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RadInk: A Wind Named Amnesia/Invader Summer

Dark Horse recently passed along A Wind Named Amnesia/Invader Summer, two excellent novellas rolled into one pretty little book. Vampire Hunter D fans will want to grab this one, as it’s written by the series’ creator. Those unfamiliar with Kikuchi’s work will definitely enjoy the two stories, as well.

Most books and comics never make it out of their papery, multi-colored form or burst out of their speech bubbles, and that’s okay—we nerds like ’em just the way they are. Here at RadNerd, we don’t always need fancy pants movie adaptations endorsed by big budget Hollywood mouths or plastered with Nicholas Cage’s face. A little less Nick is good for everyone. We love movies and TV just as much as the next joe, but sometimes going back to to the roots of what we adore just sounds better. You know … all those crazy words and stuff. Letters are like atoms for the literately-inclined.

Vampire Hunter D writer Hideyuki Kikuchi unleashes a science-fiction double feature with the new A Wind Named Amnesia/Invader Summer book. The merry folks of Dark Horse Comics pack two novellas into one paperback collection featuring the sporadic black and white illustrations of Yoshitaka Amano. You can now swipe the English translation and enjoy a refreshing culture switch.

Read the rest at RadNerd.com.

Tags: A Wind Named Amnesia, Dark Horse, Hideyuki Kikuchi, Invader Summer, RadNerd, Vampire Hunter D, Week of 2/1/10
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RadInk: Phoenix: The Fall and Rise of Videogames

Need one last gift for the holidays? Or maybe you just want to splurge on a little something for yourself? Put your wallet away, because over at RadNerd we’re giving away a copy of Phoenix: The Fall and Rise of Videogames (3rd Edition)—currently but temporarily available in print until the fourth edition hits shelves. It’s a pretty sweet giveaway, endorsed by author Leonard Herman himself. Entering is easy, so head over, take a gander at the contest rules, and leave your witty comment by 12 midnight (PST) this Friday, December 18.

It would be great if you’d spread the word … just make sure your comment is better than your friends’, right?

Most books and comics never make it out of their papery, multi-colored form or burst out of their speech bubbles, and that’s okay—we nerds like ’em just the way they are. Here at RadNerd, we don’t always need fancy pants movie adaptations endorsed by big budget Hollywood mouths or plastered with Nicholas Cage’s face. A little less Nick is good for everyone. We love movies and TV just as much as the next joe, but sometimes going back to to the roots of what we adore just sounds better. You know … all those crazy words and stuff. Letters are like atoms for the literately-inclined.

In a world of high scores and coin-operated frenzy, there’s more than one way to save the history of video games. Our own records of Italian plumbers and barrel-throwing apes began with our first console or handheld, and for writer Leonard Herman, his passion for the pixelated was kindled by a local bowling alley’s Pong machine and an Atari VCS that he took home six years later in 1978. With a trove of cartridges and magazine articles under his belt, Herman can definitely bring the power of video games to the players—one year at a time.

Tags: Leonard Herman, Phoenix: The Fall and Rise of Videogames, Week of 12/14/09
Posted in Books, Gaming, RadInk, RadNerd, Reviews, Writing | No Comments »

RadInk: Peter and Max

As you can probably tell from the Books section of this blog, I enjoy spotlighting a few books from time to time. It’s definitely an area of my writing that has gone somewhat unfulfilled—comics, video games, and movies receive the bulk of my love and attention writing-wise, but that doesn’t mean I’ve lost heart for a good book. Quite the opposite, actually.

So I’ve decided to try something new. Keep an eye out for Rad Ink, a new ongoing feature over at RadNerd that promises nerdy book reviews. I’m kicking it off with Peter and Max: A Fables Novel by Bill Willingham. Head over to the website to scope out the full review, but here’s a preview:

Most books and comics never make it out of their papery, multi-colored form or burst out of their speech bubbles, and that’s okay—we nerds like ‘em just the way they are. Here at RadNerd, we don’t always need fancy pants movie adaptations endorsed by big budget Hollywood mouths or plastered with Nicholas Cage’s face. A little less Nick is good for everyone. We love movies and TV just as much as the next joe, but sometimes going back to to the roots of what we adore just sounds better. You know … all those crazy words and stuff. Letters are like atoms for the literately-inclined.

Bill Willingham broke that single medium rule by breaking his popular Fables series out of its panel-defined shell, giving the world Peter and Max: A Fables Novel. Yeah, you heard me. Novel. Got it? Good. Screw comic blockbuster, Willingham and his right-hand, illustrating man Steve Leialoha decided to appeal to the bookworm in all of us … or at least try to coax its shriveled body out into daylight again.

Tags: Bill Willingham, Fables, Peter and Max, RadNerd, Steve Leialoha, Week of 11/9/09
Posted in Books, Comics, RadInk, RadNerd, Reviews, Writing | No Comments »