CES 2013: Archos hopes Titanium line of Android tablets is budget buyers' choice

The French mobile device maker keeps trying to break through in the Android market, this time with a line of tablets that includes an 8-inch iPad mini competitor for $169.

 Archos 97 Titanium HD, a 9.7-inch Android tablet that has a Retina Display-like resolution of 2,048x1,536. The French company has launched its entire Titanium line, which includes three additional tablets.


Notable among the other slates is the 80 Titanium, which is a rare 8-inch model (a.k.a. iPad mini size) that will cost $169. It joins the 7-inch 70 Titanium at $119 and the 10-inch 101 Titanium for $199. All four tablets use IPS displays, include a 1.6GHz dual-core CPU and quad-core GPU, and run Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. We now have a price for the 97 Titanium, which will cost $249 -- or $150 less than the Google Nexus 10 with a 2,560x1,600 display.

In addition to a lower-res screen, the 97 Titanium probably doesn't have the build quality of the Nexus 10, as Engadget's hands-on report details its "cheap-feeling plastic" rear casing. Then again, you're compromising something for a much cheaper price. Ironically, Engadget says the 8-inch and 10-inch Titaniums feel more solid in the hand. 

While it was good of Archos to provide pricing details on the Titanium lineup, the company still hasn't disclosed when any of the tablets would be available. Will the low prices be worth the wait? 

Article from: zdnet.com by Sean Portnoy
 

Art of Shunya Yamashita : Character Series Vol.1 Kanaru 1/7 Scale PVC

Hey anime fans here is another anime model you guys might be interested in getting. Art of Shunya Yamashita : Character Series Vol.1 Kanaru by Art Storm. The price $252.35 ( wow a little much ) I found this figurine on Amazon, but you can search to find a better price.

 

Senran Kagura Anime Total Boob Anime

Top bust ‘em up Senran Kagura’s anime adaptation has finally burst onto the screens of fans of gigantic breasted schoolgirls pendulously doing battle between bouts of groping, although its bland content and rather tame service do not seem to have many highly enthused.
Whilst it is at least uncensored, not so much as a nipple (and whether shima-bikini under a skirt even counts as panchira is also under debate) graces the show, something of a let down for a title whose fans are interested in little else:

article from: Sankaku Complex

 

 

NVIDIA Unveils Project Shield Handheld

Hey Guys Sean(the true comic fan) here. Well CES started Wednesday, JP Nice Guy and Its Comic Kid are out there partying in Vegas at CES ( Lucky Bastards ) and will be sending us news and pics of the event. Till then here is some news about the NVIDIA Shield Handheld.

Nvidia has revealed “Project Shield,” an Android-based handheld capable of remotely playing PC games, at CES 2013.

One of the Shield’s major features is that it it is capable of playing games from a PC, including those distributed on Steam, potentially giving it access to an enviable selection of obscure indie games and console-PC ports.

The merits of this system will likely hinge on how far away from the PC it is practical to play graphically intense titles – Nvidia’s CEO already having ominously suggested that only with future devices will anyone be able to play “beyond the house,” raising the obvious question of what use any PC gamer has for a tiny screened handheld only usable in the same house as the PC.
Its standalone graphical capabilities come from Nvidia’s newly unveiled Tegra 4 mobile chipset, and will give it access to all the gaming glories of Google Play and various other mobile applications.

The console itself boasts a 5 inch (12.7cm) 720p touch screen, although when connected to a TV it will be able to support next-generation “4K” ultra-HD output (though this would apparently require it to be in the same house as the PC powering the output…).
Another major feature is its “full-size console-grade game controller,” with its chunky build and styling bearing more than a passing resemblance to that of the Xbox – and probably destined to be the inevitable butt of “Xbox huge” mockery, as it is in fact even larger than an Xbox controller.
Nvidia’s CEO showed off a working version of the handheld at CES, but has not announced a release schedule.


article from Sankaku Complex

Francavilla's THE BLACK BEETLE #0 Sells Out! (Plus Extended Preview!)

FRANCESCO FRANCAVILLA’S

THE BLACK BEETLE #0 SELLS OUT!

DARK HORSE OFFERS EXTENDED PREVIEW OF ISSUE #1! 

 January 7, MILWAUKIE, OR: In another amazing show of demand for Dark Horse comics, The Black Beetle: Night Shift has sold out of its entire printing!

Written and drawn by Eisner Award winner Francesco Francavilla, this now-rare “zero issue” collects three Dark Horse Presents stories, from issues #11–#13, and acts as an introduction to Francavilla’s costumed pulp detective.

“[Francavilla] proves that a good, old-fashioned adventure story can still raise the bar in comics, whatever genres one may care to throw into the mix,” Hannah Means-Shannon said in her review of The Black Beetle: Night Shift on The Beat. “The Black Beetle certainly has the potential to become an enduring ‘cult classic,’ inspiring readers to roll up for more ‘twisted thoughts’ from Francavilla in 2013.”

And readers are in luck, as the first full-length series for Francavilla’s The Black Beetle premieres this month with The Black Beetle: No Way Out #1, on sale January 16, 2013!

Coming soon in No Way Out #1, Black Beetle’s investigation of two local mob bosses is interrupted when a mysterious explosion murders them and a pub full of gangsters—taking out most of Colt City’s organized crime in one fell swoop. Who could pull off such a coup, and what danger might that murderous bomber do to Colt City and Black Beetle?

Be sure to head to your local comics retailer to check out The Black Beetle #1 before it’s gone for good!

Praise for The Black Beetle:

“If there’s one comic book that we’re most excited for in 2013, it’s Francesco Francavilla’s The Black Beetle. So far, it looks to be a throwback to the serials and film noir of the late ’30s and early ’40s. And now Dark Horse Comics has provided a taste of what to expect with this prologue issue.”—Complex 

“Murder! Intrigue! Nazi werewolves! Is there anything else you really need in a book? Considering that everyone from Jim Steranko to Matt Wagner to Warren Ellis is raving about the book, we suggest you hightail it down to your local comic book shop and snag a copy before the trail goes cold.”—Nerdist

“Francavilla is a master of his craft . . . If you enjoyed Francavilla’s work at DC then you owe it to yourself to get on this. The Black Beetle is a delightful slice of skewed madness from one of today’s finest artists.”—Comic Book Resources

“Uncommonly beautiful . . . The Black Beetle is the purest expression yet of Eisner-winning artist Francavilla’s love for pulp, mystery, noir and superhero aesthetics, qualities that art fans have seen on display in a major way with his more than 70 cover illustrations released in 2012 alone.”—ComicsAlliance

 

EPIC POWER STRUGGLES IN RAVINE

New graphic novel series takes fantasy to new heights

Longtime collaborators on the Image Comics/Top Cow series ARTIFACTS, Ron Marz and Stjepan Sejic have taken their creative partnership to a new level — a creator-owned graphic novel series, RAVINE, starting in February 2013. Epic fantasy at its highest with dragons, magic, and political machinations, is set in the kingdom of Palladia, a world that Sejic has been developing for the past eleven years.

"Ravine originated from my desire to make a fantasy comic series that was a full-blooded fantasy tale with rich character development, layered, well-motivated villains, and a deeply detailed world," said Sejic in a December 20 interview with Comic Book Resources.

The world is one where intrigue and power struggles have so dominated the lives of those who rule — royalty and religious leaders alike — that they are blind to the gathering forces that threaten all of them.

While the story, world, and characters are Sejic's, Marz acts as scripter and editor. Both creators cite the nature of an epic fantasy as the reason for releasing the series as graphic novels rather than individual issues.

"This story kind of demands to be told in large chunks," said Marz. "We want this first release to be read as one big story, not serialized, so we're going straight to the collection. It's a bigger risk this way, but I think there's a bigger reward creatively."

RAVINE: VOLUME ONE (DEC120509), a 160-page graphic novel for $14.99, will be released on February 13.

TRON Uprising Soundtrack Review

If you don't know by now I love the TRON universe. I' am a TRON geek. I love both movies, the soundtrack, the games and the comic that tied the movie together. When the opportunity came to review the soundtrack for the television series "TRON: Uprising" it was a no brainier.  Is the soundtrack as good as TRON Legacy?

If you're one of the Daft Punk purist that can't listen to anyone else doing TRON music you can relax. Composer Joseph Trapanese has done the soundtrack justice. The soundtrack stays true to the groundwork that was laid down by Daft Punk and Trapanese. Trapanese takes the ball and makes it his own. The soundtrack not only expands on key themes from TRON Legacy like Clu, The Grid, Fall and many more, but Trapanese puts his own little touch on the soundtrack. Trapanese has put out a soundtrack worthy of the TRON name. With more of his orchestral skills setting in the music this time around, we get a soundtrack that can be describe as dark, rebellious and definitely epic. 

The opening theme "Beck's Theme" is a combination of themes from TRON Legacy with a twist from The Grid, Clu and others and it really sets the tone for this dark, intense, but powerful world that is TRON Uprising. Almost every track you will hear a little bit of TRON Legacy music. This isn't a bad thing at all. I like to think of it as an expansion on the already established themes. However Trapanese does gives us enough original tracks to give TRON Uprising it's own identity. Songs like Lux's Sacrifice, Price Of Power, TRON's Promise are powerful, intense and emotionally invested songs and it's worthy of mentioning. Trapanese orchestral approach was a welcome addition. TRON Legacy did have orchestra tracks, but this whole album is orchestra and makes it feel more like a movie than an actual television show. The use of drums, strings and even a choir will immerse you into the world even more. Trust me you will be playing some of these tracks during your videogame time. 

Tracks that you must listen too:

Beck's Theme - A different take on themes from TRON Legacy such as The Grid, Clu and many more. It reminds you a lot of TRON Legacy but still keeps gives a sense of who Beck character is.

Lux's Sacrifice - One of my favorite songs on the album. This one the strings take over the track, add a choir at the end makes this one of the most emotional tracks on the album.

Compressed Space - A very Daft Punk like track with an orchestrated touch. The ending minute of the track is epic and gives you a sense of victory or alluding to a battle ahead.

Final Thoughts - TRON Uprising is a must get for TRON fans and people who love OST from movies/television. The soundtrack plays it safe but gives you enough to give it's own identity. The tracks can feel dark, intense and emotional which all relates to the darker tone world of TRON Uprising. If Daft Punk don't return for TRON 3 I think we know who we can go too for the soundtrack.

Tracklist & Rating

Beck's Theme - Lightbike Battle (5/5)

Tesler Throwdown (4.5/5)

Paige's Past (4.5/5)

Lux's Sacrifice (5/5)

Price Of Power (5/5)

Rescuing The Rebellion (4.5)

Dyson Drops In (4.5/5)

TRON's Promise (5/5)

TRON's Turn (4.5/5)

Beck Betrayed (4.5/5)

Torture (4.5/5)

Revenge (5/5)

Redemption (5/5)

Goodbye Renegade (5/5)

Compressed Space (5/5)

Renegade's Pledge (5/5)

Lightbike Battle (3OH!3 Remix) (4.5/5)

Inferno (Opiuo Remix) (3.5/5)

Dyson (David Hiller Remix (4.0/5)

Cole Plante (3.5/5)

Final Rating - 4.5/5 - AWESOME!!!

IT GIRL AND THE ATOMICS ON HOLIDAY

Special guest artist Chynna Clugston-Flores fills in

February will bring with it a special Valentine to readers of Michael Allred's IT GIRL AND THE ATOMICS. Chynna Clugston-Flores, creator of Blue Monday, is teaming up with series writer Jamie S. Rich for a standalone issue about a fan-favorite character from the MADMAN universe, Mr. Gum.

Like the other members of The Atomics, Mr. Gum is a former beatnik who developed superpowers after being exposed to alien spore — in his case, the power of elasticity. He and the other Atomics are on a galactic concert tour, and IT GIRL AND THE ATOMICS #6 is a not-so-typical day off. To impress a girl, Mr. Gum decides to prove his rock-star status, and ends up tangling with more trouble than he bargained for. And possibly a giant space monster.

"Mr. Gum was probably the character I was most sad not having as a regular in It Girl and the Atomics," said writer, Rich. "He's your typical fast-talking, wise-cracking rubber man, and I've always thought he was a blast. I wrote a four-page bit with him in Liberty Comics a couple of years ago, and it was like unleashing my Id. A chance to write visual and verbal jokes!"

Clugston-Flores's art is known for its manga-influenced style, high energy, and mod sensibilities, the perfect combination for the space adventures of an ex-Beatnik. She also has experience, being the first artist besides Michael Allred to draw It Girl, in a one-shot published by Oni Press when Rich was editor there.

"When I was casting about for someone to have pop in for fill-in issues, Chynna was just a natural choice," said Rich. "Particularly for Mr. Gum. The three of us have a shared sense of humor: me, Chynna, and Gum."

"I was very excited to get a chance to draw an entire comic dedicated to Mr. Gum, a personal favorite, and be involved with It Girl again, as well as collaborate with Jamie after so long! Jamie's right about our sense of humor, and Mr. Gum certainly personifies it when he's at his worst (or rather, most amusing, in my opinion!)," added Clugston Flores. "Not to mention being given the chance to draw aliens, monsters, and insert some of my own '80s pop culture references at random in the art without anyone seeming to mind."

IT GIRL AND THE ATOMICS #6 will be in stores on January 23!

Yoshiki (X Japan) Golden Globe Theme Song Streaming On USA Today

In celebration of the 70^th Anniversary of the Golden Globe Awards, the show's original musical theme composed by Japanese superstar Yoshiki will be available for digital download in 111 countries beginning January 15^th on iTunes. All profits from sales of the single will be donated to charities chosen by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.

   

USA Today is currently streaming the original theme here: http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2013/01/01/golden-globes-theme-xjapan-yoshiki/1802691/

Written and performed by the classically trained multi-instrumentalist and leader of Japan's most successful rock group, X Japan, Yoshiki is honored to be a part of such an esteemed event enjoyed around the world. "Composing this music was a journey and special challenge that gave me the opportunity to explore a wide range of music ideas, to arrive at just the right sound to capture the unique combination of glamour and edginess that makes the Golden Globe Awards so entertaining," says Yoshiki. "I'm very proud of the result and thrilled the song will be available around the world."

Tamako Market Premieres On January 10 On Anime Network Online

Anime Network is pleased to announce the upcoming online release of Tamako Market, the newest sweet treat from famed director Naoko Yamada (K-ON!) and character designer Yukiko Horiguchi (K-ON!, Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions). Join Tamako and her friends as they wander through life's sugary ups and bitter downs in the small shopping district they call home. 

Schedule Tamako Market will premiere at the following date/time on Anime Network Online: Episode 1: 
Thursday, January 10 at 9:30 AM CST. ...new episodes will air Thursdays at 9:30 AM CST 

About the Series Tamako knows just about everything there is to know about mochi, the traditional Japanese dessert treats. When she’s not attending her first year of high school, she even invents new flavors and varieties for Tama-ya, her family’s mochi shop. Throughout the ups and downs of life's little problems, Tamako is determined to make the best of things. It’s complicated though, especially when it comes to emotions and her relationship with her best "boy friend" Mochizo, whose family runs a rival mochi shop. And lately, Kanna’s been feeling a little odd about her feelings towards Tamako as well. It’s all very overwhelming, but at least Tamako always has one thing she can count on: No matter if your day’s been good or bad, there’s certain to be something sugary and delicious waiting at the end of every adventure whenever you take a walk through TAMAKO MARKET!

It's An Otaku Thing Episode 3 - 2012 Recap

On episode of 3 It's An Otaku Thing Justin and Ashley chat about they favorite moments of O & G in 2012, Justin gives advice to his fellow bloggers, anime videogames, the anime Yamada's First Time and a Goat that is a mobster. Also a new contest is announced. 

The Boy Can Fight Aliens Review

When aliens suddenly invade the world, Earth seems to be fighting a losing battle until Arikawa, one of the defense command staff, accidentally discovers a young man lying on a hill. Tests soon prove the impossible: this one teenager, Kakashi, has the power to defeat the attackers. Unfortunately, Kakashi has also lost his memory, and with it the knowledge of how to actually use his power. Moving Kakashi in with himself and his own commander, Shiro, Arikawa accidentally starts a strange triangle of emotions and relationships. A triangle that threatens the fate of the planet as Kakashi begins to question his own motivations.

Sword Art Online Review (S.A.O) -ItsComicKid

If you haven't heard Sword Art Online is the new love it or hate its show that ended 2012. with many who will rejoice to hear if it earns another season. And with many viewers crowing S.A.O  "-THE best anime I've seen in a couple of years" it most likely will, but like any thing popular there are just as many people who cant stand It claiming it to all be just hype. Is it just S.A.O just hype or is it well deserved. 

In S.A.O The players of a virtual reality MMORPG, Aincrad Online, are trapped and fighting for their very lives. After it is announced that the only way to leave the game is by beating it, Kirito—a very powerful swordsman—and his friends take on a quest to free all the minds trapped in Aincrad. -Anime News Network that's pretty much the base story to S.A.O with out spoilers or an essay. The story revolves around Kirito a mmo expert who was a beta tester for Aincrad Online be for it launched, and his struggles through out the cyber world. As he tries to beat the game to be set free.

Pacing a double edged sword for S.A.O. At the beginning of the show there is nearly no slow points at all. Your thrown right into the thick of this world and its characters problems. Some thing is always happening for the  first half of the show. For the sake of entertainment lets not spoiling things and just say there is literately a game changing plot twist. I would not go as far to say its unpredictable but what happens later really is and makes you think the show is finished. Right after the show seem to come to a complete halt  and moves along slowly for the next five or six episodes. which is not a bad thing it explains the story but for some one who really is not committed to the story it will leave them bored and may very well be a deal breaker.

That said if you can get past the slow streak then this is the show for you. The story is one of the most addictive i seen in along time. And by taking a different path than most action anime it focus on character and relationship building in stead of action. At some points it feels like fight scenes were scraped or shortened to leave more room for connections and story telling. Clearly my favorite anime of the year. Also Sword Art Online is now on hulu you could search for it or clicking here to bring you straight there.

Make sure you check out 8BitDrum also

Orseshura To Stream On Crunchyroll Starting January 5th

Aniplex of America announces the new anime series Oreshura will be streaming on Crunchyroll. This brand new animated high school romance show is produced by A-1 Pictures, the same studio who also produced the fan favorite Sword Art Online and Blue Exorcist. This series is also directed by Kanta Kamei, who also directed the series Bunny Drop. A couple hours after its broadcast in Japan, Oreshura will be available for streaming in the following territories: U.S., Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. The 1st
episode will premiere at 9:00am PST on Saturday, January 5th for Crunchyroll premium members. Free 
members will be able to view Oreshura one week after initial broadcast on Crunchyroll (www.crunchyroll.com/oreshura). 

A synopsis of Oreshura: Ore no Kanojo to Osananajimi ga Shuraba Sugiru – or ORESHURA for short 
– is an adaptation of a Japanese light novel.
“The protagonist, Eita Kidou, is a high school freshman with excellent grades and a disdain for love. He 
used to live a regular school life with his childhood friend, Chiwa Harusaki, a girl who's nearly a sister 
to him, but then one day the school's most beautiful girl, Masuzu Natsukawa, confesses to him. 
However, her true desire is only to fool the eyes of others and pretend to be a couple. With a certain 
secret of his in Masuzu's hands, Eita is forced to play along… But a fierce battle over Eita begins as his ex-girlfriend, Himeka, and his fiancé, Ai, join the fray!!” More information about  Oreshura can be 
found at: www.AniplexUSA.com/oreshura

Lenni Reviews: Genocidal Organ by Project Itoh

By Projet Itoh; Translated by Edwin Hawkes (Image source)

“Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words can never hurt me.”

So the old saying goes but as any fellow nerd who’s ever been called a name can tell you, this phrase is crap. But what if it was worse than crap? What if words could do worse than just break bones? What if words could be weapons of genocide? In a post 9/11 surveillance state, that is what intelligence agent Clavis Shepherd has been assigned to find out when he is sent after John Paul; the Lord of Genocide.

I dunno what it is about these Japanese imported novels but again, this book is freaking depressing and unflinchingly cerebral. You start with the brains of children scattered in the dirt then long discussions on the nature of God, Hell, language, and what it means to be free in a world where your every step, every purchase, every interaction is monitored and stored in a database somewhere. You can’t even order a pizza without having your fingerprints taken.

I had trouble with this book in some places. Even a literary nerd like me who is fascinated to hear discussions about the nature of language, how it evolves, and how it affects people hadda reach for a dictionary or re-read a paragraph because I didn’t get what the characters were talking about. It wasn’t boring but when the villain has the hero tied up at his mercy, you don’t really expect them to get into a linguistic debate. It reminded me a great deal of Ghost in the Shell (and to a lesser extent Ghost in the Shell 2 which I could rant about forEVER but I won’t) where the action is fast paced when it’s happening but the meat of the matter is in what the characters experience and how they are processed. As the audience, you take the tour of not only the drama of the chase but a massive shift in the way the characters think.

The translation is solid. Edwin Hawkes did a great job of keeping the flow of the text. I was able to read fluidly so if you chose to pick up this book (which I highly suggest) you won’t have a problem with the word flow. Heck, like me? You may wonder if what you're reading is changing your brain, too.

X-Japan's Yoshiki Golden Globe Theme To Be Released On I-Tunes January 15th 2013

In celebration of the 70th Anniversary of the Golden Globe Awards®, the show's musical theme, composed by Japanese superstar Yoshiki, will soon be available for download on iTunes. Written for the awards ceremony by the classically trained multi-instrumentalist and leader of one of Japan's most successful rock groups, X-Japan, the theme will be available for download as a full-length digital single in 111 countries starting January 15, 2013. All proceeds from sales of the single will be donated to charity. YOSHIKI (X JAPAN) answers questions about composing the theme song for the Golden Globes "It's such an honor to be a part of this esteemed event which is enjoyed by hundreds of millions around the world," said Yoshiki. "Composing this music was a journey that involved creating numerous versions in order to arrive at just the right sound to capture the unique combination of glamour and edginess that makes the Golden Globe Awards so entertaining. I'm very proud of the result and am thrilled that Warner Music has chosen to make it available around the world." Yoshiki recorded the theme, which opens the show and is used at other key moments during the broadcast, in his native Japan. 

He played many of the instruments himself before adding a full string orchestra. "To have world-renowned musician Yoshiki compose the theme song for the Golden Globes is an honor for the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and we are delighted that the single is now being released worldwide," said HFPA President Dr. Aida Takla-O'Reilly. "Our international organization recognizes the most accomplished entertainers in film, television and music, and Yoshiki certainly fits right in among our honorees," All profits from the iTunes sales of the single will be donated to charities chosen by the HFPA. The 70th Annual Golden Globe® Awards will air LIVE coast-to-coast on NBC on Sunday, January 13, 2013, with the pre-show from 4:00-5:00p.m. (PST)/7:00-8:00 p.m. (EST), and main telecast from 5:00-8:00 p.m. (PST)/8:00-11:00 p.m. (EST) from the Beverly Hilton Hotel with hosts Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. The Golden Globe Awards will be seen in more than 192 countries worldwide and is one of the few awards ceremonies that span both television and motion picture achievements. The special will be produced by Dick Clark Productions in association with the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.

 Yoshiki talks about the Golden Globes