WILLIAM SHATNER STARTS SCI-FI MYOUTERSPACE SOCIAL NETWORK

Source: Trekweb.com

Geekosystem reports that Star Trek star William Shatner created his own social network and it’s called MyOuterSpace.com. Here are a few excerpts of their report.

Described as a “Sci-Fi Social Network for those with a passion for the arts”, it’s a network geared toward people who seek a career in the creation/production of science fiction, horror, and fantasy.

READ MORE HERE

CANADIAN CAFE OWNER CLAIMS AVATAR WAS HIS IDEA

Source: scifiwire.com

f you make the highest-grossing movie of all time (even if you don’t win big Oscars), you’re going to get sued by someone, and in the case of Avatar, it’s by a guy who runs a cafe in Vancouver, Canada.

No, really: This guy, Emil Malak, told the Vancouver Sun that he’s filing a copyright infringement suit against Cameron, claiming that the writer/director stole not only the story, but also the designs from Malak’s proposed movie…

READ MORE HERE

Geez – can anyone else smell a FB page in the making? I always smile when people try to claim that an idea that has been used for a movie is theirs – with artistic forms of expression it’s always quite a tenuous subject. What do you think? Why do you think these people are suddenly attacking Mr Cameron? Just the money, or could there be a kernel of truth in the claims?

Also – Hee to William Shatner ant the myouterspace page! There’s a video from Mr Shatner himself too, speaking about the site. Are you going to join?

Join us in the forum to discuss!

Source: horror-movies

LEPRECHAUN #1 – FREE ONLINE COMIC

Leprechaun fans will definately need to check this out.  The publisher, Bluewater Productions was cool enough to give ComicMonsters.com a complete issuse of Leprechaun #1 for online viewing.

From the cult film from Lionsgate. This is the tale of Lubdan, the king and sole survivor of theLeprechaun. The last of the Leprechauns! Atreasure dealer stumbles across his pot of gold and steals it. In this modern age, he finds buyers all over the planet through on-line auctions.

Read more here…

Source: nytimes

JIM LEE, GEOFF JOHNS AND DAN DIDIO TO LEAD AT DC COMICS

Meanwhile, back at the Hall of Justice: DC Comics, the longtime home of Batman and Superman, gained a new executive team on Thursday, one that places some of the comics publisher’s best-known creative talents in crucial positions.

DC Entertainment, a division of Warner Brothers Entertainment, said it had named Jim Lee and Dan DiDio to serve as co-publishers of its imprint DC Comics.

Mr. Lee is a popular artist who got his start at DC’s rival, Marvel Comics, before illustrating DC series like “Batman: Hush” and running the company’s WildStorm Studios.

Mr. DiDio has been DC’s executive editor since 2002 and helped introduce best-selling projects like “Identity Crisis.”

They will be joined in the boardroom by Geoff Johns, the writer of comics like “Infinite Crisis” and “Blackest Night,” who was appointed the chief creative officer of DC Entertainment.

Read more here…

Source: io9

NEW ABRAMS TREK COMIC REVEALS DELETED SCENES

Last year’s Star Trek movie is coming to comics, complete with deleted scenes as well as brand-new material from writers Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman, Tim Jones and Mike Johnson. Click through for an exclusive preview of the first issue.

What do you think of today’s Comic News? Are you a Leprechaun comic fan?

Source: io9

PICARD VERSUS KIRK, WHO WOULD WIN IN A FIGHT? TREKKERS DECIDE

This weekend, fans flocked to San Francisco to see Sir Patrick Stewart,William Shatner and a gorgeous array of Trek pageantry. But more importantly crowds answered the age-old, all-important question: who would win in a fight between Kirk and Picard?

After the big Picard and Kirk panel this weekend at the SF Star Trek Convention, the audience was polled on three imperative questions.

Read more here…

Who do you think would win?

To go along with OBS’ Time Travel January we decided to do some funny Science-Fiction cross-over between ‘Star Trek’ and ‘Star Wars’. Let’s see which character from ‘Star Wars: Episode I-III’ could be who in ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’.

‘The Next Generation’ is set in the 24th century – from the year 2364 through 2370 – about 80 years after the original series. Of course it features a new crew and a new starship.

Starting with the most important person on board of the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) – yes, it’s without any question:
Captain Jean-Luc Picard – He is a human from Le Barre, France, Earth. He is depicted as deeply moral, highly logical and cerebral. A master of diplomacy and debate who resolves seemingly intractable issues between multiple parties…just like Qui-Gon Jinn (played by Liam Neeson).

First Officer William Riker is portrayed as bold and confident, an ambitious young officer. And over time he changes and becomes more reserved, as experience teaches him the wisdom of a patient, careful approach just like Obi-Wan Kenobi (played by Ewan McGregor) in Star Wars. ‘Number One’ holds his Commander in high regard, but questions his motives at times.

Second Officer Data is an Android from planet Omicron Theta. He is physically the strongest, and information/calculation-wise, the most intelligent member of the Enterprise crew. Anakin Skywalker a.k.a Darth Vader (played by Hayden Christensen) on the other hand has been recently promoted as the youngest ever Jedi Knight to join the council. And just like Data he has somehow more than one personality – but Data’s are just programmed.

Chief Engineer Geordi LaForge was born February 16, 2335 in the African Confederation on Earth. He impressed his captain often by his will to help and fix things, which ended up that he became Chief Engineer and rose to the rank of Lieutenant Commander. Also Mace Windu (played by Samuel L. Jackson) tries to help the Council defeat the growing threat presented by the Separatists.

Chief of Security Worf is a Klingon from planet Qo’noS. Because of what happend to him and his family when he was a child, Worf is a warrior. Just like Count Dooku (played by Christopher Lee), who is a Sith, Leader of the Separatists, and Grievous’ superior.

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Beverly Crusher is the heart and soul of the starship and she is good friend to all of the senior staff. I think Padmé Amidala (played by Natalie Portman) is somehow – next to her husband – the heart of the whole Star Wars saga – so she would be a nice and lovely Dr. Crusher.

Ship’s Counselor Deanna Troi from planet Betazed has partial telepathic abilities – because she is half Betazoid and half human – and is an extra-sensory empath with clairsentience. Sabe (played by Keira Knightley) – Queen Amidala’s body double and decoy – has also very high sensory.

And last but not least the youngest: Conn Officer Wesley Crusher – son of Dr. Beverly Crusher – has a unique intelligence and great potential if provided encouragement and opportunity. Just like Boba Fett (played by Daniel Logan) – Jango Fett’s clone and adopted son.

So, what do you think about this…could you visual the characters from ‘Star Wars: Episode I-III’ taking over the USS Enterprise? Do you agree with my casting or any other ideas? Or is it just ridiculous to do this cross-over?

Please tell me HERE – thank you!

Anyway: Let’s drink some ‘Tea, Earl Grey, hot.’ with Captain Picard while Anakin Skywalker says: ‘May the force be with you.’

Another month is soon upon us, and that means it’s time for Events & Appearances for February. There are a lot of Cons happening both here in the U.S. and abroad.

Charlaine Harris fans in North Carolina will be pleased to know she will be at a Lecture Series in Chapel Hill next month. The Twilight Convention is still going strong over on the West Coast and Edward James Olmos will be in Spain at the BasauriCon.

Let’s kick off the list.

Appearances

Steven Weissman – Comics creator and illustrator

February 6, 2010 – 7:00 to 8:00 PM  - Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery, Seattle, WA

Appears on the occasion of the debut of his latest book “Chocolate Cheeks”.

For more info: fantagraphics

Charlaine Harris – Author, Sookie Stackhouse Southern Vampires Series

Feb 14-15,2010 – 3rd Annual Writer’s For Readers Lecture Series – Chapel Hill, NC

For more info: orangeliteracy

Conventions and Shows

SuperCon (A ‘relaxacon’)

February 5-7, 2010 – Rochester, MN

For more info: Supercon

The Official Xena Convention

Feb. 5-7, 2010 – Los Angeles, CA

For more info: creationent

Guest appearance: Musetta Vander

Capricon – (Science fiction, fantasy, and speculative fiction)

February 11-14, 2010 – Chicago, IL

For more info: Capricon

Guests of Honor: Frederik Pohl, Spider and Jeanne Robinson ,Robert J. Sawyer

Life, The Universe & Everything: The Marion K. “Doc” Smith Symposium on Science Fiction & Fantasy

February 11-13, 2010 – Brigham Young University, Provo, UT

For more info: ltue.org

Guest of Honor: Brandon Sanderson

Bokstone – NESFA’s regional Science Fiction Convention

February 12-14, 2010 – Boston, MA

For more info: Boskone

Guest of honor: Alastair Reynolds

Farpoint – (Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror and SuperHeroes in all media formats)

February 12-14, 2010 – Timonium, MD

For more info: Farpoint

Guest Appearance: Mira Furlan (LOST)

Lee Arenberg (Star trek)

Radcon (Science Fiction and Fantasy)

February 12-14, 2010 – Pasco, WA

For more info: Radcon

Writer Guest of Honor: Ben Bova

ConDFW (Science Fiction and Fantasy)

February 12-14, 2010 – Richardson, TX

For more info: ConDFW

Guests of Honor: Jack McDevitt, Elizabeth Moon, Vincent Villafranca

Official Twilight Convention

Feb 12-14, 2010 – San Francisco, CA

For more info: creationent

Feb 26-28, 2010 – San Diego, CA

For more info:   creationent

Hollywood Collectors Show

Feb. 13-14, 2010 – Burbank, CA

For more info: hollywoodcollectorshow

Appearances: Meg Foster from Star Trek

Con Nooga (Science fiction, fantasy, horror, paranormal and more)

February 19 – 21, 2010 – Chattanooga, TN

For more info: Con Nooga

Gallifrey One (The North American Doctor Who Convention)

February 26-28, 2010 – Los Angelels, CA

For more info: Gallifrey One

Guest appearance: Sarah Sutton and Stephanie Beacham

Condor (Science fiction and fantasy)

February 26 – 28, 2010 – San Diego, CA

For more info: Condor

Guest of Honor: CJ Cherryh

Sheva Con (Eduacational Sci-fi & Fantasy Convention)

Feb 26 – 28, 2010 – Roanoke, Va

For more info: http://www.shevacon.org

CONVENTIONS – INTERNATIONAL

BasauriCon (Science Fiction Event)

February 5 -7, 2010 – Basuri, Spain

For more info: basauricon

Guests: Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell

The SF Ball (Science fiction movies and TV)

February 12-15, 2010 – Bournemouth, UK

For more info: The SF Ball

Guest appearance: Lou Diamond Phillips

Sci-Fi Convention

February 20-21, 2010 – Espace Paris Est Montreuil, Paris, France

For more info: scifi-con

Guest appearance: Robert Picardo

Cliff Simon

Picocon 27 (Science Fiction & Fantasy)

Feb 27, 2010 – South Kensington, London, UK

For more info: Picocon

Will you attending any of these events?  If you do, please come back to the forum and tell us all about it.  If you would like to write an article about the event, your experience there, or even submit pictures, we’ll post them on the News Blog!!! Send your submissions to news@openbooksociety.com

Source: the flickcast

FOX DEVELOPING ‘TORCHWOOD’ SERIES FOR U.S.

If you’ve been hoping for more Torchwood, the quirky and sexy British series about a group of investigators who fight aliens, you might be in luck – sorta. In the fine tradition of bringing British TV shows to the U.S. market, Fox has announced they are developing a version of Torchwood with original series creator Russell T. Davies.

According to the article, fans of the original series need not worry it will be somehow ruined by coming to the States because the original producing team is on board. In addition to Davies, exec producers include Julie Gardner (former head of drama at BBC Wales for the show’s first season) and Jane Tranter are going to be there to ensure the new show stays true to its origins.

Read more here…

Source: buddytv

THE VAMPIRE DIARIES: WHAT’S IN STORE FOR JEREMY?

Jeremy, Elena’s younger brother, has gone through a lot of things on The Vampire Diaries‘ first half of the season alone. After losing his parents, he became a destructive kid with drug addiction issues and struggled to settle into a new domestic situation under their Aunt Jenna’s roof. He also experienced the tragic loss of his vampire girlfriend Vicky when Stefan put a steak through her heart. Thanks to Damon’s special vampire powers that allowed him to take away Jeremy’s suffering, Jeremy doesn’t remember a thing about his girlfriend’s death. But considering that things don’t always go as planned in Mystic Falls, you can bet that there’s a clever little twist behind all this.

Read more here…

Source: scifiwire

THE TRUE STORY OF HOW DR. KING KEPT UHURA ON STAR TREK

If you’re a Star Trek fan, you’ve no doubt heard the story of how Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. persuaded Nichelle Nichols to remain on the original series as Lt. Uhura when she was thinking of leaving after the first season.

Well, we’ve heard it, too, but given that we celebrate Dr. King’s legacy this week, it’s worth repeating, especially as Savas Abadsidis recently interviewed Nichols for Planet Waves and posts what he’s calling the “true story” of how that fateful encounter took place, in her own words.

“I hope you will get the story right this time, because for some reason, no one has ever gotten this story right,(laughs). I, after the first season, because my heart was still on Broadway and the performing arts part of me, the musical performing arts of me was yearning to leave.”

Read more here…

I wonder if they will tweak ‘Torchwood’ for the U.S. audience.  What do you think?

What do you think of the plans for Jeremy in The Vampire Diaries?

Interesting tidbit on Nichelle Nichols. Were you aware of this?