Jesse Eisenberg is Lex Luthor… Wait… Wha?

January 31, 2014April 10, 2015 Keith Chow

So yeah. That happened.

If you haven’t heard, the Oscar-nominated actor has been cast as Lex Luthor in the upcoming Man of Steel sequel. Oscar winner Jeremy Irons has also been tapped to play Alfred Pennyworth in the film (which has been pushed to Summer 2016). Best know for portraying Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg in The Social Network, Eisenberg’s name wasn’t on anyone’s radar for the role — those names belonged to folks like Bryan Cranston and Joaquin Phoenix, to name two. So this news was definitely… unexpected.

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Animation, Television, Toys

Have a Pinkie New Year Every Pony

January 31, 2014June 26, 2014 Keith Chow

Last week, I talked about how much our household enjoys watching My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. Since 2014 is the Year of the Horse, I figured that it only made sense for Hasbro (or The Hub, for that matter) to cash in on the festivities by licensing the Mane Six on some little red envelopes or lanterns or something. Continue reading “Have a Pinkie New Year Every Pony”

Animation, Art, It's a Draw2 Comments

It’s a Draw with Natalie Kim Special: Kimchi Power

January 30, 2014August 22, 2014 Natalie Kim

Today’s special episode is “Kimchi Power,” an animated cartoon about a normal Korean American girl who finds out she gets super powers when she eats kimchi.

Natalie created this short with animator Tyler Landis aka Visual Brownies!

Check it out after the jump!

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Comics, Gone Too Soon2 Comments

R.I.P. Morrie Turner

January 29, 2014February 4, 2015 Keith Chow

On Saturday, the world lost another legend when cartoonist Morrie Turner passed away at the age of 90 after suffering complications from kidney disease.

Turner is best known for creating the comic strip Wee Pals, the first comic strip of its kind — not only because it featured a cast of racially diverse characters but it was also the first strip by an African American cartoonist to be syndicated nationally.

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Art, Comics, It's a Draw

It’s a Draw with Natalie Kim and Robin Ha

January 28, 2014August 22, 2014 Natalie Kim

How do the best comedians and cartoonists do what they do? Check out our new twice-weekly collaboration with Natalie Kim to find out!

Today Natalie sits down and draws with her partner on the “Ching Shih: Queen of Pirates” story in Shattered: The Asian American Comics Anthology, the independent comics master Robin Ha to discuss how Alabama and Seoul, Korea are actually not that different!

Check out the episode after the jump!

Continue reading “It’s a Draw with Natalie Kim and Robin Ha”

Music, Nerdcore, Origins1 Comment

Introducing the NPC Collective

January 28, 2014March 31, 2015 MegaRan

In gaming culture, an NPC (non-player character) is often a bit player in the overall story — he or she is there for no reason except to get the main character to their goal. Their backstory is never told.

Much like an NPC, people of color who desire to create music or art or think differently than their counterparts are often discouraged and forced to keep those thoughts and ideas to themselves. And to play the background.

I had an idea a while back to create a collective of like-minded, forward thinking creatives who have been through a lot of the same things I had as a person of color who enjoyed nerdy things as a child an as an adult.

Continue reading “Introducing the NPC Collective”

Movies, Sci Fi, Television5 Comments

The Almost Human-ity of RoboCop: Pondering the Future of Law Enforcement

January 28, 2014February 18, 2014 Robert S.

In a few short weeks — February 12, to be exact — MGM, Columbia Pictures, and Strike Entertainment will be releasing the reboot of RoboCop in theaters. While I’m by no means completely juiced into the tapestry of sci-fi movie fandom, I feel as though the film’s preliminary buzz at this point is best described as lukewarm. Still, I’ve found my own curiosity growing increasingly as the release date nears given some personal observations gleaned from many subsequent viewings of the original 1987 film. How much will the 2014 version model the 1987 edition? Could it actually, dare I say, meet or surpass the original in cult following? So far, the immediate changes between the 2014 and the 1987 versions appear largely cosmetic (i.e., new guns, sleek motorcycle vs. clunky police cruiser, new armor with not-so-subtle Iron Man/techno Snake-Eyes stylings).

But, I wonder if RoboCop 2014 will tap into the underlying theme that I’ve found paramount among ingredients that made the original 1987 feature so iconic.

Continue reading “The Almost Human-ity of RoboCop: Pondering the Future of Law Enforcement”

Anime, Cosplay, Origins7 Comments

So I Knitted Myself a Totoro Hat

January 26, 2014July 16, 2014 LaShawn

I found the pattern for free on Ravelry. For the stitches I didn’t know how to do, I looked up how-to videos on YouTube, i.e, how to do knit with two colors and decreasing stitches. The pattern was easy once I figured it out: knit stitch (no purls), following the pattern around four times, and then changing over to double-pointed needles for the decreases. You can see the Totoros along the bottom, and above them, the sootballs. Add a puffball at the top, and I had a Totoro hat. Not bad for someone who’s only been knitting for a couple of years now.

My grandmother knits, but I never had the patience to do the large afghans and blankets that she loves to do. It was only when we moved to Wisconsin that I discovered that hats and gloves and scarves are a given up here. I got a Stitch and Bitch book as a Christmas present and thought, well, why not. So far, I’ve knitted scarves, fingerless gloves, and a sort of shawl which could be a poor excuse for a Snuggie. But this was my very first hat, and I’m proud it turned out well.

But that’s not what this post is really about.

Continue reading “So I Knitted Myself a Totoro Hat”

Animation, Movies, Music, Nerdcore7 Comments

Adam WarRock Wants to Build a Snowman

January 24, 2014December 5, 2019 Keith Chow

I guess it’s Frozen week on the Nerds of Color! Earlier in the week, I mentioned a twitter convo about the movie that I had with Adam WarRock. I (half-) jokingly tweeted that I wanted him to do a song over a “Let it Go” instrumental.

You guys, @eugewarrock is tweeting about #FROZEN! Someone get him a #LetItGo instrumental. I want a rap about it.

— Keith Chow 周樂文 (@the_real_chow) January 21, 2014

Well, he took it to another level and actually wrote a whole song and released it free for the whole interwebz to enjoy. Though he ultimately didn’t use the Idina Menzel showstopper, the beat from the B.o.B. track” John Doe” is still pretty evocative of the Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez music from the movie.

Here, I’ll let Adam explain why he decided to do the track — plus a link to download — after the jump:

Continue reading “Adam WarRock Wants to Build a Snowman”

Animation, Comics6 Comments

At the Nerds of Color, Friendship Really is Magic

January 24, 2014February 19, 2014 Keith Chow

The other day, the original Nerd of Color, Bao Phi, came by NOC HQ with a very big problem. His four-year-old daughter really needed a comic book, and apparently, it was the Nerds’ fault! Turns out, Uncle Rodrigo gave her a special mini-comic of IDW’s My Little Pony as a gift which quickly became a valuable artifact in the Phi house. Here, I’ll let Bao explain:

Continue reading “At the Nerds of Color, Friendship Really is Magic”

Art, It's a Draw

It’s a Draw with Natalie Kim and Aparna Nancherla

January 23, 2014August 22, 2014 Natalie Kim

How do the best comedians and cartoonists do what they do? Check out our new twice-weekly collaboration with Natalie Kim to find out!

Today, comedian Aparna Nancherla, a writer from W. Kamau Bell’s now defunct Totally Biased came to Natalie‘s studios to draw and spout some funny.

Check out the episode after the jump!

Continue reading “It’s a Draw with Natalie Kim and Aparna Nancherla”

Comics

Gene Yang & Sonny Liew Preview The Shadow Hero

January 22, 2014February 4, 2015 Keith Chow

Later this year, First Second Books will be publishing The Shadow Hero from writer Gene Luen Yang and artist Sonny Liew. Back in November, we were fortunate enough to have Gene on Hard N.O.C. Life where he talked a bit about working with Sonny and their research into the Asian American origins of a forgotten Golden Age hero named the Green Turtle.

Though the book is still forthcoming, Gene and Sonny actually published a series of Shadow Hero strips in Shattered, the anthology of Asian American comics I co-edited with Jeff Yang, Parry Shen, and Jerry Ma in 2012. For the first time, however, Gene and Sonny are unveiling these strips in full color over at Tor.com (they were originally published in black & white in Shattered).

Continue reading “Gene Yang & Sonny Liew Preview The Shadow Hero“

Art, Comics, It's a Draw

It’s a Draw with Natalie Kim and Simon Fraser

January 21, 2014August 22, 2014 Natalie Kim

How do the best comedians and cartoonists do what they do? Check out our new twice-weekly collaboration with Natalie Kim to find out!

Today Natalie had the privilege to sit and draw with renowned Scottish cartoonist Simon Fraser. They talk about how Simon learned to draw so well and about why you should not read his upcoming project Grindhouse, a collaboration with writer Alex de Campi coming from Dark Horse.

Check out the episode after the jump!

Continue reading “It’s a Draw with Natalie Kim and Simon Fraser”

Animation, Movies9 Comments

A Happy Snowman: In Defense of Frozen’s Olaf

January 21, 2014April 7, 2015 Keith Chow

If you had insomnia last night, I hope you were on twitter. Around 1am, our favorite internet rapper Adam WarRock took to the web and sent out an epic string of tweets about the animated film Frozen.

Just flew across the country after a 5 hour drive so I am completely Fried and I am gonna keep tweeting about Frozen

— Eugene_Ahn (@eugewarrock) January 21, 2014

Needless to say, Adam — like most of the world — is a big fan. In fact, I tweeted that someone needed to get him a “Let it Go” instrumental right away because I want a WarRock song about Elsa and her ice powers. One thing he’s not a fan of, however, is the snowman sidekick Olaf. And this is where the two of us part ways in our Frozen fandom.

Continue reading “A Happy Snowman: In Defense of Frozen’s Olaf”

Martial Arts, Movies3 Comments

Thoughts on Remaking Jet Li’s Shaolin Temple in 3D

January 19, 2014February 14, 2014 The Nerds of Color

Over the weekend, Deadline reported that Justin Lin, the director single-handedly responsible for sending the Fast & the Furious franchise into the stratosphere (and who also helmed the indie movie that launched the careers of a thousand Asian Americans over a decade ago) has been tapped to do a 3D remake of the film that similarly launched Jet Li’s career, The Shaolin Temple.

According to Deadline, the plan is to bring in an “A-list Hollywood” writer for the script and work with a budget over $100 million. Pretty ambitious for a Mandarin-language kung fu flick, but it seems the target audience is in Mainland China as much as it is the rest of the world.

“The aim is to make an unprecedented Chinese-based tentpole with story, style and scope that will resonate with global audiences as well,” [Perfect Storm Entertainment CEO Troy Craig] Poon says.

It’s no secret that we love martial arts films here at The Nerds of Color. But I couldn’t think of two Nerds who love the genre more than Raymond and Shawn S. So I asked them what they thought of Justin Lin bringing his talents to The Shaolin Temple.

Continue reading “Thoughts on Remaking Jet Li’s Shaolin Temple in 3D”

Art, It's a Draw, Television

It’s a Draw with Natalie Kim and Horatio Sanz

January 16, 2014August 22, 2014 Natalie Kim

How do the best comedians and cartoonists do what they do? Check out our new twice-weekly collaboration with Natalie Kim to find out!

Today Natalie draws with Saturday Night Live alum Horatio Sanz as he talks about how he really felt about the classic #cowbell episode of SNL.

Check out the debut episode after the jump!

Continue reading “It’s a Draw with Natalie Kim and Horatio Sanz”

Comics, DC Comics1 Comment

Maybe DC Can Reprint John Ridley’s American Way

January 16, 2014May 23, 2019 Keith Chow

(UPDATED March 2, 2014: Ridley actually won the Oscar, so what are you waiting for, DC?)

This morning, acclaimed screenwriter John Ridley scored his first Academy Award nomination for his adapted screenplay of 12 Years a Slave. If Ridley wins, will he be the first comic book writer with an Oscar?

That’s right. If you didn’t know, while John Ridley is known primarily for his work on the big screen (in addition to 12 Years, Ridley’s filmography includes writing credits on Undercover Brother, Three Kings, and Red Tails), he also has an extensive resume in nerdy television (Justice League, Static Shock) and comics (The Authority, The American Way). Unfortunately, collected editions of his work on either book is out of print.

That said, individual issues of The American Way are still available digitally on ComiXology. But I’m old school and still prefer holding a book in my hand instead of an iPad.

Continue reading “Maybe DC Can Reprint John Ridley’s American Way“

Comics1 Comment

The Army of Dr. Moreau is Available Digitally

January 15, 2014February 4, 2015 The Nerds of Color

Last week, David Walker threw down the gauntlet for folks who say there isn’t enough diversity in comics but may not buy — or even know about — comics and graphic novels by writers and artists of color. If you feel like supporting creators of color and publishers who aren’t “the big two,” you can start with a digital-only book by Walker himself. The third issue of David Walker’s digital mini-series The Army of Dr. Moreau comes out today exclusively on ComiXology.

Continue reading “The Army of Dr. Moreau is Available Digitally”

Anime, Movies4 Comments

‘Evangelion 3.0’ You Can (Not) Make Sense

January 14, 2014June 24, 2022 Jamie

It was by complete accident that I found out that The Movies at Montgomery Mall was playing Evangelion 3.0: You Can (Not) Redo on the big screen last Saturday night. Is this a thing that happens regularly there? They really need to advertise that shit better. If I hadn’t been randomly looking around Fandango, I would have missed it entirely.

Misc

The Adventures of Links

January 13, 2014March 17, 2014 Keith Chow

Since The Nerds of Color is not the only awesome thing on the internet, here are five links you should click on.

Seems that Jenn isn’t the only person who identifies with the Yellow Ranger. Over on The Toast, cartoonist Shing Yin Khor finds inspiration from everyone’s favorite Asian American Mighty Morphin’ Power Ranger to deal with a lot of unfortunate questions and comments from a lot of unfortunate people.

“Smash the patriarchy,” indeed!

Continue reading “The Adventures of Links”

Art, Comics

Denys Cowan’s Art Has Been Found

January 10, 2014April 29, 2019 Keith Chow

Quick update on the artwork that UPS “lost” en route to Geppi’s Entertainment Museum in Baltimore. It appears that all 28 pieces have been returned to Denys Cowan. Unfortunately, they have not been returned in the same condition in which they were shipped. Still, it’s good to know that this injustice has been rectified in some small way.

Cowan took to social media to deliver a special message to his fans and all involved in holding UPS’ feet to the fire. His message, as posted on Michael Davis’ website, is after the jump.

Continue reading “Denys Cowan’s Art Has Been Found”

Comics21 Comments

The Lack of Diversity in Comics: What’re You Doing About It?

January 10, 2014September 12, 2014 David F. Walker

It seems like every day I read something, somewhere, about the lack of diversity in comics (not to mention various other pop culture mediums). Sometimes these pieces focus on gender, other times on people of color, and sometimes both. At the recent Image Expo, sixteen comic creators took the stage, with only two being women, and none being of color, and in the aftermath we are once again having this conversation. (Read about it here on Bleeding Cool.) To be absolutely clear, this lack of representation in the creative forces that produce comics is problematic. There needs to be greater diversity on many levels when it comes to comics, both on the creative side, and within the stories that are being produced. But that is only one problem, and not the problem I want to address.

Continue reading “The Lack of Diversity in Comics: What’re You Doing About It?”

Gone Too Soon, Literature, Poetry1 Comment

NOC Poetry: R.I.P. Amiri Baraka

January 9, 2014May 23, 2019 Keith Chow

The world lost a titan of the Black Arts Movement when the poet Amiri Baraka passed away today in Newark, New Jersey after several weeks of hospitalization. Baraka was 79 years old.

On twitter, honorary NOC Saladin Ahmed wondered if Baraka was the first poet to reference superheroes in his work.

"Who has ever stopped to think of the divinity of Lamont Cranston?" –I wonder whether Baraka was the first poet to reference superheroes?

— Saladin Ahmed (@saladinahmed) January 9, 2014

The poem Ahmed was referring to, “In Memory of Radio,” comes from Baraka’s first collection of poetry, Preface to a Twenty Volume Suicide Note, which has been reprinted below. In it, Baraka — then still known as Leroi Jones — uses The Shadow to bookend the poem:

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