GeekRoundTable.com

Thank You Martin Luther King Jr..........1929-1968

 

All I'm saying is simply this, that all life is interrelated, that somehow we're caught in an inescapable network of mutuality tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly. For some strange reason, I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be. You can never be what you ought to be until I am what I ought to be. This is the interrelated structure of reality.

— Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

  King Came Preaching: The Pulpit Power of Dr. Martin Luther King JR., by Mervyn A. Warren & Gardner C. Taylor, InterVarsity Press, 2008, ISBN 083083253X, pg 174

GANTZ...One Night Only Event

01/20/2011

NEW PEOPLE and NCM Fathom are bringing the world premiere of GANTZ to movie theaters nationwide for a one night live event on Thursday, January 20th at 8:00 pm ET/ 7:00 pm CT/ 6:00 pm MT/ 8:30 pm PT (tape delayed).This live-action feature, based upon the popular Japanese manga and anime series, is the ultimate survival game. It will be English over-dubbed exclusively for this big screen event.

Following the feature, the two stars, Kazunari Ninomiya and Kenichi Matsuyama will participate in an exclusive live interview that can only be seen at this event

Gantz (ガンツ, Gantsu^?) is a Japanese manga and anime series written and illustrated by Hiroya Oku. Gantz tells the story of Kei Kurono and his friend Masaru Kato who die in a train accident and become part of a semi-posthumous "game" in which they and several other recently deceased people are forced to hunt down and kill aliens armed with a handful of futuristic items of equipment and weaponry.

The Gantz anime, directed by Ichiro Itano and animated by Gonzo, ran for 13 episodes and had a direct sequel called Gantz: Second Stage, which continued the series for another 13 episodes. Both seasons make up the 26 episode series. It was licensed in North America by ADV Films. The anime series is distributed in the United Kingdom by MVM Films, and in Australia and New Zealand by Madman Entertainment. Dark Horse Comics started releasing the manga in English in June 2008. A series of two live-action movies based on the manga are also currently in production and will be released in 2011.

 
cover of 1st Gantz video

GRT's Own Ned Cato Jr, Named Eisner Judge for 2011

 

 

GeekRoundtable's own Ned Cato Jr, has been bestowed with a great honor, being named as an Eisner judge for 2011.  The Will Eisner Comic Industry Award, commonly shortened to the Eisner Award, is a prize given for creative achievement in American comic books. It is named in honor of the pioneering writer and artist Will Eisner, who was a regular participant in the award ceremony until his death in 2005.

Each category is nominated by a five-member panel, voted on by comic-book professionals, and presented at Comic-Con International  held in San Diego, California. Jackie Estrada has been the award administrator since 1990.

The judges will meet in San Diego in late March to select the nominees that will be placed on the Eisner Awards ballot. The nominees will then be voted on by professionals in the comic book industry, and the results will be announced in a gala awards ceremony on Friday, July 22 at Comic-Con.

The other Judges are:

Karen Green

Columbia University's Graphic Novels Librarian. Karen began her library's comics and graphic novels collection in 2005. She works extensively with Columbia faculty in a wide range of disciplines to facilitate the use of comics in their courses and has curated a related exhibition, "Comics in the Curriculum." She has also spoken at several campuses around the country, as well as to librarian groups, as an advocate for comics in an academic milieu. Karen writes the "Comic Adventures in Academia" column for ComiXology.com, which examines issues in comics librarianship, and has written about comics cataloging for Publishers Weekly. She is a member of the Board of Trustees for the Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art.

 

Andrew Helfer, who spent over 20 years wearing a variety of editorial hats for DC Comics, editing such titles as Justice League and Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight and writing such titles as The Shadow. He later founded the DC imprint Paradox Press, producing a series of 17 graphic nonfiction "Big Books" on topics as diverse as Urban Legends, Conspiracy Theories, and Scandals. His Paradox Mystery and Fiction imprints introduced readers to both A History of Violence and Road to Perdition, two graphic novels later adapted into successful films. His interest in manga led to encouraging DC to publish the wordless adventures of a tiny dinosaur named Gon. After leaving DC, Andrew continued producing nonfiction comics, writing and editing a series of biographies that included Malcolm X and Ronald Reagan, among others. Currently, he is working on a new fiction comics project while raising (with his beautiful wife Jaimie) their brand new (and equally beautiful) daughter Emilia.

 

 

Rich Johnson, who has been in just about all aspects of bookselling, from store manager to buyer to publisher. As the first vice president of book trade sales for DC Comics, he took the forefront in establishing graphic novels in the bookstore and library markets. Under his watch, DC Comics achieved its first New York Times Bestseller with Neil Gaiman's Sandman: Endless Nights. Most recently, Johnson served as co-founder and co-publishing director for Yen Press, a graphic novel and manga imprint for Hachette Book Group. He also co-founded Yen Plus a monthly manga anthology magazine. He currently writes a column for the comic book industry website The Beat. He is also founder of Brick Road Media, LLC, a publishing consulting and packaging firm. He is the author of the graphic memoir My Father's Eyes.

 

Chris Powell, the General Manager & CRO of Lone Star Comics/mycomicshop.com. He has been with Lone Star since 1990, holding positions ranging from sales to executive management. Chris was a founding board member of ComicsPRO, the Direct Market comic retailers' organization, serves on the board of moderators for the Game Pro Symposium and the Advisory Board for the Game Store Resource Forum, and is a past president and current board member of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund.

 

The Eisner Awards are presented under the auspices of Comic-Con International: San Diego, a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to creating awareness of and appreciation for comics and related popular artforms. primarily through the presentation of conventions and events that celebrate the historic and ongoing contributions of comics to art and culture.

Eisner Awards administrator Jackie Estrada can be reached at Jackie@comic-con.org.

 

Wonder Woman to Hit TV Before the Big Screen

By Brad Trechak

There have been repeated attempts over the past few years to bring the Amazon Princess to the big screen -- including a notable attempt by geek icon Joss Whedon -- though for now it looks like folks have instead turned their attention toward getting 'Wonder Woman' on television again. For those too young to remember, Diana Prince's alter ego had her own show in the '70s starring Lynda Carter.

The most surprising piece of information relating to this news is that David E. Kelley, creator of such television shows as 'Ally McBeal' and 'The Practice', has been assigned to revamp the heroine for television.

It seems a shame that the number three icon at DC Comics is sent back to television while the top two (Superman and Batman) have made successful movie franchises and arguably number four (Green Lantern) is on his way to movie stardom. Back in May, Warner Bros. did say that they're still developing Wonder Woman for the big screen, though as of now there's no word on how far along they are. DC plans to reveal their plans for the big screen by the end of the year.

While there is no doubt that some talent is behind this new concept for Wonder Woman, one can only hope that they don't alter her for television audiences to the point of unrecognizability (like J. Michael Straczynski has just done in the comics). In a world where the big superheroes are finding themselves in movie theaters nowadays, can someone like Wonder Woman survive on the small screen? Is there still a place for live-action superheroes on TV?

Neil Gaiman's Sandman' Coming to TV?

By Brad Trechak

Neil Gaiman's epic DC Comics series The Sandman could be getting the television treatment. Supernatural creator Erick Kripke is being tapped by Warner Brothers Television (who has purchased the rights to the property from sister company DC Entertainment) to run this new show. Comics uber-star Neil Gaiman has not been contacted as of yet to be involved with this project.

There have been a few attempts to move The Sandman to another medium, most notably a movie involving Roger Avary. Much like Watchmen, The Sandman would likely lose something in translation which would incur the wrath of the fans. Eric Kripke would likely be taking a huge weight on his shoulders trying to get the concept right should he accept this project.

Please have this show on one of the pay networks like HBO. Don't put it on the CW. If it was on the CW, Dream and Death would end up becoming human teenagers that try to fit into high school or something stupid like that. Keep to the source material. Thank you.

It's Official.........Comic-Con to Stay in San Diego.....through 2015.

For Immediate Release

SAN DIEGO -- Comic-Con International: San Diego (Comic-Con), the largest comics convention of its kind in the world, today announced it will be staying in San Diego for the foreseeable future.

San Diego Mayor Jerry Saunders announces Comic-Con is staying in San Diego, through 2015.

Comic-Con reached a self-imposed attendance limit at the San Diego Convention Center (SDCC) in 2007 and has had to cap attendance at approximately 125,000 people each year since. In looking at ways to better accommodate the growing demand from attendees and exhibitors, the nonprofit organization considered proposals for a move to larger facilities in Los Angeles or Anaheim after the expiration of its SDCC lease in 2012. This decision keeps Comic-Con in San Diego through 2015.

Comic-Con International:San Diego, Executive Director Fae Desmond

"We are grateful for the tireless efforts all three cities put into to their proposals," said David Glanzer, Comic-Con's director of marketing and public relations. "In the end, we feel this decision is the best for all those who attend Comic-Con and for the organization itself. We are happy that the community has worked with us to ensure that we remain here."

Comic-Con was first held in 1970 at the U.S. Grant Hotel, where it attracted 300 people. As the event grew, subsequent homes included the downtown El Cortez Hotel in the 1970s and the San Diego Convention and Performing Arts Center in the 1980s. Comic-Con moved to the then newly built SDCC in 1991. Comic-Con celebrated its 41st year in 2010.

The San Diego Convention Center Corporation has scheduled a press conference for Friday, October 1 at 11:45 a.m. at Lobby E of the convention center.

Eddie Ibrahim, Director of Programming, left, along with Director of PR and Marketing, center, and Comic-Con Board Member Lee Oeth, right, attend the press conference announcing Comic-Con staying in San Diego through 2015

About Comic-Con International:

Comic-Con International: San Diego (Comic-Con), the largest convention of its kind in the world, is a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to creating awareness of, and appreciation for, comics and related popular artforms, primarily through the presentation of conventions and events that celebrate the historic and ongoing contribution of comics to art and culture. In addition to its San Diego convention each summer, Comic-Con organizes the San Francisco–based WonderCon each spring and Alternative Press Expo each fall. On the web: Comic-Con.org, Facebook.com/comiccon, Twitter.com/comic_con.

The Return of GeekRoundTable.......

It has been a HARD 11 months for me, but it has all lead me to one conclusion, The Show Must Go On!

November 12, 2009: The Death of my Mother....

My Mom and Dad are both geeks and gave me my love of The World of Geek.  From my Dad, I got my love of Comics and Classic movies, and Toys, and from my Mom I got my love of Japanese Giant monster movies and action figures.  In July of  2009 my Mom, Brother, Sister, and their kids came out for a visit from New York.  We talked about Comic-Con and my being a board member and other things. She brought me a replica of Mecha-Godzilla, that she carried on the plane.  Then, roughly 3 and a half months later I get a phone call from family telling me my Mother is gravely ill.  I rush home and spend time with her in the Hospital.  After 10 days I run out of cash and have to come home with plans to return.  November 12, 2009, I get a call from my brother in tears telling me my Mother has passed away.  I am numb for the next 6 months.  I consider quitting Comic-Con and the board and giving up this site.  But, my Geek friends won't let me.  The love and support I got from my friends, still surprises me to this day.  Thanks to all of you.  I also want to say thanks to all the folks who came up to me after The GRT panel this year and shared their sympathy and  their own stories of loss.  Thank you.  All that support said to me, that the show must go on.

I Love You Mom,

,and always will.......

I dedicate The GRT website to my Mother.

A New GeekRoundTable!!!!!!

While the old GRT was not a bad set of show, it seem to be a lot slower in getting out to you guys.  I really want this site to be a fun, source of info for geeks, but not make it feel like you have to read a ton of content or listen to a 2 hour show.  So, what we are going to do on GRT is STREAMLINE the show.  What this means is we are not only make easier for you guys to get content, but make it easier for us to get it to you.  What this means is, getting the show to you in different ways. The pod casts will happen, but, they will be shorter.  There will be a GRT page on You Tube, to get you content directly from us at home and at the various show we all go to, like Anime Expo, APE, Wonder Con, and other conventions.  We are now  going to do  3 different shows:

1. A leaner, meaner GRT

We are going shorten the shows from over an hour, to 45 minutes to up to an hour.  What this means is because most of the cast is all over California, we will Skype more shows to make it convenient for everyone.  We will not cut out full, live cast show, there will just be fewer live ones.

2.The Politics of Geek

This show will be a passionate exploration of The World of Geek, from Women in Geekdom to Racism in the Geekdom.  This will be the Meet the Press for geeks.

3. From the Balcony Geeks

This show will concentrate on classic movies and will be manned by the old guys in the group, but not limited to them.  We will talk classic films and little known gems.

A fourth show, Rant! ,is more of a commentary bit that will mostly end up on You Tube, since they show will run anywhere from 10 minutes and up.  This will be the show where geeks get to grind that Geek Axe.

A new feature that we will also use will be The Empty Chair, where we invite a fan of GRT to sit in on a show(in person or via Skype).  will will start the  Empty chair in January.  We are looking forward to the new format and will be changing the face of GRT site, to fit the new shows.  If anyone wants to design new headers,will will put them up and give you full credit and put you at the top of the list for The Empty Chair.  If you have any questions drop us an email at geekroundtable@yahoo.com. 

Geek Out!

Ned Cato Jr

WrongButFunny.com: Ready to receive your discharge?

 

Wanted to share with the Geeks a moment from our brother sister site Wrong But Funny.

"The Dave & Brad Show" is the latest iteration of Juggling Performance. Dave and Brad have known each other for over 10 years but only recently began performing together. While they still perform their own solo juggling acts. These team shows are getting to be quite fun. Most Recently "The Dave and Brad Show performed at the Kare Circus at the Rose Bowl.

via yotamak.blogs.com

Geek Out With 'Star Wars Uncut'

Star Wars Uncut "The Escape" from Casey Pugh on Vimeo.

The folllowing text is from Caseys Vimeo site..

Hundreds of 15 second scenes were put back together in a finished film thanks to the work of several people:

Jamie Wilkinson ( jamiedubs.com ), manager of video engineering, Bryan Pugh ( pughtube.com ), sound mixing/editing master, and Aaron Valdez ( aaronvaldez.com ), video editor and general creative boon for the Uncut Team.

We'll be screening the entire Star Wars Uncut: A New Hope in Copenhagen at CPH:PIX ( bit.ly/aCvyeU ) Festival April 19 and have several screenings in NYC in the works.

Check back for the completely redesigned StarWarsUncut.com coming soon!

Sanctuary Episode, "Sleepers" Mentions...San Diego Comic Con GEEK ON

San Diego Comic Con gets a great nod from the team at Sanctuary. I won't spoil it for you just pay attention at about 4-5 min in...

This is available online at Hulu and Scfi.

Enjoy!