Friday, February 28, 2025
I liked about 30% of the China Mieville/Keanu Reeves novel "The Book of Elsewhere"
I haven't read any of the BRZRKR comic books (or any summaries), so I don't know how much of the lore in The Book of Elsewhere is directly from those comics, and how much came from Mieville. But I didn't understand (or care for) the immortal berserker's goal (or that he's mostly called "B."), and didn't understand why he didn't strongly strongly fear possible betrayal by his allies (a key aspect of the book). The military base that's the setting for much of the action is incredibly forgettable (why was Crichton so good at establishing locations?), and I also found it impossible to remember the characters' names, so was constantly confused as to who was speaking. There's also barely a plot for the first 40% of the book. However, the middle third of the book feels much more like Mieville's other fantasy novels, including what amounts to a standalone short story featuring an entirely different protagonist. That part I enjoyed enough to keep reading and ultimately finish the novel. Also, I'm not sure if it was a clever trick of the writing, but somehow, every time the berserker spoke, I genuinely heard it very clearly in Keanu's voice. (Amazon.)
A few other books and comics I finished recently:
These Burning Stars by Bethany Jacob: Almost a parody of scifi competence porn--every character moves with the balance of a dancer and thinks three moves ahead ... unless the plot of the novel requires otherwise. (But I do like scifi political thrillers with super-competent protagonists.) (Amazon.)
The Talon of Horus by Aaron Dembski-Bowden: I enjoyed following along as a group of diverse weirdos formed a found family (committed to wearing all black) (and sworn to the destruction of humanity). (Amazon.)
Indiana Jones and The Ape Slaves of Howling Island: a Find Your Fate book by RL Stine: Pretty dull, actually. (Amazon.)
Ultimate X-Men Volume 1 by Peach Momoko: Like the Legion tv series (which I loved), it's a dramatic departure from any X-Men continuity I'm aware of, and a great reimagining of the X-Men as young, cool, powerful freaks facing a monstrous villain with apparent mind-control powers. (Far and away the best of the new Ultimate series.) (Amazon.)
Shaxs' Best Day by Derek Charm and Ryan North: A ludicrously bloodthirsty single issue adventure as the Bajoran beefcake from Star Trek: Lower Decks carves his way through an entire army of Klingons, cracking jokes along the way. I seek out everything Charm illustrates. (Amazon.)
Speaking of:
Last year we created SHAXS' BEST DAY - a one-shot comic where Shaxs went ham on fascist Klingons in a fight scene that lasted for the whole issue - and it was nominated for an Eisner award! So now we're back, with an all-new one shot... SHAXS' WORST DAY!! comicbook.com/comics/news/...
— Ryan North (@ryannorth.ca) February 18, 2025 at 2:56 PM
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Thursday, February 27, 2025
Today's news and jokes
'Puppy Mountain' photo draws onlookers to a Chinese riverside https://t.co/eThAkX1sfA
— The Associated Press (@AP) February 25, 2025
2025 Japanese Stationery Awards
@bungustore Japanese Stationery Awards 2025 Grand Award - Pilot KIRE-NA Design Award - Luddite Bendy Pen Case Functionality Award - uni Jetstream Lite Touch Ink Idea Award - KING JIM Kori Jirushi
♬ original sound - bungu.store
Webstore
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
The “Honda Koraidon Project” is "the future mobility in the shape of Koraidon, a Legendary Pokémon appearing in the game 'Pokémon Scarlet'"
From the announcement:
Honda Koraidon is future mobility created with Honda’s experiences and unique technologies in the shape of Koraidon, a Legendary Pokémon that appears in the game “Pokémon Scarlet,” with the cooperation of The Pokémon Company. Honda has realized an almost life-size reproduction of the shape of Koraidon in both weight and size, down to the finest details.Honda will use its proprietary self-balancing technology to enable Honda Koraidon to walk on all four legs, and self-stand on two-wheels which is unseen in the game. This balance technology world premiered as Honda Riding Assist at CES 2017, the world’s largest consumer electronics trade show, which was developed by applying the self-balancing technology cultivated in ASIMO humanoid robot research. Honda will apply this technology to realize Koraidon’s “Sprinting Build.”＜Evolution of Honda Koraidon as a mobility＞-Ability to ride on Sprinting Build, and stand upright using balance control technology*-’Honda Koraidon’s hands and legs, neck, facial movements will change along with its Sprint speed, expressing dynamism-Planning to reproduce face, eyes and eyelids movement
Kieron Gillen posted a pay what you want game zine
My new game zine! HOW DO ALIENS DO "IT"? is a game about confused teenage aliens trying to work out what their information-scarce society isn't telling them. It's playful, but approaches big themes lightly. It's pay what you like, but do pay nowt. #ttrpg kierongillen.itch.io/how-do-alien...
— Kieron Gillen (@kierongillen.bsky.social) February 25, 2025 at 3:54 AM
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And if you missed it, a pay what you want quickstart for the Die RPG.
Basketball court in an old cooling tower in Beijing
From industrial relics and Winter Olympic landmarks to the renowned "Basketball Park," the cooling towers at Shougang Park symbolize Beijing's innovative approach to turning cold resources into vibrant attractions. On November 24, Shougang Park hosted the unveiling of the NBA… pic.twitter.com/I97QOMXGjp
— Discover Beijing (@BeijingDiscover) November 25, 2024
A write-up
Tuesday, February 25, 2025
Watch a 7'6" former basketball player getting some pitching advice from the Dodgers
@espnatbat Former UC Irvine center Mamadou N'Diaye visited Dodgers camp yesterday. Imagine seeing him on the mound 😳 (via Mamadou_ndiaye34/IG) #baseball #mlb #tall #basketball🏀 ♬ original sound - ESPNatbat
New video game Humble Bundle supporting BIPOC game developers & studios
Steam scores displayed. And speaking of video games:
Some of the devs are talking about it in monoliths discord so heartbreaking pic.twitter.com/lenuBjfH5j
— MrHappeh (@HappehMr) February 25, 2025
so they bought the heroes behind Shadow of Mordor/War, patented their Nemesis system so nobody else could use it, shoved them onto some slop superhero game and then shut them down?!!?!
— Luc // HiddenXperia (@HiddenXperia) February 25, 2025
this industry man...
Today's news and jokes
Hello it's me again with a new 'Images I Post to Upset UX/UI designers'. Enjoy this absolute cracker.
— Nat - UX & UI Designer (@natalt.bsky.social) February 24, 2025 at 3:13 AM
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