Kickstarter/Indiegogo Spotlight: Tabletop Season 3 - With Wil Wheaton!

This week's feature is an Indiegogo for the fun internet series Tabletop.  Not only is it a great project, but it features Wil Wheaton.  What more could you possibly want as a geek?  If you'd like to find out more about it, be sure to head on over to the Indiegogo page!

Fan Communities Come to Austin

More Than 20 Fan Communities To Show Their Stuff at 2012 Wizard World Austin Comic Con

'Star Trek,' 'Star Wars,' 'Doctor Who,' 'Ghostbusters' Clubs, Podcast, Children's Museum Among Top Organizations At Austin Convention Center, October 26-28

NEW YORK and AUSTIN, Texas, October 15, 2012 – Attendees at this month's Wizard World Austin Comic Con, on their way to visiting celebrities, artists, exhibitors and other attractions, will likely run into more than a few members of the more than 20 fan communities setting up on and roaming the Austin Convention Center floor, Oct. 26-28.  Groups displaying their affinity for such staples as Star Wars, “Star Trek,” Ghostbusters, “Doctor Who,” charities, themed podcasters and other non-profit organizations will be on hand, greatly enhancing the fan experience for the thousands expected over the three days.

Some of the organizations on site include:

• 501st Garrison – Central Texas Squad, a chapter of the national organization which seeks to promote interest in Star Wars through the building and wearing of quality costumes, and to facilitate the use of these costumes for Star Wars-related events as well as contributions to the local community through costumed charity and volunteer work.
• Anomaly Podcast and Blog, an award winning geek-girl show, often featured in the “What’s Hot” section under “TV and Film” within the iTunes store. From the start, the founders of Anomaly had but one goal in mind: to have fun while sharing their feminine perspectives on all things geek. Created over five years ago, Anomaly and its supporting show, Anomaly Supplemental, each feature commentary on science fiction and fantasy literature, television, and film.
• Ark Angel, whose “meetings” range from actual meetings of a business type to anything from watching movies at one of the Crew's houses, camping trips, laser tag outings, bowling, LAN parties, role-playing games, or just sitting around a table playing games of all types.
• Cybertronz Elite, the elite Transformers Collectors and fan group. Established February 2011 by its founding Core 13 members, who have a vision in bringing all transformers collector's and fans together, for the purpose of helping give back to the community, collecting, educating, and expanding the Transformers fan base across the universe, "till all are one!"
• D20 Girls Project, a semi-unique business that combines Social Networking, Talent Management, and Event Services. D20 also arranges with manufacturers, publishers and conventions to provide trade show models and spokes models at gaming and fandom related industry conventions across the U.S.
• DFW Ghostbusters, a non-profit organization that is dedicated to dealing with ghosts, goblins and the undead, all while raising money to help those in need and give back to the community.
• Doctor Who Fan Club of Austin, a local Austin Facebook Fan Club that participates in holding watch parties, bound together by the love of Doctor Who and living the values shared as Doctor Who fans.
• The Fandom Association of Central Texas, a non-profit educational organization dedicated to the promotion of science fiction, fantasy, and speculative fiction.  The Association sponsors many activities aimed towards furthering the cause of literacy and the enjoyment of the genres, for example is ArmadilloCon, an annual literary conference.
• Houston Ghostbusters, a fan based group focused on doing community events and charity work in costume, and whose main goal is to make a positive impact on the world through love of movies, costumes and prop making.
• Punching the Walls of Reality, a rising Austin-based website looking to expand its audience with a unique sense of humor and well-opined reviews that are becoming all too scarce throughout the vast expanse of the Internet. It produces several candid and hilarious blogs with topics ranging from the latest in video games, most popular television shows, most loathed movies, mainstream comic books and highlights of the combat sport of mixed martial arts.
• PurrKayla, winner of fan-made online Superhero show, which was judged by fellow Superheroes.
• Safeplace, whose mission isending sexual and domestic violence through safety, healing, prevention and social change.  Safeplace provides safety for individuals and families affected by sexual and domestic violence; helps victims in their healing so they can move beyond being defined by the crimes committed against them, and become survivors; promotes safe and healthy relationships for the prevention of sexual and domestic violence; and works with others to create change in attitudes, behaviors and policies that perpetuate the acceptance of, and impact our understanding and responses to, sexual and domestic violence.
• Save Our Seeker, fan-organized campaign to save “Legend of the Seeker” is an Emmy-award winning fantasy TV show produced by Disney/ABC Studios, based on Terry Goodkind’s bestselling epic series “The Sword of Truth.” The series follows the extraordinary transformation of woodsman Richard Cypher into a magical leader.
• Sith Shadow Council of Texas, a fan based Star Wars group. We dress-up, perform and participate in many events and charities within Texas and the San Antonio area.
• The Steam Engine Intrepid, a renegade steampunk group out of San Antonio Texas but with scouts in other cities, which prefers to travel by rail because the thought of an airship sickens our leader the Dark Professor.
• Star Wars Children's Museum, a nonprofit group of like-minded individuals working for a goal : To Build a Star Wars Themed Children’s Museum. Its Mission is “To Inspire and Educate." Its goal is to actually build the building a design from the Star Wars universe, and fill it with interesting, excited, educational exhibits to capture the attention and inspire the imaginations of today’s youth.
• USS Navras, a correspondence chapter of Starfleet, The International Star Trek Fan Association, Inc.– meaning that men, women, and children from all over the world can actively join and participate.
• USS Zavala, a chapter of Starfleet, the oldest continuously operating Star Trek fan organization in the world. Zavala is dedicated to the ideals of diplomacy, justice, and the pursuit of knowledge espoused in the Star Trek genre.
• WGTR “World Grand Theft Radio,” the nationwide internet radio station No. 1 worldwide Halloween radio station in Sept & Oct. With over 30 original shows a week live, “our mission to make your on air dreams come true!”

Eight stars of the popular series “Star Trek: The Next Generation, including the legendary Patrick Stewart and Will Wheaton (Stand By Me) will be joined by Eliza Dushku (“Buffy The Vampire Slayer,” True Lies), WWE® Superstar CM Punk®, Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino (“Jersey Shore”), Dean Cain (“Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman,” “90210”), Anthony Michael Hall (Sixteen Candles, Weird Science), Michael Rooker (“The Walking Dead,” Henry), Jon Bernthal (“The Walking Dead,” The Ghost Writer) and the Boondock Saints trio of Norman Reedus, Sean Patrick Flanery and David Della Rocco, among others at Wizard World Austin Comic Con.

Wizard World Austin Comic Con, produced by Wizard World, Inc. (WIZD.PK), will bring together thousands of fans of all ages to celebrate the best in pop-fi, pop culture, movies, graphic novels, comics, toys, video gaming, television, sci-fi, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more.  Admission is free for kids 10 and under, and Sunday, October 28, is “Kids Day,” with an array of programming specially designed for children.

For more on the 2012 Wizard World Austin Comic Con, visit http://www.wizardworld.com/home-tx.html.

About Wizard World:
Wizard World produces Comic Cons and pop culture conventions across North America that celebrate graphic novels, comic books, movies, TV shows, gaming, technology, toys and social networking. The events often feature celebrities from movies and TV, artists and writers, and events such as premieres, gaming tournaments, panels, and costume contests.

The full event schedule can be found at www.wizardworld.com.

Wil Wheaton to Attend Wizard World Austin

'Star Trek: The Next Generation,' 'Stand By Me' Star Wil Wheaton Added To Wizard World Austin Comic Con Lineup

Eighth Cast Member To Join 25-Year 'TNG' Reunion At Austin Convention Center, October 26-28

NEW YORK and AUSTIN, September 26, 2012 – Wil Wheaton, who starred as a teenager in the classic coming-of-age film Stand By Me in 1986 and a year later earned an important role in “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” will appear at next month's Wizard World Austin Comic Con.  Wheaton joins seven other “TNG” cast members in a celebration of the 25th anniversary of the start of the landmark series, Oct. 26-28 at the Austin Convention Center.

Wheaton portrayed Wesley Crusher, son of Dr. Beverly Crusher (played by Gates McFadden) in the show.  Other fellow “TNG” cast members scheduled for Austin include Patrick Stewart (Capt. Picard), Jonathan Frakes (Commander William T. Riker), LeVar Burton (Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge), Michael Dorn (Lieutenant Worf), Marina Sirtis (Counselor Deanna Troi) and Brent Spiner (Lt. Commander Data).

Wheaton is also known for popular roles as Joey Trotta in Toy Soldiers (1991) and portraying himself on the series “The Big Bang Theory.”  He is an avid blogger, with frequent postings at Wil Wheaton Dot Net and WWdN: In Exile.

In addition to Wheaton and the rest of the “TNG” crew, top celebrities scheduled to attend include Eliza Dushku (“Buffy The Vampire Slayer,” True Lies), WWE® Superstar CM Punk®, Dean Cain (“Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman,” “90210”), Anthony Michael Hall (Sixteen Candles, Weird Science), Michael Rooker (“The Walking Dead,” Cliffhanger) and the Boondock Saints trio of Norman Reedus, Sean Patrick Flanery and David Della Rocco, among others.

Wizard World Austin Comic Con, produced by Wizard World, Inc. (WIZD.PK), will bring together thousands of fans of all ages to celebrate the best in pop-fi, pop culture, movies, graphic novels, comics, toys, video gaming, television, sci-fi, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more.  Admission is free for kids 10 and under, and Sunday, Oct. 28, is “Kids Day,” with an array of programming specially designed for children.

For more on the 2012 Wizard World Austin Comic Con, visit http://www.wizardworld.com/home-tx.html.

About Wizard World:
Wizard World produces Comic Cons and pop culture conventions across North America that celebrate graphic novels, comic books, movies, TV shows, gaming, technology, toys and social networking. The events often feature celebrities from movies and TV, artists and writers, and events such as premieres, gaming tournaments, panels, and costume contests.

The full event schedule can be found at www.wizardworld.com.

Fawkes

Felicia Day and The Guild are back, along with costar Wil Wheaton, for a brand-new story spotlighting Fawkes, the dashing, debonair, and douchey leader of the evil guild Axis of Anarchy! His relationship with Codex threatened to tear the Knights of Good apart until he was thrown off a balcony for his treatment of her. Set after season 4 of the show, this issue reveals how Fawkes deals with his split from Codex and navigates the aggressive personalities of the Axis, and follows his journey to his surprising state when he returns in season 5!

*Cowritten by Felicia Day and Wil Wheaton!

* Art by Jamie McKelvie (Phonogram, X-Men, Secret Avengers)!

The Good :

                Felicia Day has an incredible talent for comedy and it continues with Fawkes. In its entirety, this book keeps the same hilarity as the show. Some of the jokes even caused me to chuckle out loud. As with the show, most of the comedy is on the intelligent side. Fawkes’ quotes are well timed.

                In its own separate form, the sarcasm is great for the Axis of Evil. Fawkes is a total douche. Again, keeping with the theme of the show. You just love to hate him.

                And Venom, my favorite character from the Axis, is finally given more play. It was good to see her and realize that she is just that mean to her own friends as she is to the Knights of Good. Her description of Fawkes having a “sad little boner” was so in tune with her character.

The Bad :

                The story should’ve been released a year ago. In this one shot, the story takes place between the 4^th and 5^th season. With season 6 in development, it took me a minute to remember what all happened and when to make this story fit. With such a beautifully crafted story and series, I didn’t really expect to an “oh yeah, that’s what happened” moment.

                Some of the character development. It has been over a year since we’ve seen the Axis and half of the characters only really have face time. There were a few times in the story where I wondered if that character would really say that or act in a certain way. Honestly, I’m a huge fan of the show, but there was 1 character I didn’t even identify until the very end. It didn’t change the story any but most of the Axis is “just there to be hated”, you don’t really know more than a couple of them.

Summary :

                Being a huge fan, I tried to read this as just a book. But you can’t. From all the people I’ve met that are fans of The Guild, they are big fans. From the 1^st panel, seeing Fawkes, you remember the hatred you’re supposed to have for him. This book has a strong portrayal of the show’s main villains.  You get to see how they really are compared to their avatars. And it’s pretty much the same. You dislike them but that is the entertaining part. I like that they continue to be unlikable.

                This book fits right into the continuity of the series. Nothing is taken away or changed, just further explained. Fans of the show will understand the books style of humor and the characters do actually look like themselves.

                The only main negative would be for anyone who has not seen the show. They could probably enjoy the book, but they would miss so many quirks and Easter eggs from the show. As for me, I’m still laughing as I write this.

For more information on purchasing this book for your collection, head on over to the Dark Horse website!

Geek-o-Rama received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. All thoughts, comments and maniacal laughter belong to the writer/reviewer.