Nerdage NewsOK.com Blogging Community

Just announced at Wizard World Chicago is the new creative team on DC’s “Supergirl” title.   Writer Sterling Gates, who grew up in Tulsa and graduated from the University of Oklahoma, joins artist Jamal Igle as the creative team on “Supergirl,” starting with issue #34.  

Nerdage asked Gates a few quick questions about his plans for the Girl of Steel.

Matt Price: What’s your take on Supergirl?
Sterling Gates: Supergirl is one of the strongest girls on the planet Earth. One day, she’s going to grow up to be one of the greatest heroes the world has ever known. In the meantime, however, she’s got a lot of learning to do.

Life is hard for Kara Zor-El. She’s an immigrant who was put in suspended animation and sent to Earth by her parents in order to escape Krypton’s destruction. Now that she’s here, she’s found herself living in her cousin Superman’s shadow. That’s a
LOT for a teenage girl to deal with and wrap her head around, to live in constant comparison to someone who is, or who comes off as, perfect. So she’s tried everything she can think of to try and separate herself out from just being “Superman’s cousin,” and it’s not worked out too well, so far.

And that’s more or less where we pick up in Supergirl #34. My goal for that book is to build Kara into a better hero, and hopefully when I leave, she’ll be one step closer towards being the hero we all want her to be.

MP: What are your favorite “Supergirl” comics?
SG: Y’know, I was a big fan of the Carmine Infantino-Paul Kupperberg “Daring New Adventures of Supergirl” comics in the mid-80’s. I loved loved loved Supergirl the movie when I was a kid, and I read that comic book adaptation they did so many times the staples fell out. I’m also a big fan of the Jeph Loeb-Michael Turner story in Superman/Batman that introduced this version of Kara Zor-El.

And I’d obviously be lying if I didn’t say the “Death of Supergirl” issue of Crisis on Infinite Earths wasn’t one of the greatest Supergirl stories of all time. I get all misty just thinking about it.

Get ready for more midnight gaming, as the Midnight Gaming Championships return to Oklahoma City this summer.
Gamers will compete in featured games including Guitar Hero III, Madden NFL 08 and Super Smash Bros. Brawl.
The schedule for Oklahoma City area events is as follows:
July 12th - McDonald’s at 1300 E. 2nd St., Edmond, OK 730334
July 19th – McDonald’s at 501 E. Reno, OK City, OK 73105
July 26th – McDonald’s in Wal-Mart parking lot at 1200 Garth Brooks Blvd. Yukon, OK 73099
Aug. 2nd – McDonald’s at 9000 SE 29th, OK City, OK 73130
For more information, visit http://www.midnightgamingchampionship.com/

– Matt Price

According to Neil Gaiman’s journal, his planned appearance in Tulsa on June 28 has been cancelled. 

Gaiman writes:
An apologetic note to say that I’ve just learned that for various reasons (none of which was really anyone’s fault) the Tulsa Oklahoma event on June the 28th has had to be cancelled. (And, I am assured, all tickets will be refunded.)

I definitely want to come to Tulsa — there are Lafferty archives to see, after all, and old friends to eat with — so I think its been more postponed than cancelled, although it’ll probably be in a slightly different form when next it happens.

This is too bad — I know several people were looking forward to the well-known “Sandman” author’s appearance — but there is some hope that a future trip is in order.

– Matt Price

SOONERCON UNVEILS 2008 CONVENTION EVENTS

Celebrites, Gaming, and “Sinnercon” Highlight the Program

 From SoonerCon:

From celebrities, to gaming and more, SoonerCon 2008 has something for every fan of science fiction and fantasy.  The annual convention returns to Oklahoma City June 6-8 with workshops, celebrities and gaming suitable for enthusiasts of all ages.

SoonerCon, the area’s premiere science fiction and fantasy convention, continues its tradition of bringing national talent to local fans.  This year, special guests include over 60 professional authors and artists.  Military, science-fiction author John Ringo (March Upcountry, A Hymn Before Battle, Ghost) is the Guest of Honor.  Hugo Award nominated artist, Tom Kidd, is the Artist Guest of Honor.  Author Selina Rosen will serve as the Toastmaster for the convention. Special Guests also include Ghost Writer Creator Gary Friedrich, and local TV legend Count Gregore.

Convention-goers will get the “absolute pleasure” of The Rocky Horror Picture Show on Friday night.  The movie will be accompanied by the live performance and audience participation that has made it a cult-classic.

Events such as workshops, the exhibitor’s hall and gaming will continue throughout the weekend.  The largest dealer’s room and exhibitor’s hall in Oklahoma give attendees the chance to purchase the latest in gaming, science-fiction and fantasy merchandise.  Writing, art and costuming workshops are available at no additional fee.  Gaming sessions are scheduled to include Hordes Steamroller, Warhammer and D&D events.

SoonerCon 2008 will be held at The Biltmore Hotel in Oklahoma City, June 6-8.

From SoonerCon:

SOONERCON ANNOUNCES A SPECIAL BARE BONES FILM FESTIVAL
SoonerCon/Bare Bones to co-present Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Horror Film Festival

Sharing is caring in

The Darkwood Film Arts Institute is founded by author Oscar Ray.   Shiron Butterfly Ray is the founder, director and programmer of the Bare Bones International Independent Film & Music Festival.  Both are featured guests at this year’s SoonerCon.  Darkwood seeks to promote a grass-roots approach to filmmaking by engaging young independent artists in workshops and film screening activities such as the festival.  It teaches a practical approach to getting into the film industry with helpful hints on “bare bones” filmmaking.

This organization epitomizes the dynamic relationship between the arts and fandom.  SoonerCon is proud to extend the promotion of that relationship to this year’s event with the addition of the Best of Bare Bones film screenings.   Along with Bare Bones, SoonerCon will feature other film screenings, an anime/manga programming room, and a shadow cast performance of the Rocky Horror Picture Show Friday night at midnight of the event.   Visit the Bare Bones and Darkwood crew online at their website: http://barebonesfilmfest00.tripod.com/index.html

About SoonerCon:

SoonerCon is a not-for-profit, locally organized event.  The annual event strives to bring nationally recognized authors, artists and actors to sci-fi and fantasy fans in

Frontier City, 11501 N I 35 Service Rd in Oklahoma City, turns 50 this year, and celebrates this Saturday with a day full of events.

Starting at 9:30 a.m., the park offers free parking for the first 50 guests.  Admission is 50 cents before noon. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. there are giveaways at 50 minutes past the hour.

Circo de Magnifico debuts at 1:15 p.m., and has additional shows at 3:15 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

At 2:15 p.m., anniversary cake will be served in Fort Frontier.

And closing out the evening, KC and the Sunshine Band performs, starting at 8:30 p.m.  The park closes at 11 p.m.

I have many fond memories of visiting Frontier City as a kid — especially, the log ride — and I’d like to congratulate them on 50 years!

– Matt Price

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.

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

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

Nintendo is launching the latest color of Nintendo DS, Metallic Rose, as a standalone player, with some celebrity help.

Grammy-winning Carrie Underwood, from Checotah, will be featured in commercials promoting the Metallic Rose portable video gaming device.  America Ferrera (”Ugly Betty”) will also be featured.
The Metallic Rose Nintendo DS debuted in 2007 as part of a “Nintendogs” bundle, but will become available as a standalone hardware system at retailers nationwide late this month. 

The Nintendo DS has sold more than 19 million units since its launch in 2004. 

– Matt Price