MICHAEL PALIN LIMERICKS

Michael Palin of Monty Python has just released a new collection of limericks! This hardcover edition collects both old and new pieces, along with whimsical illustrations by Tony Ross. Michael  responded to a request for audio books by posting his own video-reading of some of the poems. You can order the new book at a great price (and have it signed!) over at the Michael Palin website. And if you are in London in February, check out the live roundhouse event with Michael Palin and Terry Gilliam. Enjoy!

RODDENBERRY VAULT

Star Trek was in heavy syndication when I was a kid and I loved catching those crazy outer space missions on channel 11 out of NYC. Like many others, I was captivated by the dynamic (and diverse) cast, the special effects and music. And as an adult, I love the incredible sense of style and design that rooted the series in the era, yet also seemed to define our best vision of the future. Fans like me are eagerly awaiting the release of the Roddenberry Vault on Dec 13th. Check out this preview below. It's cool to see we'll finally get an official release of behind-the-scenes stuff, outtakes, bloopers, interviews, etc from the original series. More info at Amazon. Enjoy!

MICRONAUTS AD

As a kid moving into my teens in the late 1970s, one of the last action figures I ever had was a Micronaut "Time Traveler". Micronauts were produced by Mego between 1976-1980 and were inspired by a 1974 Japanese toy range. I remember being completely fascinated by the transparent, sleek designs, but had no idea my blue figure was part of a larger, customizable universe. As this vintage ad illustrates, inventive kids faced with the whole range could create their own characters and vehicles, which were magnetic and interchangeable! The line inspired a popular Marvel comic series (1979-1986), as well as later projects with other comic publishers (including IDW). A film adaptation seems to be in the works that will bring together a number of toy-to-comic franchises including Micronauts, G.I Joe, and Rom Space Knight! And Hasbro apparently released a limited-edition set of classic Micronaut toys this year. But the real charm was in the original toy line, which challenged young minds to create their own futuristic societies and populations. Move over Habitrail! I like to imagine young fans of Logan's Run and Tron designing intricate, Micronaut worlds. More info at the Mego Museum, Innerspace Online, and That Figures. Enjoy!

TRANSFORMERS MOVIE

The glorious new Blu-ray edition of Transformers: The Movie -the animated classic featuring Orson Welles, Eric Idle, Peter Cullen, and some great 1980s rock- is currently on sale! You can pick up the steelbook Blu-ray right now on Amazon for only $19.99. The hi-def transfer is really gorgeous. I'm seeing details in the artwork I've never noticed before. Thank you, Shout Factory! From the press release: "In Stunning High Definition, From A Brand-New 4K Transfer! The year is 2005… For millennia, the heroic Autobots, led by Optimus Prime (Peter Cullen), have been at war with the evil Megatron (Frank Welker) and his Decepticons over control of their home planet of Cybertron. However, an even greater threat: Unicron (Orson Welles, Citizen Kane), a colossal converting planet that devours everything in its path and is heading right for Cybertron. The only hope is the Autobot Matrix of Leadership. Will the Autobots be able to save themselves and their home world in time? An all-star cast, including Judd Nelson (The Breakfast Club), Leonard Nimoy (Star Trek), Eric Idle (the Monty Python films) and Robert Stack (The Untouchables), brings this inimitable, explosively entertaining Autobot adventure to life. Includes Both Widescreen (1.85:1) And Full Frame (1.33:1) Versions!" More details at Amazon. Enjoy!

HE-MAN DOCUMENTARY

Weekend mornings were made for cartoons! Go behind the scenes in one of the most successful shows ever produced- He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. It's fun to hear the creators talk about influences from popular sci-fi films and television shows, and how they put the MOTU universe together. The design sense and painted backgrounds in the series were so beautiful. Although Filmation was famous for limited animation, don't sell the series short. Some of talent behind the series included Bruce Timm and Paul Dini (Batman The Animated Series). He-Man has also inspired decades of cool fan art- check out this epic image by Deimos below. Learn more at the He-man website. You can also check out recent books: Art of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, He-Man and She-Ra: Complete Guide. Enjoy!

EXPLORERS

If the Netflix original series Stranger Things jump-started your curiosity about 1980s pop culture, you might enjoy Explorers (1985). Produced as a fun kid's sci-fi adventure with effect by ILM, it was directed by Joe Dante (Gremlins) and starred River Phoenix, Ethan Hawke, and Robert Picardo (Star Trek: Voyager). Like its cinematic cousins Stranger Things and The Goonies, Explorers follows a band of young misfit boys who trade their routine of escaping bullies and biking around town to see their greatest fantasies come true. We even get to see some early computer graphics and technology! Trailer below. Enjoy!

MST3K RIFFTRAX

The hilarious guys from MST3K/Rifftrax are hosting another comedy Fathom Event this Thursday, December 1st! Braving the deepest depths of cheese, our intrepid riffers will take on the classic film Santa Claus Conquers the Martians and a Christmas Shorts-Stravaganza! I loved watching MST3K every week back in the day and it's been great to see Mike, Bill, and Kevin continue the tradition. These Fathom events usually pack the theater and there's nothing like laughing along with your whole goofy tribe- so don't miss it! Check local theaters and Fathom Events for info and tickets. And may your holidays be merry! Enjoy!

MINI MOOG

Press the power button and leap into a brief history on the fabulous Mini Moog! The Mini Moog has been the pulse of our lives for decades, from The Beatles, Bowie, Rush, Kraftwerk, Gary Numan, Devo, Depeche Mode, and beyond. Enjoy!

DEVO THANKSGIVING

Happy Thanksgiving! The holidays are a funny mix of thinking about great things- like friends, family, and kindness- as well as some of the weird aspects of our culture, such as mass consumerism. I'm always reminded of DEVO at this time of year and their ideas of de-evolution. Looking at the world right now and some of the choices by folks with power, one does gave to ask: Are we not men? We're all DEVO. Here are two greeting cards I made a couple of years ago to share with the DEVO fans. Enjoy!

CARTOON EXHIBIT

Friends in the Connecticut area might be interested in checking out a cartoon art exhibit currently running at the Wilton library (through Nov 11th). Comic strips have been an integral part of our cultural fabric for over 100 years. Fans will get to see original work in this show from the likes of Hagar the Horrible, Hi and Lois, and Beetle Bailey. Artists on display include my pals Chance Browne, Brian Walker, Bill Janocha, and many others. I can't think about being a kid in the 1970s without fondly remembering what it was like to grow up around Dik Browne and his family. I'll never forget the day Dik's son Chance gave me a paperback book of the first Hagar collection and said, "Check out my dad's new strip!" (Chance also gave me my first guitar). I watched Dik and Chris Browne produce comics in their basement studio for years (when I wasn't playing in their pool). When I moved away I lobbied my local paper to run Hagar and then dutifully clipped the strip out of the newspaper every day for my scrapbook. Seeing their comics and holiday cards kept the Brownes close. They also inspired me to become a cartoonist. Although I was able to publish comics in a number of national magazines, their lasting influence is on me as a teacher- passing along the love of cartooning to my students now for almost thirty years. As an adult I became close with the Walkers, with whom the Brownes still produce Hi and Lois. In 2005 I published the book, Mort Walker Conversations, for the comic series by University Press of Mississippi. I love this group of artists! Don't miss the show if you are in the area. More info about the exhibit here. Enjoy!