Ultraman is a generational thing in North America, if you were born between 1965 and 1975, most likely you will know who he is. Any generation after that will fall wayside of the pop culture hero. If you live in Japan, that is a whole different story. Ultraman is the icon that began the Japanese pop culture export. Most of the recent Japanese cartoon success owes a bit to Ultraman. This unique series that borrows heavily from Godzilla and every other giant monster guy dressed in a rubber suit creating havoc on toy model cities that recant the destruction of Hiroshima on many levels. Symbolic and yet etched on the culture that if Japan. Now you can bask in the sun with the complete series on DVD this October by BCI Eclipse.

 

When the world is threatened by alien invaders and giant prehistoric monsters, there is only one agency equipped to handle the situation, The Science Patrol, an ultra-sophisticated police force equipped with high-tech weaponry and spacecrafts. Led by Captain Muramatsu, the team defends the planet from the unknown. Unbeknownst to the team, one of their members, Hayata, has the ability to transform into the giant superhero from Nebula M7B, Ultraman, when all their weaponry can’t stop their foes.

Garfield is dead! Well erased from his own strip that is. A world without Garfield is a better world some will say. The famous and in some cases infamous feline comic strip has a love hate relationship with with many readers. When comic strips were stagnant in the 80’s, it was easy pickings for Jim Davis with his creation Garfield. More of a merchandising icon to equal Snoopy in sales. Unlike Peanuts the strip lacked that intellectual twist that Peanuts drove home to the core audience. Now who would think that Garfield would garnish a whole new audience with Garfield Minus Garfield. Jim Davis is astonished himself with the online success of webcomic Garfield Minus Garfield where Garfield is wiped out by a Photoshop eraser. Witness the dark brooding panels of a lonely Jon Arbuckle without Garfield. The idea gives the strip a whole new life, at times it supersedes the original idea. The sans Garfield strip is so popular that now it will be in book form for all the masses to enjoy from Ballantine Books, a division of the Random House Publishing Group. Dan Walsh the madman behind this idea since February 2008 has gained a notoriety for himself and now will reap the fruits of his labor as will Jim Davis.

Renowned world creators Zep and Tebo (Tootuff) have unleashed famous properties such as Fly Tales, Malo Korrigan and the Space Tracers, Kaput & Z?sky and Flatmania. Many of the creations started out in album format in France. There is a big comic culture in Europe. Unlike North America most bodies of works are collected in pristine large format books. The books are collected by all ages. Zep and Tebo are at it again with their new creation Captain Biceps. The super-hero parody character already enjoys a large following in the rest of the world. The advent of trans-continental technology properties like Captain Biceps is slowing making their way to North America. There is a snobbery to amazing talent coming out of Europe, smaller imprints are translating many bodies of works. Captain Biceps as other works of  Zep and Tebo have translated well to animation because of lack of dialogue. Keep a sharp eye for Captain Biceps, this is one fun jab at the super-hero universe.

The Game of Life literally begins when you get married and you emulate one of your favorite games into the scheme of your special day. Seems everything is game under the sun when couples get together. Super Mario Kart had a moment to shine in the spotlight with this California couple in their moment of bliss. Like many couples who look back at their wedding day, this will be one couple thinking of what the hell they were thinking of. Rumor has it that couple at whoop-wii on their honeymoon. The cake was gracefully created by Beth from Let The Eat Cake in Costa Mesa, California. This is one cake looks too good to slide down your esophagus. See detailed cake by Studio V?rit? Photography>>

Strawberry Shortcake is getting a face-lift. American Greetings Properties the owners of Strawberry Shortcake worked over a year to update the popular 80’s icon for young girls. Hasbro unveiled a whole new line of toys based on the slick new ?fruit-forward? makeover, a phrase coined by the rights holder. When characters become stagnant, there is little choice but to reboot the franchise. Characters like Mickey Mouse are due for a new makeover according to Disney. Looney Tunes have in many reincarnations redesigned their characters to lackluster success. Look for Care Bears American Greetings Properties another to get a makeover soon.

The Hulk would definitely fail any anger management control class. The second attempt to bring the Hulk to the big screen is a success with the emphasis on a more humane Bruce Banner that tips homage to the original TV series. The only reminiscent inkling of the first big screen first movie are cameo appearances by Stan Lee and original TV Hulk Lou Ferrigno. Edward Norton who plays Bruce Banner makes him a more compassionate character and Tim Roth his nemesis in the film is a well rounded villain. The movie is a more back to basics to the original premise of the comic books. Marvel seems to be hitting a double barrelled hit with their second in-house movie. Their control of their characters is something of wonder because most publishers will just hand out their rights to  properties to make a fast buck and Marvel is guilty of that in the past where Hollywood really gave us dogs with some Marvel characters. Captain America , Spider-man, the Fantastic Four, Doctor Strange, and Thor at one time were real turkeys of movies in early incarnations. Marvel seems to be a big player now in Hollywood after two movies, this is great news for all. These characters will finally see the light of day as they were supposed to be.

To smurf or not to smurf, Sony has acquired the rights to Belgian cartoonist Pierre "Peyo" Culliford’s Smurfs to be produced in CG. Seems everybody wants to CG about just any property out there. Writers J. David Stem and David N. Weiss of Sherk 2 and 3 will helm the screenplay for the blue imps. Considering that the Smurfs are celebrating their 50th anniversary since they were created in 1958, this was a tad late into really capitalizing on the phenomena. Will the world once again welcome the little blue men back? With the right script and out of this world CG-animation, there might be a chance.

The New Yorker Magazine is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you will get. Adrian Tomine’s cover is a priceless expression between the war of the local bookstore versus Amazon. This issue has a new found story by Vladimir Nabokov, worth getting if you are not a Adrian Tomine.

When something works for a young writer or artist or you happen to be both you stick with the winning formula. Such is the case for young writer/artist extraordinaire as he come back with a sequel to his first book called I’m The Biggest Thing in the Ocean.  I’m the Best Artist in the Ocean! has the charm warm charm as the original book. Kevin Sherry’s young career is taking off with this lovable squid who paints in the ocean.

Not only is this irrepressible squid the biggest thing ever, he?s also the best artist in the entire ocean. He squirts ink, for goodness? sakes, and there aren?t many animals in the ocean who can do that! This squid is making a masterpiece that is sure to wow his fellow fish. But perhaps they aren?t as pleased as he would think?