The Hammer Strikes!

Friday, March 28, 2014

Breaking News!

Well, it turns out my sister was right, I'm a freak. At least, I'm now officially part of the Two True Freaks Internet Radio Network. Yup, that's right, The Hammer Podcasts! is now being hosted by Two True Freaks. Many thanks to Scott Gardner and Chris Honeywell for offering me a spot. Heck, I even came up with a new logo in honor of the occasion.

While you're over there, why not check out my other show, this one co-hosted by my good friend Jif Fishman and all about Quasar!

Thursday, March 27, 2014

Thorbob Thunderpants

I saw this picture on Facebook and thought it was great, so I figured I'd share it here. Enjoy.

http://alexandra658590.deviantart.com/art/Thorbob-Thunderpants-387901879

Thursday, March 20, 2014

Selective Amnesia?

I've been thinking about Doctor Who recently, ever since I posted that filler a couple of weeks ago, and I've come to a realization. Doctor Who Fans, Whovians if you will, have no long term memory.With Peter Capaldi taking over in the new season later this year, the cycle of "I don't want a new Doctor" is in full swing. I don't know about the rest of you, but there has never been a Doctor that I have actively disliked. Are there some that I like more than others? Sure, but none that I can say I refused to watch.

But, every time there's a change to the man playing The Doctor, people get up in arms about how it's going to ruin the show, or they're done watching, or whatever. I don't get it. The fact tat The Doctor can regenerate into a new person, with his own personality, is the greatest idea a sci-fi show has had to ensure it's longevity. This reason, for more than any other, is why the show has been around for 50 YEARS!

So, why is it that there is a cycle of New-Doctor-iitis every single time there is a regeneration? I can only assume that it's either localized to new fans who have never known another Doctor, or that Whovians, as a group, have no memory at all (and judging by the minutia spouted by most of them, I know this isn't the case).

OK, I think that's enough of my grumpy old fan act. Now get off my lawn!

Thursday, March 13, 2014

The Artwork of Steve Garcia

I was asked if I wanted to participate in the most recent Justice League of Bloggers Crossover featuring the artwork of Steve Garcia and, once I saw it, I jumped at the chance. Check out these great Thor silhouettes that he did.

Classic Thor by Steve Garcia

Modern Thor by Steve Garcia

The Hammer Podcasts - Episode 2 - Comic Books

It was only a matter of time. This time Gene tackles the topic of comic books. Marvel vs DC, art, where comics are going, it's all here. There is even the first piece of listen feedback!

Questions and comments can be e-mailed to gene@thehammerstrikes.com

P.S. Yes, I am breaking my self imposed rule of one post a week, but the Steve Garcia crossover was scheduled for today and I didn't want the podcast announcement pushed back, so you get a two-fer.

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Doctor Who Filler

I've been busy with some projects, the next episode of The Hammer Podcasts not the least of them, so I haven't worked up a good post for this week. In it's place, I present you with every Doctor Who TV opening from the past 50 years.

You're welcome.

In case you're wondering, and I know you are, this is my Doctor:

Thursday, February 27, 2014

My Issues with First Contact

I have a problem with the movie Star Trek: First Contact. Actually, I have several, and I wanted to lay it all out here. First of all, let me just state that I have no problem with people liking the movie. That has no effect on me at all. I just can’t watch it because I can’t forget what has come before. So here are my issues.

1. Zephram Cochrane – In The Original Series episode “Metamorphosis”, Cochrane is shown as being an independent person. He wanted to die in space and left, at the age of 87, to go out into the galaxy on his own. He has been on the asteroid for around 150 years and has managed to survive, with the help of The Companion, but he can’t leave. The Cochrane portrayed in the movie, however, is a drunk and a coward. There is no way that someone like this would have gone into space, alone, as an old man. He doesn’t even want to launch his own ship until the TNG crew goads him into it. Yes, people can change, but not THAT much.

2. The Borg Queen – Up to this point, the Borg have been shown as a collective, with one hive mind that works jointly between all of the members. They are so powerful that they overwhelm Picard in “The Best of Both Worlds” and it is extremely difficult for the crew of the Enterprise to get him back. In First Contact, though, this is all thrown out and they show that there is a single personality in control of everything. It does not work, at all, with the previously established idea of what the Borg were.

3. The Prime Directive – I understand the idea of the movie is making sure that the Borg do not prevent Cochrane’s flight and, therefore, the Vulcans discovering humanity is advanced enough to contact. However, why can’t that be accomplished without beaming down and DIRECTLY influencing the events? All this preaching from TNG about why they shouldn’t interfere, especially in time travel, was thrown out the window with this movie.

4. The Vulcans – Since the events of the bulk of the movie take place before the Federation and, therefore, before the Prime Directive or First Contact Protocols have been established, why would the Vulcans bother to investigate? And even if they do decide, why would they land? Wouldn’t it be more logical to study the planet with sensors rather than hope that they won’t be attacked on sight?

5. The Holodeck – Alright, with all of the holodeck problems that the Enterprise crew has endured, WHY would they have a way to turn the safeties off and make real, deadly bullets!?!?!?! That makes no sense, in universe. In fact, the safeties on the new ship’s holodeck should be hard wired in and unable to be turned off!

Alright, I think that’s enough for my blood pressure. Do you want to refute any of these? Agree with me? Add to the list? Either leave a comment or send me an e-mail at Gene@thehammerstrikes.com