Kage is the author of the brilliant Company series about time travel, history and the effects the past and present have on each other—they start with In the Garden of Iden. Ellen Kushner said about them this morning for people starting them now: “How I envy you not having to wait a year or two or seven to find out how it all comes out!” She also wrote the unusual fantasies The Anvil of the World and The House of the Stag and YA, The Hotel Under the Sand, as well as some of the best short stories in the genre in the last ten years. Full bibliography here.
Kage was an Author Guest of Honor at Westercon 61 in Las Vegas in 2008. Her career was full of award nominations and it’s painful to see it cut short this way.
They’re saying it’s time to say goodbye and it’ll be a miracle if she lasts another six months—so if you’ve enjoyed her books and stories, send a card or an email, and if you haven’t been lucky enough to discover her thus far, this is a great time to buy one of her books and send a message that way. - Submitted by David Gordon
Kage Baker 331 Stimson, Apt. B, Pismo Beach CA 93449
FIRST FANDOMITE KEN KRUEGER DIES One of the last members of First Fandom has passed on to that great Slanshack in the sky on November 21. Ken was an attendee at the first CF convention "WorldCon" in 1939. He since published SF both big and small from fanzines to hardcovers. He was a friend of Don Reed's "Count Dracula Society" throughout the '60s and helped launch the San Diego Comic Convention in 1970. Visit the Ken Krueger Tribute Site by clicking ME.
Fangoria's annual fright fest is well known to fans in L.A. and finally comes to Las Vegas! It was a good start but a few problems were evident, especially for a convention that's been around for a long time.
Firstly,registration was a mess. I pre-registered on-line and was first in line, yet waited almost 20 minutes while they let those with cash register first. What's the purpose of pre-registration then?
Fangoria operates like Creation-Con in that everything is ala-carte and getting a photo or autograph of guests can run you hundreds of dollars. Only at the panels can you get a few snapshot.
On the plus side, John Waters was well worth the wait and price of admission. Seemed like all the dealers were from L.A. as was everyone I spoke with. No sign of Vegrants, SNAFFU or VSFA. I'd love to see Fangoria be an annual event, but lighten the hell up! Website HERE. YouTube videos HERE.
GREG HILDEBRANDT AT COMIC ART EXHIBIT
The brothers Greg and Tim Hildebrandt have been a fixture in fantasy art for years. You've seen their work on covers of Comicsbooks trading cards, book covers, Omni to Heavy Metal, games, rock album covers, illustrations for "Lord of the Rings" to the iconic poster for "Star Wars".
. . .His appearance at West Sahara Library was an absolute delight and enjoyed by everyone who attended. Greg is an enthusiastic speaker, friendly and packed with details of his work. The New York Times has said, “Fortunate the child or adult who receives a gift of classics richly illustrated by Greg Hildebrandt.”
Also on display is a selection of original artwork in the gallery area.
. . .Hildebrandt Bros website HERE. Spiderwebart gallery HERE
A MUSEUM BUILT ON FANTASY Las Vegas, Nevada: Have you ever imagined walking side by side with a 25 foot dragon, looking across a field and seeing a unicorn running, taking a photo of bigfoot or running in fear from a werewolf attack? One project hopes to deliver all this and more. The Museum of Mythical History, is a vision and labor of love started by fantasy artist William Hammock. Mythology has been a part of human history since the dawn of mankind. Blending history and entertainment the museum hopes to deliver a unique, educational, and awe inspiring experience to all visitors. The website HERE, has garnered over 400 fans in under one month and is starting to attract the attention of other professionals as well. The best part about becoming a fan is that you can help build the museum as well by emailing your suggestions and uploading fan art. Using the fan function of Facebook, the museum is gathering statistical data to take to potential sponsors to make this "fantasy museum" a brick and mortar reality. If you would like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with William Hammock, please email William at curator@mythicalmuseum.com
ARTISTS HALLOWEEN PARTY, OCTOBER 24!
Join the madcap merrymakers: Matt Markman and Gooch from 92 FM and all their friends at the annual Halloween Party featuring comedians and guest speakers, local Directors and Producers (bring your headshots!). For more info, visit their website HERE.
CHECK OUT THE SURROGATE ZOMBIES FROM JACQUELINE MONAHAN
This week our "Capsule" Critic sets her sites on "Surrogates" and "Zombieland" for fans in a hurry. Just click ME.
MAID CAFE AT MONTE CARLO
No, it's not a Lance Burton magic trick, but on the strip at the Monte Carlo is Vegas' first Maid Cafe (actually the Dragon Noodle Co.) where the waitresses, all attired in Anime style costumes dish up the noodles and good cheer! More info HERE. Submitted by Gene Kelly.
COMIC-CON SELLING 4 DAY MEMBERSHIPS
After 41 years, San Diego Comic-Con must be doing something right. They've grown from barely 300 members to well over 150,000 over 4 days. Dates: July 22 through 25, 2010. Consider buying your membership now, there are non sold at the door.
4 Day memberships $100 (60+= $50) are available now. Single day sales available later. Check out the website for all the details HERE.
HBO "GAME OF THRONES"
READY TO PLAY
All the major roles for HBO's "Game of Thrones" pilot have been filled in recent weeks -- except one.
I can exclusively reveal that Lena Headey, most recently seen as Sarah Connor in Fox's "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles," will play Cersei Lannister, a woman of royal blood who is every bit as smart, cunning and devious as the powerful men around her.
Other cast members include the perfectly cast Peter Dinklage as Cersei's brother Tyrion, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Cersei's twin, Jaime, Sean Bean as aristocrat Ned Stark, Jennifer Ehle as his wife Catelyn Stark and Mark Addy as King Robert. HBO confirmed the casting of Headey on Tuesday.
The "Game of Thrones" pilot, an adaptation of a fantasy novel by George R.R. Martin, starts shooting in late October in Northern Ireland.
What the Hell is Electric Velocipede? The gold dust has settled on Montreal and the lucky winners have returned home while everyone else hopes to score next year! For a complete list of nominees and winners, click HERE.
COMIC-CON 2009 CONQUERS THE WORLD!
Once again the San Diego Fire Marshall was quivering in his manly boots as attendance at the 40th San Diego Comic Convention exceeded all records, smothering in firm fannish flab, the 126,000 head count for last year. For a convention with an initial attendance of 300 so many years ago to a mind boggling quarter mil staggers the imagination. Much ado was made over this 40th celebration and for myself, actually attending Comic-Con One as a loyal contingent in the Forry Ackerman brigade, the event, the history and the future, couldn't be brighter. For a look at Comic-Con 40, click. Click ME for a list of the Eisner Award Winners
NOTE: Local Comic Shop: Comic Oasis was nominated for the Eisner Spirit Award.
TRON IS BACK!
Click image for teaser trailer as premiered at Comic-Con!
WILLEM DAFOE STAYS GREEN IN JOHN CARTER OF MARS!
At last the eleven novel Edgar Rice Burroughs series hits the big screen. Here's a great set of links for all Burroughs fans:
Variety anouncement of Willem Dafoe as Tars Tarkas.
D-BOX Technologies Inc. (DBO.A on the TSX Venture Exchange) continues to move audiences with its innovative motion-enhanced theatre seats with the release of Warner Bros. Pictures’ Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince in theatres July 15. Fans of the epic tale will have the opportunity to experience the whimsy of flight and the intensity of battle right from their very own D-BOX Motion System. D-BOX’s Motion technology captivates moviegoers, creating a completely immersive, realistic experience where audience members feel as though they are actually in the movie.
D-BOX Technologies will debut its Motion technology at two new movie theatres during this third feature film release – Cineplex Odeon Queensway in Etobicoke, Canada and Galaxy Cannery Theatre in Las Vegas, Nevada. Seats are equipped with the company’s Motion technology and powered by D-BOX Motion Effects scripted perfectly with the action taking place onscreen.
“It is a great pleasure to announce this latest feature film title, and a second one for D-BOX and Warner Bros. studios,” remarked President and CEO of D-BOX Technologies, Claude Mc Master. “Following the success of recently released action titles, Fast & Furious and Terminator Salvation, the new Harry Potter movie will allow D-BOX the opportunity to reach an entirely new demographic - family. This is the first PG-rated movie featuring D-BOX’s Motion technology and we’re confident that the film will be a huge hit among younger moviegoers and franchise fans. D-Box Website HERE.
A BLOODY GOOD TIME
56 people filled Clark County Library's Jewel Box Theater to listen to, and laugh along with, authors Caitlin Kittredge and Vicki Pettersson.
Caitlin charms the audience with her beguiling manner and Vicki proves to be witty -- though she declaims otherwise. The audience enjoyed several minutes of banter between the two authors, before a reading by each author, a lengthy Q & A session, and all before refreshments and signings. Everybody wanted Vicki's autograph, although Caitlin proves herself a fast-rising star.
Vicki Pettersson: The Scent of Shadows, City of Souls, The Taste of Night. Official Website HERE.
Caitlin Kittredge: Street Magic, Second Skin, Pure Blood, Night Life. Official Website HERE.Photos and Text by David M. Gordon
THE WINDS OF DUNE TOR Books announces the most exciting book tour in the 44-year history of the Dune Series. Both Kevin J. Anderson and Brian Herbert will be making rare appearances together for the signing of Winds of Dune, the most ambitious book in the series since Brian's father Frank Herbert's original publication of Dune back in 1965. Dune won both the Hugo and the Nebula awards and still stands as the biggest selling science fiction book of all time. Here is the history-making tour for Winds of Dune, which takes the reader back to where it all started. Pub Date. August 4, 2009. Tor Website HERE! Submitted by Jackie Monahan
