Hot Wheels Double Dog Dare Derby is Saturday in Pauls Valley
This Corvette is being raffled off to benefit the Toy and Action Figure Museum in Pauls Valley.
From Friday’s The Oklahoman:
Event details: The third annual derby is Saturday at the Toy and Action Figure Museum, 111 S Chickasaw in Pauls Valley. Registration begins at 10 a.m. with races beginning at 11 a.m. Registration is $6, and includes a free Hot Wheels car and family admission to the museum for the day. The racers will be divided into two categories: ages 12 and under and ages 13 and up.
At stake: The winner receives a trophy and a Hot Wheels prize package.
Information: www.actionfiguremuseum.com.
Also: The Toy and Action Figure Museum is selling $100 raffle tickets for a chance to win a 1996 Corvette. Sales limited to 1,000 tickets. The car will be given away July 4. The raffle benefits the nonprofit museum.
Indiana Jones comes to mobile phones
From Friday’s The Oklahoman:
By Matthew Price
Assistant Features Editor
THE NEXT LEVEL
Gamers can now explore dark caverns and spooky tombs on the go, as Indiana Jones comes to mobile devices, courtesy of THQ Wireless.
Based on “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,” which opened in theaters Thursday, the game lets players take on the role of whip-cracking archaeologist Indiana Jones and his sidekick Mutt Williams.
Indiana and Mutt play in alternating levels, each 2-D side-scrollers.
Mutt’s sections require quick jumping, as he runs through Key Rooms seeking keys to further the expedition.
The game is difficult, especially in
The graphics are similar to old-school Sega Genesis affairs, which is pretty good for something played on a cell phone at this state. The sound features the classic Indiana Jones theme. There’s not a whole lot of in-depth story or character development, here, but it is a reasonably fun and challenging game.
The story mode has 20 levels; the arcade mode unlocks Indiana Jones trivia.
“Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” for mobile phones is nostalgic fun, which is appropriate for the character. Gamers who fondly remember 2-D side-scrolling adventures will likely enjoy taking on new enemies with Indiana Jones.
The game is available on major carriers. For more information, go online to www.thqwireless.com.
“Justice League,” “Star Trek: Assignment Earth” and the career of Rory Root on the comics podcast
Art from “Star Trek: Assignment Earth” #1
Kyle Roberts and I discuss “Star Trek: Assignment Earth” #1, by John Byrne; “Justice League of America” #21, by Dwayne McDuffie and Carlos Pacheco; and the career and legacy of retailer Rory Root, all on today’s comics podcast.
– Matt Price
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Review: Justice League of America #21
Justice League 21, on sale this week, introduces the mysterious Libra, set to play a part in the upcoming “Final Crisis” from DC Comics.
Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman have constructed a secret room in an interdimensional bubble, in which to discuss important “Justice League” business. The three recount recent business with the team, and plan for new members. Meanwhile, a villain called The Human Flame attempts a bank robbery, only to be confronted by Hawkgirl and Red Arrow. The Flame doesn’t like superheroes – particularly the Martian Manhunter, who defeated him before – but he’s no match for Arrow and Hawkgirl, until the arrival of the mysterious Libra.
Libra’s plan involves getting together a supergroup of supervillains — which, as noted by Luthor in this very issue, has been tried often before — but Libra claims this time will be different. And in exchange for co-operation, he’s willing to give these villains their heart’s desire. In the Human Flame’s case, that could be bad news for the Martian Manhunter.
The art is by Carlos Pacheco, always one of the better storytellers in comics, and the story is by Dwayne McDuffie, who proved he knew the Justice League when working on the recent animated series.
– Matt Price
Review – Star Trek: Assignment Earth #1
The second-season “Star Trek” original series episode, “Assignment Earth,” featured Kirk and the Star Trek crew visiting 1960s earth.
Special agent Gary-7 and his sidekick Ms. Lincoln (played by Teri Garr) and the cat, Isis, were introduced as possible stars for a spinoff that never happened. Robert Lansing played Gary-7, sort of a futuristic James Bond from another planet, assigned to 1960s Earth.
Writer artist John Byrne, 40 years later, takes that premise and runs with it, creating “Star Trek: Assignment Earth” as a comic-book series. The five-part series features the time traveller and his assistant covertly tackling threats to the past.
Byrne’s art is in fine form here, and it’s well-written as well. Byrne has his bashers nowadays, but this is an interesting take on a spinoff that might have been. And “Time-travelling James Bond” seems like a good hook for a comic-book series. This one feels like a comic you could have read at the time, with nuclear tests, Soviet scientists, secret projects and double-crosses.
– Matt Price
Higher priced corn could raise cinema prices
An Advertising Age article suggests that the rising price of corn could have an impact on moviegoers. Movie tickets could go up as much as 30%, according to a University of Santa Cruz economist who talked to Ad Age.
“You’re going to see a one- to two-dollar increase in the price of a movie ticket,” economist Ricard Gil said. “And that’s being conservative.”
The rising price of corn means popcorn sales won’t subsidize as much of the cost of going to the movies as it once did.
Roughly 25% of the price of a movie ticket is subsidized by concession sales.
– Matt Price
Hulk out with wimgo
If you have yet to check out wimgo.com, here’s a good reason to visit: The site is holding a “Hulk” contest in which you send in a picture of your best “Hulk face” to win tickets to the Oklahoma City premiere and $1,000.
I know some of my Nerdage readers have the capability to do this up big. Check out wimgo’s Hulk page for the full details.
– Matt Price
Christian Kane on NASCAR 09 soundtrack
Former Norman resident Christian Kane will make an appearance on the soundtrack of the video game “NASCAR 09.” The game will feature a mix of rock, country, metal, and punk music. Other acts on the soundtrack include P.O.D., AFI, and The Black Keys. Christian Kane starred as Lindsey on “Angel” and has appeared on the TV series “Vegas” and in the film “Friday Night Lights.” Kane also appeared in Carrie Underwood’s video for the single “So Small.”
You can listen to the song “The House Rules” at www.myspace.com/christiankane.
“NASCAR 09″ will be available on PLAYSTATION 3 and Xbox 360 and ships on June 10.
– Matt Price
Mr. Freeze from LEGO Batman
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment today revealed Mr. Freeze from the upcoming LEGO Batman: The Videogame.
Driven over the edge by the death of his beloved wife and himself being the victim of a cryogenic accident, Dr. Victor Fries found himself unable to survive outside a sub-zero environment. Trapped in a special suit that maintains his low body temperature and enables him to stay alive, Mr. Freeze employed his vast knowledge of cryogenics to build a criminal empire.
Turner variant to “Wolverine” #66
From Marvel:
Marvel is proud to unveil superstar artist Michael Turner’s variant cover to Wolverine #66, the first chapter of “Old Man Logan” by the Civil War dream team of Mark Millar & Steve McNiven! Tying into Millar’s acclaimed work on Fantastic Four and the upcoming Marvel: 1985, this brand new arc presents the most important Wolverine story of the 21st century! For 50 years, no one’s heard from Wolverine…but why? And what led to evil’s triumph over good? The answers start here folks and with Millar & McNiven back together, you know that Wolverine #66 is the book that everyone will be talking about!
