Posted at 2:20 p.m. - Thursday July 2

Some cool stuff going down on G4TV this week...

First off: tonight on Attack of the Show, the Man, the Myth, the Legend, Captain Kirk/Denny Crane HIMSELF, WILLIAM SHATNER, will be on Attack of the Show to talk about his new Tek War comic book.

(I, for one, would LOVE to see a Boston Legal comic, but y'know that's just me.)

I've read the Tek War books, watched the show when it ran on USA Network and have seen the previous comic-book incarnations.  I wonder what the good Captain has in store for us now?

Catch AOTS TONIGHT on the G4 Channel (check your local listings for showtimes)!

Oh..and in case you thought I could possibly forget her...

The lovely Blair Butler talks to Eisner Award-winning comic-book writer Grant Morrison about some past and future projects....a We3 film perhaps? What I'd like to know is whatever happened to his MBX animation project with Virgin Comics?

As always, your comments and e-mails are always a treat to read and respond to!

Posted at 9:30 p.m. - Tuesday June 30

Last week I had the pleasure of meeting actor/author/director Amber Benson at Challengers Comics + Conversation.  Fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer know her as 'Tara' and she was in town to promote her new young-adult fantasy novel "Death's Daughter." She was as sweet and personable as her character. Here is our talk:

You can check out Amber's Blog for the latest news on her projects and appearances!

Posted at 7:55 p.m. - Monday, June 29

Courtesy of my friends at Dreamland Comics in Schaumburg, IL comes this week's new releases!  Of note: Eisner Award-winning writer Ed Brubaker resurrects the Original Captain America, Steve Rogers, in  Captain America: Reborn #1; Grant Morrison continues the adventures of the new Batman in Batman & Robin #2; The Yuuzhan Vong invade the STAR WARS Expanded Universe in Dark Horse Comics' STAR WARS: Invasion #1; and much, much more! Visit your local comic shop and check out one of these titles this week

MARVEL
Agents of Atlas #7
Amazing Spider-Man Family #8
Astonishing Tales #6
Cable #16
Captain America Poster Book
Captain America Reborn #1 
Daredevil Noir #4
Deadpool Merc with a Mouth #1
Destroyer #4
Exiles #4
Fantastic Four #568
Invincible Iron Man #15
Marvel Divas #1
Marvel Your Universe #6
New Avengers #54 (Bachalo Variant)
Official Index To The Marvel Universe #7
Scourge of the Gods Fall #1
Trojan War #3
Uncanny X-Men #513
USA Comics #1
War of Kings #5
War of Kings #5 (Choi Variant)
Wolverine #72 (2nd Printing)

DC
Batman and Robin #2
Batman Confidential #31
Dead Romeo #4
Final Crisis Aftermath Run #3
Green Lantern Corps #38
Green Lantern Rebirth #1 Special Edition
Jonah Hex #45
Justice League Cry for Justice #1 
Mighty #6
Secret Six #11
Solomon Grundy #5
Strange Adventures #5
Unwritten #1 (2nd Printing)
Y The Last Man #1 Special Edition

DC/VERTIGO
Bang Tango #6
Greek Street #1 (Only $1.00!)

DC/WILDSTORM
Astro City The Dark Age Book 3 #3
Authority #12
Gears of War #8

OTHER PUBLISHERS
American McGees Grimm #3
Angel After the Fall #23
Astounding Wolf-Man #17
Bad Kids Go to Hell #1
Battlestar Galactica Final Five #4 
Boys #32
Buffy the Vampire Slayer #26 
Cerebus Archive #2
Chew #2
Dawn 20th Anniversary Convention Sketchbook
Dead Run #2
Doctor Who Classics Series 2 #8
Escape from Wonderland #0
Existance 2.0 #1
Farscape Strange Detractors #4 
Finding Nemo Reef Rescue #1 
GI Joe Movie Adaptation #1 
Irredeemable #4
Knights of the Dinner Table #152
Locke & Key Head Games #6
Muppet Robin Hood #2
Muppet Show #4
Savage Dragon #150
Soulfire Volume 2 #10
Spawn #193 
Star Wars Invasion #1
Star Trek The Wrath of Khan #3 
Sword #18
Terry Moore's Echo #13
Transformers Spotlight Metroplex
Unbound Saga 
Witchblade #128 
Witchfinder In the Service of Angels #1

ALL-AGES
Betty & Veronica Double Digest #172
Jugheads and Friends Digest #33
Looney Tunes #176
Simpsons Super Spectacular #9
Veronica #195

MAGAZINES
Comics Journal #298
Horror Hound #18
Stargate Magazine #29

GRAPHIC NOVELS
Boys Vol 4 We Gotta'Go Now
Brave and the Bold Without Sin
Buck Rogers in 25th Century Vol 2 HC
Caliber Vol 1 First Canon of Justice
Captain America Fighting Chance Vol 2 Acceptance
Classic Transformers Vol 4
Daredevil Father
Doc Savage Double Novel Vol 27
El Diablo The Haunted Horsemen
GI Joe Combat Heroes Vol 1 We Are GI Joe HC
Green Lantern Rage of the Red Lanterns HC
Hercules Vol 1 Thracian Wars
Runaways Rock Zombies HC
Shadow Double Novel Vol 28
Solomon Kane Vol 1 Castle of Devil
Spawn Endgame Vol 1
Spider-Man Election Day HC
Star Trek Omnibus Vol 2 Early Voyages
The Goon Vol 8 Those That is Damned
Tick and Arthur Complete Works
Turok Son of Stone Archives Vol 2 HC
Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea Complete Series Vol 1 HC
Witchblade Vol 6
Worlds of HP Lovecraft Dagon & Other Tales

MANGA
Emma Vol 9
Oh My Goddess RTL Vol 12

Posted at 8:45 a.m. - Monday, June 29

So, I made yet another geek reference in the RedEye 5 on 5 today, putting out the offer of a 'no-prize' for the reader who can tell me where the reference came from, so comment below with your answer and I'll be reviewing all comments for a winner!

I just need to you tell me who used the term 'bantha poodoo,' what is it and who was it in reference to.

I think this is an easy one, but then again, that's just me.

Be sure to leave a valid e-mail address so I can send you your 'no-prize' if you get it right!

Good luck!

Posted at 9:25 a.m. - Thursday, June 25

The good people of Challengers Comics + Conversation sent me word of this super-cool cookout that they're having where you not only get to hang out with one on Marvel Comics' top comic-book writers, but also raise money for a good cause:

"Challengers Comics + Conversation will be holding a cookout from 12:00-3:00pm on June 27, 2009 featuring writer Kathryn Immonen and her new Marvel Comics graphic novel release, Patsy Walker: Hellcat.  Ms. Immonen will be on hand to sign copies of the trade as well as her first issue of Marvel Comics’ Runaways. All food items (hamburgers, soda, etc.) at the cookout will be $1. All proceeds will go to the Anti Cruelty Society of Chicago. Challengers Comics is located at 1845 N. Western Ave. 2R in Bucktown.

“Female heroines kicking butt and doing good is right up our alley,” explained Patrick Brower co-owner of Challengers Comics.  “The Anti Cruelty Society does really amazing things not only to enable people to take better care of their pets but also works to help communities understand and empathize with the animal world.  The more you learn about animals the more you will want to protect them and do right by them. Doing the right thing and protecting the innocent is what Patsy Walker: Hellcat is all about!” Fun on a bun!"

If you missed the Amber Benson signing last week (I'll be posting my interview with her soon!), you missed out on a great time, so don't let this one pass you by and hang with some of the coolest folk in the comic book biz.

Check this one out and be sure to tell 'em you read about it here on the Geek To Me blog!

Posted at 10:45 p.m. - Tuesday, June 23

If you ask me, pro wrestlers are a special breed of people. They put their bodies on the line each night, enduring countless injuries performing for the sake of entertaining their fans.  Chicago can lay claim to a few stars of its own, among them Scott Colton AKA Colt Cabana.  Scott is currently plying his trade in the Ring of Honor wrestling promotion after a stint in the WWE.  While preparing for his Chicago Street Fight this weekend at the next ROH event, Scott took some time to talk about his career, his faith, what it was like to work in the WWE and what he looks for in a tag-team partner:

Geek To Me: So Scott, where are you from?

Scott Colton: Well Elliott, unlike you, I'm not from some crazy mythological planet.  I'm from Deerfield!  Currently I have a place in Wicker Park.  Well...I guess, Wicker Park is kinda like some crazy alien nation.  There's so many different types of eclectic people roaming around.  In a great way.  So it's kinda like some crazy awesome planet for the awesome...and crazy.

G2M: Does your faith/heritage have any influence on your work?

SC: I'm of the Jewish faith.  I'm Jewish.  I'm a Jew.  OY!  In the WWE I wrestled as Scotty Goldman.  Very jewey.  So that was influenced heavily by my faith and heritage.  Unless Vince McMahon thought Goldman was of the scientology faith...but I got a feeling he knew it was Jewish.  As a performer and an entertainer, I love using my Jewish humor and comedy in my wrestling.  By Jewish humor I mean more Spaceballs and less Caddyshack 2.

G2M: You go by the alias 'Colt Cabana,' can you tell us where that name came from?

SC: My last name is Colton.  Shhhhhh.  Don't tell anyone.  That's where the Colt comes from.  I always wanted part of my name to be in my wrestling name, hence the "Colt".  Picking a last name was hard.  I went through a list of them including McCullah, Nevada, Brooks and Hogan (ok maybe not).  Eventually I was thinking of the Barry Manilow Song, Copa Cabana.  It seemed to be a natural fit and COLT CABANA was born.  That was over ten years ago.

G2M: Can you give me a wrestling moniker?

SC: A nickname...huh.  How bout Nerd Eye Blind? No wait, ES Dorkenhiemer!  Or maybe the Iron Geek!  The Iron Geek sounds good.  IRAN number 1.  USA number Zero, Hacccchhh Tooooeeey.

G2M:  Awesome!  I'm going to make that my new Twitter handle!  When did you decide you wanted to be a pro wrestler?

SC: I've wanted to be a pro wrestler forever!  I literally popped out, slapped my doctor in the face and strutted around the room.  At least that's how I can only assume it went, right?  Since I was a little kid I've wanted to be a pro wrestler.  I was about three or four when I started watching.  In Jr High School, I used to research different wrestling schools that I could go to when I grew up. 

G2M: What does your family think about your chosen career path?

SC: My parents are cool with it.  My mom always supported me fully, but definitely wanted me to do something with more security and some kind of 401K or something.  My dad's just happy with whatever I want to do.

G2M:  Any other career choices you wish you had made?

SC: Well...I did actually go to college and got a degree in Business Marketing at Western Michigan University.  That being said, I really didn't have any desire in getting any kind of 9 to 5 as my desire to sleep until noon is way too great.  I would like to, along with my wrestling career, enter a different kind of entertainment.  I'd love to do some comedic acting and maybe some commercials.  I think I'd be a natural at that stuff as a lot of my wrestling persona was really built with my strong ability to cut promos and talk on the fly.

G2M: What did you think of Mickey Rourke's performance in The Wrestler?  On the mark or total fail?

SC: That movie was boss.  I'm not really trying to bring back the word "boss", but it was used because Springstein sang the main song for the movie.  Maybe I should bring back "boss", and rad.  I've been thinking about bringing back "raising the roof" too.  "Raising the roof" catches a bad rap in my book.  Mickey definitely hit it on the head.  The company I work for right now, ROH, was a huge part in that movie.  The Necro Butcher is a big star in ROH and he was the guy staple gunning Mickey.  ROH was also where Mickey wrestled at the end.  So the movie parallels the real life underground wrestling circuit, legitimately.  They didn't even make up wrestlers or promotions, they used the real thing.

G2M: What's the weirdest thing you've ever had to do in a match?

SC: I once lost to a Little Person in front of 10,000 people in Indianapolis.  I did it with pride and a huge smile on my face.  Me and CM Punk also once raffled off a lap dance for one lucky woman.  I think we hit her from each side while Whodini's Freaks Come Out At Night blasted on the speakers.

G2M:  Most painful experience?

Mentally it would probably be being fired by WWE.  I'd never been fired from anywhere...ever.  I've had some random jobs including teaching, counseling and selling lemonade on North Beach, but I've never been fired.  In terms of physical pain...I've torn both AC joints in both shoulders.  I've torn my quad.  I've torn my MCL.  I've broke my nose, broke fingers, chipped teeth, broke a cheek bone and so on...and so forth.

G2M: You were once part of the WWE roster, what was that like?

SC: It was pretty sweet while I was there.  I was most proud of the internet show that WWE gave me on WWE.com.  I originally named it, "What's Crackin with Scotty Goldman".  The "man" later renamed it "Good as Goldman".  They're floating around on youtube.  Doing that was a blast.  I got to come up with my own stuff and have fun while becoming a cult star on the internet just like the dude with the tight crotched Tron outfit and the guy who cried "It's still real to me!". 

G2M: Is Vince McMahon as tough a boss as he appears to be?

SC: I went into his office to have a talk and I almost shat myself.  He's an intimidating dude.  At the end of the day though, everybody's just a person, right?  He's takes poops just like you and I.  His probably smell worse though because of all the protein and supplements he takes.  He's like 62 and jacked.  Definitely in better shape than me, and I work out all the time.

G2M: Honestly, are those chair shots really all that bad?

SC: Yeah man.  Having someone swing a chair at you hurts no matter what.  If I'm wrestling someone and I'm gonna hit them with a chair, if I don't do it, the fans can tell and will call you out on it.  People come to the shows to believe and get sucked into this crazy world of pro wrestling.  If you don't crack someone good, the fans know and then you're not doing your job correctly.

G2M: What advice do you have for all those kids who are thinking about becoming pro-wrestlers.

SC: You have to be tough.  You have to heart and a desire to do this.  If you don't, wrestling will eat you alive and spit you out.  Kind of like that giant plant from Little Shop of Horrors.  The key is to go to a school and learn from the best.  Wrestling schools are just like trade schools.  It's like ITT Tech but sweeter.  ROH has a great school in Philadelphia.  That's in Philadelphia though.

G2M: You've got a street fight match coming up this month at "Ring of Honor", tell us more about it.

SC: Ever since I came back to ROH, there's a group called the Embassy led by Prince Nana who's kinda been on my case the whole time.  Nana just came back to the company himself, along with former TNA star Jimmy Rave.  I guess they both don't like that I've taken their spotlight.  Things have gone down, things have broken down, and basically it can only be settled one way.  Chicago street Fight baby!  Come live, it should be nuts.  I'm gonna bring some dudes with me and we're gonna take on the Embassy full fledged!

G2M: Need a tag-team partner?  Hey, you just gave me a new moniker, why not ME?

SC: Colt "Boom Boom" Cabana and The Iron Geek...together?!?!  This could be history.  Pros:  You seem nice.  Cons: You seem nice, Being good at THQ's SmackDown v. Raw 2009 won't actually help you in the ring, reading and writing comic books don't ACTUALLY give you comic book hero strengths.  Cons are outweighing the Pros...but I'll think about it.

G2M: I'll be waiting by my phone!

Check out Colt Cabana in his Chicago Street Fight this weekend, Saturday June 27th at the Frontier Fieldhouse in Chicago Ridge.  Also, get a chance to meet the legendary "Nature Boy" Ric Flair!  Visit the Ring of Honor website for information and to purchase tickets!

You can also check out Scott's MySpace page at myspace/coltcabana where he has t-shirts and DVDs for sale.  COOL SWAG!

Thanks to Scott Colton for his time, humor and generosity, and a special thanks to Marc Kruskol of MJK Public Relations for setting up the interview.

Posted at 12:05 p.m. - Tuesday, June 23

Comic book creator and self-styled 'sketch colorist' Jeff Balke sent me the following info via the GeekToMe hotline:

"Hey Elliott,

How are you?  Whatcha been up to lately? So hey, I was wondering if there was a way we can get Zombie Con in the blog for the Red Eye?  The con is this Saturday.  I'm excited about it!  I'm really thinking its going to KICK ASS and I'm hoping its going to be bigger next year !

But anyway, I have the flier attached.  I hope you can make it there."

Well, Jeff, ask and ye shall receive!

In addition to Jeff, you'll also have a chance to meet comic artist and Hack/Slash creator, Tim Seeley!

So, if you are a fan of all things undead, check out Zombie-Con!  Maybe I'll see you there?

And as always, if you've got an event that Chicago's geek and nerd population is gonna dig, drop me a line!

Posted at 11:45 p.m. - Monday, June 22

Courtesy of my friends at Dreamland Comics in Schaumburg, IL comes this week's new releases!  Of note: Evil Dead series' hero Ashley J Williams takes on the two heavy-hitters of horror again in Freddy vs Jason vs Ash: Nightmare Warriors #1; The new Batwoman hits the streets of Gotham in Detective Comics # 854; and MARVEL RELEASES ALMOST 40 BOOKS IN ONE DAY!  WTF!?!?!; and much, much more! Visit your local comic shop and check out one of these titles this week!

ALL-AGES
Archie #598
Archie Digest #255
Bart Simpson Comics #48
Batman Brave and the Bold #6
Cars Rookie #3
Incredibles Family Matters #3
Marvel Adventures Spider-Man #52
Sonic Universe #5

DC
Detective Comics #854
Final Crisis Aftermath Ink #2
Gotham City Sirens #1
Green Lantern #42
Justice League of America #34
Justice Society of America #28
Last Days of Animal Man #2
Sgt Rock the Lost Battalion #6
Superman #689
Teen Titans #72
The Spirit #30
Wonder Woman #33

DC/VERTIGO
Literals #3
Madame Xanadu #12
Northlanders #18
Unknown Soldier #9

DC/WILDSTORM
Fringe #6
Killapalooza #2
Wildcats Worlds End #12

MARVEL
Amazing Spider-Man #598
Astonishing X-Men #30
Avengers Invaders #12
Avengers The Initiative #25
Daredevil #119
Dark Avengers #6
Dark Avengers Uncanny X-Men: Utopia #1
Dark Reign Elektra #4
Dark Reign Lethal Legion #1
Dark Reign Sinister Spider-Man #1
Dark Reign The Hood #2
Dark Reign Zodiac #1
Dark Wolverine #75
Fantastic Four Giant-Size Adventures #1
Guardians of the Galaxy #15
Immortal Iron Fist #27
Incredible Hercules #130
Marvel Spotlight Captain America
Ms. Marvel #40
New Avengers #54
Nova #26
Riftwar #1
Runaways #11
Secret Invasion Chronicles #4
Secret Warriors #5
Skaar Son of Hulk #12
Squadron Supreme #12
Terror Inc Apocalypse Soon #3
Thor #602
Thunderbolts #133
Timestorm 2009/2099 X-Men
Uncanny X-Men #512
Wolverine First Class #16
Wolverine Noir #3
Wolverine Weapon X #3
X-Factor #45
X-Force #16
X-Men Forever #2
Ythaq No Escape #3

OTHER PUBLISHERS
Atomika #8
Barack the Barbarian #1 Obama Cover
Barack the Barbarian #1 Red Sarah Cover
Cleaners #4
Dynamo 5 #22
End League #8
Eureka Dormant Gene #3
Farscape Dargos Lament #3
Female Force Caroline Kennedy
Freddy Vs Jason Vs Ash: The Nightmare Warriors #1 
Fusion #2
GI Joe #6 
Grimm Fairy Tales #39 
Legend of Isis #2
Lillim #4
Lionsgate Films Leprechaun #2
Milo Ventimiglia Presents Berserker #1 
Perhapanauts #6
Predator #1
Proof #21
PVP #42
Rapture #2
Red Sonja #45
Star Trek Missions End #4
Star Wars Legacy #37
Starcraft #2
Stingers #2
Tales from Wonderland Red Queen One Shot
Transformers All Hail Megatron #12
Usagi Yojimbo #121
Viking #2
Vincent Price Presents #10
William Shatner Presents Tek War #1
Zorro #14

GRAPHIC NOVELS
All Star Batman and Robin the Boy Wonder Vol 1
City of Dust Vol 1
Classic Dan Dare Vol 11
Dark Reign Accept Change
Empowered Vol 5
Essential Doctor Strange Vol 4
GI Joe Movie Adaptation
GI Joe Movie Prequel
Golden Age Starman Archives Vol 2
Green Lantern Tales of the Sinestro Corps
Grimm Fairy Tales Vol 6
Immortal Iron Fist by Fraction Brubaker Aja Omnibus HC
Immortal Iron Fist Vol 4 Mortal Iron Fist
Indiana Jones TPB Vol 1 Tomb of the Gods
JLA Deluxe Edition Vol 2 HC
NYX Wannabe Prem HC
Outlaw Territory
Patsy Walker Hellcat
Powers Vol 5 Anarchy (New Printing)
Rex Libris Vol 2 Book of Monsters
Superman Tales From the Phantom Zone
Tarot Witch of the Black Rose Vol 7
Thor Visionaries Walt Simonson  Vol 3 (New Printing)
Twisted Toyfare Theatre Vol 10
Ultimates by Mark Millar & Bryan Hitch Omnibus HC
Venom Dark Origin
Whisperer Double Novel Vol 1
X-Men Spider-Man HC

MANGA
Gantz Vol 5
Mushishi Vol 7
Negima Neo Vol 2
Tezuka's Black Jack Vol 5 SC
Toto Vol 5
Yagyu Ninja Scrolls Vol 6

MAGAZINES
Alter Ego #87
Doctor Who Magazine #409
Heavy Metal Summer 2009
Lost Magazine  #23
Previews July 2009
Star Trek Magazine #19
Wizard the Guide to Comics #214

Posted at 8:00 a.m. - Thursday June 18, 2009

After spending some time talking about his upcoming match against Diego "The Nightmare" Sanchez at the Ultimate Fighter Season 9 Finale on Spike TV this coming weekend, Clay "The Carpenter" Guida cheerfully accepted an offer to take the GNAT (Geek Nerd Analysis Test).

He may have found this challenge more difficult than any fight he's had in the "Octagon", but I think he managed just fine:

G2M: First, do you think you’re a geek or a nerd?

CG: I don’t know, aren’t they kind of the same thing?  When I was in 4^th or 5^th grade I had glasses and my buddies called me a nerd, so I guess I would be a nerd.

G2M: Ahh see, many people think that, but there is a difference.  Well, this test will help determine which one it is.

Would you rather hang out on the Millenium Falcon with Han Solo or on the Enterprise with Jean-Luc Picard?

CG: I’ve never been a Star Trek fan, that’s before my time, so I’ll go with the Star Wars (answer).

G2M: Would you rather hang out with Hobbits in the Shire or Dr. Who in a TARDIS?

CG:(laughs) The Hobbits for sure!  I saw the movie when I was young, it was great, I loved it.

G2M: Would you rather have a magic wand like Harry Potter or a tricorder like Captain Kirk?

CG: (laughs) A magic wand would be awesome!

G2M: Would you rather take a trip to Comic Con International or the International Space Station?

CG: The International Space Station?  That would be my choice, definitely.  I’ve never been into comics and going and space travel is something that not too many people get a chance to do.  That would definitely be unique.

G2M: Would you rather have Superman’s dog Krypto for a pet, or Dr. Who’s robot dog K-9?

CG: Aw man…I’d go with the real dog.  Krypto, yeah.

G2M: Would you rather travel via broomstick or Star Gate?  Have you seen the movie Star Gate or the tv show?

CG: No I haven’t, but I know about it…StarGate would be cool.

G2M: Well, as you've selected 3 from column A and 3 from column B, you are neither a 'nerd' nor a 'geek', but that rarest of breeds: The Neek!

CG: (laughs) A neek!

G2M: You can straddle both worlds, so to speak.

CG: (laughs) That was fun, thanks.

Clay Guida will be fighting Diego Sanchez on Spike TV's "Ultimate Fighter" on Saturday, June 20th.  Check your local listings for showtime.

Also, be on the lookout for Guida's endorsement of Bennigan's on "150 N. Michigan." Eagle-eyed viewers win a Geek To Me "No Prize" for spotting it!

Posted at 9:15 a.m. - Tuesday, June 16

Courtesy of Marvel.com:

Folks who have been reading Captain America for the last year or two know about the subplot of Sharon Carter (AKA Agent 13) and her involvement with the 'assassination' of Steve Rogers, the original Captain America.  Writer Ed Brubaker has dropped subtle hints about what really happened that fateful day on those court house steps and now it appears that he's going to reveal the 'truth' behind the 'death' of Captain America.

Here's the problem, though.  Ever since James 'Bucky' Barnes took over the role as Captain America last year, he's developed a very loyal fan base.  Many current Cap readers have voiced their displeasure over Rogers' proposed return, vowing to drop the book if he does.  (Even a noted pop-culture scholar prefers Bucky over Steve.)

So what fate lies ahead for our good Captain?  To be continued...