One of my favorite tactical RPG games is about to release a sequel. Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift will be released in the U.S. June 24, 2008 for the suggested retail price of $39.99(USD). I really enjoyed playing Final Fantasy Tactics Advance and to a lesser extent, Revenant Wings. I guess I’m just a sucker for grid-based battle games with oodles of character jobs to choose from. Do like your characters to be jump-happy Dragoons, life-saving White Mages or are you more of a pocket-picking Ninja? What’s your favorite character class in Final Fantasy and why?

They’re almost here! The G.I. Joe 25th Anniv vehicles (w/ figures) from Hasbro will be released June 2008 for about $20(USD). I still have a few of my original vehicles, including one of my first G.I. Joe favorites, the VAMP Jeep. It was first released in U.S. toy stores in 1982 and came with the straight-armed version of Clutch. These new upgraded, fan-favorite 80s vehicles include Serpentor’s Air Chariot, the Cobra “Trouble Bubble”, RAM motorcycle, Hiss Tank, Armadillo Tank and VAMP Jeep.

It’s nice getting a new G.I. Joe vehicle and putting on all the decals. There’s something therapeutic about placing “Warning: Gun is big” decals all over. You know, I’m really enjoying Hasbro’s 25th Anniversary G.I. Joe toys, but they’re hard to find. What about you? How many of these new figures have you found at your local stores? How many have you picked up and which ones are you looking for?

The website MindHabits.com offers a research-based software with which people learn to modify their mind habits, focusing attention on positive social feedback and inhibiting attention to the social threats and rejections that can cause stress. So it’s stress relief through simple, daily games like ‘Matrix’, ‘Words’, ‘Who Are You’ and ‘Grow Your Chi’. Try the free version online and improve your wellness.

It looks like we’ll be seeing where G.I. Joe all began in the upcoming 2009 movie. The film is reportedly an origins story. Here’s yet another nostalgia film that I hope doesn’t disappoint. It’ll be hard to top the original 80’s cartoon that I watched so much of all those years ago, but I guess we’ll see. I wonder if Snake Eyes will stay silent throughout the movie. Ah well, I thought I’d let you know about this because… knowing is half the battle. (*The above image scan is from one of my old catalogs.)

Look What’s Happening To The Handsome Muscular Men On Muscle Beach, CA!

Does your body look muscle starved? Not attracting the throngs of puffy pantied ladies you deserve? Then become this new breed of bobcat! Turn on the dames at the beach with mountains of muscles that you both can fixate on for hours. The myriad of muscles that you can achieve with the 007 Twister are only for real men, so no puny types need apply. Super muscles in just mere moments a day, why wait?

Let’s do the twist! Be like Sven Joe Weider here and bring out your inner He-Man!

Grow nano vol.3 - It’s another great Grow Flash game! In this game you’re growing each panel to its maximum potential and bringing the little guy to 100% health. This time around it only took me about 7 tries, so I feel smart. Have fun and enjoy the groovy tunes.

Join Plasticgod this Saturday afternoon, March 22nd from 1-4pm at Munky King on Melrose and identify the most celebrity heads and win tickets to Digitalism as well as a one of a kind custom portrait of yourself as Plasticgod art. I like his Greedo.

Dan Goodsell’s art show at Monkeyhouse Toys was superb and I got pictures! Dan invited his friends to contribute to the show and among them were S. Britt, Todd Franklin, Tokka, Michael Fleming, Jelene, Bubi Au Yeung, Jannie Ho, Todd Webb, Patches and Meomi. Their artwork was top notch. Dan also created lots of colorful, fun artwork just for the show. So there was plenty of Joe the Egg, Shaky Bacon, Clem Lemon and Mr Toast paintings to be enjoyed. Dan does great art.

This show is over, but it might be back next year. If you want to see more of Dan Goodsell, be sure to find him at the NY Comic-Con on April 18-20 (in the artist alley section), LA Times Festival of Books on April 26-27 and at Vinyl Toy Network (VTN) in Pasadena May 4th. So be sure to stop by and say hi.

P.S. Yes, Dan is wearing an official Shaky Bacon t-shirt. It’s all the rage in fashion!

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day! May the luck of the Irish be with ye! While you’re looking for yer pot-o-gold, take a peep at some satirical sketches of 21st century leprechauns from some talented illustrators. Makes ye wonder where the world’s heading.

Since I enjoyed the first series of Bizarre New World, I decided to check out the sequel ‘Bizarre New World: Population Explosion’, from Ape Entertainment.

This well written, nicely drawn comic is delivered with confidence and charm by Skipper Martin, Christopher Provencher and Wes Dzioba. If you haven’t picked up the first series (3 issues) of this comic, may I suggest that you do. The main character and average guy Paul Krutcher, must learn to cope with his newly found ability of flight. While the first series dealt with a flying guy and the world around him, this double sized 4th issue shows us how he deals with a flying world around him.

The story is real and well grounded, even though it’s about flying people. The entire human race, flying about sounds a little wild and definitely a little difficult to control. But along with the chaos and craziness, a new kind of freedom is discovered. So if you’re ever gifted with the power of flight and are looking for guidance, don’t turn to TV heroes or even to another comic super man, look no further than Bizarre New World. It’s you’re guide into the world of real human flight.

Want more? Grab the comic at your local comic shop. And just wait, there’s a sequel in the works: ‘Dubious Miracles’, the next story in the Bizarre New World series.

Check out their website at: Bizarre New World

The Hulk versus the Abomination. The mighty muscles of the Hulk will clobber the puny Abomination. I miss the cool way they looked in the old comics… Thanks CGI! Coming to a theater near you June 13, 2008.

Yup, you heard right, Futurama will be back on the air soon. I was watching Futurama repeats on Comedy Central last night and a commercial showed a mighty big Bender with text saying "Futurama - New Episodes March 23" on the screen. Yippie! As I said before, Futurama’s return is great news for all us fans. So be sure to watch the new Futurama episodes starting Sunday, March 23 on CC at 8pm! It’ll be great to see everyone in the 31st century again.

Neat news on the comic toy front that I found over at Toy Bender. Shocker Toys is creating independent comic book characters in 6-7″ poseable figure form. The action figures of Series 1 features Rob Schrab’s Scud the disposable assassin, Terry Moore’s Katchoo of ‘Strangers in Paradise‘, Jim Valentino’s ShadowHawk, David Mack’s Kabuki and MTV’s The Maxx in 8″. You’ll find these independent comic icons in comic shops sometime by July of this year.

Even though I’ve not read their comics in ages, I’m excited about the Scud and The Maxx action figures. It’s also cool to see a ShadowHawk toy, but I’ll probably pass. Check out more about Shocker Toys or read the Toy Bender article. Thanks Paul!

I saw this magnificent ‘Influence of Gary Gygax on Geeks’ flowchart at New York Times and thought I’d share it with you. I can relate to it, although I doubt it’s technical accurate. I stopped eating Hot Pockets and I got some sunlight awhile ago.

It’s a proud time for Wii owners out there, with the much anticipated Super Smash Bros. Brawl finally for sale in the states. Nintendo’s hugely popular fighting game is finally here. Like many other people, I’m definitely looking forward to picking it up ASAP. Super Smash Brothers Brawl is a must buy for anyone who owns the Nintendo Wii. I wonder which of the 35+ characters will become my favorite?

Returning Veteran Fighters: Mario, Link, Kirby, Pikachu, Fox McCloud, Samus, Zelda/Sheik, Bowser, Donkey Kong, Yoshi, Princess Peach and Ice Climbers from the NES title Ice Climber.

New Comers: Pit from the Kid Icarus series, Wario, Zero Suit Samus, Ike from the Fire Emblem series, Meta Knight and King Dedede from the Kirby series, Pokemon Trainer, Diddy Kong, Lucas from the Earthbound/Mother series, Pikimin and Olimar from the Pikmin series and of course Sonic and Solid Snake.

Plus several secret fighters.

Who’s your favorite character? Whether you’re playing Brawl or something else, feel free to share what you’re playing now too.