Archive for September, 2010

Yet another couple items in my ongoing clean-out-my-life project, this time it's a Serenity bank heist money display and a pile of random metal gaming miniatures.

The Serenity money display is a framed and matted display depicting one of the actual Alliance bills used in the movie Serenity during the bank heist scene and the Maidenhead bar scene. It comes framed and glazed with the movie logo laser cut out of velvet finish mount board. Note that this is not one of the replica bills made by QMx; this is the real, screen-used deal. There is an imperfection with the matting, described in the, um, description. Check it out! Comes with COA from the Prop Store of London and is a great way to get a collectible piece of the movie without paying overseas shipping.

Then we have a box of gaming miniatures. I have no idea what's in here. Got a pile of gaming stuff and ended up with these along for the ride. Some are painted, most are not. The few I can identify are some Watchmen figures (Rorschach, the Comedian, the Silk Spectre and Ozmandias), some Call of Cthulu, and some Legion of Superheroes. The two still in the (crumpled) packages are a headless horseman sort of thing from RAFM Miniatures and #1211 Texas Ranger from Deadlands' Weird West Miniatures line. The rest are fantasy pieces, superhero pieces, animals, monsters, etc. Who knows, the one you've been dying to find could be in here.

For those who have written asking if I've lost interest in Firefly/Serenity: hell, no. But I've got a LOT of stuff and I'd rather keep the items with personal meaning. Seriously, I'm just getting started.

Sunset Over the Mall

Originally uploaded by CABridges

There's a reason why I carry my camera everywhere.

You never know when strange women might flash you.

Also, there are cool skies up there.

The latest event in her 50-state tour, geek-folk singer Marian Call is coming to Winter Park, FL, to perform at The Geek Easy at A Comic Shop.

Marian puts on a hell of a show, complete with typewriter and rain stick, and doesn't get to this end of the country so you won't want to miss this. Plus she'll be sharing the stage with Marc With a C,  Donations of $10 or more are requested.

A Comic Shop is at 114 S Semoran Blvd. Winter Park, FL, and the show starts at 8. See you there!

The next installment of my I-need-money-and-my-storage-space-back auctions includes something special: a rare art print of Serenity. OK, granted, pics of Serenity aren't terribly rare; she's a beautiful lady and people seem to like drawing, painting, crafting and LEGO-ing her. But this is one of only 100 "engineering proof" prints made of a John R. Mullaney piece for QMx that have never, to my knowledge, been offered for retail sale. Mullaney is, of course, the illustrator behind the amazing Serenity Architectural Cutaway Set QMx just released with its incredible level of detail. This is the same style, ink and watercolor, but this image isn't included in the set.

The print measures 11"x17", is hand-numbered 51/100, and does have a few minor flaws described in the auction listing. But you won't find many of these around; it's a beautiful work of art of our girl. Check it out!

Also up: a heap of Serenity patches of different styles and sizes. Ariel EMT patches, Alliance rank insignia patches, Independent patches, an Alliance flag patch, even Wash's Londino patch.

Both auctions end Sunday, September 19. Don't miss 'em!

Of all the props or prop replicas from TV shows or movies I've ever coveted, the one that has been the most inexplicably absent, as far as I was concerned, was the sword of Inigo Montoya from the movie "The Princess Bride." A focal point of the movie, this stunning blade was famed throughout Spain, Guilder, Florin, and much of the rest of Europe as the blindingly fast weapon of the sword master Inigo Montoya. The finest sword ever crafted by his father, the greatest swordmaker in the world, it became Inigo's when the sword's buyer haggled over the price and ultimately killed his father. Inigo spent years devoting himself to the practice of the sword so that one day, when he met this six-fingered man again, he could say, "Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die."

I loved the book for years before the movie and I love the movie just as much, as did many others, but until very recently there has been little to no Princess Bride merchandise available, possibly because the movie didn't really hit cult status until it came out on video. Then we got re-releases, plush characters, action figures, T-shirts, games, another re-release, and even the hint of a sequel book. But no replica swords. Until now.

The Sword of Inigo Montoya replica has been copied from the only known existing prop version and is exacting in its detail with precise measurements, heft and balance. Featuring a swept-basket style hilt in gold over brass with gemstones and tableau-engraved decoration, the Renaissance-style rapier includes a mock-ivory handle and gold pommel, which has been lengthened slightly to accommodate a, ahem, somewhat unusual grip.

If you prefer a simpler style (or possess only the five fingers), there is also the Dread Pirate Roberts sword replica. Perfect for left- or right-handed swordsmen, the sword blade measures 32-inches long and is made of high-carbon sprung steel. The reproduction includes a leather-wrapped grip with chrome-plated steel hand guard and pommel, and the leather scabbard features chromed accents.

Each replica also includes a wall mounted display shield and numbered plaque, a certificate of authenticity and a prop story booklet, featuring a special introduction by Director Rob Reiner. Limited to 750 pieces each.

The swords are coming out in October but sources are already starting to sell out their preorders, so if you're interested you should act fast. You can preorder (and see more photos)  at the Factory Entertainment website but you can get them both a bit cheaper at Entertainment Earth (Inigo sword, Dread Pirate Roberts sword).

Now I want to go watch the movie again…

It's not the music, which is excellent, or the lyrics, which are inspired and flow much better than parodies usually do, or the video editing, which was wonderful.

It's that this version is much more emotional, better directed, and easier to understand than the originals.

You have to give it up for George Lucas. The products of his mind and his people offer rich, nearly untapped wells of unbounded creativity for other people to make better stuff with. Kudos, Mr. Lucas. Kudos.

More goodies up for bid in my ongoing "I Need Money and Want to Be Able to Walk Through My House Without Turning Sideways" auction. This time we have:

Strangers in Paradise "Abbey Road" T-shirt: This is the limited edition Wrap Party version of this shirt, only available by buying tickets to the Strangers in Paradise Wrap Party and Comic Book Legal Defense Fund event in NYC in 2007. It has the Abbey Road image of the SiP cast on the front and the wrap party tour dates on the back. There were 100 made; this is #2 (marked thusly, under the tour dates). Black, Adult XL, Hanes Heavyweight. Never worn.

Mal and Zoe dog tags from QMx: QMx had some dog tags made for Sgt. Malcolm Reynolds and Cpl. Zoe Alleyne, 57th Overlanders, Hera, to give out as promos at events and conventions. Brand new, made of high-quality metal plate with enamel, they measure approximately 5 cm x 2.5 cm. A black rubber silencer and chain is included with each.

Vertigo Tarot: This is a beautiful thing. Released when people couldn't get enough Sandman and Vertigo Comics, this stunningly illustrated tarot set uses characters from Sandman, The Books of Magic, Swamp Thing, and Hellblazer for the Major Arcana. Illustrations are by the amazing Dave McKean. Also includes a 128-page hardback guide to the Tarot by Rachel Pollack with introduction by Neil Gaiman. This is not the reissue or the 20th Anniversary set, this is the original 1995 box set.

Much more to come, and don't forget the items from the first load that are about to run out. Good luck!

Time to purge the shelves and closets and earn some much needed cash, I'm thinking, so I'm throwing some stuff onto eBay. Weird stuff tends to accumulate at the Old Bridges Place, and I suspect it breeds because I know I never bought half this stuff. Here's what's up for auction so far:

Primeval Seasons 1 and 2: DVD sets, 4- and 3-disc sets respectively, that include the first two seasons of the hit BBC show Primeval  Dinosaurs are popping up in modern day Britain and a team is quickly assembled to deal with it. Does this team, perchance, have a competent leader, a brave and trustworthy 2nd in command, and quirky but good-hearted team members? Why, yes! Yes, it does. Lots of fun, decent effects, and plenty of twists.

A Serenity Alliance Currency Money Pack: You've been here before, you know what it is (a pack of Alliance money prop duplicates, made from the digital images used for the movie on rag paper, including a map of Miranda). Sealed in the box.

"That '70s Show" Viewmaster: Yeah? I'll bet you don't have one… A Viewmaster with the logo from the show and the dates it was on the air imprinted on the outside, plus a Viewmaster disc with 7 images from the show's history.

More stuff to come as I clean out my deeper recesses and dust everything off.

Torture Car

Originally uploaded by CABridges

Seen on I-4 today. Honestly not sure what the driver of this car is protesting, or, possibly, advocating.

The newest and most eagerly awaited Serenity comic is coming November 24, and you can preorder it now for 20% off.

"The Shepherd's Tale" finally opens up the life of Derrial Book. Written by Zack Whedon based on Joss' outline and drawn by Chris Samnee, it'll be 56 pages and published in hardcover.

One of Serenity's greatest mysteries is finally revealed in Shepherd's Tale, filling in the life of one of the show's most beloved characters–Shepherd Book!

Who was Book before meeting Mal and the rest of the Serenity crew, how did he become one of their most trusted allies, and how did he find God in a bowl of soup? Answers to these and more questions about Book's past are uncovered in this original graphic novel by rising stars Zack Whedon (Dr. Horrible, Terminator, Fringe) and Chris Samnee (Blackest Night: Tales of the Corps, Daredevil). A pivotal chapter in the ongoing Serenity saga, Shepherd's Tale is also a rollicking, action-packed epic in its own right!

$14.99 in stores, but TFAW is offering preorders for $11.99. You definitely don't want to miss this one. He don't give half a hump if you're innocent or not. So where does that put you?