Looking To The Stars - Cool Stuff I Found While Surfing

We have much to do and less time to do it in. So let's get right to business. Or at least, as business like as we can be when the matter at hand is fun, comic-related things I found while surfing the web this week.

Old Business

First off, the last time I discussed cool net-related stuff, I mentioned the comic-parody films of one Matt Gardner. Among other things, Mr. Gardner is doing a series of films mocking House of M.The latest chapter came out recently a Newgrounds.com and this one is, for my money, the best one yet. So if you haven't looked at it yet, now is the time.

Also, in that same column, I mentioned my discovery of the Weird Al of Fandom, The Great Luke Ski. I would be remiss in my duties as a comic-book columnist if I did not mention that his free MP3 of the month for January is House Party At Arkham Asylum, which if you are any kind of Batman fan, you owe it to yourself to listen to at least once.


New Business

Earlier in the year, I posted about how a fund has been started to help the people of Cross Plains, Texas – the home of Robert E. Howard, the creator of Conan – which has suffered greatly in the recent series of fires that ravaged the Texas plains. The fund was originally cash and check donations only, but now a Paypal account has been created so you can donate through credit or debit cards. More information can be found at The Robert E. Howard United Press Association.

For those in the area who prefer a more direct form of charity, those in the North Texas area might be interested in attending a fan gathering being held in to raise money for the Cross Plains Relief Fund. It will be at the Black Dog Tavern in downtown Fort Worth this Saturday the 21st from 2 to 5 pm. Directions and contact information can be found here. It'll be a good place to meet fellow Conan fans as well as raise a few in the name of Robert Howard as you raise some money for a good cause.

(Of course this WOULD be held on the one afternoon I can't get off work...)

A final note on Conan; while most of the buzz among the on-line gaming set this year is about the upcoming official Dungeons and Dragons RPG, this reporter is casting his vote for a different game. One that will take players to a great Age undreamed of, when shining kingdoms lay spread across the world like blue mantles beneath the stars... The Age of Conan!

Finally, I stumbled across the artwork and web comics of one Jin Wicked recently. I'm not even going to attempt to summarize the plethora of wonders that await you at jinwicked.com. Just show some faith in your Unca Starman, for once. 'kay?

Tune in next week. Same Matt time. Same Matt website.

Looking To The Stars - Crisis Of Infinite Linkage!

Got a bit of ground to cover this week, so let's get right to it, shall we?

1. Luke Ski, Eskimo Spy

I got introduced to this by my friend John a few days ago and I'm amazed I had never found this before. Luke Ski is a parodist singer in the same vein as Weird Al and Dr. Demento. Indeed, the good Doctor hosts Luke's website which is full of various geek-rock song parodies.

Personally, given that Mystery Science Theater 3000 is my favorite show EVER and that I perform in a Rocky Horror cast as a Floorwalker (loud guy who yells at the screen, ala MST3K), I'm now kicking myself for not trying to combine the two in some way. Luke Ski has done so with a wonderful little song to the tune of Science Fiction Double Feature.

And before anyone questions the relevance of my discussing this in a comic book column, rest assured there's plenty of favorites relating to comics, including the Peter Parker rap, House Party at Arkham Asylum and It's A Fanboy Christmas along with all the songs about Star Trek, Star Wars and even a song about Al Bundy from Married with Children to the tune of Eminem's My Name Is. So all manner of subject matter is covered, in order for you to get your geek on.

It's all at http://www.lukeski.com

2. Matt Gardner, Eskimo Spy

I've mentioned him before, but someone needs to hire this guy to write something somewhere. Forgive the cheap animation (it's Flash, for crying out loud!) and this is some of the best superheroic satire anywhere.

Here is a complete list of all of Matt's comic related work, so far. Including his latest comic – a tribute to the Countdown to Infinite Crisis.


Justice League: Countdown, Part One
http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view.php?id=272710


X-Men: Death Becomes Them
http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view.php?id=218160


X-Men: Dark Phoenix Rising
http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view.php?id=219810

X-Men: Revisiting Profit
http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/257930


House of M: Part One
http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view.php?id=251383


House of M: Part Two
http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view.php?id=273812


And my favorite: Marvel Villains ASSEMBLE!
http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/273218

3. A New Way to Look To The Stars

Because I think my non-comic reading friends (yes, I do have some) are getting sick of me clogging up my personal journal with my writings here, I've decided to follow the example of Dani from Fangirl Ramblings and start LJ-casting my column. So those of you who wish instant updates on my latest writing linked right off of your Livejournal Friends page, head on over to http://www.livejournal.com/users/looking2dastars/ and add it to your friends list.

That's it for this week. I've got some shopping to do this weekend when I'm not selling everyone else their presents, so we'll have to make this short and sweet.




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