tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75594657812569000242023-11-16T05:52:09.042-08:00Tales from iDEATHIf you like reading, why not read about what I'm reading.Jakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17616678513022188825noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7559465781256900024.post-68548117822536570272014-10-27T07:09:00.000-07:002021-12-15T06:15:17.651-08:00Sonic The Comic-Con<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibbYkalAqY_Q_hHpEZjE3LbTnqFGHaERwSuR9VTYVt1XQs_zCvX2JeTvllJwRVofG_Uf2vK9Bj7f1DRlAVGlBUbgKHVncMpb0AsFqx3nNMKqudy6HWYxUxJU76CWdWpxl4OyquyVsNyb8y/s1600/10547562_1436748489946366_27977503040598960_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sonic the Comic-Con" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibbYkalAqY_Q_hHpEZjE3LbTnqFGHaERwSuR9VTYVt1XQs_zCvX2JeTvllJwRVofG_Uf2vK9Bj7f1DRlAVGlBUbgKHVncMpb0AsFqx3nNMKqudy6HWYxUxJU76CWdWpxl4OyquyVsNyb8y/s1600/10547562_1436748489946366_27977503040598960_n.jpg" height="300" title="Sonic the Comic-Con" width="400" /></a></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: x-large;">Sonic the Comic-Con 2014</span></u></div>
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This Sunday I made the trip to York in England to attend the first ever Sonic the Comic-Con, a one day event celebrating Sonic the Comic, the UK's Sega comic book which ran from 1993 to 2002 and Sonic the Comic Online, the semi-offical fan continuation that has been running online since 2003.</div>
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<a href="http://talesfromideath.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/20-years-of-sonic-comic-tribute.html" target="_blank"> I've written about STC before</a> and my feelings on the book should be pretty clear, it's a series that meant a huge deal to me growing up, scenes from the comic continue to be vivid in my memory and it's impressive story telling and beautiful art have heavily influenced my creative work well into my adult life. </div>
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During the day several of the artists and writers of the series were present, signing issues, offering sketches, getting on stage for Q&A sessions and even running art classes. There was also merch for sale, and entertainment in the form of the quiz show 8 out of 10 Caterkillers and a live edition of Sonic the podcast. </div>
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It was a really great day and I hope that STCC continues to run into the future. It was an honour too meet so many of the people who helped create a series that means so much to me, I had an amazing time.</div>
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But enough rambling, here's the photos I took during the day, and some pictures of what I got signed. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheGcuNXG4DYuoz7VEH4n02vQKCXgPYuN6FxtSv1QfLZnmDbPiL_thxHPphQzZ6UhoF6ibHZf-PLJmqKHe08yGsLwtFYVQJgCpzDdmG5Ep7fk3ZAR0OGHhaK98sfj3tLMsvrlNZk-5h7cFj/s1600/10391435_10152810249194914_8944199332865370761_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="STCC" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheGcuNXG4DYuoz7VEH4n02vQKCXgPYuN6FxtSv1QfLZnmDbPiL_thxHPphQzZ6UhoF6ibHZf-PLJmqKHe08yGsLwtFYVQJgCpzDdmG5Ep7fk3ZAR0OGHhaK98sfj3tLMsvrlNZk-5h7cFj/s1600/10391435_10152810249194914_8944199332865370761_n.jpg" height="400" title="STCC" width="300" /></a></div>
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First up, the awesome banner that greeted fans as they piled into the building, this art also graced the T-shirt that was handed out to backers. </div>
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<img alt="STCC" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8sWJJlwV43BLx1R7nX56N28sm-OwGk1djIolH4XwC8iDWntfgSdZoMurLFfO_qwlh3mh8-9RGkXhtffIPqvW1NvSDMw_qHOYTBP3eZ7eUjvfUr-lj1gJGsFWDD5hJ6yTt-kFZibBwaaZR/s1600/DSCN4454.JPG" height="400" title="STCC" width="300" /></div>
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Another banner featuring some key moments from throughout the series. </div>
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<u><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Guests</span></u></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFSMAUC8_z7exumP4rA9u9CaF-9bF3VLSjABA83jStsDAhxwgt8aqp_Rqdo9Zr-p3NQZDY2zbpeLCk7EHGqlWsVkmjgYZUqWbuhyphenhyphenbKxudwP7YNz2GNj5v1Wgb9M5PRwtd3sE2WJ8euy8wj/s1600/DSCN4462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Richard Elson & Nigel Kitching" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFSMAUC8_z7exumP4rA9u9CaF-9bF3VLSjABA83jStsDAhxwgt8aqp_Rqdo9Zr-p3NQZDY2zbpeLCk7EHGqlWsVkmjgYZUqWbuhyphenhyphenbKxudwP7YNz2GNj5v1Wgb9M5PRwtd3sE2WJ8euy8wj/s1600/DSCN4462.JPG" height="300" title="Richard Elson & Nigel Kitching" width="400" /></a></span></u></div>
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Richard Elson and Nigel Kitching, the duo responsible for many of the series greatest moments, from the Death Egg and Metalix sagas to the pivotal arcs surrounding issue 100 and the Robotnik Reigns storylines, without these two, STC wouldn't have been half as impressive as it went on to become. </div>
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Richard Elson also provided new covers for the series when the book moved onto being full reprints, providing probably the only reason to continue buying the series up to its last issue. </div>
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Nigel Kitching wrote and drew the long running series Decap Attack, a strip based on a little known megadrive game which went on to be far more successful than the game ever was.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUP5kmY0lTPRqkt-DvNB0mgpZAKXpptmHDnOJy24dHNBvo0DTNewVkVv1B3QBhTYX8iXPjHzGG0rvDKoGfeAxXfJvGHwLuzrer_C_23-4qGd6GuiTQWZAQEcw9IJH759bhu7SQ-ysCoFpA/s1600/DSCN4463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Carl Flint & Kev Hopgood" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUP5kmY0lTPRqkt-DvNB0mgpZAKXpptmHDnOJy24dHNBvo0DTNewVkVv1B3QBhTYX8iXPjHzGG0rvDKoGfeAxXfJvGHwLuzrer_C_23-4qGd6GuiTQWZAQEcw9IJH759bhu7SQ-ysCoFpA/s1600/DSCN4463.JPG" height="300" title="Carl Flint & Kev Hopgod" width="400" /></a></div>
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Carl Flint, the man responsible for many covers throughout the series as well as many back up stories including impressive runs with Tails and Amy, he also created Shortfuse the Cybernik who was just a normal squirrel until Robotnik trapped him forever inside his invincible Cybernik armour. Shortfuse was able to rebel against his programming however and fought Robotnik alongside Sonic. </div>
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Also, Kev Hopgood, the artist behind thecovers for the first two issues way back in 93.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqVFJWgVnf7RVWVxOJEzjIEg6Bq0pzzskQojR6PVkhday1hm8taBqSJ-1Rz1_2pziDbIw9w392p8rI_LLoPvfTCuKogVxamEq-mnBt-ASoO6asjN5l9PJuTwVBkDRvBESN7CGZw7CpEN8t/s1600/DSCN4468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Nigel Dobbyn" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqVFJWgVnf7RVWVxOJEzjIEg6Bq0pzzskQojR6PVkhday1hm8taBqSJ-1Rz1_2pziDbIw9w392p8rI_LLoPvfTCuKogVxamEq-mnBt-ASoO6asjN5l9PJuTwVBkDRvBESN7CGZw7CpEN8t/s1600/DSCN4468.JPG" height="300" title="Nigel Dobbyn" width="400" /></a></div>
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Nigel Dobbyn, the artist behind many of my favourite strips across the series, most notably his work with Captain Plunder and Knuckles' world tour arcs, probalby the greatest Knuckles strips in the whole series. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4PqZ5c7qyMwvnV7o-rWzuEPCeeIPQAUFbeC48eapkxay0vJEQ7bDp03cdeUvEIcDJnBDyDpm-LktuxflFIFLfZV3D7R_gxOuaJ3v4bWzbIHhNB6-40IYvG_NjvGuOGyrLFPCDE23pZSc-/s1600/DSCN4465.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Ferran Rodriguez" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4PqZ5c7qyMwvnV7o-rWzuEPCeeIPQAUFbeC48eapkxay0vJEQ7bDp03cdeUvEIcDJnBDyDpm-LktuxflFIFLfZV3D7R_gxOuaJ3v4bWzbIHhNB6-40IYvG_NjvGuOGyrLFPCDE23pZSc-/s1600/DSCN4465.JPG" height="300" title="Ferran Rodriguez" width="400" /></a></div>
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Ferran Rodriguez flew all the way from Barcelona to join the con, he's the artist behind many strips and covers from early in the series' run as well as the Badnik pinups which made up the magazines centrefolds throughout the years.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpHBRKwjyyDzCIeMZhFA_ieDojpIFs7AzNgR20Sdsl_YMy0tq7QEooTXOk4j0DMlqlxOP2MBV8iLZaXH_JtXSypPS0PeLT_qTls95CbOvnPHKIjOsR4cHHPmOKXJlOAXoIuGE1yLOsmldt/s1600/DSCN4455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Jon Haward" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpHBRKwjyyDzCIeMZhFA_ieDojpIFs7AzNgR20Sdsl_YMy0tq7QEooTXOk4j0DMlqlxOP2MBV8iLZaXH_JtXSypPS0PeLT_qTls95CbOvnPHKIjOsR4cHHPmOKXJlOAXoIuGE1yLOsmldt/s1600/DSCN4455.JPG" height="400" title="Jon Haward" width="300" /></a></div>
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...and finally, Jon Haward, the artist behind the Shinobi and Eternal Champions strips from the early days of the series where the book was more of a Sega comic than one that focused solely on Sonic. </div>
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He also tweeted a picture of me.....so that happened.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>The Event</u></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK2K3pessfk_jI4o0MBTWKTJpUy5XvntUyN-g_T-_K-hsKpqkQVH_Jh6_q0SsZRC-8zSw6htY30VRKBEcn_gLaLx33ceE3_939Pd5F2c4rVj3rf4f6T5pmYaIsxAqQWuNdn-1lzT-X57Kf/s1600/DSCN4461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Q&A" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK2K3pessfk_jI4o0MBTWKTJpUy5XvntUyN-g_T-_K-hsKpqkQVH_Jh6_q0SsZRC-8zSw6htY30VRKBEcn_gLaLx33ceE3_939Pd5F2c4rVj3rf4f6T5pmYaIsxAqQWuNdn-1lzT-X57Kf/s1600/DSCN4461.JPG" height="300" title="Q&A" width="400" /></a></div>
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During the day there were two Q&A sessions, a quiz show, live edition of Sonic the Podcast and art classes.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrmamKgBnmXXVT0jQ8jwDZ9S_woA74KTqxGv5HeETtLvGDy6KPoJJQeehDes8uR3-U3NnUgOJb7xUGDV8TyFQ1PxnW-mkIcUNeUG2Bl45rLoJ0ODjL45tZMKT5cUCDrxYHZx_QiXBxLgh1/s1600/DSCN4458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Shortfuse was just a normal squirrel until Robotnik trapped him forever in his invincible Cybernik armour. Shortfuse was able to rebel against his programming however and fought Robotnik alongside Sonic." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrmamKgBnmXXVT0jQ8jwDZ9S_woA74KTqxGv5HeETtLvGDy6KPoJJQeehDes8uR3-U3NnUgOJb7xUGDV8TyFQ1PxnW-mkIcUNeUG2Bl45rLoJ0ODjL45tZMKT5cUCDrxYHZx_QiXBxLgh1/s1600/DSCN4458.JPG" height="400" title="Shortfuse was just a normal squirrel until Robotnik trapped him forever in his invincible Cybernik armour. Shortfuse was able to rebel against his programming however and fought Robotnik alongside Sonic." width="300" /></a></div>
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In the centre of the hall were several tables covered in some of the amazing artwork from across the series, including this lovely Carl Flint cover which features Shortfuse the Cybernik, who was just a normal squirrel until Robotnik trapped him forever in his invincible Cybernik armour. Shortfuse was able to rebel against his programming however and fought Robotnik alongside Sonic. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQeB9fb9nzbJB4lTU_41FnJG_wcSpdtgcJmPFt-wt7K3hDpls4_UuxK5Vk3rlpL1R_19AtIaEIEaRzphqxCVGAivV6frtskxLglpDJKnS1Qi1uGK91L60_TcsYkEbvJWcuVPxkODwMPP5/s1600/DSCN4456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chuck D. Head" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQeB9fb9nzbJB4lTU_41FnJG_wcSpdtgcJmPFt-wt7K3hDpls4_UuxK5Vk3rlpL1R_19AtIaEIEaRzphqxCVGAivV6frtskxLglpDJKnS1Qi1uGK91L60_TcsYkEbvJWcuVPxkODwMPP5/s1600/DSCN4456.JPG" height="400" title="Chuck D. Head" width="300" /></a></div>
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A wonderful Decap Attack canvas by Nigel Kitching.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitMDlIaDSC9Lv5FHYwPojvE2R8UcaAhj7z8cyUV3b7hol4RayDbabT0MXj0Ci8JYloi20DoaQ4rV8TnbsTivtMXLcUUnnppHIraO68cYiW83_ORStds0ctPdbqR80ZT-yHSGhc0-Bcjrv7/s1600/DSCN4457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Elson" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitMDlIaDSC9Lv5FHYwPojvE2R8UcaAhj7z8cyUV3b7hol4RayDbabT0MXj0Ci8JYloi20DoaQ4rV8TnbsTivtMXLcUUnnppHIraO68cYiW83_ORStds0ctPdbqR80ZT-yHSGhc0-Bcjrv7/s1600/DSCN4457.JPG" height="400" title="Elson" width="300" /></a></div>
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Beautiful lineart by Richard Elson that made up the cover of one of the reprint issues.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEith7bPDqcQnq_M1VGojwcs3r5g5eBT83MSCNA8hPFiNN-1EHJNqWC_XSKWx_nzXGFicJfRBK6p8Ve5XxFhSifvz0BGvlIGMjgCcq7q4PwXOg5c-PayNbRDdjS48EWgdGcQRgnXHZ5hTldY/s1600/DSCN4459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="1000" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEith7bPDqcQnq_M1VGojwcs3r5g5eBT83MSCNA8hPFiNN-1EHJNqWC_XSKWx_nzXGFicJfRBK6p8Ve5XxFhSifvz0BGvlIGMjgCcq7q4PwXOg5c-PayNbRDdjS48EWgdGcQRgnXHZ5hTldY/s1600/DSCN4459.JPG" height="400" title="100" width="300" /></a></div>
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The original painting that became the cover for issue 100, considered by many to be the greatest issue in the entire series.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpo-EQM8-FviF3o9ybUUZk25EQIjivlsS-DU3WW5Jo_ZsZ-IwRvIzIhp2PIjTFyjJOV4HzfZEaFZ-XCl8e4GXbaPWXx9j4XE9F03A5NF_nw6vT9F1Nk1thaln1oEcTrWHm5pbcVIiXrVGH/s1600/DSCN4460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="101" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpo-EQM8-FviF3o9ybUUZk25EQIjivlsS-DU3WW5Jo_ZsZ-IwRvIzIhp2PIjTFyjJOV4HzfZEaFZ-XCl8e4GXbaPWXx9j4XE9F03A5NF_nw6vT9F1Nk1thaln1oEcTrWHm5pbcVIiXrVGH/s1600/DSCN4460.JPG" height="400" title="101" width="300" /></a></div>
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A personal favourite, the original cover art for issue 101, the first ever issue I picked up. Seeing this in person was just wonderful and I was tempted to try and sneak out with it....I didn't though...honest...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYzx52gsMAKpBnvref6u5lGkxb59nn3Ss_FSPHYTW-5dpSMmvebIlOP9FnJLrvCubEpiwuRU2RM6En2QRfx8Ahb91_Ee9EWtQoA3FvmrERCJlmTrTJrtpyeuchhALQEn2mzzKmuYpTVkOJ/s1600/DSCN4467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="I love this" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYzx52gsMAKpBnvref6u5lGkxb59nn3Ss_FSPHYTW-5dpSMmvebIlOP9FnJLrvCubEpiwuRU2RM6En2QRfx8Ahb91_Ee9EWtQoA3FvmrERCJlmTrTJrtpyeuchhALQEn2mzzKmuYpTVkOJ/s1600/DSCN4467.JPG" height="300" title="I love this" width="400" /></a></div>
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An awesome sketch done for a fan by Ferran Rodriguez, which brings together his work on STC and the multiple disney comics that he has worked on. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhLGGYrCTWDfoQbxfnKx2GiGJG0Y4mqUdUk6NsKM-1oKoR6cvF0Y9HcBu1Uq59llHeRRBZILzRTl1yZr7ydw8_YoIArEnMDGhWw6EZtVMN0suMCeZ5u_kmCJOV9CieKhX5klqguTRn1zq0/s1600/DSCN4464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="ARRR!!!" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhLGGYrCTWDfoQbxfnKx2GiGJG0Y4mqUdUk6NsKM-1oKoR6cvF0Y9HcBu1Uq59llHeRRBZILzRTl1yZr7ydw8_YoIArEnMDGhWw6EZtVMN0suMCeZ5u_kmCJOV9CieKhX5klqguTRn1zq0/s1600/DSCN4464.JPG" height="400" title="ARRR!!!" width="300" /> </a></div>
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Impressive cosplay of Elson's version of Amy Rose and the swashbuckling Captain Plunder.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRFYcji_XXAGRP4MwGKUYgq69PRugjPggwIAy7AXWooyyqTryXrtQwCll_FH2xZnlgqITM_AoNyT7k56fC8_XgMrxbID8NseM0EpnNX39UvRsW-jyaaj0rKzKTkc53AfhB8ajARioVkMc7/s1600/10408873_10152810249269914_1829374507922995192_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="art" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRFYcji_XXAGRP4MwGKUYgq69PRugjPggwIAy7AXWooyyqTryXrtQwCll_FH2xZnlgqITM_AoNyT7k56fC8_XgMrxbID8NseM0EpnNX39UvRsW-jyaaj0rKzKTkc53AfhB8ajARioVkMc7/s1600/10408873_10152810249269914_1829374507922995192_n.jpg" height="400" title="my art" width="300" /></a></div>
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There was also an art contest with the prize of an impressive canvas illustrated by all seven guests. I entered this...I did not win.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigPm0gDGKhI_iEKZBuw4PPSqm1-AmTbaf0NmsaBn2OCZR66hMNa-2fdddFMmZnN8_Wx0rForWGQhHLO0Is8bQ8ok_YB26MxWhdAbEbpImlaUr94rHlD9QWAhvDDGOUzsjTnvD8-LcKLifa/s1600/1798401_10152810249379914_2643985001239090198_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Megadroid" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigPm0gDGKhI_iEKZBuw4PPSqm1-AmTbaf0NmsaBn2OCZR66hMNa-2fdddFMmZnN8_Wx0rForWGQhHLO0Is8bQ8ok_YB26MxWhdAbEbpImlaUr94rHlD9QWAhvDDGOUzsjTnvD8-LcKLifa/s1600/1798401_10152810249379914_2643985001239090198_n.jpg" height="300" title="Cheers Humes" width="400" /></a></div>
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My entry in the guestbook.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>The Haul</u></span></div>
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Of course, no trip to a comic convention is complete without stuff to spend your money on...here's everything I picked up on the day. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbO6b9mohnPMJY2N4SwT-sf609MdnIK4Xk4BtNna0RpOHsoBVPtLN7OP8d-RloueCBZpzxewygB9O7RaYFxVPug_uIqvbSJYGro2K5jrW7o1RO431w7CoAsOI4IYSN9LFFTtVdkHcl0OPD/s1600/DSCN4470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="STCC" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbO6b9mohnPMJY2N4SwT-sf609MdnIK4Xk4BtNna0RpOHsoBVPtLN7OP8d-RloueCBZpzxewygB9O7RaYFxVPug_uIqvbSJYGro2K5jrW7o1RO431w7CoAsOI4IYSN9LFFTtVdkHcl0OPD/s1600/DSCN4470.JPG" height="400" title="STCC" width="300" /></a></div>
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First up, the freebies, everyone attending the con was handed a wristband and a copy of the special edition of STC printed for the event. It features new strips, posters and much more, it's a really awesome item and a great tribute the series. I managed to get it signed by all the guests too which was cool. We were also given a free packet of chewits (not pictured...devoured).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZjx4ZinPRNso8CWlp2QH-F7Kh_SOdP5o1h6PoTp3uxdFETxU-WJWr3x04tOOAM2FrTO5IgbFO8mT9oCXrNx3S0Sould8bOCImh_DjpMhwgxKH69Zw1Lul9VCVr9n4UQ57Z_2CwFx2zjq6/s1600/DSCN4490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="shirt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZjx4ZinPRNso8CWlp2QH-F7Kh_SOdP5o1h6PoTp3uxdFETxU-WJWr3x04tOOAM2FrTO5IgbFO8mT9oCXrNx3S0Sould8bOCImh_DjpMhwgxKH69Zw1Lul9VCVr9n4UQ57Z_2CwFx2zjq6/s1600/DSCN4490.JPG" height="400" title="shirt" width="300" /></a></div>
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Also, the con t-shirt which was available if you backed the original kickstarter for a certain ammount or higher. The shirt was available in blue or yellow but the yellow really made the design pop out so I opted for that. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEignrMB_L1nx40z_FIi0uynyxocvnHjuiPmUBcgL8KCuH2ptnQinrDDVEjQei3FSZV303jv7u3n1_MEGsjUVE6ntSduFr_oXahNk99W8ZdwEWbU8nOLjimjMARLdQ1hz1u9kwc6wp6NMUaz/s1600/DSCN4472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="99&100" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEignrMB_L1nx40z_FIi0uynyxocvnHjuiPmUBcgL8KCuH2ptnQinrDDVEjQei3FSZV303jv7u3n1_MEGsjUVE6ntSduFr_oXahNk99W8ZdwEWbU8nOLjimjMARLdQ1hz1u9kwc6wp6NMUaz/s1600/DSCN4472.JPG" height="300" title="99&100" width="400" /></a></div>
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At the merch stall I managed to pick up copies of issues 99 and 100 which was really great for me as they're the only two issues I didn't own heading into the event. So now, I have the entire run.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYEyDP_PH9qcyoKYlc_Q6ja_CvSU5iWjoEjMgivcZv8P8auvoeOgzLdJS3W4EZK920nEbsNwn3oUavmjWYAPDignmHbj-rI2qFDbW9yIS2McWecn4n4ciNB-MHvHEqiX-gwMWLlNdcAWAl/s1600/DSCN4487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Knuckles" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYEyDP_PH9qcyoKYlc_Q6ja_CvSU5iWjoEjMgivcZv8P8auvoeOgzLdJS3W4EZK920nEbsNwn3oUavmjWYAPDignmHbj-rI2qFDbW9yIS2McWecn4n4ciNB-MHvHEqiX-gwMWLlNdcAWAl/s1600/DSCN4487.JPG" height="400" title="Oh yes" width="300" /></a></div>
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A sketch of Knuckles by Nigel Dobbyn.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYR9cxcX9jeTicohmOnZ2RpdMd6zEz7optUGDU0QxuRWL4qPAUphB4nu7CkMjdCVV7QuM6wulWEfeGyv1O0P7himqkkw874GwJRRaQQc19C3aiAnASmfGu_mOapGPfOo6DWmF7LQZzP8W3/s1600/DSCN4486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Shortfuse was just a normal squirrel until Robotnik trapped him forever in his invincible Cybernik armour. Shortfuse was able to rebel against his programming however and fought Robotnik alongside Sonic." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYR9cxcX9jeTicohmOnZ2RpdMd6zEz7optUGDU0QxuRWL4qPAUphB4nu7CkMjdCVV7QuM6wulWEfeGyv1O0P7himqkkw874GwJRRaQQc19C3aiAnASmfGu_mOapGPfOo6DWmF7LQZzP8W3/s1600/DSCN4486.JPG" height="300" title="Shortfuse was just a normal squirrel until Robotnik trapped him forever in his invincible Cybernik armour. Shortfuse was able to rebel against his programming however and fought Robotnik alongside Sonic." width="400" /></a></div>
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A sketch by Carl Flint of the character he helped create, Shortfuse who was just a normal squirrel until Robotnik trapped him forever in his
invincible Cybernik armour. Shortfuse was able to rebel against his
programming however and fought Robotnik alongside Sonic. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuM8Fz7NgPR8mycC_oUkMJn4yhhLKZi1Opph_2zVbN7tAaXRXwZWXwE1fWSofL_okPvXNbeYVBTgtIV_vmNwN7Q5ntiRP1reLH7RAIvLwU7g31FJ0V-XojP1EnIfFCZDYoQvkaQE6RkEaU/s1600/DSCN4488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hai-ya" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuM8Fz7NgPR8mycC_oUkMJn4yhhLKZi1Opph_2zVbN7tAaXRXwZWXwE1fWSofL_okPvXNbeYVBTgtIV_vmNwN7Q5ntiRP1reLH7RAIvLwU7g31FJ0V-XojP1EnIfFCZDYoQvkaQE6RkEaU/s1600/DSCN4488.JPG" height="400" title="Hai-ya" width="300" /></a></div>
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How cool is this? Joe Musashi drawn by Jon Haward. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPYsiX3VkLQyQs5d-AJx0MkdoQKVFd1_7ICa4tzazP6HQ4zSW52914dY7N86YrAVEsuKXbm5tnLf2SgU6ddVaNk6iSXalYE9OM2Vt1a-mpsnXkm4FCrQ9LOpn_KPtCACmrzgWIHc5qwaME/s1600/DSCN4489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Eggman" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPYsiX3VkLQyQs5d-AJx0MkdoQKVFd1_7ICa4tzazP6HQ4zSW52914dY7N86YrAVEsuKXbm5tnLf2SgU6ddVaNk6iSXalYE9OM2Vt1a-mpsnXkm4FCrQ9LOpn_KPtCACmrzgWIHc5qwaME/s1600/DSCN4489.JPG" height="400" title="Eggman" width="300" /></a></div>
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And my final sketch, Dr Eggman by Kev Hopgood. Kev was clearly having a blast drawing all the newer characters and designs that he never got a chance to work on during the series' run. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga-JXxZ1xrFIi2gNcJG3iFqDhQF1Y7m3XBHKnS60NmNarbLkV3qt7uKipycdr2BYhkS84CjyHD6iyG9F5vhLmAPkjWuJdunA1knV6_oWCiagKd9LRjpLo82y7nwC11-TrzUYccWQr3FqIW/s1600/DSCN4483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="1&2" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga-JXxZ1xrFIi2gNcJG3iFqDhQF1Y7m3XBHKnS60NmNarbLkV3qt7uKipycdr2BYhkS84CjyHD6iyG9F5vhLmAPkjWuJdunA1knV6_oWCiagKd9LRjpLo82y7nwC11-TrzUYccWQr3FqIW/s1600/DSCN4483.JPG" height="300" title="1&2" width="400" /></a></div>
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Next up, the issues I got signed. I took a good few issues with me, but even then it was really hard to whittle them down to the books I wanted to take. Nonetheless, I think I got a good mix of historically significant issues and issues that were of personal importance to me. </div>
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Here's the first two issues, signed by cover artist Kev Hopgood.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzpVRNvMAmCmLuc0uefDoUD8BAcXRxyejWkyoJNaCzwgnqkwAlgLOIsDD3SmWBXacHjZiseQT2KnkW-nocojoou_WL-SJtCrHB5yBe5EpsVcRw_7wqUl9IwVzW-Z93W_XdPVLLW0Dz1UmB/s1600/DSCN4484.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Shinobi" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzpVRNvMAmCmLuc0uefDoUD8BAcXRxyejWkyoJNaCzwgnqkwAlgLOIsDD3SmWBXacHjZiseQT2KnkW-nocojoou_WL-SJtCrHB5yBe5EpsVcRw_7wqUl9IwVzW-Z93W_XdPVLLW0Dz1UmB/s1600/DSCN4484.JPG" height="300" title="Shinobi" width="400" /></a></div>
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Two great Shinobi covers by Jon Haward</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiUEvcwOyzAUqQL1c_T2wrSCnr7m3BWwMVymC2j3jbSRqsT6Rt2sqeBIXBer5G0M_lVDvmJRs0ZjvHiQnTc19rDrmAMNCwW0wDLl5SofgEDA1Q33fnY64eJO4BYwkXiBbIvpQ8sdXEyM9L/s1600/DSCN4480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sentinel" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiUEvcwOyzAUqQL1c_T2wrSCnr7m3BWwMVymC2j3jbSRqsT6Rt2sqeBIXBer5G0M_lVDvmJRs0ZjvHiQnTc19rDrmAMNCwW0wDLl5SofgEDA1Q33fnY64eJO4BYwkXiBbIvpQ8sdXEyM9L/s1600/DSCN4480.JPG" height="400" title="Sentinel" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiciVqtFsVpPGj81jXqoHaJdANLfI_XQV71oEI4apFCwgP4nw-HmZzsY-KSniZ6RHC5zfLfSF05riHxGCHzAj5X01GelOOLW0IG2VLT2zz9cdYFVoUAFBZIOJBC43etI6jcbcofmAnxwmEN/s1600/DSCN4481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Ferran" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiciVqtFsVpPGj81jXqoHaJdANLfI_XQV71oEI4apFCwgP4nw-HmZzsY-KSniZ6RHC5zfLfSF05riHxGCHzAj5X01GelOOLW0IG2VLT2zz9cdYFVoUAFBZIOJBC43etI6jcbcofmAnxwmEN/s1600/DSCN4481.JPG" height="300" title="Ferran" width="400" /></a></div>
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One of my favourite strips and two covers by Ferran Rodriguez</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqs0kpZBHo6xHQzF4IwnWKYalqeUduObAIJEVpRVgVN5Rr7ITd-Q4tB2vUwrM8Tp0I4OuwU0n1YzwulLWL8sADs-N5f56AkHQyI60MDQevV1UpzMX3_XiAdX9UJt7eA7XNxOTOZTkseTjQ/s1600/DSCN4473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="1st birthday" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqs0kpZBHo6xHQzF4IwnWKYalqeUduObAIJEVpRVgVN5Rr7ITd-Q4tB2vUwrM8Tp0I4OuwU0n1YzwulLWL8sADs-N5f56AkHQyI60MDQevV1UpzMX3_XiAdX9UJt7eA7XNxOTOZTkseTjQ/s1600/DSCN4473.JPG" height="400" title="1st birthday" width="300" /></a></div>
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The 1st anniversary issue</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY86L4XOzuaMjk60Cbib89kRvigGU_dwblrkec6feRXRDg08EBss3MF41k31pNiBPDh5z6HNcwh2CILPcDkG4_ZnApMwOKfJbtNKvUKzplrDlWNN4M0GzhtSXFUlqP5Ef6TMit9qZV_peZ/s1600/DSCN4478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="50" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY86L4XOzuaMjk60Cbib89kRvigGU_dwblrkec6feRXRDg08EBss3MF41k31pNiBPDh5z6HNcwh2CILPcDkG4_ZnApMwOKfJbtNKvUKzplrDlWNN4M0GzhtSXFUlqP5Ef6TMit9qZV_peZ/s1600/DSCN4478.JPG" height="400" title="50" width="300" /></a></div>
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and 50th issue</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtJpnz2PVpw8kD7WaErba7Slf8SLUmgv8WJN_ROBNOLd9YF7U3NvvhKWFRPKbgq5v0hjVOL3taFz_oVl3q8cZdmRG6V3LpBAEWOc_Fk_Id0XMGXcfAhvmTD2qWAYTbpO6lmdi2xHc80ZLk/s1600/DSCN4482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Shortfuse was just a normal squirrel until Robotnik trapped him forever in his invincible Cybernik armour. Shortfuse was able to rebel against his programming however and fought Robotnik alongside Sonic." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtJpnz2PVpw8kD7WaErba7Slf8SLUmgv8WJN_ROBNOLd9YF7U3NvvhKWFRPKbgq5v0hjVOL3taFz_oVl3q8cZdmRG6V3LpBAEWOc_Fk_Id0XMGXcfAhvmTD2qWAYTbpO6lmdi2xHc80ZLk/s1600/DSCN4482.JPG" height="300" title="Shortfuse was just a normal squirrel until Robotnik trapped him forever in his invincible Cybernik armour. Shortfuse was able to rebel against his programming however and fought Robotnik alongside Sonic." width="400" /></a></div>
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Three great covers by Carl FLint, two featuring his creation Shortfuse who was just a normal squirrel until Robotnik trapped him forever in his
invincible Cybernik armour. Shortfuse was able to rebel against his
programming however and fought Robotnik alongside Sonic. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU6QfqczsI8vl8LjYljfcQwV-BpTmeQNQXClJyXVQj4hacX0MRbkSI2kCUdnnKgZK57qhDXFSaOrgosvOrWf657Bg0OVc_8CpfCqhEdGKYg464iLRqht_DWaFrO77UpybQLkt6amjqS9X1/s1600/DSCN4485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Knux" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU6QfqczsI8vl8LjYljfcQwV-BpTmeQNQXClJyXVQj4hacX0MRbkSI2kCUdnnKgZK57qhDXFSaOrgosvOrWf657Bg0OVc_8CpfCqhEdGKYg464iLRqht_DWaFrO77UpybQLkt6amjqS9X1/s1600/DSCN4485.JPG" height="300" title="Knux" width="400" /></a></div>
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Nigel Dobbyn's village of the damned storyline which is one of my all time favourite stories.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg25T6PqijvQgxtKJZq_wwH2xigOqnDSHWgHOBSoWkusv_ITgutEfYohePEFHyE1sYRyRMRCmA5VJPetnO_-ZYM3he1SviiDf2F0DQV7OmLovtt4kIhMgQq2ijY2HhFdFCILVyhqSJ0CMON/s1600/DSCN4474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Oh man....this arc...." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg25T6PqijvQgxtKJZq_wwH2xigOqnDSHWgHOBSoWkusv_ITgutEfYohePEFHyE1sYRyRMRCmA5VJPetnO_-ZYM3he1SviiDf2F0DQV7OmLovtt4kIhMgQq2ijY2HhFdFCILVyhqSJ0CMON/s1600/DSCN4474.JPG" height="300" title="Oh man....this arc...." width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Robotnik Reigns arc, my favourite story in the entire series. The first epic sonic story I'd read, having jumped onto the series after the Metalix and issue 100 arcs. I love this story.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6tY6G86-tY9y8vqF2Tl59e9gePLpavvxigOYJByemdmCDYXCdUJkSPlP315PdouM1qnSdhJzGtEDyzO7zDGI5NaRmqp2pDE4ILAGBhnWVV-o76neYqwr3zzOBaKeWGzepPXML80XprvrG/s1600/DSCN4475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Oh Johnny...never forget :'(" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6tY6G86-tY9y8vqF2Tl59e9gePLpavvxigOYJByemdmCDYXCdUJkSPlP315PdouM1qnSdhJzGtEDyzO7zDGI5NaRmqp2pDE4ILAGBhnWVV-o76neYqwr3zzOBaKeWGzepPXML80XprvrG/s1600/DSCN4475.JPG" height="300" title="Oh Johnny...never forget :'(" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A series of issues signed by Kitching and Elson featuring several key moments in the series, from the first appearence of Metalix, Sonic vs Knuckles, Johnny's death and the final issue before the book went fully reprint. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZgR73rUl8T5Qh8tjdvENXz0wCshWnOhl5ZVGRr4HbbSHCTuKGLoaVH5Dh5TnsaQCQZQhkbsUy8yErZIm9Shw0MJF5OAUE36TUjosqgiI9UCXLE3HCR30518jsdbwqy6mqUQ91E9klgMaf/s1600/DSCN4476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Porker" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZgR73rUl8T5Qh8tjdvENXz0wCshWnOhl5ZVGRr4HbbSHCTuKGLoaVH5Dh5TnsaQCQZQhkbsUy8yErZIm9Shw0MJF5OAUE36TUjosqgiI9UCXLE3HCR30518jsdbwqy6mqUQ91E9klgMaf/s1600/DSCN4476.JPG" height="300" title="You're fired!" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I just had to get these signed, Elson's original cover for the story where Porker is kicked out of the freedom fighters by Sonic, and the remake of the same cover for when the same story came around in the reprints. </div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRlF6xcJ8fLwW-SEbnOifHjApXBFpyqV8-lLcUDc__h2cDEuSk_mKfMq8kXmDUPzhwzpYeOXYzB_zTM2hJ9w8deE2NidG5xIrup8cDHe2_5KHoSL_v_h48k5EGW3BdJgJYHDeEISIlLTR7/s1600/DSCN4479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Kitching" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRlF6xcJ8fLwW-SEbnOifHjApXBFpyqV8-lLcUDc__h2cDEuSk_mKfMq8kXmDUPzhwzpYeOXYzB_zTM2hJ9w8deE2NidG5xIrup8cDHe2_5KHoSL_v_h48k5EGW3BdJgJYHDeEISIlLTR7/s1600/DSCN4479.JPG" height="300" title="Kitching" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Two great covers by Nigel Kitching, when I handed him the Sonic/Super Sonic cover Kitching says he really hates the cover and said the art is terrible. Gotta say, I disagree.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR7-AaNLqSzxmJtgBUC8xeuyVtEd_6_TN6HrvAYemwU3c7zBFLNKM72V73o88MGPTau7Mm_kTez0u-LX9VTvo6cjZ2-RLCi4sCX86laxsc5zqY8Tca6pCmbbLe5tU6gHCx4pqhN9tbJC3R/s1600/DSCN4477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="King of the rings, the final issue" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR7-AaNLqSzxmJtgBUC8xeuyVtEd_6_TN6HrvAYemwU3c7zBFLNKM72V73o88MGPTau7Mm_kTez0u-LX9VTvo6cjZ2-RLCi4sCX86laxsc5zqY8Tca6pCmbbLe5tU6gHCx4pqhN9tbJC3R/s1600/DSCN4477.JPG" height="400" title="King of the rings, the final issue" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Seeing as I got the first issue signed, I had to get the last. This is the final issue of the book before it was abruptly cancelled. It also features one of Elson's greatest covers, this thing is just epic. He had the original lineart of this cover with him too which was a joy too see. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXJoETrxHKXN-RS2UkhLjyOLz_Kv3-Jm9UG9LpbevdOW2jzhHj-rancYJT6ubK6IrIfYumDdpf4VO6qZnC-xzLVEvPZ9gqBNm0kTYoQSLrTlPzCfTlAObXeMsTVxJbLOGFvvxOS6ZbR6Fu/s1600/DSCN4491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="aaww" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXJoETrxHKXN-RS2UkhLjyOLz_Kv3-Jm9UG9LpbevdOW2jzhHj-rancYJT6ubK6IrIfYumDdpf4VO6qZnC-xzLVEvPZ9gqBNm0kTYoQSLrTlPzCfTlAObXeMsTVxJbLOGFvvxOS6ZbR6Fu/s1600/DSCN4491.JPG" height="400" title="aawww" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And last but not least, a Sonic plush because....hey...who doesn't want a Sonic plush?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And that's everything. I had a fantastic day, meeting all the guests was a dream come true and I had a great time talking to the attendees too, many of whom I've spoke with before online so it was nice to finally meet them in person.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Whether or not STCC will become an ongoing thing or whether next year will see the return of Summer of Sonic remains to be seen, but whatever happens I look forward to seeing what the organisers put together in the future because this show was awesome.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<div style="text-align: left;">
Also, after wearing the same outfit to MCM in Glasgow and having nobody recognise who I was dressed as, it was nice to have folk come up and compliment me on my costume.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Old Man Owl represent!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwsZcnNjSqXcbFGeQBkx85dCKcw-LvT_okPZwBnOsIOuJgWYW-brG19A28tRyrIGof2-SUgvSr8-drWDCP0sVt7gwD1ClhLwJm6i2JyuT5wU5vNhKM9Wij6RK4HMkBmftqwpLtgsnspWGh/s1600/tumblr_mmwn6yFddz1sqqh1qo1_500.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="old man owl" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwsZcnNjSqXcbFGeQBkx85dCKcw-LvT_okPZwBnOsIOuJgWYW-brG19A28tRyrIGof2-SUgvSr8-drWDCP0sVt7gwD1ClhLwJm6i2JyuT5wU5vNhKM9Wij6RK4HMkBmftqwpLtgsnspWGh/s1600/tumblr_mmwn6yFddz1sqqh1qo1_500.png" height="400" title="Those are Sonic's favourite clothes so don't blame me if he gets mad at you." width="290" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxczXkXujPdOn9d1wSFobWjcel24AX7f47FTfIeqDJ4yIcSaQRbl1Scf4InQ3mv5TACIfNsajGtgT5lyOtnuGojwohMEOqSdGzCM5rJZYdxwzgymc94_4LL1v6oSgnfF-UhkEdiUmLlLec/s1600/sonic79.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sonic says: Shortfuse was just a normal squirrel until Robotnik trapped him forever in his invincible Cybernik armour. Shortfuse was able to rebel against his programming however and fought Robotnik alongside Sonic." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxczXkXujPdOn9d1wSFobWjcel24AX7f47FTfIeqDJ4yIcSaQRbl1Scf4InQ3mv5TACIfNsajGtgT5lyOtnuGojwohMEOqSdGzCM5rJZYdxwzgymc94_4LL1v6oSgnfF-UhkEdiUmLlLec/s1600/sonic79.jpg" title="Sonic says: Shortfuse was just a normal squirrel until Robotnik trapped him forever in his invincible Cybernik armour. Shortfuse was able to rebel against his programming however and fought Robotnik alongside Sonic." /></a></div>
<a href="http://talesfromideath.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/sonic-hedgehog-episode-by-episode.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">For more Sonic related posts, check out the</span></a><br />
<a href="http://talesfromideath.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/sonic-hedgehog-episode-by-episode.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-large;">iDEATH Sonic Portal</span></a><br />
<br /></div>
Jakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17616678513022188825noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7559465781256900024.post-19065644418047931312014-04-28T03:52:00.000-07:002014-04-28T03:53:16.493-07:00My Top 5 matches in the Streak <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhggHA6p0vyYIY3229JbAjYIyLpHtv6Qohy_oDKhB7enMVQwKomFCjrkPoQK5NBavWCTkWjsyGzP1-8_2dFd_W41rNQL9nA1jg_O1FuBwF7psRrHN4oqiT-JEfdxVt56wTUcH8-M3wS3OGY/s1600/undertaker-21-1-ses-1-628x250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="21-1" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhggHA6p0vyYIY3229JbAjYIyLpHtv6Qohy_oDKhB7enMVQwKomFCjrkPoQK5NBavWCTkWjsyGzP1-8_2dFd_W41rNQL9nA1jg_O1FuBwF7psRrHN4oqiT-JEfdxVt56wTUcH8-M3wS3OGY/s1600/undertaker-21-1-ses-1-628x250.jpg" height="157" title="21-1" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><u><b>My Top 5 matches in the Streak </b></u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Earlier this month,
Brock Lesnar shocked the world by becoming the only man to win a match against
the Undertaker at Wrestlemania, ending his 21 year undefeated streak, putting
an end to one of the greatest runs in wrestling history and more than likely
signalling the end of the Undertaker’s career. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The match received
a lot of criticism, sparked a wave of rumours that Brock Lesnar changed the
script for the match and raised questions about Undertaker’s condition going
into the match. However, whether or not you think Wrestlemania XXX was the
right time, or Brock Lesnar was the right man to end the streak, I’m sure we
can all agree that the streak will stand the test of time as one of the most
exciting and entertaining runs in the history of the WWE. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So rather than
mourn its end, let’s celebrate those matches in the streak that had us on the
edge of our seats. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are my top 5
matches in the Undertaker’s run, it’s all personal opinion so don’t be too
bummed if your personal favourite isn’t included and as ever, be sure to let me
know your favourite matches in the comments. </div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioFVqLkJa0BiDWB8g45eEXHNXT2H5n8WMvkCV2OzGnUsoaf4WlPvcGaZWil2oYl-tzjRw9aE9kIM6BLxPDaxjfkHtV7Q6se8hfn8Zq3AmOePuwGATkI2CaiRzs1zUb_pft4LwZDATbzZC1/s1600/index.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Undertaker vs Edge" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioFVqLkJa0BiDWB8g45eEXHNXT2H5n8WMvkCV2OzGnUsoaf4WlPvcGaZWil2oYl-tzjRw9aE9kIM6BLxPDaxjfkHtV7Q6se8hfn8Zq3AmOePuwGATkI2CaiRzs1zUb_pft4LwZDATbzZC1/s1600/index.jpg" height="219" title="Undertaker vs Edge" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>5: Edge</u></span></b><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><u> - Wrestlemania XXIV (14-0)</u></span></b>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To kick us off, a
great match with the Rated R Superstar who, a couple minutes into the match,
seemed like a true contender for the title of streak-breaker. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Earlier in the
night, Edge made reference to Hulk Hogan’s match against the Ultimate Warrior
at Wrestlemania VI. He mentioned how, as a young boy, he sat in the audience
and watched his hero lose on the grandest stage of them all and how he intended
to do the same to those in the audience who rooted for the Undertaker. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3MqLTdpQilFUFBfWmypY9Tc8L2siQMZW5ib8T32sewGrYbUBvk2m-a7Q210DdQpNfPlpuf2WSt2zMkD55AXTwUPo_PntWF5j8hBohC82EoS1gVdsXHGaiiKCw6PV_eqc1nhiXdBIzAAyQ/s1600/edge_taker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Undertaker vs Edge" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3MqLTdpQilFUFBfWmypY9Tc8L2siQMZW5ib8T32sewGrYbUBvk2m-a7Q210DdQpNfPlpuf2WSt2zMkD55AXTwUPo_PntWF5j8hBohC82EoS1gVdsXHGaiiKCw6PV_eqc1nhiXdBIzAAyQ/s1600/edge_taker.jpg" title="Undertaker vs Edge" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the match wore
on, it looked like it might just be possible as Edge countered almost every
offensive move the Undertaker attempted, breaking free of multiple attempts as
the last ride, chokeslams and the Tombstone.
The Undertaker battled through a great offense as well as a run in from Hawkins
and Rider before finally locking Edge into the hell’s gate and picking up the
win, leaving Wrestlemania with the Streak intact and as the new World
Heavyweight Champion.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgplWIiiRwc7yCP7Cm9OnMftQ8-7vnl7TXK9BWoEuS9zBnvmMb9XjxM2O_0BdOpIv-UfKiZPjgHx33BNnBQj3f6pox28ujdINAs6ZAIwwV8VHgbvVLNWn4kSHr6w3hvrKu8RJBgaPetA4Vl/s1600/undertaker-kane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Undertaker vs Kane" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgplWIiiRwc7yCP7Cm9OnMftQ8-7vnl7TXK9BWoEuS9zBnvmMb9XjxM2O_0BdOpIv-UfKiZPjgHx33BNnBQj3f6pox28ujdINAs6ZAIwwV8VHgbvVLNWn4kSHr6w3hvrKu8RJBgaPetA4Vl/s1600/undertaker-kane.jpg" height="270" title="Undertaker vs Kane" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><u>4: Kane</u></b></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><u> - Wrestlemania XIV (7-0)</u></b></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a long
running storyline which seen Paul Bearer reveal the truth about Undertaker’s
dark past by bringing his brother Kane to the WWF, here was the payoff. For
months, the Undertaker had refused to battle Kane and managed to make peace
with him, forming a tag team with his sibling. It was all a trick however and
Kane turned on his brother, causing the Undertaker to accept a match with the
big red machine at the showcase of the immortals.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipdh5jh6xellBIqp___FCGG-slGLWPegvSr6qS4Awt-axdjPssEiABzGr2So-ILUtHnzRPsIDfn15PbryrGQQjiT2PV-goqT3swIdj4nyb771Odf9Z14GZweSYoh2w5E7nlWcVrMBnmvCx/s1600/475full.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The brothers of Destruction face off" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipdh5jh6xellBIqp___FCGG-slGLWPegvSr6qS4Awt-axdjPssEiABzGr2So-ILUtHnzRPsIDfn15PbryrGQQjiT2PV-goqT3swIdj4nyb771Odf9Z14GZweSYoh2w5E7nlWcVrMBnmvCx/s1600/475full.jpg" height="240" title="The brothers of Destruction face off" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The match is a
great one with both Kane and Taker at the top of their game and able to pull
off some really impressive moves like Kane’s roll through reversal of the Tombstone. The match also
gets Kane over as an absolute monster as he dominates Undertaker for the
majority of the match. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The match
culminates in Kane kicking out of two Tombstones before succumbing to a third.
The Undertaker picked up the victory, but just barely. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijcFL5nsWm8bsuF714ed-3WqB6EirEfLX7SnHv6V6RpEoPpPUHE-lfIu0fG4gxoMTVkf3LJoqiY899BMcm7ddjuwrHD8yW-vm4oz2S5sK_gtMg0azv3sfnGs0iqJ9bFVbf_CVgF5M68N_s/s1600/hbk-undertaker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Undertaker vs Shawn Michaels 2" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijcFL5nsWm8bsuF714ed-3WqB6EirEfLX7SnHv6V6RpEoPpPUHE-lfIu0fG4gxoMTVkf3LJoqiY899BMcm7ddjuwrHD8yW-vm4oz2S5sK_gtMg0azv3sfnGs0iqJ9bFVbf_CVgF5M68N_s/s1600/hbk-undertaker.jpg" height="225" title="Undertaker vs Shawn Michaels 2" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><u>3: Shawn Michaels</u></b></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><u> - Wrestlemania XXVI (18-0)</u></b></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After losing to the
Undertaker at Wrestlemania 25, Shawn Michaels found himself on a year long quest
for another shot at the Deadman, eventually agreeing to put his career on the
line.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The match was a
devastating one and seen both men deliver their all, both taking huge bumps
along the way. Michaels in particular found himself on the receiving end of one
of the most devastating Last Rides the Undertaker ever dished out. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgcJAEk3bDdzoRwIlZvUEJYNaKiCB0Vaei4Xdqn-aFUsVSLi6X2N36vj5qeGsr82nebo1ONsx71f-dUTpHjumpCPYoRhjLbNR3vNge1OKTqRaxeN77Jj2dxWuuZHkwu8gBCpIJClYo5Csh/s1600/WM-26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Shawn Michaels dives outside the ring" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgcJAEk3bDdzoRwIlZvUEJYNaKiCB0Vaei4Xdqn-aFUsVSLi6X2N36vj5qeGsr82nebo1ONsx71f-dUTpHjumpCPYoRhjLbNR3vNge1OKTqRaxeN77Jj2dxWuuZHkwu8gBCpIJClYo5Csh/s1600/WM-26.jpg" height="312" title="Shawn Michaels dives outside the ring" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The match lead to
an emotional finale which saw the Undertaker reluctant to finish Michaels.
Michaels refused to stay down however, drew his thumb across his throat and
slapped the Undertaker. Taker laid Michaels out with a final Tombstone and picked up the victory. The
streak was intact, but the career of Mr Wrestlemania was over forever. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRZ2Wq7oQro-GPIAFQJnb4-DlsF9VkPiysYWIOtMaVkPZTBWmG1r1Ys1b-lKiZ3_Mbia8bluSy06gg9qMIY9ltqnrMYR3AVs1HDYN1RHAz3wQ4AYF1jbru1QgtR_vefVQgciplBBmtxhhf/s1600/maxresdefault.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Undertaker vs CM Punk" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRZ2Wq7oQro-GPIAFQJnb4-DlsF9VkPiysYWIOtMaVkPZTBWmG1r1Ys1b-lKiZ3_Mbia8bluSy06gg9qMIY9ltqnrMYR3AVs1HDYN1RHAz3wQ4AYF1jbru1QgtR_vefVQgciplBBmtxhhf/s1600/maxresdefault.jpg" height="225" title="Undertaker vs CM Punk" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>2: CM Punk</u></span></b><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><u> - Wrestlemania 29 (21-0)</u></span></b>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The undertaker’s
final victorious match in the streak and easily on of his best, this match seen
CM Punk at the pinnacle of his heel persona, interrupting the Undertaker’s
tribute to William Moody (Paul Bearer) who had recently passed away. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The build up to the
match would see Punk and Paul Heyman repeatedly mock the Undertaker’s former
manager and the real world tragedy behind the angle just made us hate Punk all
the more.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI1IMkOxP0flSPR25sDFuZIjEBAHCsHqqeAfK7jkSp84_BwLUdNWwiZDvSw_CzDDyEprl5c3-sOTq_hHn4W9G-7PKwDnQlIu5CZsUW2BGrQ4aLbuaRl5s6bvUn703PFRN-KkqwHIAENoQq/s1600/undertaker2_1_-_1.0_standard_400.0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The undertaker stands victorious for the final time" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI1IMkOxP0flSPR25sDFuZIjEBAHCsHqqeAfK7jkSp84_BwLUdNWwiZDvSw_CzDDyEprl5c3-sOTq_hHn4W9G-7PKwDnQlIu5CZsUW2BGrQ4aLbuaRl5s6bvUn703PFRN-KkqwHIAENoQq/s1600/undertaker2_1_-_1.0_standard_400.0.jpg" height="211" title="The undertaker stands victorious for the final time" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The match itself
was fantastic too and just added further proof to the claim that CM Punk is the
best wrestler in the business today. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Undertaker too,
was on top form and delivered a knockout performance as he sought vengeance for
his friend. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rivalry leads
to some great moments throughout the match with Punk repeatedly playing with
the urn at ringside and mocking the Undertaker’s mannerisms. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Watching the match,
you never truly believe that Punk will win but he delivers such a fantastic
performance that you can’t help but feel that he would have been a far better
choice for the Streak-Beater than Lesnar…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0qYwinM3tKffLH9CCuZ5ZoBG8oQ5m2cEz8Y-9Vsfj2gOgvlFgqN8IgklINMMVFkpF54UZtGgAqDe0XI1pQamD3nnG54xvsgMjsZCEQi-SOWyNnjVyA9YzTSednGIg4Z8BWD3uKfVUS_oD/s1600/tumblr_lzs64crs691qlbj1bo1_500.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Undertaker vs Triple H" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0qYwinM3tKffLH9CCuZ5ZoBG8oQ5m2cEz8Y-9Vsfj2gOgvlFgqN8IgklINMMVFkpF54UZtGgAqDe0XI1pQamD3nnG54xvsgMjsZCEQi-SOWyNnjVyA9YzTSednGIg4Z8BWD3uKfVUS_oD/s1600/tumblr_lzs64crs691qlbj1bo1_500.png" height="230" title="Undertaker vs Triple H" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><u>1: Triple H</u></b></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><u> - Wrestlemania XXVIII (20-0)</u></b></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Triple H’s third
and final attempt at defeating the Undertaker and easily the best match in the
streak. It’s the culmination of a four match series which seen Undertaker
defeat Shawn Michaels twice and barely make it through a brutal match with
Triple H as he tried to gain vengeance for his friend. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Four years in the
making, this closing chapter, dubbed the End of An Era match took place within
the hell in a cell with Michaels as the special guest referee. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a fantastic
match and one that’s easy to suspend your disbelief for, you genuinely believe
Triple H wants to kill the Undertaker or die trying. Whether it’s breaking a
chair across the Deadman’s back or repeated sledgehammer blows to the head. The
onslaught becomes so violent that Michaels attempts to intervene, begging
Triple H to just pin Undertaker and get the match over with. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eventually the
Undertaker gets offense in and manages to get the upper hand. The final moments
of the match see a blood drenched Triple H struggle even to stand, unable to
offer any more offense. He refuses to give up though and in one final moments
of defiance, gives the Suck It sign to the Undertaker before succumbing to one
final Tombstone
and losing the match. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir6rfuL4bKWkbvxeydAOuwvEuxOIAP5kMMxcBIbXvzYPAuXfK5Mv2Z9s94bzNaWYd9IftqkimZ0liUsAv_bBvgSW1ditskH8a-4rLDksDGV9jqVHa535lg7KepZfr78BRmwfLSrN2h33VD/s1600/546200_10150711154659674_505924673_9165572_49884108_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The end of an era" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir6rfuL4bKWkbvxeydAOuwvEuxOIAP5kMMxcBIbXvzYPAuXfK5Mv2Z9s94bzNaWYd9IftqkimZ0liUsAv_bBvgSW1ditskH8a-4rLDksDGV9jqVHa535lg7KepZfr78BRmwfLSrN2h33VD/s1600/546200_10150711154659674_505924673_9165572_49884108_n.jpg" height="221" title="The end of an era" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The final moment of
Undertaker, Shawn Michaels and Triple H hugging it out in the middle of the
ring while the signs reading 20-0 shine down on the arena is an emotional one.
It’s easily the most intense match in the streak, you could argue that it was
obvious that it’d never be topped and the round victory of 20-0 was the proper
time to end the streak for good. Whether or not you agree with the two
continuous years though, it’s hard to deny that Wrestlemania XXVIII offered up
the greatest match in the streak and one of the greatest wrestling matches of
all time. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Honourable Mentions</u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <i> </i></span><i>As amazing as the
streak is, it’s hard to deny that it had its fair share of weak matches. The
early years in particular offered pretty poor showings, matches more focused on
selling the Undertaker as a monster than providing an enjoyable match. For my
money it really wasn’t until the last five or six years that the matches
managed to meet the expectations we have of the Streak.</i></div>
<i>
</i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s not to say
there aren’t gems outside of my top 5, both Shawn Michaels at WM25 and Triple H
at WM27 deserve inclusion. I opted to leave them out purely because I didn’t
want to clutter the list with doubles. </i></div>
<i>
</i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other good matches
include the Undertaker’s bouts with Diesel at WM12, a brutal match with Ric
Flair at WM18 and his second encounter with Kane at WM20, a match which saw the
Undertaker shed his biker gimmick and return as the Deadman. </i><br />
</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguIk9rGhK6TOPlPOmH6Yge-K4jgy05SF7ROaUMUJU1pXiDdGNuVcD7TgH-KrVfm6kvDjium2cdxjTh2ixNFjEp3WiIaqtTQMP8fCNOinpElTpGJKRC9mmEiq8D3LFBnR0DyT4VrnLTetl5/s1600/Undertaker_666x450_462478a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="the Undertaker" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguIk9rGhK6TOPlPOmH6Yge-K4jgy05SF7ROaUMUJU1pXiDdGNuVcD7TgH-KrVfm6kvDjium2cdxjTh2ixNFjEp3WiIaqtTQMP8fCNOinpElTpGJKRC9mmEiq8D3LFBnR0DyT4VrnLTetl5/s1600/Undertaker_666x450_462478a.jpg" height="270" title="the Undertaker" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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Jakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17616678513022188825noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7559465781256900024.post-60627253669671338862014-02-12T13:20:00.001-08:002014-02-12T13:36:09.355-08:00Notes on the Subject of False Life...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjzwWlZvuA7ezsOf66vnVbLAoBOr6-wdtmsl60p83_GzYmEMhXBtyVJkW_NA-V15T8Ci-SXc7yd_LgTxqLvjhKqFzS5gBq26HRj9WXO0fTpo2I3QeT0M10T2vTux7j4hTe8j5tuJhdCzn_/s1600/DSCN4299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjzwWlZvuA7ezsOf66vnVbLAoBOr6-wdtmsl60p83_GzYmEMhXBtyVJkW_NA-V15T8Ci-SXc7yd_LgTxqLvjhKqFzS5gBq26HRj9WXO0fTpo2I3QeT0M10T2vTux7j4hTe8j5tuJhdCzn_/s1600/DSCN4299.JPG" height="193" width="400" /></a></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: x-large;">Notes on the Subject of False Life...</span></u></div>
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<br /></div>
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The following is a piece of artwork I produced as part of my third year at University. We were told to go out, buy a book and re-contextualise it, to change it up,destroy it, remix it, do whatever we wanted with it.</div>
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For my submission, I picked up a copy of Mary Shelly's Frankenstein and transformed it into "Notes on the subject of false life" the confessions of Dr j. Osterman, a biologist inspired by the Frankenstein novel to go forth and attempt to reanimate the dead himself. </div>
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It's a piece of work that I've always been proud of. While I think it could be better, I think I got the idea across well and some parts of the book are suitably creepy. It's something I've wanted to try again ever since and I may well. If I ever do I'll be sure to post it here, but for now I hope you enjoy reading through Dr Osterman's confession. </div>
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Some pages can be really hard to read so I'll include the text of the story below. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK9wtKFQYIfko_56fcLC-RNvl70GPKrqVjAiR5NgP50Jb4GjkLrNjO-0cl7x1Ib0sOyIhhLH3qzVsvwSKrcwW4MSbH_HwWxcHIi6B5r6ivxwp8-5g4kp5A5jcPcRYV3xSUR89jJi1KCn5B/s1600/DSCN4243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK9wtKFQYIfko_56fcLC-RNvl70GPKrqVjAiR5NgP50Jb4GjkLrNjO-0cl7x1Ib0sOyIhhLH3qzVsvwSKrcwW4MSbH_HwWxcHIi6B5r6ivxwp8-5g4kp5A5jcPcRYV3xSUR89jJi1KCn5B/s1600/DSCN4243.JPG" height="400" width="295" /></a></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirrRxns2b-AwXK6zlMAXIjIUXPjv2vrGTX6J2GuyiqNp_dN1HQLDSNjoG7IgKfm4pZwZKMVH1BJG6V1j33dI_hBUJbQK2k1NpVRfxUbYpPs2_imQ98mrdSb7UehehuJFsSW7xOo2iPrjlb/s1600/DSCN4244.JPG" height="330" width="400" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Notes on the subject of creating a false life</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">From the desk of Dr. J Osterman</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0WiGjdRcII-SFdXsQhm77U5v1QBcxPvRt-AyYi5g3fQnPMrubmRrEziSXgsoFpMpQf2n-8AoWwfCitCuVv38GyuykMFl8wFGoFzeUENBNqyk1kv_q8H09jYgiLWPi1pihH16gaWPDVnq8/s1600/DSCN4245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0WiGjdRcII-SFdXsQhm77U5v1QBcxPvRt-AyYi5g3fQnPMrubmRrEziSXgsoFpMpQf2n-8AoWwfCitCuVv38GyuykMFl8wFGoFzeUENBNqyk1kv_q8H09jYgiLWPi1pihH16gaWPDVnq8/s1600/DSCN4245.JPG" height="346" width="400" /></a></div>
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<![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">God forgive me……god forgive
what I have done. Eighteen years in that cell…I have spent every
day thinking </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">...of the terrible sins I
have commited….and now….my story can be told…perhaps finally….I will be granted
reprieve from these nightmares…</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">It is appropriate that I
write these words here….in this book….the very book that at so young an age was
my inspiration for joining the world of science….I first read it when I was
nine years old….the following year, having announced my plans<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to become a biologist, my father gave me my
first copy of Grey’s anatomy….. and how that book changed things…</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">for</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> it was in reading that book that I first
realised….the human body is only a machine….a machine that can be repaired…..a
machine that can be rebuilt…</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Unlike so many
children, not once did I stray from my childhood ambition, by the time I was 25
I was a biologist, working at the state of the art Gilla Flats research lab in Washington state. It was
there that I first met Rebecca. Oh Rebecca...my first and only love…..how I
wish I could just take back…..no…I’m getting ahead of myself.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">We met and a
whirlwind romance followed. We were wed within six months and bought a home the
following year less than a mile from the lab. </span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Oh god…Rebecca…I’m
sorry…….</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZkZtiFX1Fg5RGlFEeIO9XTuUSMgt72WfVvpuNblw-bmE4ouGeKluGI5SDdUz6CFIeo_UOnrubvRp2XAVu1_IIYdVSPI8FSg3FZ51doa8AwfOJ0AVR9XpW1rhW0dcgzrN8AXtZax_5fG4a/s1600/DSCN4254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZkZtiFX1Fg5RGlFEeIO9XTuUSMgt72WfVvpuNblw-bmE4ouGeKluGI5SDdUz6CFIeo_UOnrubvRp2XAVu1_IIYdVSPI8FSg3FZ51doa8AwfOJ0AVR9XpW1rhW0dcgzrN8AXtZax_5fG4a/s1600/DSCN4254.JPG" height="320" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I suppose…it was my
brother’s death that began it….his battle with cancer had been long but when it
ended, well…nothing can prepare you for the hurt of loss….</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I watched as his body
was lowered into the earth and, as Rebecca sobbed on my shoulder I swore, that
I would end all this suffering. I would find a way to stop the inevitable…I
would create life from death.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Over the next three
years I spent large chunks of our lab research budget on expensive pieces of
equipment. My colleagues’ tempers were often raised over the use of these
machines however I was always able to convince them of some remote application
and managed to persuade them they were essential for my work. Day to day I
continued to work on my various project. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Secretly however, I
continued to fund my own research. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I stole a body from a
fresh dug grave…amazing how simple it was…and hid it in the freezer storage
chamber. Following this I cleared the floor of my office, sat in it’s centre,
ate the ball of hashish I had hidden in my desk drawer and asked the spirits
for guidance.</span></div>
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<![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I aware of the contradiction in my dual beliefs
in science and the occult but both have inspired my path from as young as I can
remember, and ever since I have been able to get my hands on drugs I have used
them to connect my mind to the spirit world. </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyT4DgPKqUqhyIUnqst6tGq4sYICfYj0_LtXKH38fpJwXfSAnrSRXetk7Q9ewzKJUpK0YFpR55YE2h6mx2kIZJ2YUTY-tFcR9E9o868AIeB7tXEueiM5BXCaBKC4mcUjzcSaVEXXX-yO7l/s1600/DSCN4279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyT4DgPKqUqhyIUnqst6tGq4sYICfYj0_LtXKH38fpJwXfSAnrSRXetk7Q9ewzKJUpK0YFpR55YE2h6mx2kIZJ2YUTY-tFcR9E9o868AIeB7tXEueiM5BXCaBKC4mcUjzcSaVEXXX-yO7l/s1600/DSCN4279.JPG" height="340" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">My daemon guide is
named Lucien it was he who appeared to me. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">He instructed me on
how to preserve the body and provided answers to some of my more mind boggling
questions. Just how could I breathe life into the soulless shell that lay in
the chamber behind me?</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">The main issue was
how to keep the cadaver hooked up to the machines while keeping it hidden,
certainly there were often bodies around the lab, but this research was so
extraordinary there was no way I could share it at so early a stage. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I shrouded my work in
secrecy, I hid myself away from my colleagues, speaking to the only when I had
forms I needed them to sign to secure more equipment. George Sanders, the head
of research at Gilla flats was the biggest problem. He demanded entrance to my
labs and I continually had to create reasons to keep him out. I even went so
far as to change the locks on my door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
laboratory became a mass of tangled wires and beeping machines in the centre of
which lay the creature…..I say the creature because over the course of my
research that’s what it became…..I had been unable to stop the body decaying
and had had to replace various parts with cadavers I ordered in. The chest lay
open, the organs replaced with a mechanical heart of my own design. It’s face
had crumpled in on itself, plagued with rot….I never replaced it.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Over the time I
worked on the creature my relationship with Rebecca suffered. I was rarely at
home and when I was we argued constantly. Our sex life was non existent and I
suspected she had began an affair.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">But still I was
certain my work would bare fruit. I knew I could complete my task and that the
rewards from my efforts would eliminate all the ill suffered during my work. I
knew I could mend my relationship with Rebecca….I was so sure….</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I was contacting the
spirit world on an almost nightly basis, Lucien appeared every time and became
more aggressive as my work progressed. I had never made physical contact with a
daemon before but as I slipped into darkness I began to awake with strange
scratches across my skin….and as I searched my naked body for new marks my eyes
would inevitably fall on the face of the creature….and it appeared to be
smiling….</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">And then it
happened…</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSWNfgVq84XCpz0svZlco8-wUv5MoQrZTSCCueH7V-6o7o_dAxMOgA9ZrxoIGkYENuSIJlFwEhL_U6XRyW4cPnMYyv0xxMgvaWhhlQJrvA7EhuwAzBN_JqHhW17d9kkURqbo5E0c6lhKA5/s1600/DSCN4280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSWNfgVq84XCpz0svZlco8-wUv5MoQrZTSCCueH7V-6o7o_dAxMOgA9ZrxoIGkYENuSIJlFwEhL_U6XRyW4cPnMYyv0xxMgvaWhhlQJrvA7EhuwAzBN_JqHhW17d9kkURqbo5E0c6lhKA5/s1600/DSCN4280.JPG" height="338" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I was naked on the
floor…..Lucien stalked around me…snarling…speaking into my mind…telling me what
to do…I was helpless….drifting in and out of sleep…..and then I seen
him…..standing in the doorway to the lab…..George sanders….he stood, mouth
gaping, at first I was worried he would see Lucien….but then I realised….the
body…he was staring at the body…..Lucien growled in my head. I stood. Sanders
met my eye and took a step back. I looked to my left, a small table lay by the
creature’s side. Upon it lay asset of surgical knives. Sanders saw my glance,
turned and ran. I chased him and pounced, driving the blade into his neck……
</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I don’t remember
picking the knife up…..</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">…he fell to the
floor……</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">There was no time to
waste now…I was a murderer. I dressed and flared up every machine in the lab. I
cranked the generator and pumped electricity into the sordid flesh of my
creation. I saw a slight twitch in the eyes of the beast, it’s fingers went
into spasms….and the…nothing….</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I smelled
burning….then I realised….the brain was on fire….the rotting mush in the
beast’s skull was smoking…..I knew immediately what I had to do…</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">…god forgive me…..</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I caved in the
creatures skull and scooped out the black liquid within…then I put sanders on
the operating table, I opened his skull with a surgical saw and transferred the
brain to the open vase of the beast’s skull…all the while Lucien looked on smiling.</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJRCsZLI8FYmVkGMVu-B82Dw1sXuEpv40uKV5pz5Usnykv3SCq9odGyHLTbawTft7XShTwfLRnFlobx5VuUm_PN7i0l1I0kqIyyaovymKtAOLd8mFIpZ80IpU2Su6bJT3BRqWD-Smzyr86/s1600/DSCN4259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJRCsZLI8FYmVkGMVu-B82Dw1sXuEpv40uKV5pz5Usnykv3SCq9odGyHLTbawTft7XShTwfLRnFlobx5VuUm_PN7i0l1I0kqIyyaovymKtAOLd8mFIpZ80IpU2Su6bJT3BRqWD-Smzyr86/s1600/DSCN4259.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I fired up the
generator, the same spasms occurred in the fingers….then it opened its eyes. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I fell back….the
creature stood….it was unstable on its feet, but it managed to stand. It
surveyed it’s surroundings. I couldn’t believe it, I had succeeded. I had
created life from death. I had done it. Laughter took over my body and I howled
in joy. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I doubt the creature
had any intelligence, it appeared to be working on pure animal instincts, and
it’s instincts told it my laughter was a threat. It charged at me and lifted me
above it’s impressive shoulders. It threw me across the room where I smashed
into the equipment still hooked up to the creature. I managed to turn back in
time to see the monster tear the cables from it’s chest and flee. Storming it’s
way through the lab and out the front door.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I chased after it but
by the time I’d made it outside it had vanished. I jumped in my van and raced
home…..I was terrified, what had I done? I had killed, and created that foul
beast….I faced jail…perhaps death? But…I had cured death…</span></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyYW5N4_2ibXkHfKyvRUQ9uRJXqcjf1_NFGOFItWfv3Ux_a8UHk7YwPKhwVHRTmpUH4OvdsY76B-qkijdbyu6z3GEbObkt01S91_GYYCxzpqX4I3p2uE-WmYnE23nAqsxDVGPy9BBHphIa/s1600/DSCN4281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyYW5N4_2ibXkHfKyvRUQ9uRJXqcjf1_NFGOFItWfv3Ux_a8UHk7YwPKhwVHRTmpUH4OvdsY76B-qkijdbyu6z3GEbObkt01S91_GYYCxzpqX4I3p2uE-WmYnE23nAqsxDVGPy9BBHphIa/s1600/DSCN4281.JPG" height="323" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I had saved
mankind….we were invincible…..death was conquerable….I was a hero….wasn’t I? </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I headed home, I
needed to be back with Rebecca. I got back, left my van running in the driveway
and headed upstairs and straight into bed.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Rebecca awoke as I
cuddled into her, she turned and saw the scratches across my body and screamed.
I hugged her and held her close. I told he we needed to sleep and pulled her
close…we lay in silence for two hours, neither of us slept, we just hugged each
other.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Then…there was a
crash downstairs, I leapt up in my bed. Somehow….I knew…I just knew….the
monster was downstairs…it had followed me home…I tightened my grip on Rebecca,
she whimpered in my arms…</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">…footsteps began to
pound up the stairs……and then…the creature was in our room.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Rebecca
screamed…..the beast’s animal instincts kicked back in……he leapt….</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgedapNZchU9YJVIOuPil7VaMMoWo_SBKgXTEAeUzejjq3h1v_oWIS35MLu1PfGKVXW3sIvHXQtEcwYPDLSkGRQK-krTRbfWsZUwTpc-4W-6AzSEd2AdidxZ-imSrORY_6D9apBY4eXJ34R/s1600/DSCN4282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgedapNZchU9YJVIOuPil7VaMMoWo_SBKgXTEAeUzejjq3h1v_oWIS35MLu1PfGKVXW3sIvHXQtEcwYPDLSkGRQK-krTRbfWsZUwTpc-4W-6AzSEd2AdidxZ-imSrORY_6D9apBY4eXJ34R/s1600/DSCN4282.JPG" height="326" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">…they found me the
next day…. the beast was gone…they found it dead a few days later….I lay in the
bed, still holding Rebecca…..what was left of her…</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi46FzHVAnb-BC_TWlQKT1vaJMFHl0UlNy7hr-7756JhI91Tz9nu1Zp8-ZiwCgf3-d6m5l_0ou-GdDaIy-75wh7HiIiedSlRQQP1C-TxCd8DI0whwdQDamnxJq758kBtx_k7ULqrs_ticnB/s1600/DSCN4283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi46FzHVAnb-BC_TWlQKT1vaJMFHl0UlNy7hr-7756JhI91Tz9nu1Zp8-ZiwCgf3-d6m5l_0ou-GdDaIy-75wh7HiIiedSlRQQP1C-TxCd8DI0whwdQDamnxJq758kBtx_k7ULqrs_ticnB/s1600/DSCN4283.JPG" height="345" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I was tried and found
guilty of murder….two counts….there are no laws against what I had created but
they charged me with crimes against humanity…</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">…I was sent to
southview psychiatric home, room K104…and Lucien…Lucien came too…</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjiKV18weSXOo4Btq31BqYOimJMAva-BLfPlPaIo1RO4uqB2i6-V6pVjX8VmIEbxPALW9IHCKhsgZ_yVqULwhDEwKTbT-j8MPIRdrSBwzbApep0RlFTujz2_e-m9-gnboCRzgZKtx-1MEi/s1600/DSCN4284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjiKV18weSXOo4Btq31BqYOimJMAva-BLfPlPaIo1RO4uqB2i6-V6pVjX8VmIEbxPALW9IHCKhsgZ_yVqULwhDEwKTbT-j8MPIRdrSBwzbApep0RlFTujz2_e-m9-gnboCRzgZKtx-1MEi/s1600/DSCN4284.JPG" height="318" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">He watched me through the cracks in the walls.... </span></div>
<br />
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<![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I was released yesterday. It has been eighteen
years…They say I have grown better, that I have shown remorse for my
actions….they’re right…..</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVsfcejUHl5sSfYSQo-ZOaHLC_StDWEsRRMXW363EnoVcjIdo5eXxngrJCyCJinfMXL4F1Bqxp2vSGZarqOc2qEB6vIbKh4j7b9Q5qn-MtCjfHKIfmfvXMs1bWqpLahtkFF8g47AxF_QLI/s1600/DSCN4289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVsfcejUHl5sSfYSQo-ZOaHLC_StDWEsRRMXW363EnoVcjIdo5eXxngrJCyCJinfMXL4F1Bqxp2vSGZarqOc2qEB6vIbKh4j7b9Q5qn-MtCjfHKIfmfvXMs1bWqpLahtkFF8g47AxF_QLI/s1600/DSCN4289.JPG" height="328" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> Oh Jesus...Rebecca...I'm so sorry.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I love you</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I have always loved you...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> eighteen years...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">god forgive me..</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Tonight I visited her grave...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">god forgive me...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> I visited her grave...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">...I believe I can save her...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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Jakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17616678513022188825noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7559465781256900024.post-37312040747235998652013-10-31T04:14:00.000-07:002013-10-31T04:15:46.478-07:00Nosferatu, eine Symphonie des Grauens <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinIdcK10n4meKW3jpt6o2T3nlEL8Nk9FEpxGngp3Zl72yNwnBdoanY4gBxdLoCFggxUjDTN-Eel7YSYrnN8v7eJBPXmNLgyclDtRcyHDCxYy8FcOteT9ZECX9rMsvh_nHvpSBjnrLoXj9O/s1600/nospost.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The original poster for nosferatu" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinIdcK10n4meKW3jpt6o2T3nlEL8Nk9FEpxGngp3Zl72yNwnBdoanY4gBxdLoCFggxUjDTN-Eel7YSYrnN8v7eJBPXmNLgyclDtRcyHDCxYy8FcOteT9ZECX9rMsvh_nHvpSBjnrLoXj9O/s1600/nospost.jpg" title="The original poster for nosferatu" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Nosferatu, eine Symphonie des Grauens (1922)</u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Dir: F.W. Murnau
</u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nosferatu is my
favourite film of all time. Since first seeing it on DVD around 2004/5 I’ve
become somewhat obsessed with it, gathering seven versions of the film on DVD*
(soon to be eight with next month’s Blu-Ray release) as well as remakes,
homages, graphic novel adaptations and much more. Just last week I had the
pleasure of seeing the film on the big screen for the first time in a limited
theatrical run to promote the Blu-Ray. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, with that in
mind and because, as a blogger I am legally required to do a Halloween post,
let’s give it a review. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nosferatu, for
those who don’t know, is a German silent film, intended to be the first film
adaptation of Bram Stoker’s novel Dracula. However, the creators failed to
obtain the rights to the novel and decided instead to change elements of the
plot as well as the characters names to avoid legal troubles, thus, Jonathan
Harker becomes Thomas Hutter, his wife Mina becomes Ellen and Count Dracula
becomes Graf Orlok. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The changes didn’t
work though, and shortly after the release Bram Stoker’s widow took the film
makers to court and won. As a result of the verdict all copies of the film had
to be destroyed, though luckily several copies survived in the hands of private
collectors.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today, both the
film and the original novel have both fallen into the public domain so we are
now free to enjoy the film in all its glory. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmG5VIp9DleQY1sACcyUYxhfrWX0C9BR5MQ_y-hIJVQ9eJg9TsXXNyNDRfWpUD4rIQSxsDLQDHVqTGU0EJ_bu3qw5GXvpnZZ_PhExYAP2dNJRyz5J8a-4AzurF11gXTHHUgcGZ_pT7hi47/s1600/nosferatu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The monstrous Graf Orlok" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmG5VIp9DleQY1sACcyUYxhfrWX0C9BR5MQ_y-hIJVQ9eJg9TsXXNyNDRfWpUD4rIQSxsDLQDHVqTGU0EJ_bu3qw5GXvpnZZ_PhExYAP2dNJRyz5J8a-4AzurF11gXTHHUgcGZ_pT7hi47/s320/nosferatu.jpg" title="The monstrous Graf Orlok" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I adore this film.
Despite its age it still holds up today and the creepy atmosphere and slow
pacing still work brilliantly. The main draw is of course, Graf Orlok himself,
played to perfection by Max Schreck who moves slowly and stiffly his every
gesture laborious. Despite the film being silent you can almost hear the
vampire’s joints creak as he stalks his prey. Unlike later incarnations of the
Count, who portray him as suave and seductive, Orlok is repulsive, ugly and
rat-like. He certainly looks like a centuries old creature risen from the grave
and it’s a far more frightening visual to see this decaying beast enter a room
than the handsome gent Dracula is so often portrayed as. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What makes Orlok
all the more interesting is how little we see him. Over the ninety minute
runtime of the film, he appears on screen for just over ten minutes, yet when
finishing the film, it feels as if his presence was stamped onto every frame. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Interestingly, some
elements of the Orlok character intended to differentiate him from his novel
counterpart have found their way back into the Dracula mythos. The film casts
Orlok as a nocturnal creature and the film’s ending sees him killed by the
light of the sun. This is drastically different to the novel which sees Dracula
walking around London
in the sun perfectly happily, yet the idea of sun killing vampires has seeped
into popular culture and today it is seen in almost all vampire media, from
Buffy the Vampire Slayer to the Twilight saga. I’ve even seen film adaptations
of Dracula that see the vampire killed off by the sun, the weakness of his “knock-off”
counterpart.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHgx0INCJn9GVyeC3bQsIkP9-gde366pf_3qv56fgGvsubPgZj_98oroj9DuJ2rqEscuR5CGgS3zMO0CPmKbL-PelXJ0wjf3j_3q0mDBqk3RJRZZAdXTjJ_b1Os96dK5lgOyd-YvToCiKc/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hutter and Orlok meet for the first time" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHgx0INCJn9GVyeC3bQsIkP9-gde366pf_3qv56fgGvsubPgZj_98oroj9DuJ2rqEscuR5CGgS3zMO0CPmKbL-PelXJ0wjf3j_3q0mDBqk3RJRZZAdXTjJ_b1Os96dK5lgOyd-YvToCiKc/s1600/images.jpg" title="Hutter and Orlok meet for the first time" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rest of the
cast are brilliant too, Gustav Von Wangenheim although prone to overacting (one
of the few things that really date the film) portrays Hutter as an innocent
fool, more child than man who finds his world turned upside down with his visit
to Orlok’s castle. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Greta Schroder is
fantastic as the melancholic Ellen who appears almost as ghost-like as Orlok
himself over the course of the film. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All are backed up
be vibrant and memorable performances by the supporting cast, including Alexander
Granach’s energetic portrayal of Knock, the film’s version of Renfield.</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aside from Orlok
though, the real star are the visuals that director F.W. Murnau and his
cinematographer F.A. Wagner were able to craft. The scenes in Orlok’s castle
especially are wonderfully claustrophobic, the audience feels trapped in the
small rooms just as Hutter is and the brilliant use of shadows make for some of
cinemas most memorable scenes. Who could forget the eerie sight of Orlok’s
shadow ascend the staircase and open the door to Ellen’s room? </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSglj_a-3eOj-rLF73ET4opv1cevTmZuGNzSKqpnQezjOiVSGtuuItPaJK6xPzZZxsjF8zlYmF_NDztBIuFtvfxrRYKupzhF34DzyR2n9rlp6zQCuMjH4u5KUK7oBXUTxTCYGFKaJRUuKr/s1600/tumblr_locr7gyQbe1qbju3lo1_250.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Orlok's shadow climbs the stairs" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSglj_a-3eOj-rLF73ET4opv1cevTmZuGNzSKqpnQezjOiVSGtuuItPaJK6xPzZZxsjF8zlYmF_NDztBIuFtvfxrRYKupzhF34DzyR2n9rlp6zQCuMjH4u5KUK7oBXUTxTCYGFKaJRUuKr/s1600/tumblr_locr7gyQbe1qbju3lo1_250.gif" title="Orlok's shadow climbs the stairs" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While Nosferatu may
not frighten modern audiences as much as it did those of the past, the film
still maintains a quiet, chilling atmosphere, the scary scenes are few and far
between but the tension builds slowly between them. Watching this film alone is
the dark is still be a haunting experience that hasn’t been dampened by the
passage of time. Watching Nosferatu today is still rich and rewarding and I
would encourage you to seek it out this Halloween and take the trip with
Hutter, to the land of thieves and ghosts. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY0DTW2NW78IOkvRbVgaKBUu5AwfGfa_irWof06nY1ZGZtAsolOHdVJ36GR5yA6eYrI2OrNUfahI6P1x57Gk_ic7ibsVU_mNw79udEPFleizFFVzKUbtcLNF0WCSqb0MGc1az-jdawh0H7/s1600/nosferatu_uk2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Happy Halloween" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY0DTW2NW78IOkvRbVgaKBUu5AwfGfa_irWof06nY1ZGZtAsolOHdVJ36GR5yA6eYrI2OrNUfahI6P1x57Gk_ic7ibsVU_mNw79udEPFleizFFVzKUbtcLNF0WCSqb0MGc1az-jdawh0H7/s320/nosferatu_uk2.JPG" title="Happy Halloween" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i>*A note on the
various versions of the film for those wishing to seek it out. If possible I
would avoid the public domain version (the version usually found on sites like
youtube). This version restores the characters names back to their Dracula
counterparts, is often ran at the wrong speed (resulting in Benny Hill-a-like
movement), isn’t tinted and often has scenes missing. It’s a very poor version
of the film and definitely not the one you want to watch if you’re watching for
the first time. </i><br />
<i>
</i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you want to watch the film properly the
best way to do so is with the <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nosferatu-Definitive-Fully-restored-version-original/dp/B000VU0KJA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1383217903&sr=8-1&keywords=nosferatu" target="_blank">Masters of Cinema edition</a> on DVD which presents
the film as it is meant to be seen,correct tinting/intertitles/speed etc and
with the original score. This is by far the best version out there, so if
you’re serious about watching the film make sure it’s the one you pick up.</i></div>
<i>
</i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alternativly,
there’s my personal favourite, the <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nosferatu-Two-disc-set-Max-Schreck/dp/B000056BYA/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1383217903&sr=8-9&keywords=nosferatu" target="_blank">Eureka version</a> with an electronic score by French group Art Zoyd. While the modern
soundtrack may put some people off, personally I think it’s the score that best
matches the visuals of the film and lends the most horror to the scenes with
Orlok. </i></div>
<i>
</i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whatever edition
you end up watching though (…but seriously, don’t watch the public domain
version) I hope you enjoy it. You’re in for a treat.</i></div>
</div>
Jakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17616678513022188825noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7559465781256900024.post-85305606453633220852013-09-09T02:09:00.003-07:002013-09-09T02:09:50.770-07:00Comic Con Haul<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtQbSGIoAMrRG5-bIURm_p5FvOU6G67yYOlXYbuAxW2e_aVANZR2QMq60S9agFcm1robFTfz9tPfxElkDeazy4GBG5S7MF4iEGBBtfn639U8rBPVD-tSd-Bgx9fQoqkNLEBq5gbmjQVrzd/s1600/mcm_scotland_comic_con1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtQbSGIoAMrRG5-bIURm_p5FvOU6G67yYOlXYbuAxW2e_aVANZR2QMq60S9agFcm1robFTfz9tPfxElkDeazy4GBG5S7MF4iEGBBtfn639U8rBPVD-tSd-Bgx9fQoqkNLEBq5gbmjQVrzd/s1600/mcm_scotland_comic_con1.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Comic-Con Haul 07/09/13</u></span><br />This Saturday I Headed to MCM Comic-Con in the Glasgow SECC, I'd planned on taking a bunch of photos and making a massive post about the day but...frankly...I had too much fun to remember to take any pictures.</div>
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I had an absolute blast, seen a lot of awesome things and got to chat with some brilliantly talented artists. </div>
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While I didn't get any pictures though, one thing I certainly did get...is stuff. So, here it is, my haul from MCM 2013.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfppF0bxgReWEG8pJgqmgbcU2Z4fnWN0_Y8MeK6BVru2qWcZ2IEv5_hMLzSO2dPlpErsV3GBH2Be3vppl7MXYxxJXuGmI93puIE-0lu4ZbPpH5fuJ8DUFbmYAKJDjr7F-81BXLPlIk5xhD/s1600/DSCN4060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfppF0bxgReWEG8pJgqmgbcU2Z4fnWN0_Y8MeK6BVru2qWcZ2IEv5_hMLzSO2dPlpErsV3GBH2Be3vppl7MXYxxJXuGmI93puIE-0lu4ZbPpH5fuJ8DUFbmYAKJDjr7F-81BXLPlIk5xhD/s320/DSCN4060.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Let's start with Edward Ross' Filmish. A series of indie comics dealing with film and film theory, these are great I've read all three and they're absolutely brilliant. Also had a wee chat with Ross himself and he was a genuinely nice guy. I was happy to support him and I'll definitely be buying more from him in the future.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCaOrGclHfDCg2noVJsLNtQhdbSi5DoCPXEKpvmOMcXq4m-28KLduHIMCR1zOPJt5xuyvAuIjWeatK5vTlYv5YsRKPuEEO4axt7X47BcpkonrZyY9AFLg6URs1kYIpnso0YhZPZ5fFFH1i/s1600/DSCN4061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCaOrGclHfDCg2noVJsLNtQhdbSi5DoCPXEKpvmOMcXq4m-28KLduHIMCR1zOPJt5xuyvAuIjWeatK5vTlYv5YsRKPuEEO4axt7X47BcpkonrZyY9AFLg6URs1kYIpnso0YhZPZ5fFFH1i/s320/DSCN4061.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Robots is a collection of short strips by various writers published by Accent UK, not read this yet but it's wonderfully presented and was a bargain.</div>
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<img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipestg59pyv_sepJQyJD_mT9nKQGHC3qOm_LhcBhgK-43PerY-mB6aqDdQbJujdL03onMDcx3Bm-GPgBjJ2yd3ztEcWjUzACAda7Wh5Y7kytPFq8g5BM7_7Tbs30ihhrnSDyPgQKxFdJYj/s320/DSCN4062.JPG" width="320" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
More from Accent, these are three separate issues sold in a bundle. each issues deals with a seperate theme, Monster, Pirates and Twelve seems to be just a collection of random strips. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp8yRiLdJc4ah0GVGvSO_ldTlYBefYQCwE6TuPBPNw3-BekdcfOp9SJ2Ud69pMTQnbLBxo73vr2fBv8k7QnSXjyzRFmEJfbAU__aLZoY7BzilmKr-JjLPnGLOfu_YGLtZJ3iJh0SUIyXR7/s1600/DSCN4063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp8yRiLdJc4ah0GVGvSO_ldTlYBefYQCwE6TuPBPNw3-BekdcfOp9SJ2Ud69pMTQnbLBxo73vr2fBv8k7QnSXjyzRFmEJfbAU__aLZoY7BzilmKr-JjLPnGLOfu_YGLtZJ3iJh0SUIyXR7/s320/DSCN4063.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I also picked up the final ever issue of the Dandy. I've never been a massive Dandy fan but I had a lot of respect for the comic and was very sad to learn that it was going to finish. I'd hoped to pick this up when it was released but missed it in stores. Glad to have finally picked it up.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN_g9Q7TXhduzVnWJgzSjsOgI10dsRbxMVtCf9BfapBQulem8nK04y0ZS8baPmCgYLYJHEgypf3VANaUW7sln_SajPpQliUyqQUxmX-318wncLBScIrkSie_J3_rVzII1XbqPME382TrAK/s1600/DSCN4064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN_g9Q7TXhduzVnWJgzSjsOgI10dsRbxMVtCf9BfapBQulem8nK04y0ZS8baPmCgYLYJHEgypf3VANaUW7sln_SajPpQliUyqQUxmX-318wncLBScIrkSie_J3_rVzII1XbqPME382TrAK/s320/DSCN4064.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Badges, these were free from Tokyo toys when you spent a certain ammount of money. I got them when I bought...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuaYZA3AUkIwwlB9Uingo5jGWQFhtYo3RFA_gmA76UA5XKVZBJdFa5ehB2g3qdDQKBRcEKx6y9xo4d-Q5TXcjtOGfGFs7AoKOHLr6ryszBHeUdAzDDEQcC8QnXD7FxketECAJ1xiLrOUNu/s1600/DSCN4069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuaYZA3AUkIwwlB9Uingo5jGWQFhtYo3RFA_gmA76UA5XKVZBJdFa5ehB2g3qdDQKBRcEKx6y9xo4d-Q5TXcjtOGfGFs7AoKOHLr6ryszBHeUdAzDDEQcC8QnXD7FxketECAJ1xiLrOUNu/s320/DSCN4069.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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...this awesome Sonic hat...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7CsvxM56VwrrSZJjAnr8Ab8HHONru4zQ590NMokCqTwu9TF5dzo3-52hC5c4wnq_grmMn_vcGBFThh-Etn7NDFm6WpobhfrlVQub-sMhrZlLckgpbPlk7ECu951OJurEsyWdwX9kYqvDL/s1600/DSCN4065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7CsvxM56VwrrSZJjAnr8Ab8HHONru4zQ590NMokCqTwu9TF5dzo3-52hC5c4wnq_grmMn_vcGBFThh-Etn7NDFm6WpobhfrlVQub-sMhrZlLckgpbPlk7ECu951OJurEsyWdwX9kYqvDL/s320/DSCN4065.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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...and also Ash's hat.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJQiT-_RYQexoLAuvs2J2J27QDh5q6xVSjCrKXrMBYH5VnW-WKMykYRP_276uy1NkN9j3K72Ysdc8vwjnJQCuGMUyuGJu3ZpbIM4jjA0sxEkeoSM6oxmQ4rsnW1SKjuiZYceAIWdfCJEKq/s1600/DSCN4066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJQiT-_RYQexoLAuvs2J2J27QDh5q6xVSjCrKXrMBYH5VnW-WKMykYRP_276uy1NkN9j3K72Ysdc8vwjnJQCuGMUyuGJu3ZpbIM4jjA0sxEkeoSM6oxmQ4rsnW1SKjuiZYceAIWdfCJEKq/s320/DSCN4066.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Also got a blue demon wrestling mask. I've wanted a wrestling mask for ages now but it's hard to find any that aren't based on Rey Mysterio who I'm not much or a fan of. Blue Demon is a wrestling legend so I was more than happy to get one based on his mask.</div>
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<img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw0xdffDWLqu4jEa-AXCxI-gGVeaOMZm-JDM75VqdqXciUcAcMnGYrnn51ZwwbKqaMO-gFMca2IA3c7sVgmGBbq7J2Zo_tXaxgnAgeTji31VjeD8E3-ceoj4CXLzDuuTSDaU7GLme93_to/s320/DSCN4067.JPG" width="320" /></div>
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Finally I got a tiny C3PO as a gift for my fiancee who couldn't make it to the event. She loves C3PO so this was a nice little thing to get her.</div>
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When we left the event we took a wander around Glasgow for a little while. Wasn't planning on spending anymore money...but then....I seen this....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMqFc_fYw2gblu0n1YXKnAgmWmrbFbOZcFxhVDOgmZvX1g7fAXyxqjo_TJ2kok92qkizRGuXNouRWJhNA0WRzYg0b5HjBPTBaP7A3hgMKIolqnhFbKvfVuVmFxRkXmHyen3FRYppUqq7Vg/s1600/DSCN4068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMqFc_fYw2gblu0n1YXKnAgmWmrbFbOZcFxhVDOgmZvX1g7fAXyxqjo_TJ2kok92qkizRGuXNouRWJhNA0WRzYg0b5HjBPTBaP7A3hgMKIolqnhFbKvfVuVmFxRkXmHyen3FRYppUqq7Vg/s320/DSCN4068.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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there was no way I wasn't buying this.....</div>
Jakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17616678513022188825noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7559465781256900024.post-26753832072538332902013-06-01T15:10:00.000-07:002013-06-03T00:28:38.209-07:0020 Years of Sonic The Comic: A Tribute<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh41wIFIeTnH_26sLAYsVBEvPBcoVtiBcK1NmUYWRAZD4dxH-Bp6uBpqr7UUpWqdTelF02kYrhmpvzs6SZxvOLkF6O5f16Eq9HvPSj-aPs-OfAdCvjcWpnvGE1Qa9kR9YbtX4zD44U7o3q3/s1600/STCp1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sonic The Comic" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh41wIFIeTnH_26sLAYsVBEvPBcoVtiBcK1NmUYWRAZD4dxH-Bp6uBpqr7UUpWqdTelF02kYrhmpvzs6SZxvOLkF6O5f16Eq9HvPSj-aPs-OfAdCvjcWpnvGE1Qa9kR9YbtX4zD44U7o3q3/s1600/STCp1.jpg" height="320" title="Sonic The Comic" width="241" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u>20 Years of Sonic The Comic: A Tribute </u></span></div>
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Britain’s
fortnightly Sonic The Comic turns twenty this year. Published by Egmont Fleetway, the series, which ran from
1993 to 2002, was originally conceived as more of a Sega comic. The book
featuring a lead strip featuring Sonic but also backup strips featuring other
Sega titles like Golden Axe, Shinobi, Wonder Boy and Streets of Rage. Over
time, the focus shifted further in the direction of Sonic eventually dropping
all other strips entirely (with the notable exception of Decap Attack, a strip
initially used to advertise a now little known game but which evolved into
something of a pet project for writer and artist Nigel Kitching). </div>
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STC was my first introduction to comics, I first picked it
up at issue 101, just missing out on the issue widely considered to be the best
in the series….*sigh*. Nonetheless, I was hooked and bought every issue from
then on up until the series’ cancellation. I have many fond memories of the
series, of taking my copies to school and reading them on my lunch break,
re-enacting scenes with m friends and of my first tastes of freedom as a child
when I was allowed to go into town by myself to buy it from the newsagent. The
series has been with me my whole life and means a lot to me. But my love of STC
is not only nostalgia talking, it was a genuinely great comic.</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the 90’s Sega were keen to market Sonic as “The hedgehog
with attitude” and any publication dealing with the character was delivered an
incredibly condescending bible of guidelines for handling the character. This
bible lead to the majority of UK Sonic books being borderline unreadable as
they tried desperately to push Sonic as the cool dude.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
STC took the bold move of throwing the Bible in the trash
and doing their own thing. STC’s Sonic had attitude, but he also had flaws. He
was cocky, he was rude, picking on his friends, giving them annoying nicknames.
He was a hero and he was cool, but sometimes, well, he was a bit of a dick. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This version of the character polarises a lot of fans, many
simply can’t get on board with his rudeness, feeling that occasionally it goes
to far. Those fans that like it however, realise that STC offers perhaps the
most developed and believable version of the character across the entire Sonic
multiverse. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvkCsBp2d061YlnUWN3IHwdupUxzhxbXeck_lGv_rua3dGXj0-fKTaSErxuxkOV4lWg0w2Z5dQkpgj82ZW2T5SQXFfeiRh3xJyjVQKie6ua5RBN56QEZgmM2_OcLDGmzs28sGE1CmGr20C/s1600/STC100-SuperSonic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fleetway's Super Sonic was radically different to the version of the character seen in the games" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvkCsBp2d061YlnUWN3IHwdupUxzhxbXeck_lGv_rua3dGXj0-fKTaSErxuxkOV4lWg0w2Z5dQkpgj82ZW2T5SQXFfeiRh3xJyjVQKie6ua5RBN56QEZgmM2_OcLDGmzs28sGE1CmGr20C/s1600/STC100-SuperSonic.jpg" height="320" title="Fleetway's Super Sonic was radically different to the version of the character seen in the games" width="307" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
STC took the established Sonic series and adapted it very
liberally. While the majority of game tropes feature in the comic, for the most
part, they are radically different from their game counterparts. The
adaptations of the games themselves, were almost unrecognisable. Sonic 3D went
from a simple “save the animals” game, to a story arc that took place over the
course of two years involving interdimensional travel and Roman
empire style gladiatorial combat. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Later adaptations, like the Sonic Adventure saga took little
to nothing from the games but that’s what was so great about it. They took the
stories and changed them to fit perfectly with the new world they had
established. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
STC was a hit in all aspects, the writing was spot on and
the artwork (especially the work of Richard Elson and Nigel Dobbyn) was epic. Characters were
well thought out and believable and the new characters created exclusively for
the comic were original and interesting, even the reader interaction through
the comic’s mascot Megadroid was enjoyable.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcJjRrDFu5gL377o0u7cNUmmQM9t7lrpkHtYoBII07DtRkfVWtYSQ8XHKC-ro9rHb4PmrQKQQnyB4olQ0247bGoMydCBVYMFx2z0NF_gTALVBjB6CZIUKeIlkkiOkjAhZzqquZifINFAiY/s1600/tumblr_lzplhinJlA1rpg4m3o1_500.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="the earlier issues weren't as refined as the series would later become and undoubtedly featured some of the worst art of the whole series" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcJjRrDFu5gL377o0u7cNUmmQM9t7lrpkHtYoBII07DtRkfVWtYSQ8XHKC-ro9rHb4PmrQKQQnyB4olQ0247bGoMydCBVYMFx2z0NF_gTALVBjB6CZIUKeIlkkiOkjAhZzqquZifINFAiY/s1600/tumblr_lzplhinJlA1rpg4m3o1_500.png" height="205" title="the earlier issues weren't as refined as the series would later become and undoubtedly featured some of the worst art of the whole series" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not everything was perfect of course, any long running
series working with multiple talents is going to be hit and miss. There were
some cringe worthy stories, some bad art every now and then and reading it now, a lot of the references to British pop culture feel very dated, but for the
most part, the hit rate was positive and the majority of strips were great.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS2WGXc7nOwhycDUApIJm87y3aL7I8pUTWe7VzW5ymN53QJeZdA-U3T45AeosPIS_OSYuHAY-yWj1HCkovAdyNas42zqEneebYtTl711oR4-8TMOxiK4hWeBRmybbE5T9csAIOIHPwl8oE/s1600/01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The cover of the final issue, #223 which reprinted the Drakon Empire story arc" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS2WGXc7nOwhycDUApIJm87y3aL7I8pUTWe7VzW5ymN53QJeZdA-U3T45AeosPIS_OSYuHAY-yWj1HCkovAdyNas42zqEneebYtTl711oR4-8TMOxiK4hWeBRmybbE5T9csAIOIHPwl8oE/s1600/01.jpg" height="320" title="The cover of the final issue, #223 which reprinted the Drakon Empire story arc" width="236" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
From issue 133 the book started to run reprint strips at the
back of the comic and sadly, this was the start of the series decline.
Eventually one reprint became two, then three and eventually, from issue 185
all four strips were replaced and the book became a full reprint with no new
content whatsoever. Even long time readers struggled to accept this change and
sales dropped until eventually the series came to an end at issue 223 with
nothing more than a brief article by Nigel Kitching on the final page to let
readers know the series wouldn’t be continuing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
STC remained popular with its fanbase however, Kitching and
Elson are still hounded by fans and the unofficial follow up Sonic The Comic
Online gives fans the chance to continue the adventures of the STC cast. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK7eSU8sY8-qAyo8LouxU-xm891Lntp-XA1UFKYvBjxaVZbtdTuCBZnKw9MJBKX_DQaNbkbJQq_6r3lUWCME4l8X2LwJO_T2h2R2qcIBEX0cYHJ32QfhnObVSEkvQiw85ADo-1XtF-7gNz/s1600/tumblr_m2fysezQCD1rpg4m3o1_500.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The final panel of original artwork in the series before the comic went full reprint. " border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK7eSU8sY8-qAyo8LouxU-xm891Lntp-XA1UFKYvBjxaVZbtdTuCBZnKw9MJBKX_DQaNbkbJQq_6r3lUWCME4l8X2LwJO_T2h2R2qcIBEX0cYHJ32QfhnObVSEkvQiw85ADo-1XtF-7gNz/s1600/tumblr_m2fysezQCD1rpg4m3o1_500.png" height="186" title="The final panel of original artwork in the series before the comic went full reprint. " width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
STC was a great comic, it treated the Sonic series with
respect and a lot of love. Those who read the book were privy to some of the
best characterisation and story telling that Sonic has ever had. That we’re
still talking about it twenty years down the line proves the quality of the
book. For sonic fans, it will always be held up as a benchmark of quality for
the series and will be loved for another twenty years to come.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Ow7b9NT0J61XeOEYrbiTxEjwAw7VkZcTDTNZrdBGPQUzzwWZujDdFMffvuSwSRmadQY7oa9lKRMKkndCsxemS4D8J4EeUHNYbhfl4xJs5hLgEnCnUVhPAdjX0x8OW2t953KwgVNo5Lcv/s1600/tumblr_lsvg17tWLb1qkqznmo1_250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Robotnik" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Ow7b9NT0J61XeOEYrbiTxEjwAw7VkZcTDTNZrdBGPQUzzwWZujDdFMffvuSwSRmadQY7oa9lKRMKkndCsxemS4D8J4EeUHNYbhfl4xJs5hLgEnCnUVhPAdjX0x8OW2t953KwgVNo5Lcv/s1600/tumblr_lsvg17tWLb1qkqznmo1_250.jpg" height="320" title="Robotnik" width="192" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLXRxV_RCWaQRx1ya2n0F7MGHMuWIDJlUumYAjhpZAreDT7rjjOUJ2LImKNiqQ3vhsrrCQ3cPHlhiIFTNQHd5Ppl9lz0Fn0rD6zOKrWODBNM79Ng9-4aAs86GDWIXx3q68v6WQ0JEKxpYF/s1600/sonic79.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sonic Sez" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLXRxV_RCWaQRx1ya2n0F7MGHMuWIDJlUumYAjhpZAreDT7rjjOUJ2LImKNiqQ3vhsrrCQ3cPHlhiIFTNQHd5Ppl9lz0Fn0rD6zOKrWODBNM79Ng9-4aAs86GDWIXx3q68v6WQ0JEKxpYF/s1600/sonic79.jpg" title="Sonic Sez" /></a></div>
"If you enjoyed this review, why not check out these episode by episode reviews of the sonic cartoons?"<br />
Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(<a href="http://talesfromideath.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/adventures-of-sonic-hedgehog-episodes-1.html">01-05</a>) (<a href="http://talesfromideath.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/adventures-of-sonic-hedgehog-episodes.html">06-10</a>) (<a href="http://talesfromideath.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/adventures-of-sonic-hedgehog-episodes_23.html">11-15</a>) (<a href="http://talesfromideath.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/adventures-of-sonic-hedgehog-episodes_24.html">16-20</a>) (<a href="http://talesfromideath.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/adventures-of-sonic-hedgehog-episodes_27.html">21-25</a>) (<a href="http://talesfromideath.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/adventures-of-sonic-hedgehog-episodes_28.html">26-30</a>) (<a href="http://talesfromideath.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/adventures-of-sonic-hedgehog-episodes_29.html">31-35</a>) (<a href="http://talesfromideath.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/adventures-of-sonic-hedgehog-episodes.html">36-40</a>) (<a href="http://talesfromideath.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/adventures-of-sonic-hedgehog-episodes_3.html">41-45</a>) (<a href="http://talesfromideath.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/adventures-of-sonic-hedgehog-episodes_4.html">46-50</a>) (<a href="http://talesfromideath.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/adventures-of-sonic-hedgehog-episodes_11.html">55-60</a>) (<a href="http://talesfromideath.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/adventures-of-sonic-hedgehog-episodes_12.html">61-65</a>) (<a href="http://talesfromideath.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/sonic-christmas-blast.html">Xmas Blast</a>)<br />
Sonic The Hedgehog<br />
(<a href="http://talesfromideath.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/sonic-hedgehog-satam-episodes-1-5.html">01-05</a>) (<a href="http://talesfromideath.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/sonic-hedgehog-satam-episodes-6-10.html">06-10</a>) (<a href="http://talesfromideath.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/sonic-hedgehog-satam-episodes-11-15.html">11-15</a>) (<a href="http://talesfromideath.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/sonic-hedgehog-satam-episodes-16-20.html">16-20</a>) (<a href="http://talesfromideath.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/sonic-hedgehog-satam-episodes-21-26.html">21-26</a>) <br />
Sonic Underground<br />
(<a href="http://talesfromideath.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/sonic-underground-episodes-01-05.html">01-05</a>) (<a href="http://talesfromideath.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/sonic-underground-episodes-06-10.html">06-10</a>) (<a href="http://talesfromideath.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/sonic-underground-episodes-11-15.html">11-15</a>) (<a href="http://talesfromideath.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/sonic-underground-episodes-16-20.html">16-20</a>) (<a href="http://talesfromideath.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/sonic-underground-episodes-21-25.html">21-25</a>) (<a href="http://talesfromideath.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/sonic-underground-episodes-26-30.html">26-30</a>) (<a href="http://talesfromideath.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/sonic-underground-episodes-31-35.html">31-35</a>) (<a href="http://talesfromideath.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/sonic-underground-episodes-36-40.html">36-40</a>)</div>
</div>
Jakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17616678513022188825noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7559465781256900024.post-36412544644382511192013-05-08T03:33:00.002-07:002013-05-08T03:33:46.707-07:00Ray Harryhausen: A Tribute<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRzXWPIcDP6nx4cPHrhbSMadguNp_WrgOlalXDSKSnUzYCQW39_SRkGjiO2skypAfEF0e7k8dfSTgItj3-zbNCIqjO-TTbcemAQOLIsI2K8UWllKFv16-MEDNSg_VfaWUPPuZHn_muufdI/s1600/ray-harryhausen-skeleton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Harryhausen at work" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRzXWPIcDP6nx4cPHrhbSMadguNp_WrgOlalXDSKSnUzYCQW39_SRkGjiO2skypAfEF0e7k8dfSTgItj3-zbNCIqjO-TTbcemAQOLIsI2K8UWllKFv16-MEDNSg_VfaWUPPuZHn_muufdI/s1600/ray-harryhausen-skeleton.jpg" height="241" title="" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Ray Harryhausen</u></span><span style="font-size: large;"><u> </u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><u>1920 – 2013</u></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A dashing hero steps from his boat onto a deserted beach, he
walks inland and discovers a temple. He approaches the door and quickly draws
his sword as he sees the creature that dwells within. The gorgon, half woman
half serpent, with snakes for hair and a gaze that turns man to stone. Bravely
he leaps in and the two are locked in combat to the death.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This scene and countless others like it, were the work of
special effects legend Ray Harryhausen, whose highly detailed models came to
life and thrilled audiences on the big screen since the 1940’s and have
influenced several of our most famous film makers.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yesterday it was announced through the Ray and Diana
Harryhausen foundation Twitter and Facebook accounts the Harryhausen had passed
away. He was ninety two. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Over his forty year film career, Harryhausen would breathe
life into dinosaurs, aliens, giants, sea creatures and almost every creature from
Greek mythology but he is perhaps most famous for the famous scene in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jason and The Argonauts</i> that seen the
eponymous hero battle an army of warrior skeletons, a scene which still holds
up brilliantly to this day. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMDvv-khdyoplJu2E-Q3uXWdOwynPqgEJgRWzC16Ei_IofcwGQ_S35ClxxS0hXb-ITlJIoTxAIDWShzYhJpjuD7kU4SKMEOUdn4THzlqcCtXEgBmMfCo616sDFWM7AymJquYKrygamYRLx/s1600/jason-and-the-argonauts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Jason battles the skeleton warriors" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMDvv-khdyoplJu2E-Q3uXWdOwynPqgEJgRWzC16Ei_IofcwGQ_S35ClxxS0hXb-ITlJIoTxAIDWShzYhJpjuD7kU4SKMEOUdn4THzlqcCtXEgBmMfCo616sDFWM7AymJquYKrygamYRLx/s1600/jason-and-the-argonauts.jpg" height="237" title="" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By today’s standards his techniques were fairly primitive.
Original footage would be projected onto a screen, Harryhausen would then
animate his models frame by frame in front of the projection and re-photograph
the images. This is the reason that the image quality of the live action
footage visibly drops whenever his creatures take to the screen. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Primitive or now however, these effects work brilliantly and
still look amazing to this day. There are no computers involved in his films,
every creature is a real thing brought to life through sheer hard work and
determination. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While CGI may dominate the film industry today, his
influence is still felt, with everyone from George Lucas to Peter Jackson to
James Cameron proudly singing his praises and honouring his influence. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Harryhausen was one of films greats. He brought the magical
to life and made us believe in the impossible. His work took us to other worlds
and made us gaze at the screen in awe. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We have lost a legend, but the legends he brought to life
will live forever.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKUsCz1XU7AKTohF3sJJX2nvJhzHmq2ECltAp2Szn4AYkgo24lsgZf4AQr4YLZqSa4IN7kRzo4WMxde7i2sSDc8NZq7IHbCD9azkiZLx0Drv_DGxmn7xzR-2K6F4L0z9I0fmGJp_SJ5B5t/s1600/Ray-Harryhausen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Harryhausen with his creations" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKUsCz1XU7AKTohF3sJJX2nvJhzHmq2ECltAp2Szn4AYkgo24lsgZf4AQr4YLZqSa4IN7kRzo4WMxde7i2sSDc8NZq7IHbCD9azkiZLx0Drv_DGxmn7xzR-2K6F4L0z9I0fmGJp_SJ5B5t/s1600/Ray-Harryhausen.jpg" height="213" title="" width="320" /></a></div>
Jakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17616678513022188825noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7559465781256900024.post-4186383305470236692013-02-05T03:58:00.000-08:002013-02-05T03:58:11.193-08:00In Watermelon Sugar<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggA5QIdn9HgLq4J44PLahKBMJyI0tMH5jCEtAFQNxWcDJNQHpPob8JxHBQwCUUkoRuzLzOK7hRXMbDGVaW2l2oSPjqIEc2mYcRczD03K1x0W6OHabYE8eSbhlBue2B2IeAysoIZvK6icMn/s1600/tumblr_m5wcanXEfK1qfqzy6o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggA5QIdn9HgLq4J44PLahKBMJyI0tMH5jCEtAFQNxWcDJNQHpPob8JxHBQwCUUkoRuzLzOK7hRXMbDGVaW2l2oSPjqIEc2mYcRczD03K1x0W6OHabYE8eSbhlBue2B2IeAysoIZvK6icMn/s1600/tumblr_m5wcanXEfK1qfqzy6o1_500.jpg" height="320" width="223" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u>In Watermelon Sugar</u></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><u>
</u></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Richard Brautigan</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>"iDEATH is a place where the sun shines a different colour every day and
where people travel to the length of their dreams. Rejecting the
violence and hate of the old gang at the Forgotten Works, they lead
gentle lives in watermelon sugar. In this book, Richard Brautigan
discovers and expresses the mood of a new generation."</i></span></div>
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I was slightly nervous about re-reading this book for a
review, since my teens I’ve used it as my go to answer when asked what my
favourite book is, there’s also about ten copies of it in circulation as a
result of me buying it for people for their birthdays and I named this blog
after the central town of the novel, iDEATH.</div>
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But, although I’d read it about five times previously, I
hadn’t read it for a good few years before sitting down with it again recently.
I was worried that my opinion on the novel might have changed. I’m so glad it
hasn’t.</div>
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The book remains as subtle and beautiful to me as it did
when I first picked it up almost ten years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
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Describing the novel is kind of hard to do as there’s no way
you can list the plot points without them sounding utterly bizarre. I could
tell you that the main character doesn’t have a name, that sometimes the sun
turns black and there’s no sound, that the people in the novel build everything
out of watermelon, there’s a statue of a potato, one of grass and one of
mirrors and there are talking tigers who have a working knowledge of
arithmetic. </div>
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To list these points out of context makes the novel sound
like little more than a jumble of bizarre concepts, weirdness for weirdness sake.
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You really have to read the novel to see that these things
slot seamlessly into the narrative and create a world which feels wonderfully
real despite being so unusual. </div>
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The tone of the novel is so delightfully calm, the people of
iDEATH find it impossible to be mad, even horrible events are treated with
little more than a sigh and a shrug of shoulders. As if the characters are
thinking “Something horrible is happening now, but soon it’ll be over”. It’s
all just so peaceful that it’s impossible not to find yourself slouching
comfortably into the sofa and giving yourself over willingly to the world. You
will put the book down wishing more than anything you could walk the fields
around iDEATH, soaking your feet in the trout fattened rivers that flow around
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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This for me is Brautigan’s minimalist writing style at it’s
finest. Chapters are short, sometimes literally one or two sentences and
deliver only the information that is required, where other writers would
perhaps bog the reader down with dense exposition about iDEATH and the
mysterious Forgotton Works, Brautigan skips over such thigns entirely. The
reader is left to decide for themselves what this world is, is it our own? Some
post apocalyptic future? A parable of the hippy communes of the 60’s? An alien
world? Alternate dimension? </div>
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This loose storytelling may not be everyone’s cup of tea but
for my money it’s used here to absolute perfection, looking over the novel
there is not a single thing I would have added, nor a single moment of padding
to be removed, everything is exactly as it should be. </div>
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I was so glad to find this novel to be as wonderful as I
remembered it to be, reading it is a delight and I’ll be sure to pass on the
novel again whenever a gift is called for. </div>
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In the San Francisco Chronicle’s review of Brautigan’s most
famous work Trout fishing in America,
the critic said, </div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Perhaps when we are very old, people will
write ‘Brautigans,’ just as we now write novels. Let us hope so.”</i></div>
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If this is true, let us hope that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">In watermelon Sugar</i> is held as the highest example of what a
Brautigan can be. It is an astonishing, beautiful piece and it deserves to be
remembered forever.</div>
Jakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17616678513022188825noreply@blogger.com0