In this post:
1. A rundown of what’s been going on, the bad and the good.
2. And pics from, without a doubt, the hottest ticket this past weekend.
Well, since I’m already WAY behind with my New York Asian Film Fest 2010 coverage, I’m guessing another couple of days won’t hurt anyone! Cuz it’s been just another one of those kinds of weeks…
- For starters, Harvey Pekar passed away. The man was a real inspiration to many, including myself, and whose groundbreaking work essentially shaped the landscape that is indie comics. Anyone with even a passing familiarity of American Splendor knows already that my own comics are nothing more than a shameful knock-off. Then again, the same could be said for most auto-bio books out there today!
His work was also what made me finally aware other places than the local 7-11 or drugstore that sold comics, which is where I had gone for Spider Man and Transformers funny books, but not much else. Hence the discovery of the dedicated comic shop just outside of town (O’Leary’s Books, RIP), where I not only found copies of American Splendor at long last, but also became acquainted with Cerebus, Boris the Bear, the Tick, Akira, and so forth. BTW, the way I discovered Pekar in the first place was via David Letterman, and my favorite retrospective of Harvey would easily have to be Media Funhouses look at all his Late Night appearances. Oh, and still to this day, Simon calling me “the Harvey Pekar of video game journalism” is something that I’m still intensely proud of.
- Not only did we lose Harvey, Rocketship is gone as well. News of this was an even bigger blow, personally speaking; it was the first place to sell my books, and I’m fairly confident that quite a few NYC based cartoonists can say the same. For those who never had the privilege of setting foot there, it was essentially the perfect indie comic shop; the proprietors, Alex and Mary, created the absolute warmest, most inviting environments possible as it relates to comics, with none of the intimidation that one might find with regular comic shop (as well as the rudeness and smelliness that is also often associated), nor the pretension that some smaller shops unfortunately wear like a badge of honor. The place had an awesome selection of small press and completely independently published books, while still servicing the needs of those who read the big books, i.e. stuff from Marvel and DC, along with a phenomenal kids section. Plus it hosted some of the hottest comic related events in town; its pre-MoCCA Fest party was always THE shindig to go to, period.
Totally sucks, but unfortunately, not altogether surprising. In addition to comics being a tough sell these days in general, one of the reasons cited for closing shop was the high cost of rent. And the neighborhood, Carroll Gardens, as nice as it might be, has become one of the obnoxiously expensive in recent years. I used to have a bunch of pals in the area, including Mike, who all had to leave due to the sky-rocketing cost of rent. Many knew the writing was on the wall when American Apparel moved into the hood, a couple blocks down, but I was shocked as hell to find out that they too are packing their bags at the end of this year. I’ve also heard from more than one source that the place is quickly becoming a ghost town. Anyhow, hopefully Alex and Mary will find a new place soon.
- Moving onto video games, and on a far lighter note: that press conference in Halo 3 for This Spartan Life that I was apart of, and which was briefly mentioned last time, is finally up. Thankfully most of my lame attempts at humor was shown the cutting room floor, though my Justin Bieber zinger I thought zinger was actually not too bad. Also, do you like I’m constantly moving around? It’s called ACTING!
- As also previously noted, finally been taking care of some long-standing Attract Mode related business earlier this week. So copies of the THREE: FORT90ZINE will soon be available for purchase at the storefront. But in the meantime, for you NYCers out there, copies can be picked up THIS VERY SECOND at Forbidden Planet and Jim Hanley’s! As well as Babycastles. Did I ever mention that it’s part of their zine library? They actually have first print run copies, which is riddled with an embarrassing number of typos and mistakes, which is sure to be a collector’s edition in years to come.
- And speaking of Attract Mode, Game Night 2 has officially been unveiled, and it’s all about Scott Pilgrim! Once again, sorry Peter that you and the rest of the boys will have just missed it… and if you really wanna bitch about the timing, talk to Adam!
- Also, speaking of comics once again, it’s way too early to go into specifics, and perhaps even mentioning it might jinx the whole thing, but I believe I’ll be speaking once again at this year’s New York Anime Fest, which again is being combined with the New York Comic Con! Will my top ten best/worst games of all time might be making a triumphant return? We’ll see.
At the very least you’ll find me and Hilary, running like a bunch of idiots, trying to find the best photo opportunity with random cosplayers (and while drunk like last time).
- Back to Babycastles; I’ve been asked to curate another indie arcade show! The details are still being hammered out, but it should be sometime in September or October. Stay tuned for details, obviously.
Meanwhile, the place is really blowing up; it recently made the front page of Rhizome! Their piece is MUCH better than the one that ran last weekend in the New York Times, which in typical NYT fashion, came off condescending as well as hilariously inaccurate.
- Oh, so a couple of press events went down in the city. First there was Namco Bandai, with the highlight being my first taste of the PlayStation Move. Wasn’t even thinking of picking it up, but now my mind has been totally changed due to the new Time Crisis that’s coming out for it, Razing Storm, which not only includes the new game but Katie‘s favorite, TIME CRISIS FOUR!!! I’m just happy to finally have the game at home, sans the need for a GunCon!
And then you had another EA event, with the highlight being Dead Space 2. I won’t bother with the specifics, other than to say, early contender for game of the year for 2011. The demo was fucking-fan-tastic, and made me feel like a real idiot for not giving the first one that much attention (I’ve had it since day one, but it’s always been brushed aside for assorted reasons). Though for those who do want details, you’ll just have to wait for the preview I’m currently writing for EGM.
As for the lowlight, it was most definitely the new Need For Speed, Hot Pursuit, made by the folks behind Burnout. How the might have fallen; it’s impossible to accurate describe how mind-numbingly mediocre the demo. I also how the mere mention of Criterion’s previous work was a big no-no. Cuz, you know, it’s completely ridiculous to wonder if that the makers of the wildly successful (but somewhat floundering as of late) racing series might possibly be asked to incorporate some of that voodoo magic into a most definitely running around in circles franchise (which could be the creative platform to help those folks who have lost their ways to both redeem themselves and finally make NFS interesting). Perhaps it’s way too early to judge, but thus far, seems like a massive opportunity being squandered.
- This has NOTHING to do with video games, but still bears mentioning around here: easily the movie of the year of 2008, despite being made in 1977, aka the Japanese cinematic orgasm that is known as either House or Hausu, is finally coming out on DVD (plus Blu-ray) in the America! YES!!!
- Despite the fact that I barely have any time these days to proper update this blog, nor have I even touched Life Meter in quite a while (though I did finally do a small update for Mecha Damashii earlier this weekend), I have a new column in the works! Over at GameSetWatch, where I not only look at video game related movies (BTW, I know I have touched that one either in a long ass time, but expect a review of the Scott Pilgrim, followed by a few others that I’ve been sitting on for literally months), but coming soon, video game related performance art!
The first installment will cover Game Play, though don’t wait for my sure to be way too late rundown; if you can, please do yourself a favor and check out Theater of the Arcade: Five Classic Video Games Adapted for the Stage. It is an absolute must-see, especially for those who are interested in games reinterpreted in other media, but have become increasingly bored or frustrated by the end results as of late. Not gonna lie, I went in with severe reservations, but walked away extremely impressed. There are still three performances left, this upcoming Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday; HIGHLY recommended!
- And speaking of the Brick Theater, also as part of Game Play, it played host this past Saturday night of the also aforementioned Indie Game Cosplay Music Video Shoot Machinima Dance party that Babycastles threw, along with CHERYL. So how was it? Epic doesn’t even begin to do the evening justice. I’ll just let the pics do (most of) the talking…
Kunal and Syed, the two brains behind Babycasltes…
The centerpiece of the shindig was folks in wearable indie arcade cabinets or similar attire. Here’s Joe (who has basically become Babycastles dude #3) with QWOP…
Messof’s Jetpack Bastketball, which was a big hit at my zine launch thing, could also be found, along with Tristan Perich‘s always popular Killjet…
There was plenty of dancing, almost from the get-go, thanks to various chiptuners…
Of all the wearable game machines, the one for Jizzmoppa was easily my fave, naturally…
… It opening up to reveal Barbies and release condoms for the highest score? Pure genius.
Hey, it’s those guys from Anamanaguchi. Again…
A close-up look at the Killjet android…
George from Starscream busting out the jams, with Joe following suit…
Hey, folks in cosplay! Some indie, some not so much, and some just all dressed up period…
… I would like to think that the last person is dressed up a cloud from Cory Arcangel’s Super Mario Cloud. Anyhow, here’s Mark Denardo playing Jizzmoppa, with the outfit this time being worn by CHERYL…
All night long Syed was also known as “Jamantha”…
At a certain point, I was asked to relieve the guy who was wearing Jetpack Basketball, and I was more than happy to oblige…
… I loved the outfit of the chick to the right, very Lady GaGa-ish. Oh, and when Josh asked Kunal asked if his friends could play Jizzmoppa while CHERYL was taking a break herself, the answer was “Yes, but only if you wear it!”
… I said I wouldn’t post those pics online. Well, I lied! I also loved the Asian girl’s emphatic pleas for me to port the game to the iPhone. If only Steve Jobs would let me! Anyhow, moving on, more folks dancing, playing games, having the best time ever…
… The whole night was recorded as a Pictureplane vid, much like this one, feature Joe in a test cabinet.
… Check me out: holding a game, while also trying to play another one! As it turns out, one handed QWOP is the only way to play.
The highlight of the night had to be Kunal and Syed going at it as Sumotori fighters…
With my pal, and yours as well, Mal…
… So yeah! Basically, long live indie game culture in NYC! For reals. If that doesn’t prove the magic of Babycastles, well, nothing will I guess. BTW, special thanks to my fine photographer, Earl Madness!
Oh, one last thing, also not game related, but it’s by Kunal: new contender of YouTube video of the year, without a doubt.
