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MUSIC: Shows for Aug. 31-Sept. 4

Kill Devil Hill (from killdevilhillmusic.com)

By Dionysis

Check out the wide variety of excellent live music events in Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee this weekend, plus Heavy Metal "All-Star" band Kill Devil Hill performs at Ziggy's in Winston-Salem next Tuesday with local groups!

Upcoming shows for Aug. 31-Sept. 4 include:

COMICS: Recommended Reading: 8/29/12

B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth —
Return of the Master #1
(Mike Mignola variant cover)

By Darrell Burris

D&J Hobby Center

This week's B.P.R.D. Hell On Earth — The Return Of The Master #1 continues the long-running “it's the end of the world as we know it” story.

The world continues to reel in the aftershocks of the war of frogs and the returning of the ancients. The BPRD fights on all fronts joined by the world's armed forces.

In this issue a rogue scientist from Russia (it's always the Russians, ain't it?) builds a doomsday cult in the mountains in an attempt to add to the devastation causing havoc across the Earth.

Mass Effect: Homeworlds #4 features our favorite blue girl from the game, Liara T'Soni, and gives her back story. A must for any fan of the incredible game.

Detective Comics Annual #1. BATMAN vs. THE BLACK MASK.

Well, that pretty much says it all right there.

We finally get the throwdown many of us have been waiting for, as well as the first in the series of new annuals for the DC NEW 52.

In Green Lantern Annual #1, its the fate of the original Black Lantern and the effects of this book will span the Corps and change it all again.

Justice League #12 features a superhero team-up of a different sort, with a hookup between Superman and Wonder Woman. It also follows the JLA in the continuing story of the origins of the NEW 52's Shazam. This book continues to deliver some of the best JLA stories in years and is a constant great seller at the shop.

GAMES: PureSteam RPG playtest coming soon

PureSteam character Con Goodwin

By Brian Funk

“Fires stoked. Water boiling. Cogs clanging. Our first round of external playtest is on,” says game creator Adam Crockett at PureSteamRPG.com. “Strap in, this gyrocopter's primed and about to ascend!”

PureSteam is a Pathfinder-compatible RPG in a steampunk setting, focused a great deal on the Blue Ridge area of the 1800s.

“When steam tech is prevalent, coal is king. Play a moonshinin' halfling alchemist in the Blue Ridge, a dwarven mechanical prodigy able to jury rig vehicles on the fly, and many more!” says the game's Facebook page.

PureSteam was recently funded through donors to Kickstarter and backers who contributed more than $150 are getting the playtest now.

“Everyone else: give us a couple weeks to incorporate their feedback and we'll have the polished playtest doc up on paizo.com as a free download for anyone and everyone,” Crockett says.

The playtest will include:

MUSIC: It's Alive! Our music section is back.

CONTACT DIONYSIS:
Pimp your band's shows on his
Facebook page and send invites
to get live performances
featured on The Signal!
www.facebook.com/metalcult

Our music section is being shocked back to life this week, with new music guru Dionysis Metalcult manning the electrodes!

We'll continue our weekly show listings and band profiles, and will soon add live coverage of shows.

Dionysis (aka Dennis Warren) is an underground recording artist and entertainer with Galax, Va.-based heavy metal band Cult of Dionysis. He founded the band in 2006 and is the drummer/vocalist.

He is also writer/artist for the band's underground comic book series, Metalcult Comix — putting him at the perfect nexus of THE SIGNAL's mix of content.

Dionysis was the drummer for Galax, Va.-based band Play War from 1991-1994, and the vocalist for Independence, Va.-based Cryptameria from 1998-2001.

"I love underground music because that's where the true music scene lives and breathes,” Dionysis says. “Commercial music in the 21st Century is so mechanical, processed and manufactured that it feels fake."

MUSIC: Shows for Aug. 24-25

Busy weekend for the local music scene!

Friday, Aug. 24

• Cancer Benefit for Jim Benson — featuring Dirty South Revolutionaries and more. Charlotte, N.C. www.facebook.com/events/252484551532990/

• Rock 'Till You Drop — local/regional showcase featuring Hellblock 13 and more. Greensboro, N.C. www.facebook.com/events/463807136982811/

Saturday, Aug. 25

• Ziggy's 1 Year Anniversary Party — original underground music of various genres including Southern rock, metal, pop, country, funk and more. Winston-Salem, N.C. www.facebook.com/events/243344659119431/

• Nothing But Metal — featuring White Nuckle Blackout and more. Thomasville, N.C. www.facebook.com/events/382974835102687/

• Metal Malevolence — featuring Doom Syndicate, The Ziggurat and more. Blacksburg, Va. www.facebook.com/events/443662792334928/

• Alleghany Uprising Cancer Awareness Concert — featuring Monstrok and more. Sparta, N.C. www.facebook.com/AlleghanyUprising

COMICS: Recommended Reading 8/22/12

By Darrell Burris

D&J Hobby Center, Galax

Taking a look at books on the shelves Aug. 22, 2012:

Adventure Time #7 is as funny and nutty and as brilliant as the show. You can't put this book down. Sure, you'll get some funny looks at the rack but you're reading Adventure Time, but who cares?

Dragon Age: Those Who Speak #1 — if this book is as good as the trade paperback we carried, then this will make me a happy shop owner. The Dragon Age series based on the BioWare video games is worth the attention of any fan of the fantasy genre and especially the game.

Star Wars: Darth Vader and the Ghost Prison #4 — This is the best Star Wars comic I've read and I've read a LOT of Star Wars comics. This continues the dark story of a dying Emperor Palpatine, who is the target of an assassination attempt from within the ranks of the Empire's own forces. Darth Vader takes his Emperor to a hidden “ghost prison” in deepest space. It's a dark secret of the Jedi from the Clone Wars, something not even the most stalwart fans of the Jedi would believe possible.

If you are a fan of Star Wars this book is a must read.

GALLERY: Custom Creatures

Today, I've posted a gallery of some custom figure creations, this time taking on the classic monsters — Dracula, Frankenstein's Monster and The Wolfman.

Werewolf? There wolf!

I've kept away from the "classic" interpretations, and gone in another direction. See what you think!

CLICK HERE FOR THE GALLERY

COMEDY: Mo Alexander, Evil Mastermind

THE SIGNAL is honored to announce a new regular contributor — the one and only Mo Alexander! Mo has graciously agreed to write a monthly column for THE SIGNAL. Read more about this “evil mastermind” and his plot to melt your mind with his madness. Then he'll put your brain back together — better, smarter and weirder.

”I’m trying to save the world, one comedy show at a time," says  Memphis, Tenn.-based comedian Mo Alexander, who describes himself as “Part evil mastermind; part werekoala of hilarity.”

The mastermind part is spot-on, but I've never actually witnessed his transformation into a eucalyptus-munching werebeast. (That's only after about a dozen shots of Patron, I hear. Give him Jose Cuervo and prepare for the koala to maul your face.)

Mo has been in comedy for almost two decades and has headlined all over the country in top clubs and theaters.

Locals know and love him from his legendary standup gigs at the late-and-lamented Parrot Bay nightclub in Galax, Galax Comedy Club and The Galax Smokehouse.

Mo says his style is twisted, insightful and aims to “offend those people and ideals that have offended him; ideals such as ignorance, narrow-mindedness and, for that matter, the easily offended.”

“Offensive” is subjective, of course, and part of his goal is to get people talking and thinking about things that society says they shouldn't. The result may leave your mouth hanging open like a trout, but your mind will be open, too.

CONS: The Virginia Vintage Comics & Collectibles Show

The Virginia Vintage Comics and Collectibles Show returns to the Salem Civic Center for the 15^th year on Saturday, Aug. 18. The show is billed as “the only Vintage Comic Show in the Eastern United States.”

Show promoter Roger Mannon of Floyd said, “there are lots of comic book shows, and old comics can be found at toy, hobby and card shows. But we are the only show dedicated to old comics.”

Because the show is unique, dealers and collectors from as far as Florida, New York and the Midwest attend, a total of 14 states to date. One man who has made the 1,100 mile trip from Minneapolis several times calls Virginia Vintage “the best one-day, small-city show in the United States.”

COMICS: Recommended Reading for Aug. 15, 2012

By Darrell Burris

D&J Hobby Center,Galax

Rorschach #1 is one of the most-anticipated books of the “Before Watchmen” series. I am hopeful that this book will continue the trend of success that this DC series has had.

Green Lantern #12 continues the success of the DC reboot, but ironically, this book hasn't really changed at all in the “New 52” universe and is still running pretty much as it was before the reboot. The mysteries continue to grow as to just what the Guardians are up to and to what depths they will go to ensure complete control and peace in the galaxy at any cost. The Lanterns now turn on their creators and do all they can to stop them before their plans come to fruition.

Justice League #10 is another in the long line of quality DC titles and I do hope it continues. This book continues to please all that read it with the adventures of their favorite DC heroes all in one book.

CON REPORT: Charlotte ComiCon 2012

One of the great things about comic conventions is rooting through the dusty 50-cent boxes for hidden treasures.

We were on the scene for the first time at Charlotte ComiCon last month, and found some gems.

The con was in the small Crown Plaza hotel ballroom downtown, and very well attended. In fact, the event could really use a bigger venue. And air conditioning.

It's definitely for the vintage comic collector with money to spend. Not my thing, personally — I'm a reader, not a collector. If you're looking for older books, though, this is your place.

I did find a 36-issue run of New Mutants (1982) in the 50-cent box. Score! That and Teen Titans were two of my favorite books growing up.

Not an abundance of other collectibles — and few, if any, trade paperbacks — but the cosplay was going strong.

Among the usual superheroes and stormtroopers from the 501st Legion were the truly innovative costumes, like The Doctor and Amy Pond, joined by a woman in a TARDIS costume. The big blue box looked uncomfortable, but of course the TARDIS is bigger on the inside.

Check out the slideshow below for more pics, and see more about their upcoming events at www.charlottecomicon.info and their Facebook page, www.facebook.com/CharlotteComicon.

— Brian

BAND OF THE WEEK: Doom Syndicate

Doom Syndicate, from Roanoke, Va., are massive. Death metal at it's finest.

They have played with a long list of national acts and started a multi-state tour last week.
Their new album, "Midsummer's Fall," comes out Aug. 28 from Born of Chaos Records.
The post-Apocalyptic metal band from the Blue Ridge Mountains has been cultivating their flavor of metal since the late 1990s, meeting many friends along the way and quietly helping forge a new sound of East Coast flavor.

Character Profile: THE ROOK

This is the first in a series of features on original characters I'm designing for a graphic novel idea I'm working on. Rather than design them on paper, I design in 3D, with X-Acto knives, wire cutters, Sculpey, paint, screwdrivers and lots of plastic bits.

We'll start off with The Rook, a character I've long been developing and one whose name and look has evolved dramatically over time. I've had this guy in mind for 20 years.

The Rook was always a crow/raven-themed character, but he went from being an armored Batman type to a more medieval knight to a supernatural creature before finally becoming an amalgam of all three influences.

I'm using a NECA “Ninja Gaiden” body for a base, with a Toy Biz “Darkness” head, Mattell “Hawkgirl” wings and assorted parts.

The wings aren't meant to be organic, but instead a kind of Da Vinci-style glider/flight pack.

He still needs to be assembled and painted, and some original parts sculpted. Final color scheme will be black with highlights of copper, dark grey and blue.

For a guy that's been in my head this long, The Rook's backstory remains mostly a mystery to me. Maybe that's why I find him so compelling.

His role in the story is a mentor to some of the main characters and something of a tragic figure. He's older than he looks, and about the last hero left in a world that has lost most of its protectors.

Once soaring into battle on those wings, The Rook now roosts in dark, abandoned lofts of vacant buildings, hiding out from his enemies. I wanted his look to reflect that “fallen angel” status.

MUSIC: This Weekend's Shows

SUPPORT LOCAL MUSIC!

Bluegrass not your thing? 

Or just want some thrash or some beats to mix things up a little?

Plenty of shows this weekend:

FRIDAY, AUG. 10

Ziggy's, Winston-Salem, N.C.

Jerry Garcia B-day Bash, with Cosmic Charlie

facebook.com/events/466182116728118/

Easy Street Private Club Thomasville, N.C.

Metal Against Cancer Benefit Show, featuring Skylines Always Fall, HellBlock 13, White Knuckle Black Out, Lifemare and MindJakked

facebook.com/events/483740241639082/

The New Brookland Tavern and Restaurant, West Columbia, S.C.

New Brookland Throwdown, presented by Splatter Magazine and Wickedlife Promotions. Featuring Dirty South Revolutionaries, Dixie Deathwise, nothinG and Robot Plant.

facebook.com/events/215120211944305/

Galax

Basement show with upcoming local band Blight

Details on the link: facebook.com/events/303342616431411/

The Chop Shop, Charlotte, N.C.

Rockin The Chop Shop, featuring Taatermask, Viasava, Descendants Of Chaos, ManaMana

facebook.com/events/348179871927465/

SATURDAY, AUG. 11

Ziggy's, Winston-Salem, N.C.

Fuhnetik Union/My Brother Skylar

facebook.com/events/253191098133590/

The Clubhouse Greensboro, Greensboro, N.C.

Exposed Festival, featuring The Devil's Roundhouse, 3 Quarters Dead, Deadset, Resist, Perfect Illusion and many more.

facebook.com/events/334440586631215/

10-0-one, Winston-Salem, N.C.

A Light Divided, Thru World Aggression, Skinkage and InterTwyned

Tailgators, Winston-Salem, N.C.

Alexis Machine, with special guests Something Wicked

Music and comics mix for Mumford & Sons and Mountain Empire

Dionysis and Brett Marcus Cook of Metalcult Comix with master illustrator and comic book legend Charles Vess of Abingdon, at Mountain Empire Comics.

BRISTOL — Internationally renowned London-based band Mumford & Sons will be performing along with several other groups on State Street in downtown Bristol, Tenn., on Aug. 11. The event is expected to draw thousands, and in between the music, fun, and excitement be sure to stop in at Mountain Empire Comics!


Mountain Empire Comics Mastermind Robert Pilk has invited a number of artists and independent comic book creators to appear at his store! So in addition to the incredible selection of comic books, games, magazines, and graphic novels always on sale, you'll have a chance to meet some super cool independent artisans!

Special guests include:
Kaysha Siemens, artist extraordinaire: http://www.kayshasiemens.com/

Betty-Badger Ogletree of Ogletree Art Studios:
http://www.facebook.com/rainbowbrightbetty

Dionysis Metalcult the creator of Metalcult Comix:
http://www.facebook.com/MetalcultComix

PLUS MORE!

Also be sure to drop in at Bridgeforth Design Studio right beside Mountain Empire Comics and check out all the amazing artwork created by Brian & Marie: http://www.facebook.com/BridgeforthDesignStudio

Mountain Empire Comics is located 31 Sixth St. in Downtown Bristol, Tenn.
For more information, call (423) 274-0450 or visit http://www.mumfordandsons.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/events/306794489418736/

COMICS: This week's recommended reading

It's Wednesday, so it's time to hit your local comic shop and see what's new this week.
This week, I asked Darrell Burris, proprietor of D&J Hobby in Galax, for his recommendations:

"You can't go wrong with Batman," Burris says. "I think Thun'da will be (hopefully) a hit. The Massive has been an interesting read. What gets me is how plausible this story can be in the real world. "Before Watchmen: Ozymandias #2 is my favorite of this entire series. I love the art and the story is a remarkable piece of writing.
"I'm looking forward to Godzilla: Half Century War #1. I've really enjoyed the other books in this series and am always a sucker for the God of Beasts.
"Transformers will continue to be one of IDW's gems. These are great books and for fans of the Autobots and Decepticons it's a must. Plus, I'm a big fan of how they've moved away from Earth and focused on the universe of these heroes and villains.
"Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe will be a hit, since we sold out of #1 in near record time."

There you have it. Get out there and get reading. See what's coming out at COMICLIST (www.comiclist.com/index.php) and then check out D&J HOBBY CENTER (www.facebook.com/DJHobbyCenter.)

Watch the WyvaCon short film

Our good friend Dionysis (he of the bewildering 'stache in the photo) brings this to our attention:

The WyvaCon Documentary is now online and watchable.
More than that — it's enjoyable!

Says Dionysis: "This short film chronicles the amazing event that was the first WyvaCon, a science fiction and fantasy convention which took place on July 28, 2012 in Wytheville, Va.
"Special thanks to filmmaker Donald Bales, organizers Chris DeHart, Melanie Hanshew, head of security Brian Goolsby, my pals Paul Phipps, Travis Viars, Katie Viars and everybody else who participated, attended and supported the event to make it a HUGE success."

It truly was a great day. Relive it (or experience it for the first time) right here: http://vimeo.com/47063318

WyvaCon 2013 is a go!

If you attended WyvaCon, Wytheville's first-ever sci-fi convention last month — or wish you had — you'll be glad to know that WyvaCon 2013 is already booked for July 27, 2013.

See you there!

Here's a link.

Ghosts of Galax walking tour returns

 By Brian Funk, Copyright 2012, The Gazette (www.galaxgazette.com): 

A Galax native has explored his hometown's darkest corners to reveal tales of terror and the unknown.

Brandon Ayers hopes these legends, extracted from locals and presented by professional storytellers and guides, will educate and enthrall during the Ghosts of Galax Haunted Historic Walking Tour.

Ayers, who grew up in Galax, says he got the idea after taking similar ghost tours in Abingdon and in Beaufort, N.C.

“Why not here? People are always looking for something to do, and this is an hour of live entertainment that includes ghost stories and the history of our city.”

Ayers began compiling stories, and figured he'd accumulate a handful to fill out a brief tour. At last count, he had about 40 stories — 15 of which are included in the hour-long ghost walk. “I've lived here all my life, and I'd never heard most of these stories,” Ayers said.

Ayers launched the ghost tour last year, and is bringing it back each night this week to coincide with the Galax Old Fiddlers' Convention. He will also offer the tours on weekends in October.

He said there are six new stops and new stories added to this year's tour.

Ayers started at the public library, reading a half-dozen history books about Galax, then began talking to anyone who'd listen. Just about everyone he told about the project had a story to tell, some passed down through their families from before the city's founding in 1906.

In the process of collecting these spooky tales, he discovered a fascinating history of downtown Galax and those who used to live here.

The hauntings are the hook, but the true spirit of the tour is a history lesson peppered with weird happenings and funny stories, like the Sunday morning when a cache of dynamite exploded right in the middle of a fire-and-brimstone sermon, leading the congregation to believe the end had finally come.

Each candlelit tour will be led by a guide who has been schooled in the history and hauntings of Galax.

Ayers is using one tale in particular to tie this inaugural tour together — the story of a spectral nurse who doesn't so much haunt as help those in danger.

“The story of Nurse Alice begins back in 1904, when the Hotel Waugh stood on the site on North Main Street where Macado's is now and what used to be the Galax Post Office,” Ayers says.

“While she was staying at the hotel, it caught fire. Alice got out, but according to legend, she ran back in to check on others — right as the building collapsed around her.

But, Alice's story didn't end there. Like a guardian angel, she turns up again when another fire breaks out years later.

“The Central Hotel caught fire some time in the early 1900s,” Ayers said. “The guests kept asking what happened to the nurse, who they said knocked on their doors and told them the building was on fire.”

Ayers said 11 of the guests all described the same incident — a woman in white came to get them, told them she was a nurse, and led them to safety.

“There was no one that matched that description staying at the hotel, but she exactly matched the description of Alice — a white dress with a Victorian collar, her hair in a bun and holding a handkerchief.”

Legend has it that, one foggy night at the city's old bus stop, a woman getting off the bus stepped around the front to smoke a cigarette, tripped over some luggage and fell into the street, where she was hit by a car.

Tour guide Jason Vaught said that, years later, a driver reported “hitting” a woman at that spot on a foggy night.

“He felt the impact, but the woman just disappeared and he felt a cold wind blow through the cab of his truck and could smell stale cigarette smoke.”

During trial runs, some people have already had ghostly experiences.

Looking at old photos of Galax, Ayers was struck by how busy downtown was in the early 20th Century. “I want to see it thrive, I want Galax to become everything it can be. There's so much potential here, and we need to embrace our history.”

He stresses that the tour is about life, not death — the goal is to bring vitality back to downtown.

In those fading photos, the streets are filled with people, shoulder to shoulder. “My wish is that we could be just as bustling and thriving as Galax was in its heyday.”

Ghosts of Galax Haunted Historic Walking Tour

The tour is six-tenths of a mile long, and begins each night at the Galax Farmers' Market on North Main Street.

Hours: Nightly, Aug. 6-11, with tours departing at 7, 8, 9 and 10 p.m.

(Starting in October, tours are on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, at the same times.)

Prices: $12 for adults; $8 for students with ID, senior citizens and active military; and free for children age 5 and younger. This week, the ghost tour is offering a $1 discount for those with paid admission to the fiddlers' convention.

Reservations: recommended, but not necessary.

Contact: (276) 235-5264

BAND OF THE WEEK: Vanisher

By Scotty McMeans

I have to go with the most buzz-worthy of the week, Vanisher. Their first full-length CD, “Unbound,” debuted July 31 and immediately went to bandcamp.com's third most-downloaded in the world.

From the band's profile:

Vanisher is a band that started by accident.

Two years ago when guitarist Kyle Odell was wrapping up a year's worth of constant touring with his band Bloodjinn, he decided to start writing again. Not sure of the direction that the sound was going, he started working with current Bloodjinn vocalist Joel Collins on what would become the band Zero System. Collins reeled in the singing and bass talent of then Glass Casket fill-in guitar player Justin Reich and the music started to take shape.

After months of pre-production, Collins decided to part from Zero System to dive deeper into his record label and promotions company. Leaving this spot open, Reich contacted Glass Casket vocalist Adam Cody to fill the void of front man and a new direction was formed for the band.

The music was more aggressive, but more sharp and precise than the original radio metal groove Zero System was initially carving for itself. With this change and with their then drummer Trey Harding moving on to start a family, the moniker Zero System had run it's course.

With the addition of Andrew Gore on drums, his songwriting skills and multi-talented music abilities really moved the founding members to start fresh.

Vanisher was a name change of purpose.

In an interview, vocalist/bassist Justin Reich states: "We really couldn't be happier with the current state of this band...for a while there things were looking kind of bleak and we really felt like everything we were doing was just, well fake. Nothing made sense.

“Everything with Vanisher from the newer songs that we are writing to the older Zero System songs we are revamping seems to finally click. We are doing this because it is what we love to do, not what someone else wants us to do. Now with Tribunal working with us, we really feel like this is our niche and can't wait to see what grows from it"

These guys are as professional as it gets. Reich also runs a video production company called Antimatter Studios and produced and directed the band's videos.

Odell produced, recorded and engineered their CD through his production company, Attack Time Recordings.

Visit their website here: http://www.thisisvanisher.com/home/

HERE'S THE VIDEO FOR VANISHER'S “REACTION”

LOCAL MUSIC: Weekend Shows

Scotty McMeans

Scotty McMeans has signed on to write about local bands and local shows for the music segment of The Signal. Scotty is a musician and a passionate promoter of our local music scene here in Galax and the surrounding region.

Scotty has been playing guitar for 25 years, including stints in blacklist and Cult of Dionysis.

“I have had the opportunity and pleasure to meet and play with some very incredible people, musicians and bands,” he said. “I enjoy a variety of music from acoustic to extreme metal.”

If you want to promote local bands and shows, you can find Scotty on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/omegashredax.

“Please feel free to post anything about your band or shows on my site. I support local music and do my best to help spread the word about bands I like.”

To start off, here's a list of shows coming up for Aug. 3-4

FRIDAY, AUG. 3

• Summer Slaughter Tour

https://www.facebook.com/events/140419052749894/

• Steppin' Out Blacksburg

https://www.facebook.com/events/374120205976729/

• Jerry Garcia Birthday Bash

https://www.facebook.com/events/382263795168769/

• The Contortionist/Jeff Loomis

https://www.facebook.com/events/401091003271133/

SATURDAY, AUG. 4

• Static X with Prong

https://www.facebook.com/events/307809839315475/

• Scott Leftwich and the Atarians (acoustic)

https://www.facebook.com/events/314500561965600/

Custom Figures: Steampunk

When I was a kid, I never considered any of my toys "broken."
If they were missing a leg or a head, I considered it an opportunity to make that toy unique by "fixing" it.
I'd tape, glue or wire another appendage on there, giving G.I. Joe a robot arm from a Star Wars figure, or just attaching a bunch of parts together for a Frankenstein figure of my own creation.
Over the years, since I never stopped collecting toys and action figures, I began turning this skill into more of an art form. Since then, I've found thousands of others who build, sculpt and adapt existing figures into characters who don't have their own toys, better versions or existing figures or what I do, which is create new characters from parts.
It takes months, sometimes years, to find the right parts, or figure out what to make from a box of assorted loose parts.

My most recent series is a Steampunk-inspired set of four figures. Steampunk is a sub-genre of science fiction that basically involves a Victorian-era setting, but with technology — steam, clockwork, coal, electricity — that's a bit more advanced than we had in the 1800s, though still mostly plausible. Think H.G. Wells' "The Time Machine" or Jules Verne's "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea."
I decided that Steampunk, with its amalgamation of different parts, is perfectly suited to the do-it-yourself spirit of custom figure building.

So, I settled on four archetypes of Steampunk fiction — the Mechanic, the Adventurer, the Scientist and the Automaton — and built examples of each.
I'm really happy with the way they turned out. I showed them last year at D&J Hobby's annual model show in Galax, and won first place in my division. My only regret is that I didn't take any photos of the building and painting process.

The Lady Adventurer
The lovely and devious master thief Victoria Dare will steal your heart — and your valuables!
Victoria was made from a base figure of an "X-Men: The Last Stand" Phoenix body, a head from a "Danger Girl" figure, a Penguin tophat and more bits and pieces than I can count.

The Time Traveler
The unparalleled genius of Professor Julian Welles has thrust him into the distant past and far future!
The base body is a Joker figure from "The Dark Knight" movie line, with a Wesley head from a "Buffy" figure (with added sideburns!) and an assortment of toy parts, watch parts, gears and junk to make the control panel for his time machine.
I'm actually planning to expand this to include a larger time machine platform.
I took the Professor's name from the two great writers, Jules Verne (Julian) and H.G. Wells.

The Fixer
Kate McKenna, the tom-boyish mistress of mechanics, has the tools to build anything she sets her mind to!
Kate here is my second-favorite of the bunch, after Victoria. Her last name was meant to evoke the word "mechanic," because that's what she is — a woman with the ability to build anything she can conceive.
She's built from an X-Men "Lady Deathstrike" base body, the head of a DC Direct "Power Girl," a coat from a "Pirates of the Caribbean" figure and so much more. Her lightning gun is custom-made, as well.

The Mechano-Man
Behold! This armored automaton is modern science's answer to safer warfare and exploration!
I envisioned this guy as something that would be shown off at the World's Fair, a mass-produced robot for heavy work.
He's made from an X-Men "Avalanche" figure, with a modified Iron Man head, a custom-made sonic drill gun and a variety of assorted junk.

I'll be posting some more pics of custom projects. I have a line of classic monsters (Frankenstein and Werewolf so far, Dracula in the works) that I'll show soon, as well as some random characters of my own creation. I'm also expanding the Steampunk series into new territory (The Old West) and I'll try to post in-process pics along the way.
Enjoy, and anyone with questions about building or painting custom figures, you can contact me at bfunksignal@gmail.com

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Sexy Beasts

I just found the Facebook page for New Jersey-based Creative Beast Studio, maker of some incredible dinosaur, dragon and fantasy statues, model kits, T-shirts and figures.

Check out their amazing work here:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Creative-Beast-Studio/113487525333128

This Week's Comics: Aug. 1, 2012

"Hurm...."

Here's a list of comics shipping this Wednesday, from a great online resource called ComicList.

They keep an ongoing and accurate listing of what's coming each week, the next week and well into the future, as well as shipping changes and cancellations.

In what I'm not even going to pretend isn't a shameless plug, check out the ComicList and then go see our good friends at D&J Hobby in Galax. If Darrell doesn't carry it — ASK FOR IT!

This week's books include DC's phenomenal horror/superhero sagas Swamp Thing and Animal Man, as the stories in both books begin to merge into one epic. These books have been two of the biggest surprises of DC's "New 52" initiative, and are worth checking out.

Also from DC this week is the second issue of Before Watchmen: Nite Owl. The overall quality of this series of prequel books has been superior, especially Comedian and Ozymandias, which is no surprise given the caliber of creators involved. I'm enjoying them all the more for the thoughts of Alan Moore pulling out his beard in righteous indignity over DC daring to write new stories about characters they own.
I mean, the audacity! Don't they know he's a genius? Just ask him.

Marvels Avengers vs. X-Men event rolls on with issue #9, in which the mutants find themselves corrupted by the all-consuming power of The Phoenix, even as they try to remake the world into a better place.
(They should have asked Spider-Man about that whole "great power/great responsibility" thing. No one ever listens to Peter...)

Also shipping is the first issue of Marvel's promising new Hawkeye solo series, sure to get some attention for its gritty feel and the character's wider exposure from The Avengers movie.

But in what's sure to be the must-buy book of the week, Boom! Studios is releasing Garfield #4 today. I hear there's a shocking revelation in this one...

!!SPOILER ALERT!!


Garfield also hates Tuesdays.

Brian

Con-spiring

ComiCon in San Diego gets all the press, but who wants to put up with all those celebrities and exclusive swag and pop culture icons, right?

Okay, all of us.

But for more accessible and affordable cons, there are a few coming up that I plan to try out this year.

Of course, the biggest and so far best convention in the region is HeroesCon in Charlotte, held each June. It attracts big names in the industry because of its overwhelming focus on comics and their creators — not the media tie-ins, movies and other ancillary stuff.

Here are three cons coming up:

• Charlotte Comicon is this weekend, Aug. 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Hotel (swanky!), 201 S. McDowell Street, in Charlotte, N.C.

Admission is only $3 (cheap!) and kids under 12 get in free. Parking is also free.

• The 15th Annual Virginia Vintage Comics & Collectibles Show (whew...) is Aug. 18 at the Salem Civic Center. Not so much a con as collection of collectors, the show will have door prizes (gas cards — yes!) and free parking. Admission is $2, or free for kids 12 and under.

• Hickory-Con is not dedicated to our favorite hardwood or a BBQ cook-off.

Put on by Timmy Mac's Comics & Games and Time Tunnel Comics, the convention will feature special guests like Bud Root, Andy Smith and Buddy Prince, along with a bunch of comics, toys and games.

The event is Sept. 29 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Hickory Metro Center (I-40 exit 125) in Hickory, N.C.

• NC Comicon in Durham, N.C., presented by Ultimate Comics, will feature the only U.S. appearance by "Hellboy" artist Duncan Fegredo (nice!), along with Ben Templesmith (30 Days of Night), Bernard Chang (Supergirl), Chris Giarrusso (G-Man, Mini Marvels), Sean Murphy (American Vampire), Tommy Lee Edwards (Golden Age, 1985) Rich Perrotta (Phantom Lady, Batman Beyond) and many more. Also: comics (duh), artists, costume contests, collectibles, gaming tournaments, creator panels, door prizes and more.

The event is Nov. 17-18 at the Durham Convention Center, 301 W. Morgan Street, in Durham.

• Roanoke's Mysticon 2013 will be held Feb. 22-24 at the Holiday Inn Tanglewood.

Guests of honor is legendary sci-fi/fantasy author Orson Scott Card (Ender's Game, Speaker for the Dead) and fantasy illustrator Larry Elmore (Dungeons & Dragons), along with youth author Tom Angleberger (The Strange Case of Origami Yoda, Darth Paper Strikes Back).

If you know of others, post info in comments below, or send me an e-mail.

And if you do attend, make sure your Catwoman costume covers everything you don't want seen.

I'm talking to you, dudes. Chicks know this stuff.

Brian

A nexus for all things nerdy

Welcome to The Signal, my new blog transmitting news and posts about all things from the geekier side of the universe.

It's a nexus for all things nerdy, a repository for the really awesome and a haven for the hip.

(Okay, I'll stop now.)

My name is Brian Funk, and I've been a professional journalist, columnist, editor, photographer and graphic designer for the past 18 years. Now, I want to turn those talents toward the things I really love — movies, comics, games, TV, collectibles, art, music and anything else that we obsess over instead of worrying about our jobs.

You know, the important stuff.

I'm kicking off with a gallery of photos from WyvaCon, Wytheville, Va.'s first-ever sci-fi convention held on July 28. It was a fun, friendly and completely grassroots event organized basically by two or three people who spent the past year planning it.

It packed the new Wytheville Meeting Center near the community college on July 28 with an estimated 360 attendees and vendors. It received almost universal praise and that positive buzz means that next year's WyvaCon is almost a sure bet.

The organizers already see that they need more room — which is a great problem to have.

See more here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/WyvaCon/241285799228978

There's so much going on that The Signal plans to cover:

• I'll also be covering the goings-on at D&J Hobby, Galax's premier comic/toy/game store that has a growing following. Owner Darrell Burris has outlasted his competition after nearly 15 years in business to become the last man standing in the region's comic retailing world. https://www.facebook.com/DJHobbyCenter

• More and more local folks are getting into amateur paranormal research, and I'm looking at some coverage of these groups, how they formed, what kind methods they use and where some of the local haunted hot spots are.

• My friend Tim "Howler Mouse" Mullins is becoming a YouTube sensation with his podcasts about comics, movies and other topics. His honest and outspoken commentary is something we'd like to promote at The Signal. That's him on the left with comics legend George Perez. Check out his YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/howlermouse

• Galax-based rock band Cult of Dionysis is growing a huge fanbase, and recently expanded into Metalcult Comix. We hope to get with Cult frontman/mastermind and mustache aficionado Dennis Warren to talk about that.http://www.cultofdionysis.com/comix.html

• The good chaps at fantasy/steampunk role-playing game Pure Steam (http://puresteamrpg.com/) are developing a new RPG set in Appalachia, featuring everything from goblins in dirigibles and coal-mining dwarves to hillbilly giants, moonshining alchemists and gunslingers. They've put a lot of work into this, and it show. I plan to talk with the Bluefield, W.Va.-based developers soon to find out if I can roll a D20 die to smash someone in the head with a banjo.

So much more to come. Stay tuned...

Brian

Wytheville's first sci-fi convention, WyVaCon, was held July 28 in Wytheville

WyvaCon, despite being the first event of its kind, drew an estimated 360 people to Wytheville, Va., on July 28. It was the brainchild of Chris Dehart and his family, who seemed quite pleased with the turnout. "We could have opened the doors had had 25 people here — all of whom we knew," one organizer was overheard saying.
"We never expected this!"

A con attendee dressed as one of the Orion slave girls from the original "Star Trek" show poses with a young fan. Puberty will arriving for this young man at warp speed.

The 501st Legion, a group of Star Wars costume builders, attended the con. The group's numerous chapters travel the country working for children's charities and making public appearances. A talented and generous group of folks.

Vendors came from all over Southwest Virginia, ranging from comic and video game stores, private collectors selling off some of their treasures, Steampunk enthusiasts, authors, artists, tabletop and RPG gamers, paranormal research groups, stand-up comedians, musicians, makeup effects artists, sci-fi and fantasy craft-makers and many more.

Zombies play an XBox Kinect game. Nothing is more disturbing than the dancing undead.

Steampunk as a sci-fi/fantasy genre was alive and well at WyvaCon.

This young man made his own Steampunk gear.

This Nosferatu-style vampire was an example of some of the impressive makeup effects on display.

Some of the 501st Legion's replica weapons.

A clonetrooper helmet replica

Joining the 501st Legion was Boba Fett and Jango Fett, with fan Alex Funk, an adopted Mandalorian commando for the day. The Fetts and a Stormtrooper posed for fans (in exchange for donations) and even demonstrated the work that goes into building their elaborate, screen-accurate costumes.

More Steampunk cosplay

The Cartoon Network show "Adventure Time" has become such a cult hit that it has perhaps as many — or more — adult and teen fans as kids. This vendor was selling homemade plushes and wreaths with characters like Finn, Jake, Ice King and Gunter the Penguin.

Paul Crockett's steampunk mask.

Kevin Brooks of Galax, in his Ghostbusters gear, poses with Alex Funk and his Holy Grail of toy finds — a "Samurai Jack" figure. The show has been off the air for about a decade, but it has legions of loyal fans and the toys have been elusive.

Warhammer 40K tabletop game players were well represented, with players from the Galax area and the New River Valley.

So a Ghostbuster and an Elf walk into a bar...

A fan dressed as scary (but heroic) vigilante Casey Jones, an ally of the "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles."

Doesn't get much geekier than this — homemade Cthulhu throw pillows.

Before you embrace the madness, maybe a nap.

Another example of a full-face prosthetic makeup appliance.

Comedy trio "Straight Outta Comic-Con"

Paul Crockett of Bluefield, W.Va., was on hand to promote "Pure Steam," a fantasy/steampunk role-playing game based in Appalachia in the 1800s. The developers are working to incorporate real settings into the game, which finds fantasy characters like giants and goblins living alongside regular folks in an inspired mash-up of genres. "Imagine slack-jawed hillbilly giants in bib overalls hurling rocks at you," Crockett said. "Or moonshining alchemists." It's an exciting project, which also includes novels and a soundtrack, which he described as industrial metal with banjos.

One of the organizes of Roanoke's long-running sci-fi convention, MystiCon, held each February.

A large Warhammer 40K game piece.

Many gamers who play Warhammer 40K are true artists, customizing and painting their small-scale pieces with intricate detailing. These figures are about 2 inches tall.