Toon In

Ok, that's got to be the worst title for a post that I've written (I blame being MIA from blogging for so long). But it's the only way I can think of at the moment to introduce Channel Frederator.

Ever since Apple announced the new Video iPod, my brain has been struggling to comprehend the way the entertainment world is changing. I'm still amazed at the "song for a buck" reality of iTunes, the cracker-like size of the Nano, and now the idea of downloading video content to play on an iPod? Hang on to your headphones...

So not more than a month after that announcement, the first ones to the starting line - true to form - are the pioneers at Frederator Studios. They've taken the initiative to be one of the first sources for free animation videocasts. I was pleasantly surprised to see that they put good time into packaging this endeavor right. It feels like you're watching a real tv show, down to the bumpers between shorts and everything.

I can't tell you how I'm excited to see this moving forward so quickly. This is a new era of distribution for independent creators. Can you imagine bypassing all the ridiculous network mucky-muck and paying a couple of dollars to download original, exclusive content straight from your favorite artists? (I wish I could convince the-powers-that-be to re-release Joe Paradise that way...) Maybe the internet can finally make money after all.

So subscribe now and join the revolution. Now I just can't wait for my flying car...

[Link via Drawn!]

Oh the betrayal!!!!

In this sad lull of video games and reruns, I’ve found my geeky attention diverted to card games. Not Yu-gi-oh (I still have a small shred of dignity left) but a game called Saboteur!

In the game, you are dwarves (yes dwarves) digging for gold in the depths of a mine when suddenly, the pick-axe breaks, and the lantern goes out. The saboteur has struck again! But who is the saboteur and will he (or they!) stop you from reaching the treasure? If you succeed gold awaits you. If you don't, then to the victor go the spoils. Whoever has the most gold nuggets after three rounds is the winner.

Yes, a card game involving dwarves and nuggets sounds like something you would do to pass time at the fairies and unicorn fair. To my surprise, it’s a real fun game and very accessible to a general audience. The game is simple enough to learn, but most of the fun comes from the amount of smack talk you lay down on the other players.

It’s sorta like John Carpenter’s the Thing….. You just don’t know who the bad guy is. If backstabbing and smack talking is the way you like your games, give this one a whirl.

The Art of Healing Benefit Art Auction

SF hot shot flash animator Lyla Warren is helping Maverix Studio out with The Art of Healing Benefit Art Auction. They are currently looking for art entries. Details regarding entering as well as what HEAL does can be found on the Maverix blog.

Otaku soars to new heights

Check out this article from the Anime News Network:

Japanese Internet investor Daisuke Enomoto, set to become the world's fourth "space tourist", plans to dress as Gundam character Char Anzanable during his $20-million dollar flight. All the self-professed Gundam-otaku requires is the approval of the Russian Space Agency, which operates the space-tours for Space Adventures Inc.Space Adventures Inc. has so far sent three "Space Tourists" to the International Space Station on Russian Soyuz space-craft for US$20-million a piece.

And I thought I was hardcore!

The real Buddhist Monkey

Life imitates art.... or in this case Buddhist Monkey. Check out this this weird movie clip. Special thanks to Jess for finding it:) Ya gotta love the internet.

3...2...1...ROCKETO!

Introducing...FRANKESPINOSA.COM! Ever since San Diego, I've been a big fan of Frank's work. I can't rave enough about it. He's quickly become an official Ghostbot favorite. Now he's taken his hit property, ROCKETO, to new heights by launching a corresponding website. Not only does he showcase his dynamic artwork, but he continues to elaborate on the rich world by showing maps, character descriptions, and my favorite touch - travel posters from Rocketo's journeys.

If you haven't already, do yourself a favor and check out the site and the book (good luck, it's been selling out like crazy). Tell me the covers for the first 3 issues aren't enough to make you run...