Okay, this could work: We might get a 'Sandman' TV series. Why could it actually not stink? Eric Kripke, creator of 'Supernatural' might be one of the people in charge. While I'm sure the sparing use of special effects on 'Supenatural' is more due to budget than due to what the writers would like to do, that's the kind of mindset (less is more) that I think needs to be in a 'Sandman' series. The comics were never worried about action shots on every page, and to really get the mind-boggling big ideas and little creepy bits behind the characters and stories, you had to actually read the dialogue. In fact, a scene from last season really convinced me that the talent behind 'Supernatural' could carry off a series about The Endless.

Okay, here's the setup: Dean (the guy who starts the scene) is on a mission to collect the rings belonging to the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (they can re-contain Lucifer, who is trying to start Armageddon). Dean is only a few steps away from the only "living" thing left in the restaurant, namely Death. He's carrying Death's scythe, supposedly the only thing that can harm the horseman. He approaches, and things kind of don't go to plan. The scene is really suspenseful, because, hey, this is Death he's sitting with, who seems eerily nonchalant about the whole thing. Then we get the cosmic sense of this entity, which is similar to Gaiman's "all religions are, or once were, real, at least kind of, but The Endless aren't really a part of that whole thing." Pizza was never scarier. :)

Turning to film, the lovable Mr. Plinkett has another movie review for us, and this time it's "Star Trek." Let's get this stuff out of the way: These reviews contain sweary language, discussion of the romantic preferences of certain actors/characters, and clips from "The Phantom Menace." That said, it's really insightful, and doesn't hate on 'Trek in the same fashion as his reviews of the Next Generation movies. It's also got some rather funny parts, and I don't think I'll ever be able to hear Ilia say "Kirk Unit" ever again without laughing. I even think the point the review makes as to why JJ Abrams' movie had to be the way it was, as opposed to being more like the science fiction-y first film and/or original series is pretty spot on. I have a friend who really hated the concept of a reboot to Star Trek, but I think he'd appreciate a lot of the points in this two part (about 1 hour long) review. So here's part one and part two. Now where's our Episode III review, Plinkett?

Speaking of "Star Trek," Ain't it Cool News has a very nostalgically nifty behind the scenes photo from the original series.

While I don't mention the real world much, I'm sure many out there are aware of the ongoing saga of the Chilean miners that are going to be trapped in their mine until possibly Christmas. As if that wasn't bad enough, they might not be paid while they're stuck down there. I mention it because it immediately put me in mind of a question concerning the employees of the White Star Line when the Titanic sank.

Turning briefly to video games, if you haven't played it in a while (or haven't at all), Champions Online is free until September the 7th. I haven't had a chance to log back in lately, but I understand they've changed up the power sets a bit and added some high-level content. Meanwhile, there's an ad for the video game based on "The Brave and the Bold," and it's practically a mini-episode of the show. I must say that I don't think that the Wiimote strap is necessary for Batman (at least not the old Dini/Timm version), but I suppose he wants to set a good example.

Now, not to end on a bit of a downer, but I really liked this next video. I'm a big fan of "That Mitchell and Webb Look," a British sketch comedy show that made me enjoy sketch comedy again (primarily by not being anything like SNL, but that's just my opinion). Their humor is satirical, biting, and well-delivered. That said, this next sketch, "Elderly Sherlock Holmes" is more poignant than funny and quite dark. It's also, I think, a reminder that it's a hard thing when our heroes grow old, as well as why our fictional paragons are often better off riding into the sunset or dying with their boots on. So with that over-preparation, here's 'Elderly Sherlock Holmes,' for which Mitchell and Webb owe us something on the the other end of the hilarity spectrum... and possibly a new hankie.

Before I get to the links, I want to apologize for Tuesday's FFN strip having been uploaded with the wrong date on the filename (it should be visible now). And regarding yesterday's strip, here's what the old 'Supreme Cleave' exploit was about. I seem to recall another for a feat that was called "Whirlwind Attack" that involved increasing your damage with each blow the more things you killed; since they didn't specify what had to be killed, legend has it that fighters with this feat would carry around a bag of rats to get the Whirlwind going and then target their actual enemies. If they'd just print our nation's laws in books with dragons on the cover, you wouldn't need law schools anymore. :)

Onto the weekend dumping:

- Ron Moore, the guy behind the BSG reboot, is working on a pilot for NBC about a modern world based on magic, not science. I hear it'll be a procedural cop drama (Coven Sorcery Incantation, maybe?), though that puts me in mind of the low-budget (yet fun) movie, "Cast a Deadly Spell."
- And now something from a worker in an IT department (armed with a "blue screen of death" screensaver that mimics the infamous computer crash) that should appeal to anyone who has ever had to deal with less than ethical and/or snarky consultants.
- I'll be at DragonCon this Saturday and Sunday, so if I look out of sorts, it's probably due to the annoyances of air travel. :)
- It turns out that the highest paid athlete of all time raced chariots in ancient Rome.
- King Defender is the opposite of all of those other catapult-games we've seen here: This time, you're building the castle that has to keep the nobles from getting squished.
- So what is Spy Cat spying on? And how many re-edits of this thing do you think I'll post next week? :)
- He already has a decent mustache and hat, so why not go all the way and make a Steampunk Mr. Potato Head?
- Classic sci-fi buffs rejoice as TOR has news that the Dune Encyclopedia is now online. So the next time someone asks, "tell me of your homeworld," you can excuse yourself to look up the relevant article.
- Blogtor Who has a Doctor Who blooper reel mostly of continuity stuff, but the pedantic/bored/sarcastic narration kind of makes up for its triviality. Wow, that sounded a lot more poignant than it needed to...
- I think this game, Pixel Purge, has just about everything: Powerups, upgrades, gathering debris for cash, separate shooting and moving controls... are you still here? Get playing!

8.5x11", Ink on Paper $75 at kandeart.com

They are not very good, but there is my soul in each one. :)
And I'm very sad that my employer was too rude to work with me. I'm quit of that job and it's sad that I don't need to draw stuff like that anymore. I liked that a lot.
Hope that someday I'll find a better place and do dreat drawings there to make my employer proud or me :)


Dance Studio Building by ~aixie on deviantART

( And one more, but not so good as first )