involved, everything from web browser to resolution size to the OS you're using. If you're using a computer that's old enough, the web page might not even load at all. But this mutability could be a good thing as well -- one could easily design a product so that depending on which country I'm from, I could get a product that's in Japanese if I'm a Japanese-speaker, in English if I'm an English-speaker (or braille if I'm blind).
3) I think the biggest valaue for the format is instant errata. Will there be mistakes in the product? We're only human. But the good thing about going web-based is that corrections can be made once it's spotted or mentioned. As a web-based product, this is an optimal advantage. As a PDF, it's trickier. If this is to be implemented, we'll be having issues like Digital Initiative #100 version 1.0, followed with a release the next day with Digital Initiative #100 version 1.1 and so forth.
Of course while this is all possible, it only matters if the guys and gals at WotC makes use of it. Just because a DVD can have this and that feature doesn't mean all DVDs have additional features in them. Having said that, what I mentioned is merely the top of the iceberg. Here's some suggestions for maximizing the medium:
Things I'd Like to See in Digital Initiative:
1) An online product and not simply a printed product placed on the web -- there's a lot of things that can be done with online products and we've barely scratched the surface. It's not just about interactive programs such as a tile mapper or a character generator, there's simply more that can be done with an online magazine than with a printed one. For example, interviews don't need to be simply read (although a transcript is always helpful): it could be presented via mp3 (a Podcast) or video. I mean there'll be nuances and body language that can never be captured in a transcript. There could even be some animation going on in the "ecology" articles. Or simply an image gallery where it was limited to one or two pictures of each NPC/monster/magic item.
2) Maps -- I loved Dungeon magazine and if it's going online, I think a point for improvement are the maps. WotC can give me maps in various resolutions (hi-res and lo-res, the former if I'm printing them, the second if I'm viewing/projecting them from the computer) and in various sizes (either to fit the screen/printed paper or on a 1:1 scale). I can also get maps with various information on them: in player friendly format (without revealing where the secret doors, traps, and monsters are) and in DM-only format (where all the details are included). They can even do something creative and give it to me from a different angle, such as a first-person perspective. And since they don't have to print it, they can give it to me in a lot of formats that would have otherwise taken up valuable page space. I mean that's my complaint about Expedition to Castle Ravenloft: the maps are great for the GM, but it's not as good when running an actual game for the players. I can't use the maps as visuals because a) they're too small and b) they give too much away. With this online format, I get the best of both worlds, especially if the Digital Initiative is going to give me adventures and adventure paths.
3) Updates on Monsters -- I'm currently playing 3.5 and a lot of 3.0 monsters (or even AD&D ones) haven't been converted. This is the perfect place to update them. And even if they were already updated to 3.5, it's a good place to use the new stat block (which I find to be easier to utilize) and include the results for their respective Knowledge checks. I mean some people were complaining about rehashing old monsters in Monster Manual IV and slapping class levels on them -- this is the perfect place to feature them. Better yet, it's the perfect partner to the "Ecology of..." articles Dragon was publishing. Throw in NPCs as well for that matter.
So far, those are the "general" things I want. I mean fans will most likely want to include their favorite campaign setting into the mix, etc. The great thing about online content is that it's actually viable now without having to worry about page count (although WotC still needs to worry about paying freelancers).
But like all things, it's a wait-and-see. Just because "it can be done" doesn't mean "it will be done".
My initial thoughts on the end of Dragon and Dungeon's print run can be found here. It's only now however that I've extensively thought about Wizards of the Coast's (WotC) Digital Initiative and what could possibly be done with it (pretty much like any disclaimer you've seen in most blogs, this is a musing rather than a "things-that-will-be" or "insider information"). And if WotC has been silent about the matter and appear to be uncertain at what their final product will be, I think that's a good thing as they can still make some changes (and hopefully read this blog) -- that's one of the benefits of going digital: I work for a magazine and I know how much lead time it takes to work on printed material. (And in a way, that's the same problem D&D Miniatures faces -- it adjusts to the metagame two expansions in advance rather than in the succeeding set.)
Interface
A big chunk of the complaints and rants stems down to interface. A lot of fans want a printed product. The Digital Initiative simply isn't that, at least not at first glance. Personally, I think it boils down to people's ability to adapt. eBooks for example haven't caught on but that's not to say the medium is completely hopeless. And a lot of RPG products out there are being distributed as PDFs including one of my favorites, Malhavoc Press. As I previously stated, it boils down to whether you're wiling to adapt or not. iPod screens aren't optimum for watching videos but hey, people do so. I'm not comfortable reading eBooks on the computer but I find reading it on a PDA not much of a problem (unfortunately I don't own a PDA).
Yes, the Digital Initiative ain't Paizo's Dragon or Dungeon any more than Pathfinder is an exact equivalent: they're new products in different mediums, each with its own strengths and weaknesses.
Of course it's starting to be a pet peeve when people complain on an online message board that they have difficulty reading something online. I mean you're posting on a message board! Doesn't that necessitate the use of a computer and a monitor? If you've adapted to posting on message boards, you'll adapt to online delivery (in whatever form it may be). And if you're somehow handicapped (nearly blind, color blind, etc.), there's a better chance that you'll find a solution thanks to the fact that the document is online. I mean I don't see Paizo releasing a Dragon Magazine: Braille Edition anytime soon, but programs that reads out text out loud or magnify text size isn't unreasonable.
Lastly, unless there's some nifty electronic protection involved, you can print it (even if it involves using the Print Screen button for PC users or Command + Shift + 3 for Mac users). Better yet, you don't need to print everything. I mean if people hate ads or what they consider "unnecessary material" in magazines, this is the perfect solution: you get to print only what you need.
Format
There's several ways to go with online delivery, each with its pros and cons. Right now what springs to mind is either they go web-based (using html, dhtml, xml--whatever as long as it can be viewed with a regular web browser) or PDF-based. Irregardless of what method they'll use, however, it'll have the benefit of coming out on time. Irregardless if I'm residing in the US, in Australia, in Germany, or in the Philippines, the publication will come out on time, simultaneously. I'll never need to worry about shipping, whether that means waiting for the package to be delivered to my door step or going through the hassle of picking it up at the post office.
1) Some people complain that they can't "collect" something that's not in print. Not true--if the Digital Initiative is released as a PDF, they're just as collectible. It's simply a different medium: they're called files. I mean I collect the web enhancements that's currently availble now. I save it in my hard drive and in my flash drive. I can port it over to another computer. It still counts as collecting. If it goes web-based, however, the complaint is understandable. I'll need online access and it'll appear as "one huge package" instead of the "monthlies" we're used to. That's not to say collecting "issues" will be impossible, it's just more difficult. I can only click "save us" so many times. If you want "collectability" PDF is the way to go and it's easily transportable to other machines/devices. If you want to print the product, PDF also seems like the likely answer. Lastly, if you want something that you can use once your subscription expires, again, PDF is a good answer. But PDF is not by any means the perfect solution as you'll see in my next points.
2) By going web-based, I don't have the restrictions of a paper medium. What I mean by constraints is that an article only needs to be long as it needs to be (or as short as it needs to be). There's less need for unnecessary material just to make it appear that the page is "filled up". Normally in a magazine, this takes the form of ads, additional illustrations, or simply statements in the article that is repeated and has a bigger size for emphasis. The problem with going PDF is you're essentially still reproducing a printed product without the printing costs. Eventually you'll need to layout the product as if it were a printed magazine which again means empty spaces and/or fillers. And because it's web-based, there's little need to cut out "necessary" material because of page limitations. Of course going web-based isn't without its disadvantages. Anyone who's done web design and layout knows how mutable the format is. What might look good on my computer might look horrible on someone else's computer. A lot of variables are involved, everything from web browser to resolution size to the OS you're using. If you're using a computer that's old enough, the web page might not even load at all. But this mutability could be a good thing as well -- one could easily design a product so that depending on which country I'm from, I could get a product that's in Japanese if I'm a Japanese-speaker, in English if I'm an English-speaker (or braille if I'm blind).
3) I think the biggest valaue for the format is instant errata. Will there be mistakes in the product? We're only human. But the good thing about going web-based is that corrections can be made once it's spotted or mentioned. As a web-based product, this is an optimal advantage. As a PDF, it's trickier. If this is to be implemented, we'll be having issues like Digital Initiative #100 version 1.0, followed with a release the next day with Digital Initiative #100 version 1.1 and so forth.
Of course while this is all possible, it only matters if the guys and gals at WotC makes use of it. Just because a DVD can have this and that feature doesn't mean all DVDs have additional features in them. Having said that, what I mentioned is merely the top of the iceberg. Here's some suggestions for maximizing the medium:
Things I'd Like to See in Digital Initiative:
1) An online product and not simply a printed product placed on the web -- there's a lot of things that can be done with online products and we've barely scratched the surface. It's not just about interactive programs such as a tile mapper or a character generator, there's simply more that can be done with an online magazine than with a printed one. For example, interviews don't need to be simply read (although a transcript is always helpful): it could be presented via mp3 (a Podcast) or video. I mean there'll be nuances and body language that can never be captured in a transcript. There could even be some animation going on in the "ecology" articles. Or simply an image gallery where it was limited to one or two pictures of each NPC/monster/magic item.
2) Maps -- I loved Dungeon magazine and if it's going online, I think a point for improvement are the maps. WotC can give me maps in various resolutions (hi-res and lo-res, the former if I'm printing them, the second if I'm viewing/projecting them from the computer) and in various sizes (either to fit the screen/printed paper or on a 1:1 scale). I can also get maps with various information on them: in player friendly format (without revealing where the secret doors, traps, and monsters are) and in DM-only format (where all the details are included). They can even do something creative and give it to me from a different angle, such as a first-person perspective. And since they don't have to print it, they can give it to me in a lot of formats that would have otherwise taken up valuable page space. I mean that's my complaint about Expedition to Castle Ravenloft: the maps are great for the GM, but it's not as good when running an actual game for the players. I can't use the maps as visuals because a) they're too small and b) they give too much away. With this online format, I get the best of both worlds, especially if the Digital Initiative is going to give me adventures and adventure paths.
3) Updates on Monsters -- I'm currently playing 3.5 and a lot of 3.0 monsters (or even AD&D ones) haven't been converted. This is the perfect place to update them. And even if they were already updated to 3.5, it's a good place to use the new stat block (which I find to be easier to utilize) and include the results for their respective Knowledge checks. I mean some people were complaining about rehashing old monsters in Monster Manual IV and slapping class levels on them -- this is the perfect place to feature them. Better yet, it's the perfect partner to the "Ecology of..." articles Dragon was publishing. Throw in NPCs as well for that matter.
So far, those are the "general" things I want. I mean fans will most likely want to include their favorite campaign setting into the mix, etc. The great thing about online content is that it's actually viable now without having to worry about page count (although WotC still needs to worry about paying freelancers).
But like all things, it's a wait-and-see. Just because "it can be done" doesn't mean "it will be done".
If I Were To Make a D&D Home Video...
As I mentioned in my D&D blog, a shop near where I live was selling old D&D modules and boxed sets. Because some people wanted them, I managed to purchase a lot of them and they're just lying in my room gathering dust (don't worry, they're shrink-wrapped). While I'm waiting for money to come in so that I can ship them, I'm occasionally tempted to make a home video using those modules.
I'm not particularly attached to 1st Ed. D&D or AD&D. There's some videos circulating around of people wrecking new-fangled devices, everything from iPods to PS3's. I'm tempted to create a D&D horror video with me opening up a module and then tearing them page by page... and then feeding them slowly to a shredding machine (alas, we don't have one at home). Or maybe drowning those modules in water or something. Or feed them to a dog. Or use them as fodder for a camp fire.
To non-D&D fans, what would be the most horrifying way of "killing" a book?
I'm not particularly attached to 1st Ed. D&D or AD&D. There's some videos circulating around of people wrecking new-fangled devices, everything from iPods to PS3's. I'm tempted to create a D&D horror video with me opening up a module and then tearing them page by page... and then feeding them slowly to a shredding machine (alas, we don't have one at home). Or maybe drowning those modules in water or something. Or feed them to a dog. Or use them as fodder for a camp fire.
To non-D&D fans, what would be the most horrifying way of "killing" a book?
Zsa Zsa and Avenue Q
Plugging for a friend:
"Friends,
We're selling tickets to the June 22 performance of Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah starring Eula Valdez. Tickets are priced at 800, 700, and 500 pesos. All reserved seating. All performances will be held at the RCBC Theatre in Makati.
If a gay superheroine parading in skimpy costumes isn't your thing, then buy a ticket to the August 18 performance of the Broadway hit Avenue Q at the Meralco Theatre instead. Tickets are priced at 1000, 900, 800, 700, 500, and 400 pesos. All reserved seating.
For reservations, contact:
Carlo - 0917-8322756
Email:
Lara - lara_tarranco19@yahoo.co.uk
Thanks!"
"Friends,
We're selling tickets to the June 22 performance of Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah starring Eula Valdez. Tickets are priced at 800, 700, and 500 pesos. All reserved seating. All performances will be held at the RCBC Theatre in Makati.
If a gay superheroine parading in skimpy costumes isn't your thing, then buy a ticket to the August 18 performance of the Broadway hit Avenue Q at the Meralco Theatre instead. Tickets are priced at 1000, 900, 800, 700, 500, and 400 pesos. All reserved seating.
For reservations, contact:
Carlo - 0917-8322756
Email:
Lara - lara_tarranco19@yahoo.co.uk
Thanks!"
Comic-Related Post
There's two things I want to blog about, namely Spider-Man 3 and DC's weekly 52.
First, on Spider-Man 3. For the most part, in general, I liked the film. It's not as good as Spider-Man 2 in my opinion but for a film that has three villains, it did okay. Did it have plot holes? Sure. Did it have unnecessary scenes. A few. But overall, it was a good film. Is it worth a repeat viewing? No, but that's just me as the movie has a lot of build-up that will seem boring watching a second time. The biggest weakness of the film is probably Eddie Brock and Venom, both in terms of acting and their role in the film but that was a decision forced on Sam Raimi. Comic geeky-wise, it's just strange to see Spider-Man wholly accepted by New York, but it works in the context of the movie. And if Peter Parker was a jerk during the whole movie, that was intentional. I'm just surprised that people could sit through two hours of a jerky Peter Parker and only a few minutes of "redeemed" Peter Parker.
Now on to DC's 52. A weekly comic, by US standards, is a tall feat. But 52 wasn't just a weekly comic, it was an exciting weekly comic. The run just ended this week and did I like it? Yes. It's far from a ten out of ten but it was definitely above mediocre. One of the weaknesses of the series was that a fourth of it (roughly the equivalent of three months) was used for build-up and you could lose readers by that time. The biggest flaw, however, was in meeting reader's expectations. Don't get me wrong, I liked the series, but it didn't deliver in what it promised to do: fill in the gaps of the missing "year" in the DC universe. It's a compelling read mind you for B and C-lister super-heroes but it didn't really explain the current status quo of the DC universe, which was what fans were expecting from the comic. As long as you can live with that, it's a good series.
First, on Spider-Man 3. For the most part, in general, I liked the film. It's not as good as Spider-Man 2 in my opinion but for a film that has three villains, it did okay. Did it have plot holes? Sure. Did it have unnecessary scenes. A few. But overall, it was a good film. Is it worth a repeat viewing? No, but that's just me as the movie has a lot of build-up that will seem boring watching a second time. The biggest weakness of the film is probably Eddie Brock and Venom, both in terms of acting and their role in the film but that was a decision forced on Sam Raimi. Comic geeky-wise, it's just strange to see Spider-Man wholly accepted by New York, but it works in the context of the movie. And if Peter Parker was a jerk during the whole movie, that was intentional. I'm just surprised that people could sit through two hours of a jerky Peter Parker and only a few minutes of "redeemed" Peter Parker.
Now on to DC's 52. A weekly comic, by US standards, is a tall feat. But 52 wasn't just a weekly comic, it was an exciting weekly comic. The run just ended this week and did I like it? Yes. It's far from a ten out of ten but it was definitely above mediocre. One of the weaknesses of the series was that a fourth of it (roughly the equivalent of three months) was used for build-up and you could lose readers by that time. The biggest flaw, however, was in meeting reader's expectations. Don't get me wrong, I liked the series, but it didn't deliver in what it promised to do: fill in the gaps of the missing "year" in the DC universe. It's a compelling read mind you for B and C-lister super-heroes but it didn't really explain the current status quo of the DC universe, which was what fans were expecting from the comic. As long as you can live with that, it's a good series.
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Book Sale!!!
It's book sale season again and both Fully Booked and Powerbooks are currently on sale.
Of course if I were you, I'd start saving my money too... book fair season is three months away and if my predictions are right, the second wave of book sales.
Of course if I were you, I'd start saving my money too... book fair season is three months away and if my predictions are right, the second wave of book sales.
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Loosing my Groove
I just came from a three-day weekend, which was preceded by a six-and-a-half-day work week. The problem with each transition is that it takes me quite a while to get back to the work atmosphere. I mean I should be working, working, working instead of blogging, blogging, blogging.
Yesterday was labor day and a welcome holiday. Unfortunately, it was also the premiere of Spider-Man 3 so tons of people were in theaters, myself included. While yesterday was technically a "vacation" for me, I was quite active the whole day.
Here's the background info: my house is in the middle of Mega Mall and V-Mall. It takes me 10 minutes to walk from my house to V-Mall and 15 minutes from my house to Mega Mall. Here's what yesterday was like:
10:30 am - Walk from my house to V-Mall, only to find out that the next Spider-Man 3 screening is at 1:20 pm.
11:00 am - Got tickets to Spider-Man 3.
11:05 am - I decided to go home instead of wait it out for two and a half hours.
11:15 am - Grabbed my bag from the house which had a package I needed to get a quote from Fed-Ex in Mega Mall.
11:30 am - Arrived at Mega Mall. Package is quite heavy. Got the quote from Fed-Ex. Shipping to Singapore isn't as expensive as I thought it would be.
12:00 pm - Home. Grabbed a glass of water and headed for V-Mall.
12:10 pm - Strolling around V-Mall.
1:20 pm - Waited in line for Spider-Man 3
3:50 pm - Got out of theater, headed for home.
4:00 pm - Glass of water, 1-hour break.
5:00 pm - Went back to V-Mall to check email because I had no Internet access at home.
5:30 pm - I'm back home, ate dinner.
5:45 pm - Headed for Mega Mall again, got confirmation from my email to send the package to Singapore.
6:10 pm - At Mega Mall, Fed-Exing the package.
So basically I've been going back and forth between those three places and might I remind you it's the middle of summer (thankfully I am unaffected by the heat). And people wonder why I'm a 95-pound weakling.
Yesterday was labor day and a welcome holiday. Unfortunately, it was also the premiere of Spider-Man 3 so tons of people were in theaters, myself included. While yesterday was technically a "vacation" for me, I was quite active the whole day.
Here's the background info: my house is in the middle of Mega Mall and V-Mall. It takes me 10 minutes to walk from my house to V-Mall and 15 minutes from my house to Mega Mall. Here's what yesterday was like:
10:30 am - Walk from my house to V-Mall, only to find out that the next Spider-Man 3 screening is at 1:20 pm.
11:00 am - Got tickets to Spider-Man 3.
11:05 am - I decided to go home instead of wait it out for two and a half hours.
11:15 am - Grabbed my bag from the house which had a package I needed to get a quote from Fed-Ex in Mega Mall.
11:30 am - Arrived at Mega Mall. Package is quite heavy. Got the quote from Fed-Ex. Shipping to Singapore isn't as expensive as I thought it would be.
12:00 pm - Home. Grabbed a glass of water and headed for V-Mall.
12:10 pm - Strolling around V-Mall.
1:20 pm - Waited in line for Spider-Man 3
3:50 pm - Got out of theater, headed for home.
4:00 pm - Glass of water, 1-hour break.
5:00 pm - Went back to V-Mall to check email because I had no Internet access at home.
5:30 pm - I'm back home, ate dinner.
5:45 pm - Headed for Mega Mall again, got confirmation from my email to send the package to Singapore.
6:10 pm - At Mega Mall, Fed-Exing the package.
So basically I've been going back and forth between those three places and might I remind you it's the middle of summer (thankfully I am unaffected by the heat). And people wonder why I'm a 95-pound weakling.
Philippine Genre Stories Vol 2
Philippine Genre Stories Vol. 2 came out last Friday but work and Internet mishaps (i.e. PLDT) prevented me from plugging it sooner.
The cover price was P100.00 and should be available at select bookstores around the metro but I got my copy at Comic Quest (so when in doubt for copies, go there).
The cover price was P100.00 and should be available at select bookstores around the metro but I got my copy at Comic Quest (so when in doubt for copies, go there).
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Penny Brown
Penny Brown is this shop in Glorietta and Robinsons Galleria that serves cookies and ice cream (or combine them to form an ice-cream sandwich). What I like about them is that they use Fruits in Ice Cream for their ice cream. =)
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Manga Review: Scary Book by Kazuo Umezu
The first thing that comes to mind with Scary Book is that it's a weaker Museum of Terror. Both share the same concept after all -- a collection of short stories from a renowned manga horror writer/artist. But that is an unfair comparison. Kazuo Umezu predates Junji Ito and that is perhaps the series's biggest problem: it's dated.
Honestly, the Scary Book series isn't bad. It lives up to its namesake: it's scary rather than horrifying or terrifying. And on its own, it ain't bad, especially if you read it two decades earlier. But the problem is that you're comparing it to modern times or better yet, modern mangaka. Reading Museum of Terror and then reading Scary Book for example simply puts the latter in a bad light.
Still, Scary Book is a monument to what's been done in Japanese comics and the possibilities of the medium. If you must get one horror collection, this isn't it. But if you have the budget to explore manga's horror history, Scary Book is a great footnote.
Rating: 3/5
Manga Review: Museum of Terror by Junji Ito
For me, Dark Horse acquiring Junji Ito's Museum of Terror series seemed intuitive--I didn't know why they didn't do so sooner. Junji Ito is currently one of Japan's masters of horror and perhaps is best known for his titles Uzumaki and Gyo (which Viz will be reprinting later this year).
Museum of Terror is a collection of Junji Ito's shorter manga work. If Uzumaki was a three-volume epic, Museum of Terror packs several short stories in one volume. In the case of volumes one and two, Musuem of Terror deals with stories revolving around an enigmatic woman named Tomie. For those 80's kids who were raised watching the cartoon Inhumanoids, Tomie is like a sexier and crueler version of the villain Tendril. Volume three on the other hand are simply independent horror stories with no unifying theme (which isn't necessarily a bad thing... one can only read so much Tomie stories). Unfortunately, those looking for more will be disappointed as Dark Horse has put the rest of the series on hiatus.
The stories and the art are classic Junji Ito. They're creepy and bizarre and each story has a certain twist. Unfortunately, because of the format, there's only so much build-up that can be done and Museum of Terror is no Uzumaki. That's not to say that they aren't good--they are--it simply didn't match my expectations and I think there's more that could have been done.
While Museum of Terror isn't as tight or as edgy as his longer work (namely Uzumaki and Gyo), it still has that morbid and creepy feeling to it that can undoubtedly come from Japan's maestro of horror.
Rating: 3.5/5
Viz Media and Manga in the US
Here's an interview I managed to scrounge from Publisher Weekly: Viz Media and Manga in the US.
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