Epic FailMoon, directed by Duncan Jones son of David Bowie, is a 2009 science fiction movie with a very small cast, in fact it almost entirely features one character with the only other human characters appearing on video (of which there are roughly four). This is because Sam Bell works entirely alone on the moon to provide energy for Earth with the aid of computers and a AI/robot called GERTY. Besides that he has no one but himself for company and himself to rely on 😉
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Logan’s Run is my 2nd favourite movie of all time (FYI my first is Labyrinth). Now I’m going to explain why.
Logan’s Run is a Science Fiction movie made in the 1970’s. It is set in a post-apocalyptic future where humans have sealed themselves in a domed city. The city is a utopia, automated systems provide all of life’s necessities leaving mankind free to pursue an existence of pure hedonism, but there’s a catch: nobody lives past 30. It’s Logan’s job, as a ‘Sandmen’, to kill anyone who tries. These people are known as Runners.
The Cosmic Hellcats Interview continues with Chris Maverick, and its Artist Maximillian joins us.
Click here if you haven’t read Cosmic Hellcats Interview – Part 1.
Hmm, you’d need to find some very dedicated cos-players… which leads me to ask: If you were a character in a Sci-Fi show who would you be and why?
Mav: That’s a hard one. And one that I don’t really have a good answer for. The thing is, I’d change my mind every three seconds. I’ve thought of 10 shows that I’d love to be on for one reason or another since I started answering the question. I guess the great thing about being a writer is not having to decide. I like that the universe can literally be anything I want it to be. I like different kinds of stories depending on my mood. So while I would love to be piloting the Millennium Falcon one moment, two seconds from now I’ll want to be Batman.
Max: Batman is tempting. I’d sure like my superpower to be “ridiculous wealth.”But I don’t see how anyone can be asked that question and not answer Jayne Cobb.
Writer Chris Maverick (Mav) takes the hot seat to talk about his Science Fiction webcomic Cosmic Hellcats.
Mav explains what Cosmic Hellcat Adventures is all about:
Cosmic Hellcats follows the exploits of a scrappy crew of catgirl Science Ninjas as they explore the universe while battling aliens, robots, gigantic four-dimensional children, pirates, monsters, the laws of physics, and their own pathologically destructive tendencies.
The main team consists of: tough as nails leader, Captain Amaya Solace; brilliant but nymphomaniac science officer Dr. Sarah Prankha; adventure loving pilot Lt. Damsel Reed and the homicidal weapons officer with a lolcat speech impediment, Chaste. They’re joined by Andrew, a silent battledroid with an inferiority complex and Fluffy, their sarcastic ship computer as they travel the universe causing as much trouble as they get out of.
Other characters that make appearances include the members of competing units from amongst their allies in the Federated Union of Confederated Kingdoms. The Tactics Espionage and Defense Directorate: Intergalactic Justice Advocates: µ (Four space faring teddy bears: Kennedy, Rooselvelt, Pendergrass and Riley); a fellow Hellcat Unit led by Captain Nikki “Shipwrecks” Kitai and consisting of team members: Bambii, Glover and Ensign Matt; and most recently the Starfoxes, a superpowered special forces team led by Sahara and including members Miaa, Shiima and Trix.
Their primary enemies are the Rigellians, a race of one-eyed reptile people with bunny ears who are amassing a vast empire throughout the universe despite their comical ineptitude. They’ve also encountered Jessi and Junior, a pair of four-dimensional space giants who eat planets and a band of pirates led by the maniacal Captain Arkady and his first mate, Lucy.
Whilst formatted as a joke strip, the stories are serialized with one episode leading into the next, taking one year to tell a complete tale. In addition there’s a weekend strip called Hellcat Cosmos that while not part of the main story is used to tell anecdotal one-panel stories about characters in the Hellcats Universe – frequently characters that haven’t appeared in the main comic as often as we’d like!
A Beagle, a lizard and a Muppet fly into outer space… Sounds like the set-up for a great joke doesn’t it? Well it’s actually the premise for Willow’s Grove, a Science-fiction Webcomic by Karl Kleese.
On the face of it the writing seems simple and funny, but at its heart is surprisingly cleaver. It combines a number of classic sci-fi tropes whilst coming up with something entirely original. The humour sets you up with something familiar then the punch-line surprises you. It’s easy to waste a few hours digging through the archives.
The artwork has a simple yet distinctive style with very clean, professional-looking line-work. It starts in black and white, but later evolves into colour.
The story is easy to get into and guaranteed to leave you on your uppers. It is divided into short, easily-digested story arcs as the characters go to different planets in an attempt to find their way back to Earth. Whilst only a science-fiction fan will appreciate all the references I really can’t think of a reason why anyone couldn’t enjoy this. Willow’s Grove is, in a word, fun.
Today I recieved this brilliant, action-packed piece of fan art from Phil Shaw of Sacred Pie. It’s of Martin, Clodin and Amuletts versus a Cave Troll. I really appreciate the attention to detail here and especially the character nuances. It’s a wonderful mix of action and humour – I only hope I can do as well when I get to the big fight scenes! At least I know who to go to for advice.
Sacred Pie is an epic science fiction webcomic. It begins with a mysterious traveller stumbling through a portal into Sid, Roonas and Bob’s living room. Following a portentous demand involving the fate of the universe, he disintegrates on their carpet leaving a stain and several artifacts.
It’s the story of ordinary guys turned super-heroes with resemblances to Star Wars and The Last Starfighter. The art inproves as the story progresses with some experimentation along the way. There’s a lot going on which can be hard to keep track of sometimes, but if you are looking for variety and a comic that doesn’t take itself too seriously this is the perfect read.