Gamertell

FXLabs Studios has finally finished work on its PC game, Archie’s Riverdale Run. Its been quite a while, since the project was originally announced in early 2006 and scheduled to be completed in 2007. Of course, the project was also originally planned for both PCs and consoles. Today (September 4, 2008), FXLabs confirmed that the game is completed and the developer is now looking for publishers around the world to release it.

Archie’s Riverdale Run is a completely 3D racing/action/adventure game where players get to star Archie, Betty, Jughead, Reggie or Veronica. Once you pick a character, you race through Riverdale trying to complete missions…

MORE »

If all that excitement over the recent Watchman trailer wasn’t enough for you, consider the legal drama over the film’s right to exist. Warner Bros. and 20th Century Fox are locked in what could be a very bloody battle with the film (directed by Zack Snyder and set to release on March 6, 2009) at stake. Here’s the gist, minus the legal jargon: Fox is trying to get an injunction to bar the release of the flick, and Warner Bros. position is that they have no (legal) leg to stand on with their argument.

There’s a long history here, where Fox first sought rights to make a film out of the property, then abandoned the project. Sour grapes much? Maybe, but the movie business is about as cutthroat as it gets. ICV2 is reporting on the ongoing feud, which they speculate may end in a deal with Fox to get a share of the sure-to-be-huge profits. After all, everyone and their dog was excited by the trailer, and comic book movies are huge right now (box office gold, anyone?).

Read [ICV2 ]

ICV2 has just reported that graphic novels will soon be eligible for the prestigious Hugo Award. The notion does have to be ratified, but if it goes through, “‘Any science fiction or fantasy story told in graphic form appearing for the first time in the previous calendar year’ will be eligible.” It got me thinking - if graphic novels are enjoying literary legitimacy these days, could videogames be next?

We all have our favorite examples of which games we feel qualify as bona-fide works of art or pieces of literature. 

MORE »

On August 16, 2008, Kamikaze Pop in conjunction with Tokyopop held a Gothic & Lolita Fashion Showcase to promote the pre-release of the Gothic & Lolita Bible book. The event was held in the Action Theater of Sony’s Metreon in San Francicso, California (USA), amid a swarm of participants of all ages and sizes.

While waiting for the showcase to begin, guests were invited to shop the wares of local vendor, Miss Carlyfornia. Miss Carlyfornia offered many dainty and eloquently detailed hand-made accessories and crafts intended for the GothiLoli fan. Guests were also encouraged to…

MORE »

Check out the gallery: Kamikaze Pop Gothic Lolita Showcase 2008

As if the hand of Dan DeCarlo was guiding me from the grave, I recently came across another potentially prophetic message coming from Archie Comics.

This instance is in an issue of Betty and Veronica Digest Magazine (no. 125, Jan. 2002) with a story titled ”Game Gambit” featuring fictional game maker Zapco Games. The company has asked Betty, the blonde-next-door and sometimes gender-bending teenager, to help test a series of arcade games targeted towards girls.

As one of the Gamertell writers recently pointed out in an email, “Is it just me, or does September seem like the month of feminine games?” Indeed, it appears that way with a slew of demographically-targeted games being released throughout September 2008…

MORE »

Check out the gallery: Betty and Veronica no. 125 - Game Gambit

During Comic Con 2008, many games and comics were featured. And who wouldn’t want to attend a special preview of today’s most talented directors and animators create independent film masterpieces. The Comic-Con International Independent Film Festival consisted of movies that fell into seven categories: action/adventure, animation, comics-oriented, documentary, humor/parody, horror and science fiction/fantasy. On July 27, 2008, the top films in each category were announced and awarded.

This year’s Comic-Con International: Independent Film Festival are…

MORE »

Comic books have always been a way to experience a fantasy filled world with intriguing story lines and character development. Some comics are taking the leap from print to the land of digital media. Imagine a comic book that comes to life on your computer screen complete with voice overs, sound effects, and music while maintaining the nostalgic feel of panels. This is where Warner Premier steps in with motion comics.

Earlier in July 2008 the official announcement was made from Warner Bros. that motion comics will be made available through digital distribution. The first comic to get this treatment is The Watchmen, currently available for free through iTunes…

MORE »

Japan always seems to get the coolest things. Besides the fact that most of its technology makes Westerners look downright primitive, it also brings more innovative support for videogame consoles for the territory. Earlier this week Nintendo announced that it has partnered with FujiFilm to bring a digital photo service to the Wii. A few days later we learn plans are being developed to bring digital comics to the Wii and DS.

Four of Japan’s biggest manga publishers…

MORE »

DC comics is currently producing comics based on popular videogame titles. It was announced earlier this year that DC and Epic Games were collaborating to produce a comic based on Gears of War. DC’s WildStorm label snatched up the opportunity to make a comic about Prototype, and now it’s trying its hand at EA’s upcoming first-person title Mirrors Edge.

The first limited edition issue of the comic created by…

MORE »

In case you are one of the lucky 100,000+ people able to get into the Comic Con 2008 doors, you might want to head over to the Dark Horse Comics booth. The company that’s keeping Star Wars comics in print, as well as making Hellboy a household word, has a huge list of talent that will be signing stuff at the booth.

Dark Horse has declared Friday (July 25, 2008) “Star Wars Day,” so there will be Star Wars comic talent there all afternoon. While all of the appearances are notable, the most recognizable names to the general public (many of whom will also be in panel discussions) include Mike Mignola, Joss Whedon, Neil Patrick Harris, Nathan Fillion, Felicia Day and Bruce Campbell. Noe that some of the signings/appearances do require a paid ticket.

For those who like to wait in line, here’s a complete list (all times are in Pacific Time)…

MORE »