Link: http://www.secretstashcasting.com/

Would you like to be in AMC's (The Walking Dead, Breaking Bad, Mad Men) reality TV show based around Kevin Smith's comic book shop Jay & Silent Bob's Secret Stash? If the answer is yes and you live anywhere near Redbank, New Jersey here is your chance. All you need to do is go here, fill out an application, upload a photo and a youtube video and you're on your way to geek heaven. The show seems to be based around the staff and the customers who visit the store to buy and sell geeky collectibles, kind of like Cash in the Attic/Antiques Roadshow for fanboys. No doubt much of the hilarity will come from the staff in the store which includes sometimes Batman artist, co-host of Tell 'Em Steve-Dave and lifelong friend of Smith, Walt Flanagan.

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Link: http://bbc.co.uk/i/n9mrg/

Just a quick one to point people towards an episode of News Night Review that can be found on the iPlayer. And before those of you outside the UK starting complaining you can't see it go buy a TV license and then complain.

As ever its presented by Kirsty Wark and as guests there are director Kevin Smith, comedian Natalie Haynes and author Jeanette Winterson. They are generally talking about the rise in Geek culture pointing fingers at releases like Flash Forward, Battle Star and District 9 that previously would have been totally in the realm of the Sci Fi fan and how/why they have gone main stream. I think its a decent look at this topic, touching on some interesting points. The show then goes on to talk about the industry and how comics have effected a lot of main stream output.

None of the panel try to take themselves to seriously which is a welcome departure from most review shows these days. For once it isn't a bunch of self important arse holes you have never heard off, talking bollox about shit you are never going to see.

Link: http://www.xbox360achievements.org/news/news-2544-Batman--Arkham-Asylum---Meet-Harley-Quinn.html

Thanks to X-Centric Ned we've got another Batman: Arkham Asylum trailer for your perusal and although I'm still really looking forward to the game (relesed date to be confirmed in the UK but hit's US June 2009) I'm going to have to take umbrage with the treatment of miss Harley Quinn. Watch the video to see for yourselves then read on for full on rant.

See what I mean? No?! Did you not watch the video of Super-Skank versus Batman? Well just in case you couldn't be bothered to watch the video I'll spell it out for you with this picture:

Why bother going to the trouble of hiring the most excellent Arleen Sorkin, original voice of Harley Quinn in Batman: The Animated Series, and then completely change the look of the character? I'll tell you why, Sex. That's right beleive it or not sex sells, especially in video games or at least that must be what games designers think. Harley Quinn was a character so popular that even though she was created solely for an animated version of Batman she eventually made it into the comics and is now an important charater in her own right. She has gone way beyond just being the Joker's girlfriend, fronting many comics all on her lonesome and forming relationships and partners much further affield that Gotham city. Her influence reaches so far that Kevin Smith of Clerks, Chasing Amy, Jay & Silent Bob, Zak & Miri Make a Porno, etc fame, named his first born daughter after her...his first born!

My point is fans like her the way she is, the way she was drawn. She isn't a sex symbol at least not in the conventional sense, she's a psychotic insecure little girl with a delusional love for the man she likes to call 'Mr J' A.K.A The Joker. I don't hate the re-design, it makes me feel kinda funny in the pants department which in it's sefl is a little worrying but it's quite a good look. I guess I'm just a fan of the original Harley and saw no point in sexifying her up. I'm also pretty surprised that Paul Dini and Bruce Timm her original creators and collaborators on this self same game saw fit to change her, were they not happy with the original design? Is this the way they always wanted to go but were restricted by the constraints of saturday morning cartoons? If anyone knows the answers I'd be more than willing to hear them, until then enjoy the original and always classy Harley Quinn.

Link: http://www.laserblazer.com/

It's a sad day for comic fans in California with the announcement that Jay and Silent Bob's Secret Stash West will be closing from 11th January. The store originally located in Westwood had to relocate last year to Laser Blazer, a popular DVD store, after the resignation of longtime friend to Kevin Smith and store manager Brian Johnson. Now, due to the economic climate the relocated store within Laser Blazer will have to close it's doors once again. The store in Red Bank New Jersey will remain unaffected and you can add your support to the store by visiting their website and making a fat purchase of some quality goods.

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