This Week In Geek (19/09/2011)

Given the hectic nature of the modern human, it’s natural that things will slip through the net from time to time. Appointments, meetings and anniversaries are all common dates that can slip the mind and lead to unwanted aggravation (and in the case of the anniversary, actual physical pain). So with that in mind, Comic Guru is proud to announce its latest feature ‘This Week In Geek’!

Each week we will scan the release schedules and bring you a few choice dates to mark in your diaries. DVD, films, comics and video games will all be covered, as well as any events in the Cardiff area that we think might take your fancy. So grab your planners and start noting these dates!

Monday 19^th

Attack the Block (DVD)

- Joe Cornish’s horror comedy Attack the Block is released on DVD and Blu Ray

A town called Eureka (DVD)

- One of America’s premier scifi shows which is now on its fifth season stateside. Check out season four of the Emmy nominated series on DVD from today

Tuesday 20^th

Gears of War 3 (Video Game)

- The final instalment of the award winning Gears of War trilogy is released today for Xbox 360.

Wednesday 21^st

Latest DC reboot titles (Comics)

- This week’s batch of new DC releases see Batman, Birds of Prey and the Green Lantern make their comic ‘debuts’

The Boys: Butcher, Baker, Candlestick maker #3 (Comics)

-The latest chapter in the back story of Billy Butcher, the Boys’ violent and enigmatic leader.

Friday 23^rd

Jurassic Park (Cinema)

- To coincide with the release of the Jurassic Park trilogy Blu Ray box set on October 24^th Cineworld are giving you the chance to relive the magic of the first JP film on the big screen. The run is only for two weeks so catch it while you can.

Saturday 24^th

Dexter’s Half Dozen signing @ Comic Guru (Event)

- Head on down to Comic Guru in Cardiff and attend our signing with DHD creators Jamie Lambert and Dave Clifford. The signing starts at 12pm, but the full back catalogue is on sale in store if you want to come down sooner.

Doctor Who (TV)

- The Doctor pays a farewell visit to his old friend, Craig, but somewhere close, the Cybermen are waiting... Tardis based high jinks on BBC1 at 7.10pm

Upcoming events at Comic Guru!

With our 8^th Anniversary celebrations well underway, I decided now would be an excellent time to let people know of the upcoming events we have scheduled for the upcoming weeks. While all dates are set unforeseen circumstances could lead to changes. When in doubt, please either check the blog or head over to our Facebook page, a link to which is at the bottom of this post.

September 24^th

Dexter’s Half Dozen Signing with Jamie Lambert and Dave Clifford

The writer/artist team behind this tale of the occult, set in the Second World War, will be in store and signing copies of their comic. Comic Guru currently has all six issues in stock, so head on over to the shop early if you want to read this story before attending the signing.

October 4^th

The official eighth anniversary of Comic Guru

Yes, your favourite comic store is turning eight and we want you the members to come and celebrate with us! Kristian is currently planning some special surprises for you all, so keep checking in every so often for more information.

October 29^th

Songs from Spider Street signing with Mark Howard Jones

In the run up to Halloween local author Mark Howard Jones will be signing copies of his unsettling and unforgettable book 'Songs From Spider Street' from mid-day on Saturday, October 29th.

In addition we are in talks with Simon Wyatt about a signing for his new graphic novel Unbelievable: The Man Who Ate Daffodils, and will let you know the date once we have one confirmed. More information about each of the signings will be made available as they draw closer, but this will at least give you the chance to mark the dates in your diaries!

Our Facebook page, please take a look and give us a Like!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Comic-Guru/105622975220

Friday Video Club - Dr Strange

In the 1970s Marvel comics released a slew of live action films and pilots featuring some of their biggest products. While many people will remember Lou Ferrigno’s turn as the Hulk or the cringe inducing Spiderman series, there were a few efforts which slipped under the radar. One of these was the 1978 Dr Strange TV movie, a title which only ever saw rental release in this country. Starring Peter Hooten, Jessica Walters and John Mills, the film was heralded for its grounded take on the Dr Strange tale (given the fantastical subject matter) and features a surprisingly good soundtrack.

Below is the link for the entire film. The copy quality is pretty good but it is subtitled in Portuguese. I hope you enjoy the film as much as Comic Guru’s own Kristian Barry, who has been pushing for me to post this video since I started!

http://youtu.be/-RS9wi0xdd0

From The Vault - X factor

This week’s From The Vault sees us pulling out a slice of mutant based loveliness in the form of Marvel’s X Factor series. Debuting in 1986, the original X Factor line up consisted of the same members as the original X men (Angel, Beast, Iceman, Cyclops and Jean Grey), who formed X factor after Magneto took over leadership of the X men. The series was much darker than we had seen in previous X men stories, featuring storylines such as Angel’s attempted suicide following the loss of his wings. The series was also famous for the first appearance of Apocalypse, who would go on to become one of the best known comic villains of all time.

Comic Guru currently has a near full run of the first 80 issues in stock, including issue 1 and issue 6 (first appearance of Apocalypse), as well as a variety of other issues. Feel free to hop on over to the Comic Guru website to check out the full back catalogue, as well as seeing what other goodies we have in stock. Alternatively take a trip down to Wood Street and see us in person.

http://www.thecomicguru.co.uk/new_stock.php?sessionid=783706033

Friday Video Club - Portal: No Escape

This week at the Friday Video Club we are stepping into the world of computer games with the excellent Portal: No Escape short film by Dan Trachenberg.

Based on the truly fantastic Valve series of computer games, (if you are yet to play them, stop what you are doing and go and do so this instant. We’ll wait) Portal follows the exploits of Chell, a young women attempting to escape the confines of the Aperture science laboratories armed with a physics bending gun capable of throwing two connecting portals onto any surface. This fan film first debuted at Comic Con a few weeks ago and has drawn praise from all who have seen it so far.

Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4drucg1A6Xk&feature=player_embedded

Seeker and Dexter's Half Dozen

In the latest of our eighth anniversary celebration events, Comic Guru would like to give a big thank you to Andy Frankham-Allen for his successful signing on Saturday. Despite a poor turnout due to Cardiff Pride running the same day he sold many copies of Seeker and almost sold out of his Doctor Who Short Story collections as well. We do have a few signed copies of Seeker left so please drop into the shop as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

The next in our series of events is scheduled for September 24^th, and will see local comic talents Jamie Lambert and David Clifford signing copies of their highly successful independent series Dexter's Half Dozen. Set in the midst of the Second World War, the story follows a crack team of soldiers who have been tasked with preventing the Nazis' manipulation of the occult for their own nefarious purposes. We currently have issues 1-6 of Dexter’s Half Dozen in store now, should you feel the need to get yourself acquainted with Sergeant Freeman and the rest of the squad ahead of the signing.