The Hobbit Real Story - SciFiNow Magazine

THE WALKING DEAD DARYL DIXON SPEAKS DEADDARYL
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TWILIGHT IS DEAD
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McKellen and Freeman on the truth behind the myths
CREATORS REVEAL ALL
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Peter Jackson is making a trilogy about hobbits battling the forces of darkness, Bryan Singer is working on an X-Men lm and theres a new chapter in the Star Wars saga on the way. Were a Matrix movie away from it being 1999. Its an exciting time to be a geek, but you cant help but feel for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey a bit just as everyone was getting all red up for more epic adventure in Middle-Earth, Disney buy Star Wars and the internet collapses with fear, excitement and wild speculation. Its like having your ex-wife turn up at your wedding wearing a red dress and stealing the day right out from under your brides nose. Sci-, fantasy and horror can have a bit of a siege mentality in fallow periods fandom relaxes its standards, as if to safeguard what little we have. Doctor Who, for example, has many fans who cut off any criticism with We didnt even used to have new episodes, so take what youre given and say thank you. Criticism and competition are healthy. Come 2015 were going to be measuring up the merits of Star Wars: Episode VII, Avengers Assemble 2 and maybe even a Justice League movie. Were not going to have to settle for anything less than brilliance, basically. Yeah, its a good time to be a geek, and its only going to get better.
James Hoare Editor
GET EXCITED ABOUT THE WOLVERINE
Filming is well underway in Australia (and a bit in Japan) on The Wolverine, but director James Mangold and star Hugh Jackman took out some time to do a live web chat, promising intrigue, the Yakuza, femme fatales and an end to the overplayed Who am I? and overpowered boss ghts of X-Men Origins: Wolverine. He doesnt bring down any airplanes in this one, said Mangold to much fanboy and fangirl relief.
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CONTENTS
THIS ISSUE
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EVERY ISSUE
06 PORTAL
Whats happening Subscribe and in the world of sci- save today
60 SUBSCRIPTIONS 130 NEXT ISSUE
Your rst look at the next issue of SciFiNow
STAR WARS: EPISODE VII What do Disney have in store?
34
40 REVOLUTION Is this JJ Abrams new Lost?

YO EA UR R C T IO N
W OR
CL D EX
USI V
ANNUAL AWARDS
54 vampire reinvented BYZANTIUM The

PORTAL
06 X-Men: Days Of Future Past
Mark Millar discusses time travel and Bryan Singers return to the directors chair.
58 ends here TWILIGHT It all

FEATURES
18 The Hobbit
Ian McKellen and Martin Freeman discuss embarking on An Unexpected Journey. Get to grips with the geography of Middle-Earth. The Seventh Doctor on working with Peter Jackson.
Avengers versus The Dark Knight
48 2012 AWARDS
40 Revolution
Why NBCs rural dystopia drama is winning the ratings battle. Norman Reedus, aka Daryl Dixon, on being a fan favourite and object of lust.
REVIEWS
64 Silent Hill: Revelation 3D 65 Robot & Frank 65 Room 237
Does this return to the titular terror-town do justice to its videogame source material? Frank Langella puts aside his rage against the machines in this heartwarming tale. Conspiracy theories abound in this unconventional documentary on The Shining. Revisit Marc-Webbs reboot in our epic four-page review. Defend the world in this roleplaying military thinker.
46 The Walking Dead 48 SciFiNow Awards 54 Byzantium
08 Dorian Gray
Merlin antihero Alexander Vlahos on why he prefers to play the bad guy.
24 Middle-Earth Map 26 Sylvester McCoy 28 Fantasy Heroes
09 Fran Kranz on Whedon
The Cabin In The Woods star talks sequel plans and working with Joss Whedon.
Stephen Amell challenges Jeremy Renner to a face-off.
We give our verdict on the best genre lms, shows, games and books of 2012. Director Neil Jordan and star Saoirse Ronan on their sympathy for the undead.
12 Arrow versus Hawkeye 12 Da Vincis Demons

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The ten fan-favourite fantasy heroes, from Game Of Thrones to Labyrinth.
66 The Amazing Spider-Man 77 XCOM: Enemy Unknown
34 Star Wars: Episode VII
The new historical epic from The Dark Knights creators.
With Disneys purchase of Lucaslm, we look at what this means for Star Wars.
58 The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2
R-Patz and K-Stew reect as the saga draws to a close.
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The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and The Hobbit, names of the characters, events, items and places therein, are trademarks of The Saul Zaentz Company d/b/a Middleearth Enterprises under licence to New Line Productions, Inc. All Rights Reserved. WARNER BROS. PICTURES @ 2012 Warner Bros Ent. All Rights Reserved.
THE HOBBIT
BOOK CLUB
84 Beginners Guide: Ray Bradbury 86 Unholy Night 80 Essential Read: Harry Potter And The Philosophers Stone
18
PEOPLE WHO SAY, WE DONT NEED 3D, WERE USED TO 2D. BOLLOCKS. 3D IS LIFE SIR IAN MCKELLEN
26
MEET THE TEAM

Q. Whos your favourite Lord Of The Rings character? A. Boromir
SYLVESTER MCCOY
INTERVIEW
James Hoare Editor
McKellen and Freeman on returning to Middle-Earth
RETS C T SE N SE O
The only moral grey in a world of black and white, Boromir knew the cost of war better than any other.
A. Gollum
Jodie Tyley News Editor
The Yoda of MiddleEarth gave us great one-liners like STUPID FAT HOBBIT!
TIMEWARP
100 Godzilla
As a reboot looms, we chart the history of the radioactive lizard and Tokyo-botherer. A new book gives us an alternate glance behind the scenes on the shows early days. Learn about the Enterprises greatest foes, the Borg.
VAULT
A. Gimli
Steve Wright Sub Editor
Learn about the experiences that shaped JK Rowling and inspired the Harry Potter books.
122 Marvel Universe Collectables 123 Zombies
A cantankerous dwarf with a literal axe to grind. Responsible for the funniest lines in the trilogy.
108 Sixties Doctor Who
Bide your time between the lms with this collection of busts.
A. Aragorn
Samuel Roberts Writer
Hes the only human the elves have any respect for. You cant buy that kind of credibility. Good hair, too.
Writer, lmmaker and visionary where to start with the best of the Fahrenheit 451 author. The genre-bending Seth Grahame-Smith sets his sights on the Nativity.
112 Star Trek: The Next Generation 116 Unbreakable
Feel like youre in The Walking Dead with this undead merchandise.
124 Geek Chic
94 Twin Peaks Mark Frost
Journey back to M Night Shyamalans glory days for this Batman Begins precursor. Dare you test your knowledge of the body-jumping series?
The Crow, Star Trek and Akira are all lovingly referenced this month.
The Twin Peaks co-creator tells us about his new novel, The Paladin Prophecy.
120 Quantum Leap
125 King Of Tokyo: Power Up!
Everything you need to know about our board game of the year.
The Complete Guide

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BRYAN SINGER DROVE A KNIFE THROUGH X MEN AND MADE IT WORK MARK MILLAR
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TRIVIA BEAST AND NIGHTCRAWLER WERE REMOVED FROM THE FIRST X-MEN MOVIE FOR COST REASONS.
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08 dorian gray
Merlin star Alexander Vlahos the benefits of always being the bad guy
back to the future
010 iron Man 3

Mandarin, Iron Patriot and more secrets from the darkest Marvel movie yet
014 CarriE
Kick Asss Chlo Moretz on the ultimate revenge reboot
bryan singer to direct ambitious X-men sequel

WORDS JaMEs HoarE
Foxs superhero overseer Mark Millar talks X-Men: days of Future Past
011s X-Men: First Class was an understated surprise the soft reboot of Bryan Singers beloved X-Men franchise, (mostly) sans Wolverine, was voted Least Likely To Impress in a year that included Green Lantern, Thor and Captain America: The First Avenger. With Kick-Ass director and writer duo Matthew Vaughn and Jane Goldman at the helm, though, the sexy and stylish Sixties prequel was one of the years superhero hits. Sure, you had the usual raft of forgettable supporting characters (Angel Salva-who?), but at its heart was the friendship between the telepathic Charles Xavier (James McAvoy) and the master of magnetism, Erik Magneto Lehnsherr (Michael Fassbender) one an idealist, the other a pessimist or perhaps realist who believes mutants should look after themselves. If Foxs Creative Consultant Mark Millar is to be believed, this dichotomy is going to remain at the heart of the sequel, X-Men: Days Of Future Past. You please no one by having tensecond cameos, and I think thats the problem with that first Wolverine movie and X-Men 3, but I think Bryan Singer did such a brilliant job with the original movie its quite like Star Wars in that these were Episodes IV, V and VI, and weve got the Matthew Vaughn prequel. X-Men in the Nineties was so convoluted in comic-book terms, and Bryan drove a knife through it and made it work, and simplified the whole thing. Id like to have the same approach you shouldnt bring a character in for the trailer, or to get a picture up online and get people excited. Its got to actually have something to do with the story. The trick with that is to keep the cast relatively small so you actually care about them.
Based on Chris Claremont and John Byrnes 1981 storyline of the same name, Days Of Future Past sees an X-Man from the future in the comic its Kitty Shadowcat Pryde journeying to the past to prevent the assassination of an antimutant campaigner. The rabble-rousers death is the catalyst for a roll out of oppressive anti-mutant legislation, which in the comic results in concentration camps and mutant-hunting robots. The storyline may be a fanboy pleaser, but is it too mythology-heavy to be filmable? Ive been in all these meetings and talked about it at length with everyone, and everything I hear sounds incredibly mainstream, says Millar. Its no more difficult than The Terminator or whatever, theres one element of time jump in it, but other than that its fine. Original stars Patrick Stewart (Professor X) and Famke Janssen (Jean Grey) have hinted at the possibility of reappearing, but with Vaughn swapping his director role for producer and Singer returning as director, its looking ever more likely. Concludes Millar, The idea of this guy being back in the fold and planning something as ambitious as this picture can only be -good news
Days Of Future Past sees the mutant race hunted down.
X-Men: Days Of Future Past is in cinemas in 2014. X-Men: First Class is out now on DVD and Blu-ray, priced at 6.75 and 8.
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BEING THE HERO
IS BORING
Merlins Alexander Vlahos discusses The Confessions Of Dorian Gray
erlin fans have come to know Alexander Vlahos as Arthurs eventual killer, Mordred, but now the actor is embodying another famous antihero. The Confessions Of Dorian Gray is an audio series that imagines the titular character was real, and that it was his friendship with Oscar Wilde that sparked the notorious novel. It gets boring if youre always playing the hero, Vlahos says. I was talking to Bradley [James], who plays King Arthur [in Merlin], and its a hard part to play because the writers never give him any faults or flaws. That can get boring after a while, always being seen as the good guy. We have the last meeting of Oscar Wilde and Dorian, he continues, a story set in Blitz-torn London, which contains horrifying ghosts, a leap across the pond to a Singapore dragon duel and, to cap it off, modern-day London. The character will get a longer lifespan that he ever did in The Picture Of Dorian Gray, and he will return for an hour-long Christmas special. In The Ghosts Of Christmas Past the illogical Dorian will , meet the very logical Sherlock Holmes, voiced by Dalek actor Nicholas Briggs. Merlin fans will also recognise Rupert Young (Sir Leon) as Holmes nemesis, Moriarty. Rupert is such a talented actor who is so underused on the show, so I thought it would be brilliant to see him play this wonderfully evil character, says Vlahos. We have a lot of scenes together in Merlin, and it was so nice to play these new roles.
JOHN BARROWMAN ON DOCTOR WHOS 50TH

Torchwood star isnt waiting for that phone call
Jack is yet to meet the Eleventh Doctor, but the actors would love to fix a date. I met Matt Smith when he got the role, and we both said we thought itd be cool if their paths would cross, he says. Its not up to us, though, its up to the higher powers, but if Im asked I would do it at the drop of a hat. There was a clear chemistry between David Tennants Doctor and the omnisexual Jack, and we cant help wondering what it would be like this time. That would be so great to look into, to see how Steven [Moffat] would have the two meet and how they would respond to each other, and whether they would even know each other. Jacks
lost in time
irthdays bring people together, and thats why in the run up to Doctor Whos 50th bash were looking at whos likely to be joining in the celebrations. Still waiting for an invite, though, is John Barrowman, who played Captain Jack Harkness. I read somewhere that the reason they hadnt asked was because of my schedule, he tells us. Well, I can say that that is a load of rubbish. I havent been asked, and I always work my schedule around Torchwood and Doctor Who. Theyre always a priority. Despite landing a role in new superhero series Arrow, Barrowman is still orbiting the Whoniverse, and recently co-wrote his first Torchwood novel, Exodus Code. He did have this to say, however. I have to tell fans out there that Im not waiting around at a table waiting for that phone call, although I would love to get that call, but Im out pursuing other things.
not daft, so I think he would sense something straight away, like Sarah Jane when David [Tennant] was playing the Doctor, she knew immediately who he was. There was a sixth sense there. But theres one character Barrowman would like to meet even more than the Doctor. What Id really love to see is Jack and River Song! he says. The Doctors spouse has filled the position of outrageous flirt, so who would win in a battle of the innuendos? Barrowman doesnt fancy his chances. I think it would have to be a tie!
Torchwood: Exodus Code is available to buy now.
Whos invited to the Birthday celebrations?

The RSVP List for the Golden anniversary
Definitely attenDing
Matt Smith its unknown how
long hes sticking around for, but the current doctor has confirmed hes on board for the 50th, with no plans for regeneration at that time.
Cant make it
Russell T Davies the man who
regenerated doctor Who for a whole new era admits hes asked current showrunner steven Moffat not to let him in on the plans.
maybe
Billie Piper ex-companion
billie piper (rose tyler) said last year she wont be returning for the foreseeable future, but as a good friend of Matt smith could he persuade her?
The Confessions Of Dorian Gray is available to download from Big Finish, priced at 2.99 per episode or 12.99 for the series. The Ghosts Of Christmas Past will be released in December 2012.
Matt Smith is one confirmed atendee.
Mark Gatiss the regular screenwriter for new Who, gatiss has taken the reins of a special one-off drama about the genesis of the show, titled an adventure in space and time.
Christopher Eccleston despite

Matt smiths wish for the three doctors to reunite, eccleston told graham norton last year that he never bathes in the same river twice.
David Tennant on us television, the tenth doctor said he wasnt confirming or denying anything, but that the pinstripe suit was in a very secure location .
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TRIVIA alexander vlahos previous genre output includes british horror truth or dare.
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HOT NEWS
Fran Kranz
NEWS
FRAN KRANZ
On what its like in the Whedon club, horror geek-outs and Cabin fever
INTERVIEW JAMES HOARE Despite the apparent nality of The Cabin In The Woods, theres always a way to come back. Fran Kranz, who played stoner Marty, is already dreaming of the possibilities, It would be great to have a sequel like Independence Day and were ghting the giants with crazy aircraft, he says. Or it could be a prequel, or just ve other kids and have the Merman eat them all this time!
FIVE THINGS WITH
Cabin 2?
SPOILER ALERT!
Avengers helmer and Cabin co-creator Joss Whedon is bringing SHIELD to the small screen. Given his habit of using familiar actors, maybe Kranz has a shot. The casting notes has a character called Agent Leo Fitz, who sounds just like the nerdy tech whiz the actor plays best. Ive told Joss I just want to be killed by Thor, he tells us. I have a big love for Chris Hemsworth, I would love to be one of those anonymous foot soldiers that gets hit by a hammer. Its just for my own personal satisfaction.
2 SHIELD initiation
Kranz was welcomed into the Whedon club back on the short-lived Dollhouse and has recently appeared in the updated Much Ado About Nothing. If youre hired by Whedon, its a sign youre a good person, according to Kranz. When I meet someone whos worked with Joss I sort of assume Im going to like them, he admits. Youre not working with the kind of people who are in it for the wrong reasons, thats always refreshing.
3 Whedon club member
An unabashed horror buff, playing a victim was right up Kranzs alley. He couldnt help geeking out over Director of Photography Peter Deming, who worked on Evil Dead 2 and knew right away who he was basing Marty on. Corey Feldman in Friday The 13th Part IV was aware of the Jason myth, and at the end confuses Jason by wearing the mask. Its sort of bizarre, attempting to be meta. But theres elements of Shaggy, too.
Marty versus Jason
The stars of Cabin were armed with the classics as preparation for the killing oor Unsurprisingly, given the . plot, one of these was the The Evil Dead, but there was also a Western in the mix. Kristen [Connolly, who plays Stephanie] and I got Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid just for that nal scene, he says, and we got The Descent and a Friday The 13th movie. Drew [Goddard, Director] was adamant about playing it real, he could cover the clichs, but it was for us to play ve friends as honestly as we could.
Horror bootcamp
The Cabin In The Woods is available now on DVD and Blu-ray.
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oes the man make the suit or the suit make the man? Thats the question Tony Stark is going to find the answer to in Iron Man 3. Word from Marvel is that he will find his personal world destroyed at his enemys hands, with early footage depicting Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) strapped to some sort of pain-inducing apparatus. It has caused debate regarding whether shes actually being transformed into her comic-book counterpart, Rescue. In the panels, Potts suffers shrapnel wounds in a bombing incident, forcing Stark to arm her with a miniature arc reactor and her own suit of armour. Marvel maestro Kevin Feige even said at the Comic Con panel, Everyone at this table thinks it would be the coolest thing in the world to see Pepper get in the suit at some point. Stark is going to get some new tech to play with, too, since the storyline borrows heavily from Warren Ellis Extremis series. New nanotechnology developed by Aldrich Killian (Guy Pearce) and Dr Maya Hansen (Rebecca Hall) helps him essentially become one with his suit, able to telepathically construct his armour around him. Perhaps its developed to the extent that the suit is now some form of sentient being, which could explain the scenes where its apparently functioning by itself. As Stark says in the movie, there are hundreds of people out to kill him, the leader of this merry band of murderers being the Mandarin (Ben Kingsley). The casting signifies a step away from the oriental baddie in the comics, but Feige told USA Today that hell go down as one of the best Marvel villains. On his last take of his first full day as the Mandarin the entire crew burst into applause, spearheaded by Mr Downey himself It was pretty amazing to see that, he says. Given that he has witnessed performances by Anthony Hopkins, Hugo Weaving and Samuel L Jackson, its quite a statement.
THE STARK KNIGHT RISES

strike three
Iron Man 3 is set to be the ultimate test for the genius-billionaireplayboy-philanthropist WORDS jodIe tyley
Iron Man 3 will be released 3 May 2013.
IRON MAN 3 TRAILER
the suit appears to come to life. Has it been taken over, or is it protecting its master? Its likely to stem from extremis, where Stark uses nanotechnology to fuse with his suit.
A mINd of ITS owN
the Mandarin wears ten rings, also the name of his terrorist organisation. An exiled orphan, he discovered a crashed spaceship and learned to drive it using these alien artefacts.
A mAN of mANy RINGS
this is very much postAvengers rather than a follow-up to the poorly received Iron Man 2. the Chitauri invasion of New york is referred to as an event and tony Stark is struggling to return to normal life.
BAcK To EARTH
the shattered mask is becoming shorthand for a broken hero, having previously appeared in the dark Knight Rises. It seems our usually self-assured inventor is having an identity crisis. www.scifinow.co.uk
BRoKEN ANd BATTEREd
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HOT NEWS
Iron Man 3
NEWS
THE STORY SO FAR

Iron Man on the big screen
IRON MAN
The one where billionaire Tony Stark builds an iron suit to beat terrorist organisation the Ten Rings, and the baddies try to copy his arc reactor. Stark builds a better suit and reveals his identity to the world.
IRON MAN 2
The one where Mickey Rourke tries to copy the arc reactor and Stark builds a better suit to maintain world peace. SHIELDs Nick Fury says hes unsuitable for the Avengers Initiative.
CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER
The one where Stark Senior creates the super soldier serum that gave rise to Captain America. Its a case of like father, like son as theyre both , charismatic geniuses.
This giant stuffed bunny in Starks mansion appears in the trailer for less than a second. While Potts and Stark y backwards from the force of an explosion, it stares quietly. Now, it has its own Twitter account to report what it sees.
LOUNGE BUNNY
James Rhodes (Don Cheadle) dons the armour of the Iron Patriot.
Best Bunny Observations

@StarkBunny When Tony wasnt looking, Pepper switched the champagne he poured her with Fresca. @StarkBunny I could only stare quietly. @StarkBunny Nick Fury stopped by and said, There was nothing more you could have done. Tony stormed out of the room. A tear fell from Furys eyepatch.
AVENGERS ASSEMBLE
The one where Stark Junior is not a fan of his fathers creation, but is a huge fan of the way Doctor Banner loses control and turns into an enormous green rage monster. He saves the world with a better suit.
Stark has survived a slanging match with Loki and crashing to the ground from outer space, but now hes facing the elements. Here, we see him being sucked into the ocean and trudging through the snow.
TESTING HIS METTLE
@StarkBunny I just stared at him quietly. @StarkBunny The other day, Jarvis said, Sir, you never laugh anymore. @StarkBunny I just stared quietly again. @StarkBunny After Pepper left, Tony stopped listening to Audioslave and put on a Tori Amos B-Side and started to sob about someone named Coulson.
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Is there any good-natured competition between Green Arrow and Hawkeye? I actually met Jeremy [Renner] in Los Angeles. We had a mutual friend. If anybody wants to set up a live archery competition on television, Im fully in. I work hard, so lets do it. Anything for charity. I do have some learning to do, because he has a really high-tech bow, and I still use the bow that I used on the island. Its tougher to shoot with because the draw weight is only 15 pounds, so I need to get into shooting with compound bows and stuff like that. What kind of pressure are you under to live up to the comics? I only felt pressure one time throughout this entire process, and that was the camera test/hair and make-up day when we were shooting the pilot. I had been there for a couple of weeks, I arrived on set on this particular day, and it seemed like there were 1,000 cars there. I knew that everyone was there to work on the show, and if I didnt do a good job it wouldnt go to series, and nobody would have a job, so I felt under pressure.
MAY THE BEST BOW WIN
A GUIDE TO THE DC UNIVERSE

Which characters will cross over from the comics to the TV series?
In the comics, Queen earned Deathstrokes ire by sticking an arrow in his eye.
Je rey Robinson
DEATHSTROKE
In the comics, Speedy is Arrows sidekick, but so far its just a pet name for his little sis.
Willa Holland
SPEEDY
One of the worlds nest assassins who violently cleaned up his daughters hometown.
Michael Rowe
DEADSHOT
A drug lord who, in the comics, Queen inadvertently funds.
Kelly Hu
CHINA WHITE
Will be trying to take down her own fathers maa crime family in Starling City.
Jessica De Gouw
THE HUNTRESS
(Emily Bett Rickards)

The manager of a computer software company.
FELICITY SMOAK RAMOND
Dramatically altered from the comics, this canary doesnt have superpowers.
Katie Cassidy
BLACK CANARY
ARROW VERSUS HAWKEYE

Star Stephen Amell wants to take on Jeremy Renner
How many scenes have you had with John Barrowman? Denitely more than one. I consider John to be a mentor at this point. Hes had really interesting advice, because hes been a part of this world. Hes a really interesting guy, and its such a coup for us to have him on our show. I wish I could talk about what he plays, but I cant.
Arrow is airing now on Sky 1 HD
DARK KNIGHT TO DA VINCI

The man who co-wrote The Dark Knight Rises and the upcoming Man Of Steel is taking on the hero of the Renaissance period, Leonardo da Vinci. David S Goyer has produced an eight-part historical drama, titled Da Vincis Demons, about the artists quest to expose the lies of religion. Theres a complete gap in his history from the time he was about 27 to 32, says Goyer. For a creator like me, thats just gold, because you can come up with all sorts of stuff. As the rst series wraps up production in Wales, Goyer recently conrmed that Starz Entertainment has already started paving the way for a second series of the much-anticipated historical fantasy. I can say the coolest thing thats happened so far, he continues, is I turned in my rst cut of episodes one and two, and Starz green-lit the writers room for Season Two. So we will have the scripts for Season Two
ART ATTACKS
First look at David S Goyers fantasy-historical mash-up

written before Season One premieres. Playing the 25-yearold genius is Tom Riley, who is excited by the prospect of telling the untold story People . dont really know what he was like at that time, agrees Riley, and what kind of scrapes he must have got into to put together the ideas that live on now. Were trying to do a period of his life that has never been seen before.
Da Vincis Demons airs on FX in spring 2013.

Tom Riley stars at the titular, enigmatic genius.
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STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS

ODDS: 5/1 ODDS: 100/1
Bigger and bolder than before? We examine the truth behind the rumours
As a gag on Conan OBriens chat show, director JJ Abrams revealed a three-frame clip, knowing that the rst Star Trek Into Darkness footage would prove irresistible to the legion of fans growing anaemic on lack of information. We freeze-framed it, obviously, and its Spock in a volcano.
DARKNESS IS COMING
ODDS: 50/1
Kindle Fire, Nexus 7 and Nook), Samsung Galaxy Tab, Sony Tablet S, HP WebOs devices and BlackBerry, as well as Windows, Linux and Mac desktop platforms.
WE YOUR iPad, iPhone, Android (Kobo,
Early speculation pinned Sherlock actor Benedict Cumberbatch as Khan, but Simon Scotty Pegg has snipped that thread of thought. Whats more, Karl Bones Urban has seemingly slipped up and revealed that Cumberbatch will be playing Gary Mitchell one of Kirks pals who lets his psionic powers go to his head. The extrasensory abilities will come in handy when ghting Vulcan Spock, which paps have caught on camera.
RUMOUR 1: THE VILLAIN IS A MITCHELL BROTHER
If Rumour 1 is correct then its likely the screenplay has drawn upon Where No Man Has Gone Before Its the episode where the Enterprise collides . with a galactic barrier and helmsman Gary Mitchell and psychiatrist Dr Elizabeth Dehner are knocked unconscious. Actress Alice Eve does bear a striking resemblance to the Doctor, but this is directed by JJ Abrams, so expect a twist on the story you know.
RUMOUR 2: THE PLOT WILL BE WHERE NO MAN HAS GONE BEFORE
The title recalls a certain superhero trilogy, and writer Damon Lindelof has made no secret of his inspiration for Star Trek in the past, telling E! Were looking at a movie like The Dark Knight, which went one step beyond Batman Begins We dont want to abandon the things that made the rst movie work but we also really want the movie to thematically resonate. Star Trek Into Darkness will be out in cinemas on 17 May 2013.
RUMOUR 3: ITLL BE LIKE NOLANS BATMAN IN SPACE
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Chlo Moretz on the prom gone badly wrong INTERVIEW JOE NAZZARO
This new spin on the 1976 Sissy Spacek-starrer focuses on the disturbing psychological issues between Carrie White and her mother Margaret (Julianne Moore). I dont view it as an abusive relationship as much as I view it as an overly loving relationship, says Moretz. The mother loved Carrie too much and she never wants Carrie to grow up. Its her eternal child. It kind of signies innocence for Margaret the innocence that was taken from her. When you read the book you
CARRIE ON SCREAMING
THERE WILL BE BLOOD
ome people make horror movies just for the sake of, Oh, I want to make it gorier or I want to make money on it, says Chlo Hit Girl Moretz, whos taking on terrifying teen Carrie in an update to the cult classic. But this is not a remake of the original lm; its a re-telling of the book, she continues. We wanted to take what Stephen King has written in this beautiful novel and we wanted to make it come to life. I want to make it become something that hasnt been told this way before.
realise theres more of that [than just a horror story]. Both actresses have irted with the dark side in previous roles, with Moretz playing a bloodsucker in Let Me In (2010) and Moore a troubled mother in The Forgotten (2004). In this movie, the disturbed teen can rely upon her gym teacher Miss Desjardin, played by Judy Greer, whos normally cast as the comic relief character, but will be dealing with much more sinister themes in Carrie. Shes the one that saves Carrie from the period scene, says Moretz, referring to the pivotal moment when the high schooler becomes telekinetic. Shes the one that tells her what it means. Desjardin is what Carrie wants to be, its who Carrie looks up to and goes, Oh, my God. I can be that woman, that woman who is self-secure and knows things and is not afraid of being told youre going to go to Hell because you got your period, which is what her mother tells her. The 15-year-old actress is going up against the Oscar-nominated performance from Sissy Spacek, who was 27 when she starred as the lead. Moretz isnt fazed, though. I looked at it as, I just want to bring what I want to bring to it, she says. I want to put my heart and soul into it and make my own Carrie, not something that can be compared, just something that stands alone, in itself.
Carrie will be released in cinemas 5 April 2013.
NEXT YEARS FEARS

MAMA
Del Toro unleashes more childhood fears
A young couple wind up raising two orphans who were left in a forest for ve years, only to discover the children are connected to a mysterious creature called Mama. Guillermo del Toro is executive producer, and says hes tapped into one of the genres most frightening subjects. Mothers are one of the scariest things in horror, but what is scary about this lm is love the worst kind of love!
The three scariest movies coming in 2013
THE CONJURING
A Hitchcockian horror for summer time

Saws James Wan is employing old-school scare tactics in this one, inspired by the true story of the Perron family. They were known as the original modern-day ghost hunters, says Wan. Hes gunning for a Hitchcock approach, despite the summer release. I think thats a testament to the strength and quality of the lm, says Wan. Im cautiously optimistic. The Conjuring will be released 1 February 2013.
THE EVIL DEAD
We did not screw you over, says Bruce Campbell

Bruce Campbell has rallied horror fans around the remake, saying, Its time to give these people what they want. They want a new experience with young, hot thespians being covered with new blood. Some things dont change, though, like the desire to venture into the cellar [They havent learned] in 33 years, and thank God, cause I have two kids in college! quipped Campbell.
Mama will be released 22 February 2013.
The Evil Dead will be released 12 April 2013.
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DID YOU SURVIVE FRIGHT AT THE PROMS? T

Horror fans had a ball (lol) at the SciFiNow-endorsed Fright At The Proms all-nighter
uxedos were dry cleaned and corsages pinned in place on the evening of 29 September 2012 for cult film troupe Midnight Movies fantastic Fright At The Proms all-nighter, where a host of gore fiends hit Londons plush Roxy Bar & Screen for music, drink and an all-night, promthemed bill of horror hits, including Carrie, Prom Night, Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night II and The Loved Ones. According to our folk on the ground, roughly 24 people survived the evening and saw dawn bleary-eyed with a sarnie and a strong coffee which is roughly 23 more survivors than in any of the films seen. Oh, and three lucky Prom Kings/Queens/other walked off with a load of horror goodies courtesy of SciFiNow! Midnight Movies have now survived four all-nighters, said co-director Nadia Attia. Our first was a voodoo-themed night curated by The League of Gentlemens Jeremy Dyson, next was All Night Of The Living Dead featuring you guessed it zombies. Our third was I Could Have Danced All-Nighter for the very first Scala Forever cult film season. So it was only fitting to return to Scala Beyond this year with a Fright At The Proms all-nighter. A lot of filmmakers have centered their horror stories around the biggest night of the year for horny teenagers the school dance so we decided to celebrate that in our own skewed way. We also took the audience on a whirl through the decades, which featured disco, topless Eighties chicks, incest, tiaras and, of course, telekinesis. And boy, what a night it was! Check out more pictures from the night, as well as the first word on future cult film events at www.facebook.com/midmov and twitter.com/midnight_movies.
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SciFiNow reader and Browncoat Adrian Drake built a seven foot Serenity out of LEGO
How do you go about planning something on this scale? You cant plan that far ahead with a project like this. I determined the scale by making it in scale to a LEGO gure. Then it was just a matter of diving in and building. I did no major planning other than obtaining some reference material. Did you have exact reference material for the oorplans, or was some of it guesswork? I used a couple of references from QMx: the architectural cutaway poster set and the Serenity blueprint reference pack. I also used some pictures online of the practical model from the movie, as well as pictures of QMxs Big Damn Serenity Model. Yeah, I relied on QMx a lot, theyre awesome! I also had the movie on my laptop next to my build table, and I would freeze-frame on various scenes to get interior and exterior details. How did you manage your time on this project? I worked on it for a very long time almost two years. I built a few hours a week for the most part, with a few sessions of major construction work. I had originally planned on nishing it in a year, but a basement ood and lack of motivation slowed my progress. I didnt really schedule it, I just built in my own time. I worked heavily this summer to get it done in time for Brickfair, a Lego convention held each August in Washington, DC, but otherwise I just build when I have free time among family time and other hobbies. Where on earth do you keep a seven-foot Serenity? Right now its on display at my friends toy store. Otherwise, I dont really know what my plans are long-term. It comes apart into various pieces for transport, and when its in my basement I just leave it in pieces. Its certainly too large for me to leave on display anywhere in my house. Have you had reactions from any other members of the cast yet? Morena Baccarin called it amazeballs on Twitter. Sean Maher and Nathan Fillion also tweeted about it, having seen it. Other than that, no. Check out the full gallery of LEGO Serenity images at http://www.ickr. com/photos/brickfrenzy.
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Pippin because he reminds me of myself, and Kili, as I imagine him to be cool to hang about with.
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Behold Adrian Drakes magnicent Serenity LEGO model.
Fatty Lumpkin, because hes Toms favourite pony.
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The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Its all from Tolkien, its just not in the pages of The Hobbit
Brian Sibley
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The Unexpected Journey Begins
THE HOBBIT
URPRISINGLY FOR A TALE ABOUT TINY PEOPLE, THE HOBBIT HAS GROWN INTO
Jour Journey
Unexpected
THE
a monstrous, triple-headed hydra of lms. The decision to super-size the story has made everyone question why, since the source material is substantially scaled down compared to The Lord Of The Rings. Its only one book versus the hefty trilogy the original lms were based on, and even the world itself is smaller, there are no Uruk-Hai, and the fate of Middle-Earth is not at stake yet. It really is There and Back Again a contained quest to help some dwarves recover their lost treasure. A lot of the time people say to me and they will continue to do so until they see the movie But The Hobbit is a childrens book, how come it needs three lms to tell this story when it took three lms to tell the much bigger story of LOTR? says Brian Sibley, whos been behind the scenes on the movie producing the Making Of companion piece. That seems to be the case, but what people dont know is that when [JRR] Tolkien wrote LOTR, he wanted very much to build back into that story of Bilbo and the Ring. Tolkien then doubled back and added heaps of supplementary material known as the Appendices. Peter Jacksons version is not going to be The Hobbit; its going to be the prequel the extended edition. There are lots of questions in the book that the lm is seeking to esh out, Sibley continues. Where did Smaug come from, and why were the characters setting out to go to his mount at this particular point in history? Why did Gandalf choose Bilbo, of all people, to
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Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
THE HOBBIT HUNG IN THE BALANCE FOR SEVEN YEARS, BUT NOW ITS BACK IN A BIG WAY, WITH THREE MORE MOVIES WORTH OF MIDDLE EARTH ADVENTURES. PETER JACKSONS CONFIDANT BRIAN SIBLEY REVEALS BEHIND THE SCENES SECRETS FROM THE SET OF AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY
egins
WORDS JODIE TYLEY INTERVIEWS JODIE TYLEY, STEVE NASH
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go with the dwarves and carry out the mission? Was it by chance, or was it part of a larger plan because Gandalf was aware that there was a terrible power rising in the world that had to be dealt with, and the dragon was another part of the dangers Middle-Earth was facing? These pertinent questions will all be answered through Jacksons harvesting of 125 pages of additional notes found at the end of Return Of The King. It tells you what was going on elsewhere in Middle-Earth while Bilbos adventure is underway, and these are the things that Peter has brought into the story, he says. So for example, Gandalf goes off to have his own adventure, and theres the back-history of the world before The Hobbit. Its a much richer story than people are aware of, and I think they will be surprised to find the level of detail that is now being put into the film. Its all from Tolkien; its just not in the pages of The Hobbit.
ibley knowS the StorieS aS well aS any tolkien puriSt, having taken on the taSk of adapting the bookS
himself. They were condensed into 26 half-hour episodes for BBC Radio 4 in the Eighties, which have since become known as the definitive radiophonic relay of these grand, apocalyptic events. His casting of Ian Holm as Frodo influenced LOTR director Peter Jackson years later, who cast the same actor as Bilbo Baggins of Bag End. Somewhat unusually for a multi-billion dollar franchise, Jackson enlisted one of the BBCs regular faces, Martin Freeman (The Office, Sherlock), as the hairy-toed hole-dweller. Theres a worried look about him, like hes concerned about whats going to happen next, which seems to be absolutely perfect for the character of Bilbo, says Sibley. Hes a hobbit who has no interest in getting caught up in adventures or doing anything daring or risky, and is suddenly catapulted into this world of strange characters and terrible encounters, and Martin carries that off perfectly. The interesting thing that we will see as the films progress is that the character of Bilbo starts out as this improbable hero not the kind of character you would imagine to be the central character in an adventure and very gradually becomes more assertive and takes more initiative, and indeed does show courage and ingenuity. Im sure Martin will carry all of that off perfectly, and when I saw him on set he was clearly relishing the part and enjoying it. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey will open with the Bilbo we remember (Ian Holm) sitting down with Frodo (Elijah Wood) and doing what hobbits love to do along with eating and throwing parties: telling a good story. I think that will help lock people into accepting Martin [Freeman] as the same character, he adds. I asked Martin about how he felt about taking on the character, and he certainly acknowledged that it was a real challenge to find yourself playing a part that has already been portrayed by an actor like Ian, but as he pointed out, he couldnt spend three movies trying to be like another actor. He had to be himself. Incidentally, Freeman is more like Holm than it first appears, as Sibley continues, He told me a nice story about when he went to be measured. Every actor has to have a head cast made in order to have their prosthetic make-up and wigs prepared, and the technicians who made his cast told Martin that all his facial dimensions are exactly the same as Ian Holms. So physically he is a perfect match. Interestingly, Bilbos hesitance to embark on this journey was mirrored in the way Jackson originally felt. Three years after the Return Of The King hit cinemas, Jackson asked Sibley to pen his official biography. It was clear at that point he needed a longer breather. He was saying he absolutely wasnt going to do The Hobbit, and he stuck with that for a long, long time, he recalls. It was only at the point when it became clear that someone else had to do it that he thought, Do I actually want someone else to do it? It had been a long journey to make LOTR, and he wanted to go off and do other things. He made King Kong and The Lovely Bones, he 020 |
the ring Master

Director Peter Jackson reveals how The Hobbit fits into the bigger picture
Gollum (Andy Serkis) plays a pivotal role in the Riddles in the Dark scene.
Weve basically used more source material than just The Hobbit. For instance, in The Hobbit where Gandalf mysteriously disappears for chapters on end, its never really explained in any detail where hes gone. Much later, Tolkien fleshed those moments out; in the Appendices he did talk about what happened, and it was altogether a lot darker and more serious than what is written in The Hobbit. To be quite honest, I want to make a series of movies that run together so if any crazy lunatic wants to watch them all in a row, there will be a consistency of tone. I dont want to make a purely childrens story followed by The Lord Of The Rings, so we are providing a balance. A lot of the comedy and the charm and the fairy tale quality of The Hobbit comes from the characters.
Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
You are dealing with Bilbo Baggins, who is a little more reluctant possibly to go on the adventure than Frodo was. Youre dealing with dwarves, who have a personality and camaraderie all on their own. So, theres a lot of humour and a light touch to be gained from those characters, but theres still some serious things involved. Hopefully, The Hobbit films will comfortably straddle both worlds.
was involved in The Adventures Of Tintin, and perhaps it now felt like this was a time when he could go back to it. He said to me, I suddenly realised that if someone was going to make it, did I really want it to be someone other than me? It was then he realised he had to do it. There was no question once that decision was made that he had totally embraced it and went in with utter boyish enthusiasm. It will be very much Peters view of The Hobbit, and I think people will respond to that. There was a time when Hellboy director Guillermo del Toro was all set to bring us his unique vision. However, after delays in production, he bowed out, saying, I am faced with the hardest decision of my life. After nearly two years of living, breathing and designing a world as rich as Tolkiens Middle-Earth, I must, with great regret, take leave from helming these wonderful pictures. He said he would be first in line when the finished product came to cinemas, but the film on the big screen will be worlds away from his own imagining according to Sibley. Ive seen examples of the kind of artwork and models that were made when del Toro was on the project, and it was going to be quite different to the film, he says. Hes a stunning director in his own right, and would have undoubtedly brought something particular to it, but I think for audiences it might have been difficult. Everyone would have come to the cinema with preconceptions based on LOTR, but they would have been left thinking, It wasnt quite like it was last time we were there. Now, I think it will be much more familiar to people. Also helping to root the films in the realm of the original trilogy are various returning characters, including the wizened Gandalf
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People who say, We dont need 3D, were used to 2D. Bollocks. 3D is life Sir Ian McKellen
THE HOBBIT
Ian Holm returns as the older Bilbo.
The Ring Bearer

Martin Freeman on his move to Middle-Earth
Thats a good question. Not that Ive noticed particularly. Arthur Dent serves a similar kind of function to Bilbo in that hes the nearest thing to an audience member. Hes kind of the audiences way in. To a certain extent you could argue they are archetypes in the hands of a much lesser actor [laughs]. Theyre reluctant heroes who end up being heroes by accident. But also a lot of the times its not just about whether the author makes it easier; theres an adaptive process, then youre working with directors as well. So its the entire experience that determines whether youre going to have an easy time of it or not. Its not just Tolkien vs Adams, both of who are brilliant writers. Its whos directing the lm and whos adapting it. Its everything. As a newbie to this world, what was it like dealing with How does starring in a Tolkien adaptation compare to Douglas Adams (where he appeared in The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy as Arthur Dent)? Theres even more green screen than with Adams. The experience of this is genuinely unlike anything Ive ever done, and unlike anything Im likely to do again; just the breadth and scale, being in a completely different part of the hemisphere than Im used to. The budget makes it different; youre constantly walking onto sets and sound stages where what youre acting on would take up the entire budget of any other lm Ive done. So the scale of its quite phenomenal. For me, theyre incomparable. As far as taking a character from a book, is either author easier when it comes to inhabiting their characters? point-of-view shots since youre supposed to be so short? For me it became really noticeable when we went to Lake-town. In the book, Lake-town is full of human beings, and thats when we became more aware that, Christ, were really small! because we spend so much time with each other. Were very aware that Gandalf is bigger, so were used to looking two feet above Ian [McKellen]s eyes. Personally, Ive been surprised how quickly Ive gotten used to these ways of lming. The rst time we ever shot a scene with Gandalf, where Ian had to be in a completely different room, I thought, This is ridiculous. Who are these people? Why are they doing this to us? Then an hour later you go, Oh, that scene looks brilliant. You rehearse it and it becomes normal. Your whole frame of reference for how you normally work on a lm shifts.
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the riddler
Andy Serkis on returning to Gollum ten years later
When we shot [Lord Of The Rings], we shot on 35mm, and I would act with Elijah [Wood] and Sean Astin. The performances were filmed, then I would have to go back to the motion capture stages. It was called motion capture then because it was just the motion, and the facial performance was derived from a filmed 35mm performance, which was then rotoscoped or animated directly to match that performance. What is amazing now with performance capture and its now performance capture, not motion capture is that you can get the entire performance all in one hit. So we were able to shoot the Riddles in the Dark scene in its entirety on a live set, with Martin [Freeman]s performance being captured and mine on digital camera, then Gollums performance using performance capture cameras, capturing it in exactly the same moment in time. What that does is theres no disconnect. The fidelity to the moment, to the choices, to the beats that you create between the director and the actors, therefore, is absolutely nailed in one. That makes a significant difference to the believability, and therefore the changes to augment, and a chance to change the iteration and change performance on the fly makes a huge difference.
The return of Jackson to the directors chair has ensured continuity, with many familiar faces returning.
(Ian McKellen), ethereal elf Galadriel (Cate Blanchett) and the piercing stare of Elrond (Hugo Weaving). Theres no shortage of new faces, however, with some characters being given larger roles, such as Gandalfs wizard cousin Radagast (played by Sylvester McCoy); and others like Tauriel (Losts Evangeline Lilly) were added to give the tale more of a female presence than it had in the pages. The story of Bilbo is, in a way, filled with many more incidents than the story of Frodo, explains Sibley. Frodos adventure is a pretty packed story, but Bilbos is crammed with incidents, so in the first few chapters he meets trolls, giant spiders (although we wont see those until the second film), and he meets elves and goblins and, of course, Gollum. In every single chapter Bilbo is coming up against a whole lot of different characters, settings and creatures, so viewers will have a rich viewing experience. Gollum (Andy Serkis) plays a pivotal role in the first film as the carnivorous ring-hoarder who lives with his precious in the Misty Mountains, surviving on a diet of cave fish and stray goblins. When Bilbo stumbles upon his lair, the fat hobbit looks very appetising, and thus commences one of the most famous scenes in the entire book, known as Riddles in the Dark. Everyone will be looking forward to the meeting between Martin Freeman as Bilbo and Andy Serkis as Gollum, he says, confirming what we suspected the highlight would be. It wont just be marvellous to see Gollum again, but it also means we will get an opportunity to begin to understand what we know from LOTR: that this little ring has enormous power. Its at that point in the story that Bilbo finds the One Ring for the first time. Of course, he doesnt know and no one else knows at that precise moment how powerful that ring is. In place of the Fellowship we have 13 dwarves that, according to Sibley, will provide no shortage of lighter moments. It will be like Gimli (John Rhys-Davies) multiplied: enthusiasm in battle (Oh come on, we can take em toss me), unflinching pride (
dont tell the elf), and a comical competitive streak (That still only counts as one!). Theyre mostly comprised of New Zealand actors, with a few Brits thrown in, including the perpetrator of all those Yellow Pages ads, James Nesbitt, and Being Humans brooding vamp Aidan Turner. Unusually, there are no Hollywood heavyweights hiding under the beards and body padding, but this is the prerogative of a director who built such a successful franchise. I think thats Peter [Jackson]s genius when it comes to casting people, because he goes for the essence of a character, not the name, says Sibley. You have a pretty cast-iron project, a project where everyone has heard of Tolkien and The Hobbit theres already a market for it so it doesnt matter if you cast a part that may not have the same resonance in other countries, because whats important is that the characters come across really well.
erhaPs one of the most surPrising Pieces of casting news was when Barry humPhries was
announced as the Goblin King. Better known as his lilac-permed alter ego Dame Edna Everage, wearing horned spectacles and crying Hello Possums! it was either a stroke of brilliance or utter madness Sibley thinks the former. There is a piece of totally inspired casting; at first you think its ridiculous, but then you remember that Barry Humphries played Sir Les Patterson, who is an utterly disgusting character, and the Great Goblin that the hobbits and the dwarves meet in the mountains is also a totally gross character. I dont think it matters if people overseas dont know who Barry Humphries or Stephen Fry are, as in both cases what we will see on screen are really compelling characters and they will certainly know of them when the film comes out. Stephen Fry will play an equally grotesque character as the Master of Lake-town, all blotchy skin and
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Necromancer, whos building his own power base in Middle-Earth. So having Benedict Cumberbatch playing the ultimate villain and the immediate threat of the dragon is really interesting. Of course, the showdown between Smaug and Bilbo will have another level of resonance for fans, as the actors played Sherlock and Dr Watson respectively in the Steven Moffat-created series. So how will we distinguish between the two baddies, besides the obvious physical differences? As I understand it, Benedict is a great fan of the book, and grew up with it being read to him by his father, he says. He told Peter Jackson that, in fact, he was going to do an impersonation as Smaug the dragon, because his voice would be the one he remembers his father using when he read him the story as a little boy. I dont know if Benedicts father is getting a share of his fee for the part, but he should talk to an agent!
THE HOBBIT
The Ring Leader

Sir Ian McKellen
T
These are very much films for our decade Brian Sibley
bad comb-over. The actor has been breaking into blockbusters lately with his turn as the titular detectives brother in Sherlock Holmes: A Game Of Shadows, but it was the star of the BBC version that landed two big parts in The Hobbit. Benedict Cumberbatch will star as both the Necromancer and Smaug the dragon. Both characters are forces of evil, but the actor is playing the re-breather through motion-capture and voicing the Necromancer, who Jackson has borrowed from the LOTR books to tie the two trilogies together. Theres a point in Tolkiens story where Gandalf leaves the dwarves and the hobbit to take care of themselves while hes away on urgent business, but he doesnt tell them what it is hes doing, he explains. What we discover is in fact hes on his way to try and nd out more about the
HE QUALITY OF THE SPECIAL EFFECTS IN THE FIRST THREE FILMS WERE UNPAR ALLELED IN THE EARLY NOUGHTIES,
How did it feel to get to play Gandalf again? Peter [Jackson] and I were just so thrilled that Gandalf the White wasnt in The Hobbit, because we preferred Gandalf the Grey. He was a man on a mission, but Gandalf the Grey has time to enjoy himself. People shouldnt expect to see a different sort of Gandalf. When you go back, its not just the people here; its all the people behind the camera, and they were the same. I think every head of department was as wed left them on The Lord Of The Rings, so it was like being back with old friends. In fact, the new side of it was the actors, all the dwarves, for example, and this particular Bilbo. Everyone tted in very well. What will the full 48 frames per seconds and 3D visual experience be like? Its astonishing to think that there are those who have never seen LOTR in the cinema. Weve all got eight, nine and ten-year olds who watch LOTR non-stop, but they watch it at home on a screen that size. What is going to happen to their heads when they take their parents in to see a 3D movie maybe for the rst time, certainly this story, at 48 fps? Its going to be much, much, much bigger and more astonishing than we think, because were used to it all. I think people who say, Oh, we dont need 3D, were used to 2D. Bollocks. 3D is life. The brilliance about Peters 3D is it doesnt come out at you. You go into it. You enter the globe. You look around a corner. Youre even deeper in, and can you nd a way out? Thats the effect of 3D. Those little kids are going to be so thrilled.
but more than ten years on were in for something that will probably be dubbed fantasy realism. This time it was shot digitally and in 3D, meaning there were no pauses while lm reels were swapped over. Being on set was interesting, because once lming started on a scene the set was locked down, nobody could get in or out, he reveals. The actors just had to keep on going and doing it over and over again, and what came out of that is a great intensity; the actors can immediately try something else, so its much more creative. It was also recorded at a controversial 48 frames per second, a rate that supposedly makes the viewer feel fully immersed in the story. Thats not how the critics felt when they previewed early footage at CinemaCon, though, calling it a made for TV movie and akin to a behind-the-scenes featurette. Sibley was impressed by what he saw being produced, however. It was exciting to see just how much innovation is going to be added to these lms, making them very much lms for our decade compared with the ones that were made ten years ago. The reported budget for the rst instalment, An Unexpected Journey, is $250 million, yet the rst three movies combined were made for $280 million. It certainly shows in the attention to detail on set, as Sibley reports, You walk into a building and in this building is a real forest with 20-foot high trees and a sloping hillside covered in grass and fern and wood chippings, he says. Everything is made just for the lm. If its glass, its blown especially. If its pottery plates, its thrown on a wheel and created for that particular set. Even the acorn buttons on Bilbos waistcoat were designed and made in lots of different sizes because of the scaling issues. Its an incredibly complex shoot. Audiences are in for the customary long running time, too, with An Unexpected Journey clocking in at two hours and 40 minutes (the shortest of all the Middle-Earth lms by ten minutes), but as Tolkien wrote in his letters, Heres a book very unsuitable for dramatic or semi-dramatic representation. If that is attempted, it needs more space, a lot of space. Its almost as if Jackson took the authors words to heart, as The Hobbit is going to be more in every sense of the word. Its unusual to make a prequel to a story, and I think Peter has tried to esh out the story so that people who watched LOTR are able to understand more about what they saw, he says. Theres always a risk when you revisit something that people will say weve seen all that before, but I dont think they will when they see this lm. Theyll be glad theres some more story to tell, and that there are two more movies to come after this one.
British viewers may recognise James Nesbitt (centre) as Bofur.
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Ofcial Movie Guide by Brian Sibley is published in paperback by HarperCollins, priced at 14.99.
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there back Again

COVER STORY
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And
Misty Mountains The Grey Havens Weathertop bree
Frodo and Bilbo Baggins epic trek across Middle-Earth in The Lord Of The Rings and The Hobbit
WORDS JODIE TYLEY
Hobbiton Hill
Bilbos father Bungo Baggins tunnelled into this hill and created Bag End, where Bilbo and Frodo would come to live.
the shire
hanks to Gandalf and his can-do attitude, the Baggins of Bag End were torn from the comforts of second breakfasts and elevenses and sent on sinister missions. Bilbo is recruited to help 13 dwarves recover their stolen land and treasure in Erebor, and along the way he meets trolls, goblins, giant spiders and Gollum. Its here he stumbles upon the One Ring and quickly nds its powers of invisibility useful, not least to escape its owner. But while it turned into a party trick for Bilbo and a much beloved possession, it was Frodo, his rst-
cousin-one-time-removed, who suffered the consequences. The meek young fellow was sent on a much longer, more treacherous journey to destroy Bilbos souvenir in the place where it was forged, Mount Doom. It was a huge burden, and one that ended with the pair of them venturing to the Undying Lands to spend the rest of their days.
key The Fellowship Of The Ring The Two Towers The Return Of The King the hobbit
The Art Of The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien is available now in hardback from HarperCollins, priced 25.
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THE HOBBIT
There And Back Again
Forest River
The forest river surrounded Lake-town men used it to trade with the elves.
Lonely Mountain (Erebor)

This is where the dwarves stolen treasure lies, guarded by the dragon Smaug.
Lake-town Rivendell
The Elven settlement established and ruled over by Elrond thousands of years before The Lord Of The Rings. Bilbo and the dwarves make a pitstop here on the way to the Lonely Mountain. A community of men constructed entirely of wood amid the Long Lake, where Bilbo and the dwarves visit. Stephen Fry will play the Master of Lake-town, a greedy and cowardly leader.
Rivendell, home of the elves, visited by two generations of the Baggins family.
Moria Lothlrien
Mirkwood Emyn Muil
The Dead Marshes Cirith Ungol
Amon Hen Shelobs Lair
Mount Doom
The treasure of the Lonely Mountain, guarded by the dragon Smaug.
The port of Lake-town, depicted before falling victim to Smaugs wrath.
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INTERVIEW
Sylvester McCoy
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Seventh Doctor Sylvester McCoy recounts his long journey from the gleaming spires of Gallifrey to the dark forests of far off MiddleEarth in Peter Jacksons The Hobbit
WORDS JAMES HOARE
Sylvester McCoy
INTERVIEW
s the Seventh Doctor, Sylvester McCoy took the role into the darkness of those Who-less years between 1989 and 2005, reprising his role for Big Finish audio adventures, charity one-offs and the 1996 Doctor Who TV movie his depiction of the Time Lord beingincreasingly dark, elemental and enigmatic. Now about to star as the equally otherworldly wizard Radagast in Peter Jacksons Hobbit trilogy, we spoke to the actor to discover how he made the long journey to Middle-Earth, and why he feels drawn to outsiders
technically that means they were in one room and he was in another, and he didnt really get to act directly with someone until I came along, and I was in the same world as he the same height, as it were.
on a journey with my character, and we never got to nish it off on the telly. But Ive been able to carry on on that journey of developing my Doctor the way I wanted to on the audio adventures so its great. Ill carry on doing it.
Peter Jackson is apparently a bit of a Doctor Who fan. Did he talk to you much about the show? Yes, he loved Doctor Who, and hes got some costumes from Doctor Who actors, some Doctors mine included! Is it interesting to you that the stigma that was attached to stars of genre shows has eased off to the point where people like Benedict Cumberbatch, for instance, or Aidan Turner from Being Human, are sought out for roles because of it? Yeah, but I think its also to do with Peter, really. Hes a fan of all sorts of stuff like that, and he prefers to break down those barriers. I think this is the beginning of that, its not been an ongoing thing, really. Youve played so many weird, outlandish and otherworldly characters childrens TV, audio adventures like The Minister Of Chance, the Doctor and Radagast how do you approach roles like that? I think I always thought I was an alien from the beginning, really. I felt like I was on the outside looking in, and enjoying it. I was an orphan, and that gives you a different view of humanity. I was born in Scotland, my father was English and my mother was Irish. I came to London and I was suddenly a Scot in London and I enjoyed it. I love travelling all over the world, I love being an alien. I love going to other countries and just not belonging, but watching and trying to understand and enjoy. I think thats part of it, then you just go over the top! Youre still very active with Big Finish, how does it feel to be still connected to that role? Its great to carry on doing the Doctor and doing it in that way, because it was stopped suddenly and unexpectedly. We were going
How did you get the role of Radagast? About ten years ago I was up for Bilbo Baggins. It got down to two actors I was one of them and the other was Ian Holm. Sadly, he was working that week, so he got the job and I didnt. A few years later I was touring with the Royal Shakespeare Company in King Lear. We toured the world and ended up in New Zealand, and Peter [Jackson], Fran [Walsh, producer] and Phillipa [Boyens, screenwriter] came to see it, then invited us to their home. They asked me to do a screen test for Guillermo del Toro, who was directing at the time. I did it, and he said Yes, thats who we want for that part I agree with you. Was it easier going into The Hobbit already knowing Sir Ian McKellen and having already met Peter Jackson and his team? I suppose it was really, just because I knew them, and Peter has an incredibly rmly run organisation theres no fooling around. You get a bit nervous, fair enough, because its a huge, epic thing thats going on, but that goes very quickly because hes such a great director, he makes you feel relaxed. Also, working with Ian Id worked with Ian, oh gosh, for a year and a half, and then we did a pilot for a comedy series called The Academy, so it was good to work with him on that, and then I got to work with him again [on The Hobbit]. He was pleased to work with me, because hed been working with the dwarves and the small people, and
The Nineties were quite fertile for fandom with the Virgin New Adventures and people like Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss getting involved in Doctor Who. Did it seem quite bittersweet? Mark and I did this documentary in the Nineties, Bidding Adieu [1996]. Then he did some audios with me as well, just playing some characters if I remember rightly. Bittersweet no, not really. Im an actor, so you do a job, and when that job nishes you go on to do another one. When Doctor Who nished I was a bit a miffed, because my arm had been twisted to do a fourth season and I had committed myself to do it, and they hadnt committed themselves to it. So that annoyed me, but I got over that quick and I was working as an actor doing all sorts of amazing, interesting and fascinating things. It was great to keep Doctor Who alive on the side. Someone said to Sophie [Aldred, who played companion Ace] and I that the involvement that we had actually helped keep it alive in those early days after it had been nished by doing the audios and by doing Bill Baggs videos and stuff like that. I knew instinctively that the BBC had made the most terrible, terrible mistake, and that we had to keep it going, because I knew the fans were out there and wanted it. It was good fun, they were good adventures it was like starting again, really. Big Finishs Doctor Who: UNIT: Dominion box set is available on CD and digital download priced at 30 and 25. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is in cinemas from 14 December.
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SYLVESTER MCCOY
Interview
I knew instinctively that the BBC had made the most terrible, terrible mistake in cancelling Doctor Who
Sylvester Mccoy
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TOP 10
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Fantasy Heroes
10
FAN FAVOURITE
HeroeS
WORDS JAMES HOARE ILLUSTRATIONS DAVID MILLGATE
Y Fantas s
heyre not necessarily the most heroic or well known, but these characters brought the magic to some of our favourite fantasy lms and TV shows, whether through quotable lines, iconic scenes or the all-important squee factor. These are the ten fantasy heroes and antiheroes wed happily induct into our Dungeons & Dragons party (in no particular order)
bastard son sent north to the icy Wall dividing civilisation from the undead hordes and slobbering savages as a member of the stalwart Nights Watch, Jon Snow (played by Kit Harington) is one of the few seemingly heroic characters in HBOs Game Of Thrones, complete with cinematic white direwolf, Ghost, and bumbling sidekick Samwell Tarly. He denitely inherited Ned Starks do-right-and-accept-the-consequences approach to life despite his shaky parentage, and like his father has one of the shows few Valyrian steel swords Longclaw.
JON SNOW
RACE: HUMAN CHARACTER CLASS: RANGER ALIGNMENT: NEUTRAL GOOD Gormlessness: 10 Entitlement: 8 Haircare: 6 Seduction: 2 Inoffensive Heroism: 7
Befriend The Useless: Once per adventure you must choose a completely pointless Non-Player Character and incorporate them into the party. You will subsequently spend the rest of the adventure rescuing them and cleaning up after their stupid decisions.
SPECIAL ABILITY
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FANTASY HEROES
10 Fan Favourites
he elven archer with the spectacular eyesight was already a heroic fellow of JRR Tolkiens titular The Fellowship Of The Ring, but it was only thanks to the fantastically handsome Orlando Bloom and a seemingly endless number of contrived bow-fu sequences, as well as shield-surng and tusk-swinging acrobatics in Peter Jacksons lm trilogy that he became a star. Hes back for The Hobbit, too, so a whole new generation of fangirls can swoon and fanboys can injure themselves trying to dwarf toss.
LEGOLAS
RACE: WOOD ELF CHARACTER CLASS: RANGER ALIGNMENT: LAWFUL GOOD Surng Shields: 10 Seeing Things: 10 Actual Lines: 3 Stabbing With Arrows: 8 Dwarf Tossing: 7
CONAN THE BARBARIAN

bviously, Robert E Howards Conan like many of the characters here had an incredible literary history in books, pulps and comics before Austrian acting robot Arnold Schwarzenegger lurched into the furry pants. But it was 1982s strangely nihilistic Conan The Barbarian that embedded the wronged warrior of few words and great biceps into the popular imagination, so much so that following a sequel (1984s Conan The Destroyer) and a spin-off (1985s Red Sonja), Arnie is nally returning to the role as with The Legend Of Conan due in 2014. Everyone, it seems, is quietly pretending that the Jason Momoa-starring reboot didnt happen.
A RED SUN RISES. BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED THIS NIGHT
Theyve Taken The Hobbits To Isengard: In the Combat phase you can force your opponent to watch an endless remix of Legolas saying Theyve taken the Hobbits to Isengard! on YouTube. Combat immediately ends as opponent fails a Willpower roll and deletes you from AIM.
SPECIAL ABILITY
3
Anti-Wisdom: You can make one bleak and seemingly meaningless non-statement like For us, there is no spring. Just the wind that smells fresh before the storm. There are no immediate effects, but long-term everyone will think youre a dick.
RACE: HUMAN (CIMMERIAN) CHARACTER CLASS: BARBARIAN ALIGNMENT: CHAOTIC NEUTRAL Physical Bulk: 8 Emotional Range: 1 Scowling: 6 Glistening Muscles: 10 Ubiquity: 7
SPECIAL ABILITY
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Fantasy Heroes
oggle (voiced by Brian Henson) was quietly tending his garden and exterminating fairies in 1986s Labyrinth when selsh brat Sarah (Jennifer Connelly) bursts in looking for the baby she gave away. Yeah, I know, right? Poor Hoggle gets leant on heavily by the Goblin Prince (David Bowie) a threat more implicit when a blokes codpiece is at head height and sets her up, before earning her forgiveness and coming round to the side of the angels.
HOGGLE
RACE: DWARF CHARACTER CLASS: ROGUE ALIGNMENT: CHAOTIC NEUTRAL Grubbiness: 8 Trustworthiness: 2 Fairy Cruelty: 6 Fear Of David Bowie: 10 Hobbling Away: 5
Son Of The Soil: You have a natural afnity for dirty and dark places, and are ill at ease outside of them. Half all rolls when not waddling around in the mud, unless youre rolling around in the Bog Of Eternal Stench of course thats supernaturally gross.
SPECIAL ABILITY
Re-forge Narsil, reform the Army of the Dead, turn the boat around Elrond will do anything at daughter dearests whim. Once per adventure you can make any request, no matter how trivial, and Hugo Weaving will say no before relenting.
SPECIAL ABILITY
er role signicantly beefed up from JRR Tolkiens boys-own source material, Liv Tylers high cheekbones marched into Peter Jacksons 2001 franchise starter The Fellowship Of The Ring as a sword-wielding, armour-wearing warrior princess not only happy to give up her immortality for the love of a good man, but to go into battle for it, too.
ARWEN UNDMIEL
RACE: HIGH ELF CHARACTER CLASS: PALADIN ALIGNMENT: LAWFUL GOOD Cheek Bones: 9 Being Better Than The Book: 8 Fabulous Dresses: 8 Horse Riding: 6 Hobbit Rescuing: 7
I WOULD RATHER SHARE ONE LIFETIME WITH YOU THAN FACE ALL THE AGES OF THIS WORLD ALONE
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FANTASY HEROES
10 Fan Favourites
uck-faced hero of 1982s cosmologically dense The Dark Crystal, Geling Jen (voiced by Stephen Garlick), raised by the hunchbacked Mystics, must nd a lost shard of the titual crystal, or else the Vulture-like Skeksis will rule forever. He thinks hes the last Geling, but it turns out hes the second to last meeting Kira and her pet tumbleweed, Fizzwig. Or something.
JEN
RACE: GELFLING CHARACTER CLASS: ASPIRING MYSTIC THEURGE ALIGNMENT: CHAOTIC GOOD Fluting Mournfully: 9 Talking About The Geling Genocide: 7 Split Ends: 4 Slight Creepiness: 6 Doing Something With Crystals: 10
7
F A
ww, poor Merlin. Colin Morgans hard-working secret sorcerer in a world where magic is verboten gets to hang around with a gloried football team of hunky knights in BBCs Merlin, all chainmail whipping and Lynx Africa no doubt. Every week without fail he secretly saves the day and almost nobody notices apart from us, obviously. armhand turned swashbuckling privateer Westley (Cary Elwes) sought to prove himself worthy of the beautiful Buttercup in 1987 fantasy the adventure The Princess Bride (based on the 1973 novel of the same name), but instead ended up inheriting the mantle of Dread Pirate Roberts, unbeknown to his paramour. A devastated Buttercup, believing him dead, agrees to remarry and is kidnapped by three criminals, with Westley on their trail to win back his beloved with a devoted As you wish!
Impenetrable Mythology: Oh, its for kids, is it? Well explain to me what The Dark Crystal is about then if you think youre so bloody clever? Nobody ever can, and when used once per encounter your opponent loses one turn rambling incoherently about giant crabs and telepathic Tribbles.
SPECIAL ABILITY
WESTLEY
MERLIN
RACE: HUMAN CHARACTER CLASS: ROGUE ALIGNMENT: CHAOTIC GOOD Romance: 9 Quotability: 6 Swashbuckling: 7 Testosterone: 3 Disguise: 1
RACE: HUMAN CHARACTER CLASS: WIZARD ALIGNMENT: NEUTRAL GOOD Ears: 6 Bromance: 8 Underdog: 7 Talking To Dragons: 5 Being Reliable: 10
Be Largely Overlooked In Your Own Show: Morgana and Mordred get to ght for the position of brooding antihero, and Arthur has to deal with his own ghosts metaphorical and literal. Poor old Merlin, though, just keeps on keeping on, and its his name in the credits! This ability means you automatically come last when divvying out the loot and half all experience points earned. Awww.
SPECIAL ABILITY
Hipster Cool: You are like every hipsters favourite character from every hipsters favourite Eighties fantasy lm (though they prefer the music in The NeverEnding Story). They like totally quote you all the time, possibly ironically. While on Tumblr you have a natural immunity to damage, but the side effect is the rest of us are absolutely sick of hearing about you.
SPECIAL ABILITY
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Counterproductive Ambiguity: Once per adventure you can radically alter the outcome of any event for the better, but make it look like you were doing the exact opposite. It will be nearly a decade before anyone works out youre not a total douchebag.
Fantasy Heroes
SPECIAL ABILITY
n ersatz hobbit from George Lucas and Ron Howards 1988 fantasy Willow, Warwick Davis big-hearted conjurer/farmer Willow Ufgood is dragged from his idyllic rural existence when he adopts a baby girl prophesised to bring about the downfall of the evil Queen Bavmorda. The Hobbit meets Star Wars in many respects, George Lucas summed up the appeal, saying, A lot of my movies are about a little guy against the system, and this was just a more literal interpretation of that idea.
WILLOW UFGOOD
10
RACE: HALFLING (NELWYN) CHARACTER CLASS: WIZARD ALIGNMENT: NEUTRAL GOOD Comedy Spellcasting: 7 Wrestling Pigs: 6 Earnestness: 10 Being A Real Dwarf: 10 Tenuous Star Wars Link: 4
The Endor Connection: Once per combat phase you can explain the connections between Willow and Star Wars. Your opponent must pass a Willpower roll or lose two years from his lifespan. If you botch the roll you start an edit war on Wookieepedia.
SPECIAL ABILITY
9
THERE WILL BE NO FOOLISH WAND WAVING OR SILLY INCANTATIONS IN THIS CLASS
he Deadpan, snarky, Ron-slapping fan favourite without peer, Severus Snape consistently tops polls of best Harry Potter characters, thanks in part to Alan Rickmans venomous take on the greasy haired tormentor/reluctant ally in the movie series. Routinely portrayed as a magic-wielding, potion-mixing badass, as a student he invented a curse that was later used to nearly kill Draco Malfoy in the toilets, before brushing it off harmlessly himself.
SEVERUS SNAPE
RACE: HUMAN (HALF-BLOOD) CHARACTER CLASS: WIZARD ALIGNMENT: LAWFUL NEUTRAL Withering Put-downs: 10 Flouncing: 8 Vague Shiftiness: 8 Haircare: 3 Potions: 10
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HEIGHTS OF PERIL.
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DEPTHS OF DARKNESS.
THE SAGA CONTINUES...
40
SEASON 4 BLU-RAY
THE ACTION IS YOURS ON BLU-RAY & DVD OUT NOW

TM
Titles and prices subject to availability while stocks last. Prices may vary online.
OWN ALL 22 ACTION-PACKED EPISODES PLUS BEHIND-THE-SCENES FEATURETTES & BLU-RAY EXCLUSIVES!
TM & 2012 Lucasfilm Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Used Under Authorization. 2012 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All rights reserved.
BIG MOVIE
Star Wars: Episode VII
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NEW TR ILOGY
With the shocking and spectacular news that Disney had bought Lucaslm and is gearing up to release Star Wars: Episode VII the rst part in a new trilogy in 2015, we asked our own on-team keepers of the Jedi Holocron, some of the people who know the Star Wars saga from the inside, as well as you on Twitter and Facebook, what we hope to see from this all-new battle between good and evil in the galaxy far, far away
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WE NEED MARK HAMILL AND HARRISON FORD

They dont need to star; this new trilogy should be about new characters. But with the Skywalker family at the heart of the saga, perhaps we could see an older Luke in the Obi-Wan role, teaching the offspring of Han and Leia. Its territory that has made up the cornerstone of the Expanded Universe, but in its simplied form our characters could grow up not knowing their heritage an echo of the original trilogy and seek out their father, washed-up rogue Han Solo, in some smoky Nar Shaddaa cantina, who introduces the idea of the Sith, the Jedi and the guys who get caught in the middle, before setting them off on a journey to meet Luke. Whatever form their inclusion takes and given Indiana Jones 5, its
not unreasonable that Ford will opt in for the right script/price it will be a far more effortless passing of the torch and a far more meaningful link to the past than having Yak Face waddle into the background and wink at the camera. James Hoare
Who wouldnt begrudge the old heads a return?
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THE NEW TRILOGY
STAR WARS HAS TO BREAK FROM THE CANON

The prequels were seductive. They offered a generation of fans weaned on Star Wars a tantalising opportunity to feel part of that universe. However, rather than enriching the story, they explained away the magic of the Force (midichlorians, anyone?), overused the iconicism of the lightsaber and turned Darth Vader from a shadowy gure of pathos into an irritating miracle child turned youngling-murderer who was apparently still a catch. The established continuity became stiing, and by restricting himself with tired cameos from old hands like C-3PO and Yoda, locations like Tatooine and anything else with a degree of nostalgia-related marketability, Lucas managed to squander the chance to offer us something fresh. If nothing else, Episode VII needs to stop this trend cold. Lucaslm needs new blood, new stories and new ideas in order to truly break away from the mythology which has left the franchise in such a bloated state. Perhaps then the next generation of fans will nally have something that they can be proud to call their own, rather than a pale imitation of what has gone on before. Krystal Sim
What do you think of the news?
More empowered females and less reductive genre stereotypes this time, please.
ITS THE WORST THING EVER 10% IT COULD GO EITHER WAY 54% NEW STAR WARS, WOOO! 27% UTTERLY UNCONCERNED 9%
Very hopeful and had to emit a fan girl squee at the prospects of a new movie. #StarWarsIsForever @JediSharon A new trilogy of my favourite movie ever? Its like a dream for me! And hope that will come true. @angellla29 A new Star Wars lm? Im not falling for that again. @DorkDastardly It may be a sign that Ive seen too much Clubhouse, but Ive just dreamt about Star Wars Babies on Disney Jr#royaltychequesplease @BeingBetteDavis I love Disney. I love Star Wars. I love this news. @_natbot Where does this leave the 3D conversions of Episodes II-VI? Get them out before Episode VII? @lennyukdeejay Cue Mickey Mouse version. Pluto = Chewbacca. Mickey = Han. Minnie = Leia. Scrooge McDuck = Obi-Wan. Huey, Dewi and Louie = Jawas! @GeekyLAS Its either going to be a masterpiece or a complete disaster. No room for middle ground. @ChrisME21
WE DONT NEED JOSS WHEDON AS DIRECTOR

Putting aside the fact that its doubtful that Mr Whedon will have the time to make another epic blockbuster, what with his time being occupied by a certain Avengers 2, its a bit reductive to immediately highlight him as the rst choice to usher in the Disney age of Star Wars, especially when there are tonnes of talented directors out there: the likes of Neill Blomkamp
(District 9, Elysium), Duncan Jones (Moon, Source Code) and Matt Reeves (Clovereld, Let Me In) will undoubtedly be mooted, but why not look beyond the genre? After all, Irvin Kershner, director of The Empire Strikes Back, arguably the pinnacle of the series thus far, wasnt exactly renowned for his sci- output. From now on, wherever Whedon goes, echoes of his previous output will trail after him. Even if he made a success of the new trilogy, it would be forever compared
Star Wars pulls at the strings of the very human need to think of ourselves, to understand ourselves, in terms of myth. So its the duty of someone writing in the setting to try and capture some of that same feel
Paul Kemp, writer of the Star Wars: Crosscurrent, Star Wars: The Old Republic and Star Wars: Riptide books
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I was worried when Disney bought Marvel then Avengers came out. @trainsniffer I think I need to lie down. Disney pretty much now own ALL my childhood. And Im not sure if thats OK is it? @sequinnedhat
Every Star Wars lm needs a Skywalker could Episode VII pass the torch to a new generation?
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big movie
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what do you want from a new trilogy?
New characters with some of the old cast for coNtiNuity 85% New cast playiNg the origiNal characters 15% all-New characters aNd aN allNew cast 0%
Hamill and maybe the Droids could tie the new films two the old ones, while new characters could push Star Wars forward. @Calebbeldom It would be great if#StarWars VII featured the original cast in some way, a passing of the torch/ lightsaber to a new generation. @paul_bowler Danny Boyle to direct, Richard Keys to play Chewbacca @grimlock1975 Timothy Zahns #ThrawnTrilogy for Disney #StarWars films seven, eight and nine! @bucklers9651 Do you think they will take the plot from one of the many, many books Or just carry on where it left off? @justgrimm I think they need unknown actors for the roles. Go for actual acting talent rather than names, as the film itself should draw the crowds. @Tvgeekgirl Well, as its just been pointed out to me, Mark Hamill is the same age Guinness was when he played Kenobi @em_meh We all know it doesnt matter who writes or directs it, we will all go to the midnight showing of Episode VII#StarWars @JesseHeartsSciFi
Free from the constraints of continuity, the galaxys the limit for any future films.
Star Wars is an arena for conflicted char acters, char acters caught between good and evil, regret and redemption. Luke and Darth Vaders linked stories kicked it off in the classic series, but all great Star Wars narr atives have the same pay-off
Sean Williams, writer of Star Wars: The Force Unleashed and The Force Unleashed II videogames
Bible during their Limp Bizkit phase. The protagonist could do questionable and morally grey things without cementing the heel turn so quickly. It absolutely needs to be a Skywalker going through this. Not only would it reflect the cynicism many feel today, but it would help create a likable, rebellious character, something the prequels sorely lacked. Whos the one hero people really remember from Star Wars? Its Han, isnt it (although the more educated would say Dash Rendar)? Imagine having a Skywalker that would shoot first, screw people over and feel completely justified in doing so, before downing a shot and sweet-talking the purdiest Twilek in town while still being one of the good guys. Daniel Cairns
to Avengers, and every line of dialogue analysed for Whedonisms. For a franchise as iconic and enduring as Star Wars, it needs to forge its own path, not become another product of someone elses legacy. Steve Wright though we dont yet know anything about what to expect from these new movies, theres one thing that ought to be a given: it should be about the Skywalker family. Think about it for a moment: the original trilogy is about Luke and his journey of self-discovery, from stroppy teenager to kick-ass Jedi. The prequel trilogy was about Anakin and his darker path, from cute kid to Sith Lord. The Star Wars films are full of interesting characters and weird creatures, but the Skywalkers have always been our way in; theyre the emotional core of the films, and their actions drive the stories along. So it only makes sense for this new trilogy to follow another generation of Skywalker, to see where his or her path will take him or her. The Star Wars universe is massive, and it might be tempting for the filmmakers whoever they turn out to be to find a new entry point into it. But the Skywalkers are Star Wars, and it wont feel right if the new movies are about anyone else. Sarah Dobbs
WE WANT MORE HAN SOLO

Star Wars has always been a tale of good vs evil, and theres no reason that should change. However, theres an opportunity to turn things on their head and right the wrongs perpetrated by the prequels. Anakin was a completely unlikable dope, and pretty much flipped from good to evil at the merest suggestion. What would be more interesting is if we had a protagonist that questioned the dogmatic ways of the Jedi from the start (much as Luke did when he disobeyed Yoda and ran to his friends side), what with the horribly repressive lifestyle (no fun), pseudo-hippie rambling and terrible uniform. Maybe the protagonist could read up on Sith philosophies a bit like how teenagers read The Satanic
STAR WARS SHOULD BE ABOUT THE SKYWALKER CLAN

The news that theres going to be a new Star Wars trilogy is massively exciting. And
Could Luke take on a mentor role, la Yoda?
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THE NEW TRILOGY
1997 Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II
Set: 5 ABY* The pioneering rst-person shooter had a fairly convincing stab at creating a new saga well away from the characters of the movie, with mercenaryturned-Jedi Kyle Katarn racing the Empires Dark Side acolytes to the fabled Valley of the Jedi in the aftermath of Episode VI.
Set: 10 ABY Tom Veitch and Cam Kennedys ambitious Dark Horse comic saga Dark Empire echoed the themes of the original trilogy as Luke is tempted by a clone of the Emperor, promising him his fathers Dark Side legacy and a place in the resurgent Empire. Leia takes up her lightsaber and must bring her brother back into the Light Side.
1991 Dark Empire #1
THE HISTORY OF THE
1999 Vector Prime
Set: 25 ABY Effectively an attempt to update the Expanded Universe book series following The Phantom Menace and fears that the Empire had become overused as villains. Vector Prime kicked off the New Jedi Order era, in which the focus was shifted off the original trilogy cast and onto their children. Chewbacca was also killed, and a new enemy altogether too Warhammer 40,000 in tone was introduced the Yuuzhan Vong.
The new trilogy wont be the first attempt to document the world after the movies
FUTURE
Set: 9 ABY The birth of the real Expanded Universe, Timothy Zahns Thrawn trilogy picked up the story ve years after Return Of The Jedi, where the Empires last hope Grand Admiral Thrawn attempts to bring down the New Republic. Leia is pregnant with twins, and Han is the father.
1991 Heir To The Empire
1978 Splinter Of The2Minds Eye Set: ABY

The rst spin-off book after the ofcial novelisation, Splinter Of The Minds Eye picked up the story after A New Hope, and was worked up as a treatment for a low-budget sequel to the original movie. A fairly dowdy adventure sans Han Solo (Harrison Ford hadnt signed on for the sequel), it is infamous for ramping up the (then not incestuous) sexual tension between Luke and Leia.
1978 Marvel Comics Star Wars #7 Set: 0 ABY

Adapting the plot of A New Hope for its rst six issues, as of January 1978 the dream team of Roy Thomas and Howard Chaykin went off the grid, recounting the further adventures of rst Han and Chewie, and then Luke and Leia.
Set: 40 ABY The rst book in the Legacy Of The Force era, which attempted to reassert a new status quo thematically linked to the movies, Aaron Allstons Betrayal kicks off a new Galactic Civil War, as well as the eventual, Anakin-like slide towards darkness by Jacen Solo, the youngest of Leia and Hans twins.
2006 Betrayal
*After the Battle of Yavin, depicted in Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope.
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Big movie
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FAQ LORD OF THE SITH

Everything you need to know about the Disney/ Lucasfilm deal
Why are new Star Wars films suddenly being promised? Disney has bought Lucasfilm for $4.05bn (approx 2.5bn), much as it did Pixar for $7.4bn (approx 4.6bn), and Marvel $4.2bn (approx 2.6bn). Presumably like Marvel and Pixar, the studio will continue to operate as it does, but under the Disney umbrella. Kathleen Kennedy, currently co-chairman of Lucasfilm, will become president of the firm, and will be the executive producer on the new movies. What about LucasArts? LucasArts is included in the deal, as is Skywalker Sound and Industrial Light & Magic. Where is george Lucas in all of this? He is being retained as a Creative Consultant, which presumably means Disney will be able to tap into his ideas, but not have to include the awful bits. What does this mean for the Star Wars Tv series? Its unclear at this stage, but given the Marvel business plan, perhaps well be seeing Star Wars: Underworld retooled to fill in the gaps between Return Of The Jedi and Episode VII, and a showrunner working up the pilot for Disneys own ABC network. Its clear that Disney are looking to make a multimedia presence. What about The Clone Wars, books and comics? The comics will stay with Dark Horse for the near future, though when Disney bought Marvel all their licensed titles shut down and moved to Marvel. The Clone Wars people, meanwhile, seem hugely excited, so thats probably going to tick over for another few years. No idea on the book front. What about indiana Jones? Theres no immediate plans, but Disney would be foolish to not do something with the brand eventually.
At its core, Star Wars is an ageless tale of good versus evil. Lets hope the sequels dont lose sight of what made the original films so iconic.
Could Harrison Ford be persuaded to return?
Even with Princess Leia and Padm, there was room for strong female characters in Star Wars, and were at a time in fandom when female fans have a much stronger voice than they used to
Dave Filoni, Supervising Director on Star Wars: The Clone Wars
used the stereotypes of her gender to trick big bad Loki into spilling his secrets. This new movie needs to haul Star Wars into the 21st Century, looking to previous space cadets like Battlestar Galacticas Starbuck or Ripley, the woman who started it all, to inspire a whole new generation into believing that the skys the limit. Jodie Tyley
A NEW TRILOGY NEEDS A STRONG FEMALE CHARACTER

On Earth we have equal rights, but space is a mans world. Ellen Ripley (Alien) seemed to be the only female who could kick intergalactic arse, as well as show compassion as a mother. Ripley regularly tops tough chicks in sci-fi lists, but it goes to show just how much cinema needs another strong female when she was from the Eighties. Star Wars was pioneering in every way apart from when it came to the characterisation of Princess Leia and Padm. For every sassy step forward, theyd fall back into a gold bikini or a broken heart that begged to differ with the warrior they made her out to be. Disney used to be known for outdated damsels, but now the brand seems to be moving forward. Merida of Brave and Rapunzel in Tangled are much more feisty, and Black Widow of Avengers Assemble
GIVE US BACK THE EMPIRE

Ersatz Nazis have always been the most effective villains in sci-fi their dress and even their dcor is shorthand for absolute, unflinching evil. If what we need is a continuation of the past mythology without getting bogged down in details, then having the remains of the Empire as a foe would be the perfect move. Sure, we saw statues toppled at the end of the Return Of The Jedi Special Edition, but the Expanded Universe has been hand-waving away any claims that the evil Empire fell so effortlessly. Its not hard to
imagine, like the Soviet Union following the death of Stalin, a denunciation of the old cult of personality of Vader and Palpatine, and the efficient moffs, admirals, generals and assorted bureaucrats filling the void and jockeying for power. Strategically speaking, all that happened was the Rebels took out another superweapon, and the whole mechanism of Imperial domination would still be in force, albeit its confidence severely shaken. 20 years on, the galaxy could have been locked in a costly on/off war between the Republic and the Empire, both grown as repressive and desperate as each other, and this dowdy, ruined cosmos needs the light and purpose of a reborn Jedi Order to save it. Perhaps a Skywalker should be there to bring balance to the Force James Hoare
Star Wars: The Complete Saga is out now on Bluray, priced 56.79.
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MUST-SEE TV
Revolution
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JJ ABRAMS AND ERIC KRIPKES NEXT MEGA HIT?

WORDS KRYSTAL SIM INTERVIEWS STEVE NASH
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JJ Abrams and Eric Kripkes Next Mega Hit?
REVOLUTION
CREATED BY SUPERNATURAL SHOWRUNNER ERIC KRIPKE, WITH THE PILOT DIRECTED BY JON IRON MAN FAVREAU AND MADE BY JJ ABRAMS PRODUCTION COMPANY. ITS AN IMPRESSIVE PEDIGREE FOR ANY SHOW, AND NBCS LATEST HIT REVOLUTION IS PULLING IN MASSIVE VIEWING FIGURES WITH ITS FAMILY DRIVEN POST APOCALYPTIC STORYTELLING THAT HAS YET TO BE PICKED UP BY A BRITISH NETWORK. WE CAUGHT UP WITH KRIPKE, FAVREAU AND MEMBERS OF THE CAST TO TALK ABOUT THE SHOWS SUCCESS SO FAR
O YOU REMEMBER WHAT A BLACKOUT WAS LIKE WHEN YOU WERE A KID? THE WHOLE STREETS POWER GOES DOWN, YOUR DAD BREAKS OUT THE CANDLES AND YOU SEE THE WORLD WITH A
heroes actually working to restore the world. We were very much interested in telling a story about a society coming together. However, it isnt all big picture; at the heart of Revolution is the story of a reconnecting family and a post-apocalyptic world full of complex characters trying to survive. The show is just a really epic, fun saga, continues Kripke. Its this journey about a family that is struggling to reunite, so its intensely character-driven, with very complicated and fascinating characters struggling to come together against incredible adversity. Visually, the series takes its cues from the likes of Logans Run and Planet Of The Apes. However, director Favreau concedes that he initially didnt quite get the Tolkien angle from reading the script. I didnt really understand, says Favreau, but then I saw the sword ghts, the simpler and yet more brutal times and people trying to create society and keep chaos from asserting itself. Thats the heroic, aspirational quality to this show, and I think the visuals reinforce that by making you feel like youre entering another world. I liked Logans Run when they got outside and everything was overgrown. It was like a rainforest had reclaimed an ancient society, and the place everybody feared turned out to be a paradise. That analogy certainly rang true for what we were looking to present. Charlies generation see this almost as a pastoral, simple place, its the only world they know, and we wanted to present a lot of the show through their eyes so it didnt feel like The Road or Mad Max. This glass-half-full dystopia littered with cars, fairgrounds and other artefacts of the old world reclaimed by nature is strangely appealing. Is there a part of the audience that loves the escapism of a less complicated life? We want this world to be hopeful, romantic and lovely, and nature is sort of taking it back, remarks Kripke. If we do our job right, its going to be a world that the audience is going to want | 041
mixture of excitement and dread. Now, imagine the lights never came back on. NBCs breakout hit show Revolution charts what happens 15 years on from a worldwide power outage. For reasons unknown, electricity has ceased to work: lights went out across the world, computers shut down and aeroplanes fell from the sky, and the world was plunged into confusion. Governments crumbled and what was once America splintered into factions, with the series centred around the north east and what has become the Monroe Republic, a dictatorship by any other name, whose rule is enforced by the brutal Militia. Pitching itself at a sweet spot somewhere between The Lord Of The Rings and Stephen Kings The Stand, the series depicts the postblackout world as both a pastoral paradise built from the ruins of what went before and a harsh no-mans land lled with throat-slitting bandits. The only order comes from the Militia, equally known for extorting taxes and arresting dissenters as they are for keeping the uneasy peace. The show was devised by Eric Kripke, creator and former showrunner of Supernatural, produced by JJ Abrams production company Bad Robot and its pilot helmed by none other than Iron Man director Jon Favreau. Only a handful of episodes have aired so far, but its killing it in the ratings as part of NBCs Monday night line-up, pulling in a steady and growing audience of over 8 million per episode and winning the hearts and minds of the elusive 18-49 demographic. Bandits, society in chaos and fascist dictators arent the most cheerful of subjects, yet Revolution maintains a level of in-built optimism, which makes sense when you consider Kripkes sources of inspiration. Our touchstones for this were Star Wars and Lord Of The Rings, he remarks, and about
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MUST-SEE TV
Revolution
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OUR TOUCHSTONES FOR THIS WERE STAR WARS AND LORD OF THE RINGS
ERIC KRIPKE
Following in the footsteps of The Hunger Games and Arrow, bows are very much in vogue, it would seem.
to visit every week, and that part of them wants to chuck their iPhones and live there. Kripke is no stranger to building grandiose stories around families, and Revolution focuses on the Matheson household: father Ben (Tim Guinee), his two children Danny (Graham Rogers) and Charlotte, or Charlie (Tracy Spiridakos), and matriarch Rachel (Losts Elizabeth Mitchell), who has been missing presumed dead for years, but appears in ashbacks.
ILITIA FORCES LED BY SMILING VIPER CAPTAIN NEVILLE (GIANCARLO ESPOSITO) ROLL INTO TOWN TARGETING BEN FOR HIS KNOWLEDGE OF THE
blackout, capturing Danny as leverage. Charlie sets out on a quest to nd him and her estranged uncle Miles (Billy Burke). Theres also a question mark hovering over what exactly caused the blackout, and were teased with a mysterious silver pendant in Bens possession that could hold the answer. But how much of the story is going to revolve around how the lights went out? Its a part of it, for sure, says Kripke. This is a really compelling what-if. What would happen if we all lived without electricity? How would we survive? How
can we save the world and get the lights back on? The black sheep of this disconnected family is Miles Matheson, played by Twilight actor Billy Burke, perhaps an unlikely candidate to play a swashbuckling action antihero. His past is murky at best, and intrinsically linked to that of General Monroe (David Lyons), leader of the Militia and president of the Republic. Burke admits the role represents a change of scenery for him. When we rst tried to ght we got our asses kicked, confesses Burke. Ive been around a long time doing a lot of work, and Ive been very grateful for it. The show was the biggest gift Id been given in a very long time, so I couldnt be happier about it. Its one of those roles that immediately took me back to my childhood when I saw it on the page. Katniss Everdeen, Oliver Queen and now Charlie Matheson. The message is clear: bows are cool. We see much of Revolution through Charlies eyes, and while she has a certain wide-eyed vulnerability shes also a demon with a crossbow. The action and stunts part of it really excites me, says Spiridakos. Its a lot of fun.
The audition was more into the nittygritty of the character and where she comes from. As the story unfolds, more of the characters back stories are revealed through ashbacks, which Kripke says will form a main staple of each episode. Were going to see what happened in those rst days after the blackout and how people survived, he says. That stuff is effective in small doses because its very harrowing. It was important to me and Jon and JJ that we tell a story that isnt about death, but is about rebirth, hope and adventure. Patriotism is also a key theme in Revolution, and possibly a reason behind some of its success. The show lives up to its name by delving into aspects of Americas colonial past and playing up to the ideals of US cultural identity: no matter how you oppress us, we will resist.
HE MONROE REPUBLIC HAS EFFECTIVELY STRIPPED THE PEOPLE OF THEIR RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO BEAR FIREARMS
a hanging offence for anyone not a member of the Militia. Heroine Charlie
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JJ Abrams and Eric Kripkes Next Mega Hit?
REVOLUTION
Nuclear Winter Is Coming

Revolution depicts a heroic age, more Lord Of The Rings than The Road.
WARNING
If you love your dystopias post-apocalyptic then why not try these fine examples of the genre out for size?
Warner Bros Television Entertainment 2012 WBEI. All rights reserved
CAS
E 3: T
HRE A
DS
CASE 1: JERICHO
3
CAS E 2:
T HE STA ND
Is there more to the morally ambiguous Captain Neville than meets the eye?
rocks a crossbow, not a Smith & Wesson. Favreau believes this story has a lot to say in terms of contemporary narrative. If you look at all Young Adult novels and whats in the zeitgeist, theres denitely a sense of the young generation persevering against those who serve as allegories for how they might feel powerless in the world, much like when we grew up with Star Wars. Its an empowering story. The blackout also proves to be great leveller; a premise the series is beginning to explore though the complex character of Captain Neville. Pre-blackout he worked for an insurance company, and was not particularly respected by his colleagues or neighbours. Flashbacks to his life post-blackout give some insight into how he turned from white collar worker to icy Militia enforcer. Hes neither completely evil nor completely justied in his approach to maintaining order, and is brought to life by Breaking Bad actor Giancarlo Esposito, who relished the chance to delve into another dark character. Its delicious to play this bad guy, says Esposito. With every role I try to create someone new, and what I love about
creating a villain is to make him somehow good, doing something bad for a good reason. This guy is somewhat different in that he is the one step that is keeping everyone safe. Without him there would be total anarchy. I hope that we can make him a guy who also has some compassion. Kripke is clear on the rules of the blackout anything that throws a spark, and any circuit that carries an electrical charge is caput; batteries, spark plugs and engines are all out of the picture. The makers even brought in a physicist to check their workings. We pitched him what we wanted to have happen, and we gave him the big secret to make sure that it was accurate from a scientic point of view. His face just lit up and he said, that is absolutely possible, and I never even considered it, but thats amazing. Revolution has been a surprise hit for NBC, pulling in millions of viewers many driven by digital video recorder (DVR) views and it seems theres more of an appetite for complex storytelling on a network, not just on cable where the seasons are shorter but somewhat more of a guarantee. Favreau believes that NBCs
CASE 1 Jericho
The small town of Jericho struggles in the aftermath of 23 nuclear bombs detonating across the US. Like Revolution, Jericho demonstrates how cataclysm can break down the status quo, leading to the formation of a repressive police state. It was cancelled twice; once at the end of its rst season due to lacklustre ratings and again after seven new episodes were produced off the back of a fan campaign to save the show. The series has spawned a third and fourth season in comicbook form.
2006-2008
CASE 2 The Stand

A pandemic triggered by a man-made virus wipes out most of the worlds population, leading to a breakdown of society. Survivors begin to dream about a mysterious old woman called Mother Abigail, while others are drawn to the demonic Randall Flagg. The novel grows into a story of good versus evil as the stage is set for an epic confrontation between the two sides. Revolution plays on many ideas from The Stand, such as the wiping away of social order and what it reveals about human nature.
1994
CASE 3 Threads
Threads is a 1984 television drama written by Kestrel For A Knave author Barry Hines which speculates what might happen to Britain in the event of a thermonuclear war. The story does not inch from showing the suffering which could follow, and how the strands of modern life medicine, community, order and even language break under the strain of survival. Revolution touches on the unravelling of society, though nothing compares to the relentless and uncompromising approach of Threads.
1984
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MUST-SEE TV
Revolution
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King of the Hill

Spot the Stephen King reference in the rst three episodes a fun new game for all the family!
Ben tells Aaron to nd a woman called Grace Beaumont, who holds one of these mysterious pendants somehow connected to the blackout. An attacker we dont fully see abducts her, but not before she types the message: Randall is here possibly , a reference to The Stand antagonist Randall Flagg.
IM NOT A FAN OF ENDLESS MYSTERY I LIKE TO KNOW WHERE THE MYTHOLOGY IS GOING AND REWARD THE AUDIENCES LOYALTY
ERIC KRIPKE
Central heroine Charlie (Tracy Spiridakos) alongside renegade uncle Miles (Billy Burke).
In the third episode No Quarter Miles , introduces Charlie and himself as Stu and Frannie Redman, both protagonists from The Stand a clear source of inspiration for the show. Later in the same episode, Miles even suggests they Shawshank their way out of a building. Are the Matheson kids names nods to Stephen King? Charlotte becomes the tomboyish Charlie, possibly a riff on Firestarters Charlene/ Charlie, while younger sibling Danny shares his name with the son from The Shining.
faith in the show illustrates that the tide is starting to turn towards more complex storytelling on mainstream television. What youre seeing started off as a trend with cable television and is now hitting network. The audience has a tremendous
And the bonus ball goes to JK Rowling
King isnt the only literary reference featured so far on Revolution, and theres a horcrux vibe from those silver pendants. Sure enough, rebel bookstore owner Hutch from episode Soul Train is spotted printing a copy of Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows.
Expect the silver pendants to feature prominently.
capacity for sophisticated storylines, and as the movie industry becomes more and more restrictive youre seeing this on television. Theres always going to be dumb stuff out there, but there is room for really smart storylines, and hats off to NBC for giving the show a shot. Science ction fans know all too well the painful sting of cancellation, so what about the risks of investing in a show NBC might very well pull? Kripke is optimistic for the future. Im thrilled to have 22 episodes because that lets me reveal a lot of different facets of these characters and make them into really fascinating, human people, so for me 22 episodes per season isnt a problem; thats a gift. Im not a fan of endless mystery in storytelling. I like to know where the mythology is going and reward the audiences loyalty. I never get too precious with the questions because you can answer questions and then ask new ones. While there is an overarching story running throughout Revolution, its roots in the epic tradition of Tolkien and George
Lucas have kept the story tight and easily accessible to newcomers the holy grail of network drama. Each episode begins with a recap of the blackout which not only gives any new viewer an idea of what is at stake, but also reinforces the simple truth that the power is gone, as well as the glimmer of hope that someone will come and light the way. Exploring what could happen to our world in the event of a worldwide disaster is a grand tradition of science ction because it delves into one of our basest and most potent fears: that our impact on the world will ultimately lead to destruction, chaos and a breakdown of social order. Revolution is more upbeat than contemporary survivalist dramas such as The Walking Dead or classics like Survivors; theres plenty of room for exciting and character-driven action adventure in the television schedules. Lets just hope the show gets picked up on this side of the Atlantic sooner rather than later.
Revolution is airing now on NBC in the US.
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INTERVIEW
Norman Reedus
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Fan favourite slayer of a hundred zombies and star of a thousand memes, Daryl Dixon was not only the breakout character in The Walking Dead Season Two, but one of the years breakout characters full-stop. We talk to star Norman Reedus about weird fan mail and what awaits the surly antihero in Season Three
WORDS JAMES HOARE
NORMAN REEDUS M
erely a supporting character in Season One, crossbow-toting, squirrel-chomping son of the South Daryl Dixon rolled into the survivors camp with a chip on his shoulder in the shape of his missingpresumed-dead, domineering older brother Merle (Michael Rooker), left cuffed to a pipe in zombie-lled Atlanta by Rick (Andrew Lincoln). The apocalypse makes for unlikely alliances, though, and the one-time adversaries have grown closer out of mutual respect, and what seemed like the ultimate outsider has found his place in the group What was it like coming into Season Three with all the new cast members? Its a good, theres a lot of toes being stepped on character-wise, so its very intense, with different settings not just the woods, but theres the prison. Theres two storylines: ones in this town called Woodbury, and ones in the prison. The new characters are great; theyre really fun to work with. What was it like working with Michael Rooker again? Its great! In Season Two, with him being gone, Daryl was coming into his own he had value and people relied on him for survival so with Merle coming back in, he comes in in a big, angry way. I describe him as my drunk uncle at a Christmas party: Hey Merle, man, shut up! Daryls become Ricks go-to-guy in the absence of Shane. Will Merle drive a wedge between that? Thats denitely a possibility. Rick has sort of become the brother that Merle wasnt. Daryl kinda did what Daryl wanted to do, there were certain episodes where Daryl would go look for Sophia and Rick would say Wait up, lets get a plan together and do this properly and Daryl would be like Nah, man, Im better off on my own, but he also loves being a part of this group they need him as much as he needs them, so theres certain things in certain parts of Season Three where Daryl has to take a leadership role, and he takes it efciently and immediately, but he in no way wants to be a leader hes not like Shane. Hes like this quiet enforcer, but if theres the possibility of sitting down with a group of sad faces and telling them, We need to do this, I think that would just terrify Daryl. Whats it been like actually dening the Merle/Daryl relationship after having had it talked about for so long? Right from the beginning he was written very F-you! I kill you! I tried to tear up in between killing squirrels and stabbing people, and try and make him feel like a little brother whos lost his big brother, his only family member, and he was deeply hurt by that. I always try to give him layers, and if you can imagine growing up with a big brother like Merle all the racism, all the drugs there was a script that had me taking drugs, and I told them I didnt wanna take drugs. I want to grow up being embarrassed of being in that life, being embarrassed when Merle said things that were racist, and now Im not under the inuence of him, Im only just coming into my own and discovering who I am. Its become very interesting to play a character like that, you kind of drop these subtle seeds in the ground and hope they turn into trees, so when that does happen, you get an extra storyline one of those things is that he was an abused kid, and being in a different setting and not having that inuence around, hes becoming the man he would rather be. What its like being a fan favourite? Ive done 30 lms, and Ive never gotten as much love as I have with this one television character. Especially in Cherokee Rose [Season Two, Episode Four] there was this out-of-nowhere softer side of Daryl, and you could see there was pain inside of him he wasnt just this badass with a crossbow and ears around his neck. After that episode I got crazy amounts of fan mail delivered in a golf cart with a tractor behind it. Its insane someone sent me their breast implant, so I use it as my phone cradle. Do you have a strategy for dealing with the fans?
THE WALKING DEAD INTERVIEW
I embrace it, Im grateful that people like the character. Its always been positive. I try and keep a blog presence its the least I can do. Theres an incredible number of Daryl memes is that weird to you? No, I love it! I think its awesome. I have a son whos just turned 13, I picked him up from school and he had a big smile on his face, and said some of the bigger kids at school love Daryl, so he was getting some big kid love at school its great. We just had New York Comic Con, and he came with his mom and sat in the audience, so I had 10,000 people sing happy birthday to him! Do you think the relationship between Daryl and Carole will continue to blossom across Season Three? Yeah, in certain ways. I like the fact that theyre drawn together for reasons other than sexual tension. I like the fact that damaged people gravitate towards damaged people I nd that interesting, more interesting than them having sex against a tree. Thats not really who Daryl is, I want to play Daryl like hes got no game. He wouldnt know what to do I wouldnt want him to be the take-the-shirt-off guy, the glistening sweat on his shoulder. I want him to be awkward. Its more interesting to me. As far as a relationship based on friendship and relying on each other, it does get bigger it gets bigger with all the characters. You certainly get all the best toys to play with. Whats it like rocking up with a crossbow on a hog? That was all Frank Darabont he created that character for me. The crossbow was his idea, the motorcycle was his idea its hard not to look cool carrying a crossbow. I have a poncho this season! Its supposed to be a horse blanket I put a hole in. Carrying the crossbow its supposed to be one of those weapons that you prop up, take the bolt out, put the bolt in its not really an automatic weapon, so its become this weird math problem. Its just easier in a poncho!
The Walking Dead Season Three is airing now on FX.
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NORMAN REEDUS
The Walking Dead Interview
I TRIED TO TEAR UP IN BETWEEN KILLING SQUIRRELS AND STABBING PEOPLE NORMAN REEDUS
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AWARDS
2012
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ANNUAL AWARDS
Weve had amazing lms and awesome TV shows in 2012, but thats not exclusive to the genre we love. Instead, we celebrate the ten moments over the course of the last year that made us all so proud to be geeks. Not just things that were cool in themselves, but things that meant so much more to fans of sci-, fantasy and horror
10
1
GREATEST GEEK MOMENTS OF 2012
WORDS JAMES HOARE, JODIE TYLEY
Theres so much in Avengers Assemble for geeks to take away, but what else would you expect from Joss Whedon, the man whos very name is shorthand for a specic type of humour, narrative and branch of fervent fandom? Filled to the brim with brilliant, comic-book referencing moments, fan-favourite star turns, an unrecognisable Alexis Denisof, iconic scenes and BLOODY THANOS, the very fact that Avengers Assemble was the huge success it was validated everything we consider to be important about entertainment. It wasnt just Whedons personal triumph; it was a victory for geeks everywhere.
Avengers Assemble in style
ITS NEARLY TIME TO TRADE THIS YEAR IN FOR A NEW MODEL, BUT WILL SCI FI IN 2013 MATCH 2012? WE SINGLE OUT THE BEST FILMS, TV SHOWS AND MORE FROM THE LAST 12 MONTHS, AS WELL AS THE YEARS TEN STANDOUT MOMENTS
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John Blake: Boy Wonder

A throwaway reference that provoked far more of a reaction than your average injoke. Spoiler alert for the benet of the six people yet to see The Dark Knight Rises: Gotham plod John Blake (Joseph Gordon-Levitt)s real name is Robin. That doesnt actually mean he is Robin if anything its less likely, as his own name makes a dreadful secret identity.
Shes a Dalek?!
Steven Moffat blindsided Doctor Who fans by introducing new companion Jenna Louise-Coleman six episodes earlier than her publicised appearance in the 2012 Christmas special, then not only revealed her to be a Dalek, but seemingly killed her off as well. It prompted a deluge of fan theories and speculation that shattered the internet.
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ANNUAL AWARDS
2012
2012s BREAKOUT FAN FAVOURITES

The eight characters whose fan stock rose sharply in 2012, earning them a permanent place in the heart of fandom
Miles Morales and Peter Parker meet
In 2012s loveliest comic-book (reviewed on page 92), Peter Parker visits the Ultimate universe to meet his counterpart, Miles Morales. They trade blows like all superheroes do when they rst meet but the way they nd similarities in each others lives, abilities and challenges is what makes it so moving.
Turning up unannounced at San Diego Comic Con, RDJ crashed the Iron Man 3 panel in full-on Tony Stark mode. Strutting to Luther Vandross, he high-ved his way to the front as the assembled geeks erupted.
Robert Downey Jr IS Tony Stark
Breaking the Bat

Geek opinion varies wildly over whether Christopher Nolans The Dark Knight Rises was an operatic masterstroke or bloated folly, but theres no denying how satisfying it was for comic-book fans to see so many storylines referenced, not least of which was mufed Mexican wrestler Bane growling I will break you in a homage to Knightfall.
Loki (Avengers Assemble)

Loki (Tom Hiddleston) gained an army of fans thanks to his infectiously gleeful, scenery-chewing performance and sneaking mewling quim past the censors.
Daryl Dixon (The Walking Dead)

Strong, silent and a bit grubby, the crossbowtoting redneck became The Walking Deads meme machine for his tendency to get shit done, eat squirrel and look rugged.
Amy Pond (Doctor Who)

Amy (Karen Gillan)s coldness was expunged and her relationship with Rory (Arthur Darvill) strengthened. Ultimately, she chose to leave everything in her life to be with him.
Leonard Nimoy voices Spock toy

In what has to be the geekiest show on TV ever, its no surprise that there have been guest stars aplenty. However, the most bizarre cameo to date took place in Season Five of The Big Bang Theory, in which genius man-child Sheldon cedes to the requests of a talking Spock doll voiced by Leonard Nimoy himself.
Agent Coulson (Avengers Assemble)

Our love for Phil (Clark Gregg) peaked when he blurted his hero worship for Cap, making his death even more affecting. But fear not, he will return in the SHIELD TV show.
Speaking to a New Zealand newspaper, Doctor Who star Matt Smith benignly said hed love to lm in the country. Up in the Misty Mountains, Peter Jackson looked up from his pipe-weed and said, Challenge accepted, kicking off a public back-and-forth between the BBC and the architect of Middle-Earth that sent fans giddy with the possibilities.
Peter Jackson wants Doctor Who
Brian Williams (Doctor Who)

Mark Williams supremely lovely Brian strolled unassumingly into the Whoniverse to change a lightbulb, becoming the source of many of Series Sevens most touching moments.
The Alien is born

Prometheus, like The Dark Knight Rises, may have been divisive with fans, and the Engineers battle with Noomi Rapaces giant alien squid baby far more comedic than horric, but the end result sent chills down every true geeks spine as a new breed of Xenomorph was born dubbed the Deacon due to its distinctly coned skull.
We all knew it was coming, and the tease had been dragged out well beyond its natural lifespan, but when Darth Maul nally scuttled back onto our screens as a ranting, broken lunatic with robot spider-legs it was hard not to suppress a shiver. Voiced by The Force Unleasheds own growling, lightsaber-spinning badass Sam Witwer, The Phantom Menaces sole redeeming factor in the eyes of the haters is nally back to make good on his potential and, of course, have his revenge.
DARTH MAUL HAS HIS REVENGE
Hal Yorke (Being Human)

In his rst acting job, Damien Molony won us over with his OCD vamp Hal, and his bickering bromance with werewolf Tom made the series one of the best yet. Mitchell who?
Castiel (Supernatural)
The billion-year-old virgin had us in stitches in Supernatural. Hes a solid drinking buddy and loyal friend, and actor Misha Collins has proven to be just as lovable.
10
Bronn (Game Of Thrones)

Tyrions position of power shifted the dynamic in favour of world-weary Bronn (Jerome Flynn) an endless source of one-liners, deadpan ripostes and unashamed thuggery.
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AWARDS
2012
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JIM CARREY IN 1995 AWARD FOR BEING EVERYWHERE CHRIS HEMSWORTH

Walking bicep Chris Hemsworth swaggered amicably through fairy tale land with an axe in Snow White And The Huntsman, a helicarrier with a hammer in Avengers Assemble, a shack with a letterman jacket in The Cabin In The Woods and, in the US at least, occupied America with an AK-47 in the worrisome remake of Red Dawn. Younger brother Liam Bicep also pouted his way through The Hunger Games and into the heart of twangsome pop lovely Miley Cyrus, so theres an extra point for Team Bicep in that.
TOP 5 FILMS OF THE YEAR
AVENGERS ASSEMBLE
2
Director: Joss Whedon Distributor: Walt Disney Pictures
Plenty has been written about Joss Whedons triumphant Avengers Assemble on the previous spread, but theres no getting around just how titanic this joyous superhero team-up was and how much it has raised the stakes for the superhero movie sub-genre. Were now living in the post-Avengers world, and every superhero movie to follow has a hell of a lot of work to do.
CHRONICLE
Director: Josh Trank Distributor: 20th Century Fox
2012s surprise hit that lit the career touch paper on director Josh Trank now rebooting Fantastic Four and screenwriter Max Landis whose forthcoming projects include a Frankenstein reboot and TV show Vigilant Chronicle was a foundfootage superhero hit, depicting the outcome of inicting powers on a bunch of hormonal shits with chilling realism.
CLINT EASTWOODS CHAIR AWARD FOR DAFT POLEMIC

THE DARK KNIGHT RISES
Batmans a bit of a right wing, capitalist power fantasy as it is, but when Christopher Nolan opted to wed it to some cumbersome Occupy analogue meets the France of A Tale Of Two Cities, the end result, taken out of context, was to suggest that Occupy Wall Street is a front for terrorists, and ceding control to the people will result in kangaroo courts and executions.
THE CABIN IN THE WOODS

Director: Drew Goddard Distributor: Lionsgate
Trapped in the cellar at the abandoned, haunted house known as MGM, Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Angel collaborators Joss Whedon (writer) and Drew Goddard (director) nally released their whip-smart spin on Eighties horror, The Cabin In The Woods, which managed to slip in references to everything from Hellraiser to The Ring.
The odds were well and truly stacked against poor old Dredd a relatively low-budget adaptation of a comic-book character whose popularity peaked decades ago, a reboot of a much-maligned 1995 lm, and to top it looked a bit like Indonesian cop movie The Raid, despite having been buried in post-production purgatory for so long that the rst trailer had La Roux as its soundtrack. But Alex Garland and Peter Travis silenced them all with a raw and uncompromisingly violent take on the trigger-happy 2000 AD antihero, and its less than stellar takings belie like Blade Runner before it cult status. Who cares that we probably wont see a second great Judge Dredd lm? Until summer 2012 there hadnt even been one of them. 050 |
DREDD
1
Director: Peter Travis Distributor: Entertainment Film
THE AMAZING SPIDER MAN

Director: Marc Webb Distributor: Sony Pictures
Very much the underdog story in this years crop of superheroic megaevents, but thats just how our friendly neighbourhood wallcrawler would like it. Despite early fanboy outrage over the corpse of Sam Raimis trilogy being not yet cold, Marc Webbs moody outsider take won over not just the ticket-buying public, but the hardest of all groups to appease you lot.
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ANNUAL AWARDS
2012
THE WALKING DEAD
Showrunner: Glen Mazzara Network: AMC
1
MOST SPECTACULAR DEBUT ARROW
Showrunners: Greg Berlanti, Marc Guggenheim, Andrew Kreisberg Network: The CW More Batman Begins than the weepy post-Dawsons Creek antics of Smallville, Arrow overcame its hammy premise and hammier acting with the promise of an epic character arc right off the bat. Brilliantly choreographed ght scenes and cameos from lesser known DC Comics favourites certainly helped, too.
AMCs apocalyptic zombie epic bookended 2012 like rotting corpses piled against the door the second half of Season Two airing in February and Season Three debuting in October. Some criticised the slow pace, but they shut up once Rick (Andrew Lincoln) and crew cleared a barn full of Walkers, lanced the boil that was Shane from the group and performed battleeld surgery in the gore-laden opening to Season Three.
TOP 5 TV DRAMAS
OF THE YEAR
GAME OF THRONES
2
Showrunners: David Benioff and DB Weiss Network: HBO
DOCTOR WHO
3
Showrunner: Steven Moffat Network: BBC
The pace of HBOs dense and Machiavellian Game Of Thrones began to lag, with so many characters having followed their subplots into far-ung corners of Westeros that screen time was tightly rationed. We got pay-off, however dragons, White Walkers and Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) breaking out the medieval napalm to turn the tide of war.
No more longform, overarching plot brought to a hurried conclusion Series Seven gave us a shock opener in Asylum Of The Daleks, a silly romp in Dinosaurs On A Spaceship and an old school Doctor Who morality play in A Town Called Mercy, before signing off with an eruption of tears in The Angels Take Manhattan.
MOST UNDESERVED CANCELLATION THE FADES

Showrunner: Jack Thorne Network: BBC A victim of the seemingly inscrutable and Byzantine commissioning process at the BBC, teen-orientated drama The Fades bit the dust seemingly to concentrate on the BBCs other genre show, Being Human, despite solid ratings, great reviews and an epic nale in which hell on earth was unleashed.
MERLIN
4
Showrunners: Johnny Capps and Julian Murphy Network: BBC
GRIMM
5
Showrunners: David Greenwalt and Jim Kouf Network: NBC
Dogged by an Its just for kids! perception for far too long, Merlins fth series left all of that in the dust. Taking advantage of the time jump to up the stakes with a frightening family reunion for Arthur (Bradley James) and the subtle threat of Mordred, Merlin has effortlessly proven just what makes it one of our favourite genre shows.
As Supernatural enters its eight season, theres space in our lives for a fresher monster-of-the-week, critter hunting show, and Greenwalt and Koufs Angel successor has stepped up admirably with gruesome effects and fan-favourite character dynamics. The next two seasons will either see it climb the rankings or drop from them outright. | 051
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AWARDS
2012
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The smoky bars and ceiling fan intrigue of Raymond Chandler meets the neurotic, beer-gut superheroics of Alan Moore at his height (as opposed to his post-From Hell esotericism), Adam Christophers genre-merging debut swept skyward seemingly from nowhere, its cape trailing in the wind, and brought with it an incredible sense of wonder.
EMPIRE STATE
Author: Adam Christopher
BOOKS OF THE YEAR
TOP 5
The Game Is Altered

Author: Mez Packer
The Game Is Altered is a beautiful, energetically written collection of ercely contemporary ideas, neatly packaged like an MTV indent into a post-cyberpunk soap opera of a boy looking for love and escape in a vast, immersive MMO.
Red Country
Author: Joe Abercrombie
Our favourite writer of gritty fantasy (and last years winner) nds a vicious commonality between the spaghetti western and the bloodyknuckled fantasy he does so well. While others build on clich, Abercrombie applies genuine love.
The Great North Road
Author: Peter F Hamilton
Intrusion
Author: Ken MacLeod
Just one of the many triumphant returns from undisputed powerhouses of progressive science ction, Great North Road was the prolic space opera pioneer at his standalone, blockbuster best.
Like the mischievous leftie he is, MacLeods Intrusion was a convincing right wing paranoid fantasy of compassionate tyranny and social justice gone sour. Without doubt one of the most politically relevant SF books of 2012.
Vaughan breakdown of the eight literally a lifetime afrmingreturned with a sci- hit lms creation, that it in gestation, half-childhood daydreamsofce upon arrival for vanished instantly from the SciFiNow and half Return To Oz style clockpunk weirdness meets the cosmic, world-rocking review, never to be seen again. Presented like the spellbooks storytelling of Star Wars. of Potter fans are destitute without from Hogwarts, the lives 052 |
Harry Potter: Page SAGA (IMAGE) To Screen 1

Author: Bob McCabe
COMIC-BOOKS OF THE YEAR
TOP 5
The Manhattan Projects (Image)
Writer: Jonathan Hickman Artist: Nick Pitarra
The Defenders
(Marvel)
Writer: Matt Fraction Artist: Terry Dodson
Batman: Earth One (DC)
Writer: Geoff Johns Artist: Gary Frank
Fatale (Image)
Writer: Ed Brubaker Artist: Sean Phillips
Writer: sought Vaughan Artist: Fiona Staples tableSo Brian K after was this elaborate, coffee
A many-layered tale of a macabre alternate Manhattan Project in which a deranged gang of scientists instead pursue even more destructive ends, crossing between worlds and gunning down aliens.
An oddball metaphysical romp in which Doctor Strange, Iron Fist, Red She-Hulk, Silver Surfer and Namor and later Nick Fury, Ant Man and Black Cat protect humanity from the impossible. It was too left-eld to live, it seems.
Johns and Franks bespoke graphic novel subtly reimagined the Dark Knight detective as a awed and ultimately human vigilante. Its a refreshing respite from the all-knowing super-genius who builds Bat-robots and stares down gods.
Coming off the back of a number of noir titles from Brubaker and Phillips, Fatale lulled us into a false sense of security with a writer, a secret, a femme fatale, a faded starlet and other tropes before unexpectedly opening a box of Lovecraftian horror.
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ANNUAL AWARDS
2012
1 THE WALKING DEAD

Platform: Mac, PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, iOS Publisher: Telltale Games Developer: Telltale Games
BEST BOARD(Iello) GAME King Of Tokyo

Its been a great year for board games, but none captured our excitement quite like King Of Tokyo, the brain child of Magic: The Gathering designer Richard Gareld. Its a fast-paced homage to skyscraper-toppling monster movies based around refreshingly simple mechanics and evocative design.
A harrowing episodic point-and-click prequel to the TV series, The Walking Dead demonstrated the potential of videogames to enhance an already powerful, mustfollow narrative. Introduced rst as DLC, it has since gone all physical and, for us at least, this is the future of the medium.
VIDEOGAMES
OF THE YEAR
TOP 5
BEST CARD GAME Thunderstone Advance:

Towers Of Ruin (Alderac)
Compatible with previous editions of Alderacs brilliant Thunderstone deck-building card game, Towers Of Ruin raises the stakes via a number of tweaks, both major and minor, to the standard mechanics (replacing old attributes with more rewarding ones) and spicing up the gameplay.
MASS EFFECT 3
2
Platform: PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii U Publisher: BioWare (Straight Right for Wii U) Developer: Electronic Arts
DISHONORED
3
Platform: PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 Publisher: Bethesda Developer: Arkane
The blockbuster sci- RPG nally came to a close, with fans going all nails-on-the-chalkboard over the xed ending and rude inclusion of cover shooting mechanics, but it was nonetheless a suitably epic end to one of sci-s most involving stories of any medium.
A rare original property in a year dominated by semicolons and digits, Dishonored won a place in our hearts thanks to its array of missions and breathtaking design as players traversed an otherworldly steampunk analogue of London and Edinburgh, all rivets, brass, smoke and the supernatural.
BEST MOBILE GAME Blood Of The Zombies

(Tin Man Games)
XCOM: ENEMY UNKNOWN

Platform: PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 Publisher: 2k Developer: Firaxis
RESIDENT EVIL 6
5
Platform: PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 Publisher: Capcom Developer: Capcom
The triumphant return of a hard sci- RTS great Enemy Unknown revisited all the things that made the original game such a stone-cold classic, dispelling the memory of the aborted XCOM: Genesis and XCOM: Alliance and putting the franchise back on top.
Four POV characters with appropriate gameplay styles bring together classic Resident Evil values (more survival horror, less racism) and action-bound later offerings into one package aimed squarely at the fans. Chris and Leon even have a little wrestle, to the delight of slash writers worldwide.
Ian Livingstones 30th Anniversary Fighting Fantasy gamebook came to Android and iOS with 3D dice rolling mechanics (dont play while walking or the dice will never stop bouncing), difculty settings and bookmarks to replicate you cheating, frankly. Dont be ashamed, we all did it.
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CULT CINEMA
Byzantium
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the
Why Neil JordaNs ByZaNTiUM is ciNeMas UlTiMaTe aNTi-TWilighT
aMpire flicks are laggiNg BehiNd oN The eqUal righTs froNT, Where WoMeN are eiTher slaBs of (cold) MeaT, lesBiaNs or all of The aBoVe.
Maybe its because most bloodsuckers are a few hundred years old and totally behind the times, as they are in [director] Neil Jordans latest twist on the genre, Byzantium. At the heart of the movie are a mother and a daughter (Gemma Arterton and Saoirse Ronan), living as vampires in an underworld where women are not allowed to create immortal life. That was the absolute essence of Moira [Buffini]s script, Jordan tells us. Thats why I was attracted to it, because she took an 18th Century figure of a woman who could turn into a whore, and when she got this gift [vampirism], shed use it to curb the power of men. So theres a great metaphor there too, but thats what this vampire genre has become, a metaphorical box of tricks. The prostitute in question is the everpractical Clara Webb, played by Arterton. She supports her daughter, Eleanor (Ronan), by selling her 200-year-old body around the amusement arcades of a run-down seaside town. Claras not the kind of vamp-with-a-conscience were accustomed to, and will happily bury her gnashers into the local clientele. Despite centuries in each others company, Eleanor has resisted the urge to turn into her mother and remains conflicted by her own bloodlust. It adds the tortured pulse of Let The Right One In to the plot, as Jordan explains: Shes a sympathetic
girl. Shes a girl whos been put into an orphanage at a very young age and taught to tell the truth. And she was turned into this thing, he says. So she remains forever what she was: a girl who has empathy and truthfulness and wants to tell her story, and doesnt want to create any harm. Instead, she feeds from elderly and willing victims, who belong to an exclusive book club. Everyone who reads the story that Eleanor is reading has to die, he adds, which for me is a great hook for the drama. Like a chain letter thats lethal. Tormented souls are familiar territory for Jordan, who staked his claim in the fanged film genre 18 years ago in the poetically elegant Interview With The Vampire. The anxiety Eleanor feels reminds him of Louis (Brad Pitt), as he continues, Lestat [Tom Cruise] turns Louis into a vampire, and Louis is full of pity for the whole universe because hes got to kill it, so he ends up eating rats for a while, denying what he is, he says. Eleanors a bit like that; she basically empties old aged homes. It could also be a subtle metaphor for the delicate euthanasia debate, proving that vampires really can be a vessel for anything. Theyre also great lovers, if weve learned anything from True Blood, and the girls soon meet a couple of suitors when a bloody crime causes them to up sticks and leave their home. Finding refuge in a British seaside resort, Clara meets lonely Noel (Daniel Mays from Ashes To Ashes) and woos him into letting them stay in his dilapidated hotel
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Byzantium
Raising the Stakes
IntervIew wIth the vampIre dIrector neIl Jordan returns to pump fresh blood Into the vampIre genre wIth byzantIum, about an undead mother/daughter duo. fresh from delIghtIng fIlm festIvals around the world, Jordan tells us more about these bloodsuckers-by-the-seasIde, and star saoIrse ronan reveals what Its lIke to be on the run
WORDS jodie tyley inteRvieWS Mark juddery
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CULT CinemA
Byzantium
called Byzantium. But while the pragmatic young mother is preoccupied with painting the film red, we get our emotional fix from Eleanors relationship with Frank (X-Men: First Class star Caleb Landry Jones), who suffers from leukaemia. The eternal schoolgirl winds up telling the boy all her secrets, unwittingly causing the past to come biting back.
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30 days of night
2007
These bloodsuckers are messy eaters, playing with their food and speaking in demonic tongues.
rabid
1977
Reimagines the vampire as a biological terror, spreading its toxin through a stinger that emerges from an orifice in its armpit.
We dig deep to find the five most depraved vampire flicks ever
he eerie seTTing of The seaside resorT seems To haunT mosT of Jordans films, and he admiTs iT sTems from his own pasT. my faTher was a school
teacher, and we used to spend three months of every year in a God-awful When a story involves a kid holiday camp somewhere, he says. We vampire and a paedophile, used to go to the west coast, so its been you know it wont be 1987 about eternal love. in a lot of stories Ive written and movies The truck-stop Ive made. The town was such an important thriller forgoes gothic thing in Byzantium that I said if I dont romanticism for seedy find the right town to do this in, I probably motels, bleak back roads wouldnt make the film. I patrolled up and and broken glass down, from Brighton down to Margate, and viciousness. eventually found this town, Hastings, which subdued it was more of a psychological had that haunted quality to it. and metaphorical what-if tale and not really The funfair lights, tinkling music and a horror film yet. Most of the work I did was chip shop wrappers of a coastal town letting it develop into a bloodier drama, into littered Buffinis script. It was based on her something that was the genre in a way the stage play titled A Vampires Story, where script was a bit afraid of: the process where its unclear if its the twisted rambling of a they turn into these creatures. delusional teen or the unbelievable truth. In the original draft, the vampires-to-be The play was more based around the school were to take a jaunt to Asia Minor home of experience of Eleanor, says Jordan. The the actual Byzantium, now Istanbul but school counsellor was worried that the Irish filmmaker Jordan took things back fantasy this girl seemed to have might be to his roots. I asked Moira to examine all evidence of some kind of damage, as in the the Irish lore of the undead, and we came movie, and she brought in a psychiatrist. up with this scenario where they go to [The original script] was a bit more
2 let the right one in 2008
3 near dark
this island off the west coast and find this strange, pagan, Christian thing, he says. Its just one of the ways he aims to sharpen the canines of these increasingly blunt monster movies. Hes had plenty of experience in recycling classic tropes, tackling werewolves in The Company Of Wolves and selkies in Ondine. In Byzantium, he has not only reworked how vamps are created, but also how they operate. Its a brave move, but is slipped in so subtly that those who are well-versed in vampire lore wont be too irked. The interesting thing about the vampire genre is [that] you can make it into 1976 so many different things, he observes. Theres no fangs or Anne Rice really turned it on its head supernatural powers here, with Interview With The Vampire. She but the boy-next-door turned vampires into emblems of so many likes drugging girls and slashing them with different things forbidden sexuality razor blades. and gay iconography. Thats what vampire movies have become; theyve become these giant metaphors for something.
martin
you can make vampire movies into so many things - they have become these gigantic metaphors
neil jordan
hile underlying messages are inTriguing To geT your TeeTh inTo, ThaTs noT why mosT of us are suckers for This sub-genre.
Prying pap shots revealed Artertons bloodsplattered face, looking like a barmaid whod had a pint of the red stuff poured over her head. So just how many bottles of O-Neg were used in this film? As much as possible, comes the crowd-pleasing answer. We turned a waterfall red! This is actually a moment of beauty, achieved not through special effects, but vegetable dye. We had climbers go up with these bags of vegetable dye that turns things red, he continues. Wed tell them on a walkie-talkie to release the dye, and four minutes later the whole thing had turned out [red]. Its the most spectacular thing youve ever seen. But is it going to be the scariest thing weve ever seen? Jordan says its not likely, but this doesnt mean it wont be chilling or bad as a result. In fact, he thinks it will turn things around for bloodsuckers in cinema. The truth is, a lot of vampire movies are really bad, he says. A lot of the Hammer movies, the Vincent Price things that people love so much, are pretty bloody corny, and actually theyre not scary. When I was doing Interview With The Vampire, the producer David Geffen kept saying, Youve got to make this scary. I said, This is a story told from the point of view of people who are dead. Nothing can harm them. Its going to be creepy, but its not going to be scary. If you think of the really terrifying films youve seen, like The Exorcist, like The Blair Witch Project, theyre about human beings who can be obliterated and die. In vampire movies thats not the case. It can be a bit creepy, of course.
Saoirse Ronan plays teen vampire Eleanor.
Byzantium is in cinemas 2013.
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SAOIRSE RONAN ON PLAYING IMMORTAL TEEN ELEANOR WEBB
BYZANTIUM
Raising the Stakes
Were you drawn to Byzantium to work with Neil Jordan, or to make a vampire movie? It was a bit of both. I really wanted to work with Neil, and I love the idea of working with an Irish director. I think that the way it was, this lm would probably have frightened me off a little bit, just because theres been so many vampire lms. I liked that the vampire element was certainly a part of it, but wasnt the main focus. There were so many other things going on: it was a mother-anddaughter story, a teenage love story and all these different things. There was more to it than sucking blood. Did you have the teenage Twilight attraction? No, I think [I liked it] because it wasnt like anything else that had been made about vampires. It was told in a very different way, and it isnt really your traditional vampire lm. I never really thought of Eleanor, my character, as being a
vampire. They actually never refer to themselves as vampires in the lm, which I liked, too, and they dont have any of the characteristics vampires do. They dont have fangs, crazy eyes or anything like that, so it feels a bit more like folklore or something in an old storybook. Theres also a sense of melancholy. Did you feel that throughout the lming process? No, its only when the cameras are rolling, really. Its very sad for Eleanor in particular, whos still stuck in the past, so desperate to share the story with everyone, but knowing she cant because her mothers brought her up so she can never tell the truth. Thats such a heavy burden to carry every single day, and she always feels that shes been dragging it around for so long. But then when Frank comes into it, he brings this new kind of life into the lm, and suddenly she has this teenage yearning again.
There seemed to be a feminist aspect to the lm. Well, I think that was more the case for Clara [Gemma Artertons character] than for me. My character doesnt have a full story; Clara never tells her, so shes
FOREVER
you turn. Once shes given that power, she wants to get it back. Obviously, the two central roles here are two women. Theyre supporting each other, and its not really something you see too often, so its quite nice to see it on-screen. Are there any scenes that had a lasting affect on you? Theres one scene that really freaked me out. I dont like watching anything I do, but this really affected me: when Frank is taken away to the hospital, and the bloody handkerchief is on the ground, and I pick it up and its in slow motion, and my eyes are crazy. I look a bit wild.
I LIKED THAT THE VAMPIRE ELEMENT WAS PART OF IT, BUT NOT THE MAIN FOCUS SAOIRSE RONAN
desperate to uncover the past. But for Claras character, shes so courageous and determined towards ridding the bad people of the world and getting her revenge on these horrible men because of the fact that she got put through so much when she was a prostitute. She was raped, so I think for a woman to go through so much at such an early age, its got to make
Have you seen Interview With The Vampire? I did, I fell in love with Kirsten Dunst in it. It was so great, grand and beautiful to watch, I think that theres that kind of imagery in Byzantium as well. Thats something Neil brings to all his lms.
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BIG MOVIE
Breaking Dawn: Part 2
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Physically, this was more challenging than anything

KRISTEN STEWART
The Cullen Clan

Peter Facinelli as Dr carlisle cullen
InTwilight,Istarted outdyingmyhair blonde.Andthen,as themovieprogressed, Iworewigs.The wigswentthrougha transformation.Then inBreakingDawn,its alittlelonger.Thats myarc.
The cast looks back on how their veggie vampire family has grown
elizabeth reaser as esme cullen
Jackson rathbone as JasPer hale

Whenwefirstsee Jasper,heiskindof tweakedout.Asthe moviesprogress, hebecamemore comfortablewith thelifestyle,and inBreakingDawnI thinkitsthefirsttime Jasperisatease.
kellan lutz as emmett cullen

Itwasjustgreat showinghowmuch heenjoysbeinga vampireandhow muchheisreally rootingforBellato becomeone,sohe canroughhousewith heruntilshekicks hisbutt.
Thesemovieshave forcedEsmeinto adifferentlifestyle thansheimagined forherself.Bella hasputourfamily insuchavulnerable situationthatits forcedEsmetobe thispowerhouse.
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BREAKING DAWN: PART 2
Twilight: The Last Rites
twilight
Before we drive a stake through the saga, Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart reflect on the movies that made them
this was more challenging than anything because even the way she walks into a room is different than how I walk into a room, she says. If you think a mile a minute, youre never going to be indecisive about anything.
the last rites
WORDS jodie tyley inTeRvieWS steve nash
Bella the vampire

The cast had a lot to live up to, not least of all Robert Pattinson as the perfect looking man. Bella Swan undergoes her own transformation, though, and by the end of the series shes more otherworldly than even Kristen Stewart could muster. I remember going up to Stephenie [Meyer, author], on the first day that I had to play a vampire, and I was like, Steph, how am I going to sound like wind chimes, you jerk? Thats impossible! says Stewart. Really, it blew my mind. Stuff like that was a big challenge for me. I had to let go of that because I dont sound like wind chimes. Playing the awkward, emotional teen was a lot easier than the powerful hunter she becomes in more ways than wind chimes. Stewart admitted she spent most of the shoot wearing a hand brace. I have really bad luck with my thumbs, she told us. It plagues me, actually. Both of them are very oddly shaped. I hurt myself right at the beginning of all my action sequences, so any grimace you see is probably real. The end of Breaking Dawn: Part 1 revealed the transformation into an undead Kate Middleton all glossy long locks and royal blue dress complete. Part 2 is when well see her taking down prey and arm wrestling with Emmett. Physically,
Twilight rebooted?
We live in times where a much-loved franchise can be re-spun just five years after the last in the trilogy was in cinemas, so what if Twilight gets the same treatment as Spider-Man? Pattinson pities the person who takes over his role as Edward Cullen, I would destroy them, he warns. I would make a campaign against them. It could certainly be an opportunity to right the wrongs of the original, like the Windows 95 werewolves. Stewart thinks the Cullens should be left to enjoy their happily ever after. I have an insiders perspective because I played her, but if anything else happened, I swear to god, please leave them alone! she says. They figured it out. Leave them. By the end of
the movie, its so abundantly satisfying, sweet and ideal. But I would be open to the idea. I would be curious to see what it was. Originally, author Stephenie Meyer created the character of Renesmee (the unusual offspring of Belward) with the future in mind. Back in the day, when I was never going to stop writing about vampires, there was a reason why Renesmee was created, she admits. I was creating a narrator. But thats 20 years down the road.
Memorable moments
Which scene stole your heart? The time when Edward saved Bella by stopping the car? Perhaps the moment when he was about to sacrifice himself to the Volturi when he thought shed died, or the wedding that followed when she didnt? For the leads, it was the honeymoon in Brazil theyll always treasure. It turns out that the part where Pattinson goes Bond and drives a speedboat wasnt as smooth as it looked on film. I crashed the boat afterwards, in front of 5,000 people, he remembers. That was pretty symbolic of the crazy journey. And who could forget that waterfall scene? Me and Kristen were in our swimming trunks and a bikini, with 600 Brazilian army men with machine guns and video cameras, filming it in the rainforest in Brazil, says Pattinson. We were making out with each other and pretending to jump off a waterfall. It wasnt as sexy as it sounds, though, as Stewart reveals, He was trying to not get his white paint on me, and I was trying to not get my brown paint on him. It was just dripping off. It was like, Were both really white. No more make-up!
NiKKi Reed aS RoSalie Hale

these movies revolve around this love story, and we dont get to show every side of our characters. i waited a long time for Breaking dawn, to have the audience root for Rosalie a little more.
aSHley GReeNe aS alice culleN

you saw her come in as this lovable, friendly, upbeat vampire it was nice, throughout the saga, to get to see different sides Whenever it came to her family, you see an edge to her.
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2 is in cinemas now.

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Our thoughts on the pick of the entertainment releases out this month
THE STYLE AND ATMOSPHERE MORE THAN MAKE UP FOR ITS OTHER SHORTFALLS
SILENT HILL: REVELATION 3D 64

Theatrical releases
64 Silent Hill: Revelation 3D 65 Robot & Frank 65 Room 237
LATEST REVIEWS ONLINE SCIFINOW.CO.UK
64 CINEMA
Films on DVD and Blu-ray
66 HOME/FILM
Mustw! see no
T
66 The Amazing Spider-Man 70 Flight Of The Navigator 70 Short Circuit 70 Ninja Scroll 71 My Neighbour Totoro 71 The Castle Of Cagliostro 71 Halloween IV: The Return Of
TV shows on DVD and Blu-ray
72 HOME/TV
The latest console games rated

76 Dishonored 76 The Walking Dead
76 VIDEOGAMES
AWARD EXPLAINED THE MUST SEE NOW AWARD GOES TO REVIEWS THAT SCORE FOUR STARS OR MORE
Michael Myers 71 Halloween V: The Revenge Of Michael Myers 71 Brave
Season One 73 Merlin: Series Five, Volume One 73 Sinbad: Series One 74 Supernatural: Season Seven 74 Doctor Who: Series Seven, Part One
72 Red Dwarf X 73 Goosebumps:
Episode 4 Around Every Corner 77 XCOM: Enemy Unknown 77 Doom 3: BFG Edition
TRIVIA SILENT HILL: REVELATION 3D STARS SEAN BEAN AND KIT HARINGTON PREVIOUSLY WORKED TOGETHER ON HBOS GAME OF THRONES.
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review
FILM INFO
Released Out now Certicate 15 Director Michael J Bassett Screenwriter Michael J Bassett Cast Adelaide Clemens, Kit Harington, CarrieAnne Moss, Sean Bean, Radha Mitchell Distributor Lionsgate Running Time 94 minutes
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SILENT HILL: REVELATION 3D

Going on a glummer holiday
By all rights, Silent Hill: Revelation 3D should
be a travesty. A sequel to a videogame adaptation in 3D? It ticks all the requisite oh sod off boxes. Yet somehow, Revelation isnt utterly hateful. First, a word of warning: unless youre a fan of the games, none of Revelation will make a lick of sense to you, and all the hilariously straightfaced talk of cults, hell dimensions and beasties will be too much to take in. Those versed in the ways of the series, however (particularly Silent Hill 3, from which the plot of this lm is largely derived), will nd a lot to like here, bar a ght at the end thatll have the hardcore screaming bloody murder. Revelation takes place a few years after the rst movie. Since then, Sean Bean, his daughter and his American accent have been living a nomadic existence, moving from place to place to avoid the cult that has been pursuing them. Naturally, this involves changing names constantly, and theyre now going under the aliases of wait for it, videogame fans Harry and Heather Mason. Hooray! Things eventually catch up with them, however, and Harry gets dadnapped, meaning Heather (Adelaide Clemens) is forced to go back to the fog-shrouded, nightmare-infested town to get him back, accompanied by a suspiciously handsome new friend, Vincent (Kit Harington). Michael J Bassett clearly is deeply reverential of the games, and it shows in his direction.
WELL LIVE OR DIE IN THIS TOWN

How strong are the videogame references? Were not talking some Paul WS Anderson-esque liberal interpretation here. Revelation sticks pretty rigidly to the game, and keeps it thankfully rooted in horror, so theres no slowmotion bullets pinging their way towards Pyramid Head. Theres also some excellent little references to the other games, like Origins, the aforementioned Silent Hill 2 and even Downpour. Its a cornucopia of all things Hill! Sean Beans in it. Its pretty likely hes going to die isnt it? Why does he always die? Without spoiling anything, it hasnt gone unnoticed that he often buys it in his movies. Who knows, maybe he likes dying? Maybe the directors hate him, but another theory bandied around is that Sean Bean is the real life Dorian Grey; the more he dies in his movies, the longer he lives in real life.
Hes as successful as outgoing director Christophe Gans was at bringing unlife to the titular town. It looks great, and Bassett takes his time framing the place with long, lingering shots that help build the unsettling atmosphere. Its well paced, too, with some Jacobs Ladder-esque reality breaches causing some pretty effective jump-scares. Most surprising, though, is that the 3D isnt too intrusive. It still doesnt need it, but compared to the motion sickness overload of other movies its quite tasteful, with akes of ash daintily dropping outside the screen, and the hell-world transitions look grotesquely pretty, too. Theres a fairy tale quality to the movie that adds a lot. Some of the dialogue is woeful, though, and couldnt scream OBVIOUS PLOT FORESHADOWING any louder if it tried. That kind of nonsense is forgivable in a videogame setting, but here it just comes across as embarrassing. Certain characters never really get any screen time either; Carrie-Anne Mosss character is probably on screen for a total of ve minutes, and even then she seems like she cant be bothered. Someone has clearly been a bit over-zealous in the editing suite, as sometimes it feels like were only getting half the story. Some of the acting is bobbins, too. Clemens is game as
Heather, but Harington struggles, though its not surprising considering some of the stuff he has to say with a straight face. Sean Bean is always likeable, but his American accent is lacking. His vocals dont quite plummet to the depths of Russell Crowe in Robin Hood, but its still distracting. It also seems that in his enthusiasm for all things Silent Hill and his slavish attempts at being faithful to the games, Bassett has failed to write anything resembling a well-structured plot for the screen. All told, its a bit of a mess. However, the style and atmosphere more than makes up for its other shortfalls, and it would be remiss not to concede that Revelation is effective and ultimately enjoyable popcorn fodder. Its one of the better videogame adaptations around, up there with the original Silent Hill and, er, Doom. Its not exactly illustrious company, admittedly, but were not talking Bloodrayne here, and fans of Silent Hill 2 (the game) will likely go wild about the ending.
Daniel Cairns VERDICT
IF YOU LIKE THIS TRY

Session 9
Brad Andersons terrifying and incredibly tense horror, set in an abandoned asylum. Features a sweary David Caruso.
064 |
TRIVIA CARRIE ANNE MOSS WAS ORIGINALLY APPROACHED TO APPEAR IN THE FIRST SILENT HILL FILM.
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Silent Hill: Revelation 3D / Robot & Frank / Room 237 / /
REVIEWS CINEMA
ROBOT & FRANK

Its instantly obvious
from the rst curbside shot of a car pulling along a leafy road that director Jake Schreier and writer Christopher Ford have a background in advertising. Theres a glossy, near fetishistic approach to stuff, things, objects, cars and obviously robots, with people seeming almost like emoting props in a world that is uncluttered and sanitised, but thats kind of the point, as Robot & Franks world is one where people have marginalised themselves. Frost/Nixons capable and charismatic Frank Langella is an oasis of warmth and humanity as his crotchety retired tea leaf Frank dances a fey dance with Alzheimers the condition amplifying his growing estrangement and isolation from the increasingly high-tech world around him. Son Hunter, played by the dictionary denition of an emoting prop, X-Mens James Marsden, entrusts him to the care of a sleek, white iRobot voiced by Green Lanterns Peter Sarsgaard, out of concern that he is incapable of
I Robot, you Frank
ROOM 237
Details TBC // 89 mins // 8 March 2013 Director Jake Schreier Screenwriter Christopher D Ford Cast Frank Langella, Susan Sarandon, Peter Sarsgaard, James Marsden, Liv Tyler Distributor Momentum
All work and some playfulness

Details 15 / 102 mins / Out now Director Rodney Ascher Cast Bill Blakemore, Buffy / / Visick, Geoffrey Cocks, Juli Kearns, John Fell Ryan Distributor Metrodome
taking care of himself. In true buddy comedy style, the cantankerous Frank initially distrusts the droid, although they subsequently bond as he trains the robot as his partner in crime to take down obnoxious yuppie and librarydestroying cartoon technophile Jake (Jeremy Strong). Also in there is Susan Sarandon as librarian and patient object of Franks desire, Jennifer, and overbearing, hippy daughter Madison (The Lord Of The Rings Liv Tyler), but their contributions to the story are so emotionally slight as to feel incidental, leaving the more than worthy Langella to carry the audience through this antiseptic showroom universe and into an unexpectedly affecting story. For all its slick production design, however, Robot & Frank is a staunchly sweet and traditional buddy comedy/ crime caper. Genuinely funny and, by its closing chapter, heartwrenching, Schreier and Fords debut feature is simultaneously one of the most safely uncontroversial and idiosyncratically lovely small scale sci- movies in a while.
James Hoare FILM

AI: Articial Intelligence
A awed but charming look at how we treat technology.
Stanley Kubrick faked the moon landings and buried his confession to his wife within the furniture of his 1980 supernatural chiller The Shining. Or maybe it was about the extermination of the Jews in 1942. Or maybe it was a retelling of the story of the Cretan Labyrinth, and Jack Nicholsons leery Jack Torrance the minotaur at its heart. All of these theories and more are entertained in Rodney Aschers wry documentary Room 237, largely made up of what sound like Skype calls interviewees ramble off to talk to their children or about how the government are keeping tabs on them as a diverse array of equally intense armchair theorists talk us through maps that prove Dannys tricycle ride actually takes place within his parents heads, or scenes of the movie being played backwards and forwards simultaneously to project an incriminating Hitler moustache over Nicholsons demented caretaker. The presentation is all fairly straight-faced, with only mischievous uses of accompanying footage serving as a deadpan riposte to some of the more obviously insane
theories most of which seem to hinge on the idea that Kubrick never made continuity errors, despite the infamously titanic number of takes hed insist on. Its not all tenuous, though, and the Native American genocide angle the use of triangular/teepee shapes in the movie, the burial ground, wall patterns and Calumet cans is explored just as thoroughly as it deserves. Even that Kubrick-fakedthe-moon-landings thing has a surprisingly impressive case not so much its Shining links, mind. As if the running time wasnt indigestible enough, it relies on the bizarre use of other Kubrick movies, along with newsreel footage and The Shining itself in an attempt to create an in-frame narrative in the absence of lmed interviews. This montage of images results in a bizarre patchwork of meaning that ranges from the bafing to the dubious as Tom Cruise, circa Eyes Wide Shut, smirks in approval while the voiceover recounts the dizzying toll of the Holocaust.
James Hoare FILM

Never Sleep Again
A more straightforward documentary documenting the entire Nightmare On Elm Street franchise.
TRIVIA DIRECTOR SCHREIERS PREVIOUSLY ACTED IN THE LOW BUDGET HORROR I CAN SEE YOU.
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review
FILM INFO
Details 12 / 136 mins / 2012 / / Director Marc Webb Cast Andrew Gareld, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans, Denis Leary, Martin Sheen, Sally Field
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DISC
Details 26 November / / 8.50/12.74/20 Distributor Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Extras
Details Deleted Scenes Filmmaker Audio Commentary The Oscorp Archives Production Art Gallery Stunt Rehearsals Development And Direction Casting Costumes On Location: LA On Stage: Sony Studios On Location: NY Post Production And Release 16 Pre-Visualization Sequences Developing The Amazing Spider-Man Video Game
Mustw! see no
THE AMAZING SPIDER MAN

Crawling up the spout again
Reboot. There really isnt another word in the sci- and comic-book community lexicon that quite matches its ability to put a fans back up, is there? It provokes a sense of disrespect for all which has come before it, and comes fragrant with the musk of the Hollywood beancounters intent on mining into the foundations of long-established characters in the hopes of discovering more ecks of gold. In the midst of the start-over-prone culture of modern cinema, its easy to forget that on numerous occasions, remakes and that is what we used to call them have proven to not only be worthwhile, but also exceed the critical success of their forbearers (just look at 1978s Invasion Of The Body Snatchers, 1982s The Thing and most notably, 2005s Batman Begins). The contemporary world moves forward in such leaps and bounds that in order for a story to still challenge our imaginations, its sometimes a necessary evil to break away from its progenitors and create afresh, and The Amazing Spider-Man is a ne example of how this can be done right.
066 | After the dull-note nale to Sam Raimis Spider-trilogy, fresh-faced director Marc Webb of (500) Days Of Summer fame rebuilds the web of Spider-Man from the ground up, bringing the focus back to the most important aspect in any Spidey tale Peter Parker, and the characters surrounding him that dene who he is beneath the mask. Webbs ability to pour soul into his characters is evident from the outset, as this retelling paints the picture of a more introspective Parker, emotionally scarred by the mysterious disappearance and subsequent death of his parents and desperate for answers that put him on the path to become the titular hero.
The Amazing Spider-Man effectively captured the inner angst of the wall-crawler.
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REVIEWS HOME / FILM

The Amazing Spider-Man
STICKY SITUATIONS
The Amazing Spider-Man isnt short on high points, but heres the top ten best moments. Watch out for spoilers!
1 SMILIN STANS CAMEO
Even after spilling the beans at a convention long before the lms release, Stan Lees obligatory cameo (as a classical music-loving librarian who is present for Spidey and the Lizards battle) was easily his best to date.
2 HIGH SCHOOL BATTLE

Peters web-shooters were hand-made, as opposed to the organic ones of the Raimi trilogy.
After the Lizard storms Peters high school, a battle ensues that shows just how well SpiderMans movements have been translated to the screen, displaying arachnid-like motions as he ghts to take down Connors.
3 THE BRIDGE RESCUE
Peters rst true act of seless heroism, the scene culminates in the rescue of a child from a burning car hanging by a single strand of web. It is tense and beautifully shot, and sets precisely the right tone for the second act.
4 CAPTAIN STACYS DEATH
George Stacy comes to his aid during his nal confrontation with the Lizard, but suffers mortal wounds. Not only does the scene continue to pile the guilt and responsibility on Peter, but its also a sign of things to come.
5 ONE ON ONE WITH FLASH
Putting a face to the name of Peter Parker is British actor Andrew Gareld, whose prior roles in The Social Network and the thoughtful sci- tale Never Let Me Go proved his capability to portray emotionally complex characters. Garelds performance is easily the big screens denitive Parker, juggling the emotional gravity of the character alongside moments of the wall-crawlers trademark humour with agility akin to that of his on-screen persona. In the place of the more well-known Mary Jane Watson stands Peters original comic-book love interest, Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone), whose inclusion not only hints nay, bellows at the storylines fans have to look forward to in future sequels, but also establishes a genuine relationship with Peter Parker rst and foremost, as opposed to the somewhat less inspiring teen crush on the guy in the spider pyjamas displayed by the aforementioned redhead. Stones Gwen is intelligent and condent, and proves to be more than a match for Peter on-screen, bringing a real sense of natural balance to their romance. Bringing a sense of conict to this seemingly heaven-made love affair is Gwens hard-nosed police Captain father,
George Stacy (Denis Leary), who has unbeknown to him issued an arrest warrant for Peter, citing Spider-Man as a dangerous vigilante. Peters search for answers leads him to Oscorp, where he meets with his updated and expanded-upon irradiated spider, as well as Rhys Ifans Dr Curt Connors, who provides a link to Peters parents, mirrors the scientic aspect of his persona and lls the surrogate father role that even poor old Uncle Ben couldnt satisfy. Ifans portrays an authoritative, condent scientist, while at the same time hinting at his underlying insecurities and inadequacies. His performance as the lm progresses, however, becomes somewhat Bond-villain-esque, which cheapens proceedings to a certain extent. Filling the supporting roles are Martin Sheen and Sally Field as Uncle Ben and Aunt May respectively, who have a fantastically natural chemistry on screen, and despite them both being well-known acting veterans, its actually a little difcult to not imagine them as Peters loving adoptive parents. Sheen is superb as Ben Parker, bringing real charm to the character and exuding the moral heart of Peters upbringing, while Field (though still not looking quite old enough to be
The moment when Peters new-found powers make him cocky and irresponsible, Peter humiliates jock Flash Thompson in a spectacularly unbalanced game of keep-away, culminating in a hoop-destroying slam-dunk.
6 THE CAR THIEF
The car-jacking scenes real success is in nally displaying the one-liner-delivering banter of the comics. Webbs Spidey displays his childish side much more freely than Raimis, and is all the more authentic for it.
7 NEW YORKS CRANE OPERATORS
TO THE RESCUE
After watching his efforts go unappreciated, its hard not to let your heart swell as New Yorks construction workers put together a path of cranes for him to swing from.
8 PETER BUILDS HIS WEB SHOOTERS
The biggest difference between this and 2002s Spider-Man, Peter puts together his own mechanical web-shooters, using highstrength bre derived from the very breed of spider that gave him his powers.
9 UNCLE BENS DEATH
Though it was always going to happen, Bens death happens so quickly that it actually comes as quite a shock. The slight reformatting of events also highlights his unwavering motivation to do the right thing.
10 DINNER WITH THE STACYS
As Peter sits next to his prospective girlfriends father, who also happens to be the police Captain who made him New Yorks most wanted, the tension is thick enough to cut with one of Mrs Stacys sh knives.
TRIVIA X MEN: FIRST CLASS AND PROMETHEUS STAR MICHAEL FASSBENDER WAS ORIGINALLY CONSIDERED FOR THE ROLE OF CURT CONNORS.
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The lead was ably assisted by a strong supporting cast, including Martin Sheen and Sally Field as Uncle Ben and Aunt May.
INCY-WINCY FACTS
Five things you probably didnt know about Marc Webbs web-slinging reboot
Also considered for the role of Peter Parker were Joseph Gordon-Levitt (The Dark Knight Rises), Robert Pattinson (The Twilight Saga), Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter), Anton Yelchin (Star Trek) and Josh Hutcherson (The Hunger Games). Rhys Ifans performed both his own stunts and motioncapture for his role as Curt Connors/ the Lizard.
3 4 5
Andrew Gareld spent time studying the movements of spiders for his scenes in the suit. Denis Leary was cast as Captain George Stacy based primarily on his uncanny likeness to Mark Bagleys interpretation of the character in Ultimate Spider-Man #5. Andrew Gareld admitted to shedding a tear or geeky joy the rst time he wore Spideys trademark red-and-blues.
the Aunt May we all expected to see) lls the role with a sense of weary frailty that is throat lump-inducingly poignant . Visually, the lm draws many of its shots directly from the hallowed comic-book panels of the last half-century, with Spidey never failing to pull one of his signature limbdefying poses as he leaps, crawls and thwips his way across the screen. There are also some inventive new ideas at work, notably the display of characteristically arachnidlike movements within the wall-crawling, as well as allowing the audience to view the cityscape through our heros point of view while web-slinging, both of which add new and welcome visual dynamics to the action. Elsewhere, aesthetic design seems to take a dip, as Spider-Mans opponent, the Lizard, looks little less like his comic-book counterpart, and more akin to a Goomba from the 1993 Super Mario Bros movie. Despite this, however, the CGI that pieces the character together is full of weight and scalefor-scale of a very high technical quality. The lms score (composed by James Horner) proves to be less than a match for Danny Elfmans contribution to the previous Spidey origin, however, and is at certain moments incredibly schlocky, which really draws the viewer out of the lm with a cringe. Its very much an unwelcome surprise that after the extent to which the subject matter has been injected with contemporary
sensibilities, its compositional soundtrack could feel so dated. Moreover, the sound continues to feel neglected in certain scenes, as Rhys Ifans Lizard bellows clearly with stage show-style overdramatics, both blurring the line between the unfortunate scientist and savage reptile and at the same time succeeding in making him sound even sillier than he looks. Its a real shame, as
THIS IS THE SPIDER MAN WEVE DESERVED ALL ALONG
the character honestly could have been one that provoked genuine fear if given the proper attention, like Mark Ruffalos Hulk in Avengers Assemble. Despite its downfalls, The Amazing Spider-Mans narrative is a well-stitched patchwork of many noteworthy Spidey comic-book stories both classic and modern, all spun ever-so-slightly to complement each other and keep the story
Much of the action was choreographed, with CGI being eschewed as much as possible.
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TRIVIA THE AMAZING SPIDER MAN MARKS DENIS LEARYS FIRST LIVE ACTION FEATURE FILM APPEARANCE IN TEN YEARS.
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REVIEWS HOME / FILM

The Amazing Spider-Man
The iconic costume was also subtly changed, giving a more lithe appearance.
feeling fresh. It feels well-paced, has a very organic ow that makes it easy to enjoy and is driven primarily by our hero, which makes it near impossible not to become emotionally invested. While The Amazing Spider-Man seems to have truly divided its audience between those that praise the lms ability to reinvigorate a franchise that really had written itself into an inescapable corner and those that scream heresy that another Spidey origin story could be produced just a decade after the last, Marc Webbs reimagining has managed to be one of the unexpected highlights of what has been a truly impressive summer for genre cinema. It may not have been as genre-dening as Raimis original outing, but in terms of building an ensemble of characters with depth that an audience can believe in, as well as really drawing from and celebrating the sacred source material, this really is the Spider-Man weve deserved all along; we just didnt realise it at the time.
Dan Gray SHOW EXTRAS
PETERS PARENTS
See: Ultimate Spider-Man #33 (February 2003) Writer: Brian Michael Bendis Artist: Mark Bagley Right down to the hidden possessions in Aunt May and Uncle Bens house, Peters journey into the mystery behind his parents death is pulled straight from the pages of Ultimate Spider-Man.
See: Amazing Spider-Man #31 Writer: Stan Lee Artist: Steve Ditko Long before Peter encounters Mary Jane, he meets his rst love, fellow student Gwen Stacy, who unlike the aforementioned redhead is primarily attracted to Peter and not his Spider-Man persona.
PETER MEETS GWEN

(December 1965)
THE ORIGIN OF SPIDER MAN

See: Amazing Fantasy #15 Writer: Stan Lee Artist: Steve Ditko One of the most retold and referenced pop culture tales of all time, Stan Lee and Steve Ditkos origin story (which turned 50 this year), introduced us to a less angst-ridden but still recognisable Parker.
(August 1962)
See: Amazing Spider-Man Writer: Stan Lee Artist: Gil Kane One of the true dening moments in Spider-Man mythos (along with another very similar one), the death of George Stacy weighs heavily on Spider-Mans conscience and serves as a reminder of his responsibility.
THE DEATH OF CAPTAIN STACY
#90 (November 1970)
Marc Webb leans heavily on comic-book lore. Heres where you may have seen it before
SPINNING THE WEB

SPIDER MAN WANTED BY POLICE
See: Amazing Spider-Man #6 Writer: Stan Lee Artist: Steve Ditko The tragic Jekyll/Hyde duality of Curt Connors and the Lizard is a wellestablished tale, and though Webbs narrative interweaves the story into other story arcs, much of the original plot remains unchanged.
THE BIRTH OF THE LIZARD

(November 1963)

Batman Begins
For all who hold prejudice towards reboots, the rst in Nolans bat-trilogy stands as reassurance.
See: Amazing Spider-Man #6 (November 1963) Writer: Stan Lee Artist: Steve Ditko From his very rst appearance the Lizard attempted to make creatures such as himself the dominant species on the planet by releasing his regenerative formula.
THE LIZARD TRIES TO TAKE OVER THE WORLD
See: Amazing Spider-Man #13 (June 1964) Writer: Stan Lee Artist: Steve Ditko Often the victim of negative publicity, Spider-Man often found himself unjustly targeted by the NYPD, and early issues saw an all-out manhunt for the web-slinger.
#59 (April 1968) Writer: Stan Lee Artists: John Romita Sr & Don Heck
Though Denis Learys George Stacy views Spider-Man in a more negative light, the comic-book character held a personal interest into the wall-crawler from his introduction.
See: Amazing Spider-Man
PETER MEETS CAPTAIN STACY
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Stuck in time
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FLIGHT OF THE NAVIGATOR

Details U / 90 mins / 1986 // / / // 17.99 Released Out now Director Randal Kleiser Cast Joey Cramer, Paul Reubens, Veronica Cartwright Distributor Second Sight Films Extras Commentary
While some lms are adversely affected by the ravages of time thanks to the more negative facets of the storyline, others remain stubbornly inoffensive. The plot details may fade, but they stay in the memory by virtue of the warm fuzzy feeling evoked by mere mentions of their name. Hello, Flight Of The Navigator. It bears all the relevant imprints of your average Eighties kids movie: the precocious child actor lead; the cuddly/gross alien/robot/creature sidekick and an unconventional rite of passage-esque adventure. Its all very structured, but theres little meat on the bones beyond the rigid Disney-focused plot, rendering it almost immediately forgettable.
Flight Of The Navigator clung on to the tail-end of the wave of whimsical alien adventures inspired by ET, but it lacks the thing that made the Spielberg classic so emotive and unforgettable: heart. Coupled with a nonsensical ending that ies in the face of the prior running time, and you have a dainty relic that was better off left in the Eighties.
Steve Wright FILM EXTRAS
NINJA SCROLL
Even after 19 years, the sheer scope and imagination of Ninja Scrolls vision still manages to astound, leaving little doubt of its inuence. Set in feudal Japan, it follows Jubei, a lone ninja-for-hire whose particular set of skills sees him caught up in a mission he literally cant refuse. Forced into an uneasy alliance with love interest Kagero, they must stop the Eight Devils of Kimon nasty demon ninja types from overthrowing the Shogun dynasty and conquering Japan. Its a relatively simple setup, but one that soon becomes convoluted to the point where youre merely along for the ride. Thats no bad thing, though, when the ride is this dazzlingly violent. Its a rare case of style hacking substance to death. The romance between Jubei and Kagero may hold an interesting twist on the concept of forbidden love, but Ninja Scrolls joy is not to be found in the script which, with its adult themes
Go ninja, go ninja, go!
Details 18 / 94 mins / 1995 / / / / / 17.99 / 26 November Released Out now / / Director Yoshiaki Kawajiri Cast Daisuke Gri, Kichi Yamadera, Emi Shinohara, Takeshi Aono Distributor Manga Entertainment Extras Exclusive Director Commentary, Trailer, TV Spot
SHORT CIRCUIT
On the surface, Short Circuit is the kind of wholesome family lm that positively invites itself to be scooped up and cuddled, so to speak an impressive achievement considering its opening scene depicts military robots casually obliterating a convoy of vehicles as part of a demonstration exercise, its crashdummy inhabitants unambiguously left smouldering in a heap. It is clearly a product of its time, as evidenced by its unavowed optimism regarding new technology, the casting of Eighties darlings Steve Guttenberg and Ally Sheedy and its make-love-not-war mantra, although this is also manifested in a more sinister manner via the horrendously outdated and bad-taste portrayal
Bad robot
// 17.99 Released Out now Details PG / 99 mins / 1986 // / / Director John Badham Cast Steve Guttenberg, Ally Sheedy, Fisher Stevens Distributor Second Sight Films Extras Commentary, Trailer, The Creation Of Number 5 Featurette, Cast And Crew Interviews, Behind The Scenes Featurette
of Indian character Ben Jabituya by Caucasian actor Fisher Stevens. Coupled with some wide-eyed over-acting (especially from Sheedy) and the increasingly annoying behaviour of Johnny Five, a contemporary viewing may shatter any illusions you might have had about how lovely it was. Still, the sparing use of special effects means it still holds up well today, and it stands as an entertaining throwback.
Steve Wright FILM EXTRAS
of massacre and sexual assault, feels inappropriately hammy at times. Instead, its the action sequences masterfully directed Yoshiaki Kawajiri that will induce dropped jaws. Slick, gory and effortlessly exciting, each ght is infused with a supernatural sense of chaos and event something helped, of course, by Ninja Scrolls central blend of sword-and-sorcery-type adventure. Indeed, its in this mix of fantasy and stylised ultra-violence that you can see the template that the likes of Kill Bill and, perhaps its biggest legacy, Naruto, would go on to follow. The latter in particular borrows heavily from the grotesque, weird and wonderful Devils of Kimon perhaps the single biggest driving force behind what makes Ninja Scroll so unique. After all, with a demon made of rock, a dwarf at one with wasps, a man able to merge into shadows, a woman who can manipulate gunpowder and the snake-fused Benisato (an obvious inuence for Narutos early villain, Orochimaru), Ninja Scrolls imagination burns as brightly as its blood.
Stephen Kelly FILM EXTRAS

Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust
Another visually striking piece of work from Kawajiri.
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TRIVIA FLIGHT OF THE NAVIGATOR ALSO FEATURES AN APPEARANCE FROM A YOUNG(ER) SARAH JESSICA PARKER.
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My Neighbour Totoro/The Castle Of Cagliostro / Halloween IV/V / Brave / /
REVIEWS HOME / FILM
HALLOWEEN IV/V
Rob Zombie clearly saw a lot to admire in Halloween IV: The Return Of Michael Myers , not least of which was young actress Danielle Harris, who hed later cast as Annie Brackett in the 2007 redux, as well as the idea that the franchise needed returning to its core values of a sleepy autumnal town under siege by an unrelenting killer against a backdrop of fright masks and bowls of candy. Sadly, though, its all too generic and plodding, with a ham-sted teenage morality play taking centre stage over any effective build up. Halloween V: The Revenge Of Michael Myers similarly
Had(donfield) enough of Michael Myers?

Details 18 / 88 mins/96 mins / 1988/1989 // / / // 7 each Released Out now Director Dwight H Little/Dominique Othenin-Girard Cast Donald Pleasence, Danielle Harris, Ellie Cornell, Beau Starr Distributor Anchor Bay Extras Discussion Panel, Behind The Scenes Footage, Trailers
Must see now!
MY NEIGHBOUR TOTORO/ THE CASTLE OF CAGLIOSTRO

Miyazakis greatest hits come to HD
Details PG / 86 mins/100 mins / 1988/1979 // / / // 24.99 each Released Out now Director Hayao Miyazaki Cast Noriko Hidaka, Chika Sakamoto, Hitoshi Takagi/ Yasuo Yamada, Kiyoshi Kobayashi, Sumi Shimamoto Distributor StudioCanal Extras Six New Featurettes, Storyboards, Textless Opening/Closing, Trailers
inuenced the rebooted series as Harris eight-year-old Jamie Lloyd struggles with her psychic connection to her uncle, Myers a theme Zombie revisited in 2009s Halloween 2. As with its predecessor, the intriguing premise is smothered under a mess of rehashed story ideas, dull slasher archetypes and truly bafing narrative choices designed to advance the plot to its next setpiece evisceration. Zombie obviously saw something of value in these lms, and decided that they deserved a second chance of sorts. Its just a shame that one of those chances resulted in the inexcusably ghastly Halloween 2.
James Hoare EXTRAS
Back when
My Neighbour Totoro was rst released in cinemas it was part of a double bill with Grave Of The Fireies, a depressing post-Hiroshima anime. Here in 2012, however, the Blu-ray is released on the same day as something much cheerier: comedy crime caper The Castle Of Cagliostro , also from director Hayao Miyazaki. On the surface, these are wildly different lms. My Neighbour Totoro is the quiet story of a pair of sisters who encounter unbelievable woodland spirits during their mothers hospitalisation. The Castle Of Cagliostro, meanwhile, is one of many adventures in Japans long-running Lupin III heist series, deftly mixing action and comedy throughout. But such is the touch of Miyazaki that not only can he thrive in such disparate genres, but his vision and style permeate in equal measure. Miyazakis natural talent for animation is such that it brings out the greatest joy in watching just about anything happen, whether it be Cagliostros Jigen and Lupin eeing a casino raid, comedy sound effects accentuating every exaggerated hurdle
of their escape or Totoros shot of sisters Mei and Satsuki waiting for the bus in the rain, a shot so ponderous and underplayed that you feel every drop as though you were there. It is animation on a level way above practically anything made on either side of the Pacic, and is mesmerising to behold. If you have never seen either of these lms before then the chances are that Miyazaki fans would emphatically implore you to watch Totoro as the epitome of his work, and they would be right to do so. The way in which it effortlessly transitions between spectacular fantasy and touching drama marks it out as an exceptional anime, but sometimes you just want to have fun, which is where Cagliostro and its boundless pace come in. Both lms are brilliant, but each so different that they near-perfectly complement each other. Buy them both and watch them back-to-back, and you will be in for a treat.
Ashley Day EXTRAS
BRAVE
Monarch of the glen
Must ee now! s
// 13/16.79/23 Released 26 Details PG / 93 mins / 2012 // / / November Directors Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman, Steve Purcell Cast Kelly Macdonald, Billy Connolly, Emma Thompson Distributor Walt Disney Pictures Extras La Luna, The Legend Of Mordu, Brave Old World, Clan Pixar

Princess Monoke
Arguably Miyazakis most ambitious lm, it couples stunning animation with a riveting fantasy plot.
Very few people judging Brave were actually judging Brave they were judging Pixar (for turning in a traditionally Disney fairy tale, when they were supposed to be eternal revolutionaries), or its over-stated feminism (which isnt really that groundbreaking). It turned out that Brave, outside of the implied politics or studio reputation (and it has Cars 2 to beat!), was a perfectly beautiful tale of a girl who wanted to do her own thing, though didnt always consider the consequences, amid the spectacular environments of sweeping pseudo-fantasy Scotland and brilliant hair (no, really!), absurdly cartoonish Asterix-like character design and gentle humour. Kelly MacDonald is an absolute
delight, and the ame-haired, ery temperament of Princess Merida one of the most well-rounded Disney princesses in the entire pantheon. The mark of a truly great Pixar lm was always that you could watch it with your kids or younger siblings, and still nd a lot to love. Who said that it had to be subversive at the same time?
James Hoare FILM EXTRAS
TRIVIA MY NEIGHBOUR TOTORO IS PARTIALLY AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL, INSPIRED BY THE TIME WHEN MIYAZAKIS MOTHER WAS HOSPITALISED WITH SPINAL TUBERCULOSIS.
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Details 12 / 178 mins / 2012 / / Creator Doug Naylor Cast Craig Charles, Chris Barrie, Robert Llewellyn, Danny John-Jules
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SHOW INFO
Details Out now / 14/17 / Distributor 2entertain
DISC
Details Making Of Documentary Smeg Ups Blooper Reel Deleted Scenes
Extras
RED DWARF X
The good ship Red Dwarfs had a somewhat
Red smeg redemption

The fact is, Red Dwarf, in its own archaic way, is kind of refreshing again. In an age where comedians like Russell Howard and Miranda Hart sell God-knowshow-many DVDs, Red Dwarf X feels unique. Theres nothing focus-grouped about it, and nothing that has been designed to appeal to a trendsetting demographic. Its so gallantly uncool that it causes some kind of event horizon, instantly becoming strangely cool again. Theres nothing here to rival some of the series best episodes, however, and nothing up there with the likes of Gunmen Of The Apocalypse or Backwards, but its a step in the right direction. As can be expected from a Red Dwarf release, the DVDs got a fair few features, including a mammoth documentary and the always entertaining Smeg Ups blooper reel, as well as deleted scenes. Smeg.
Daniel Cairns SHOW EXTRAS
LOST IN SPACE AGAIN

Why do they keep bringing the show back? No one will watch it anymore. Youre wrong there, actually. The rst episode, Trojan, managed to pull in about 1.5 million viewers. Considering that Red Dwarf is tucked away on channel Dave, the self-professed home of witty banter (urgh) and home to a veritable tsunami of Top Gear repeats, thats not bad going in the slightest. Its been trouncing Russell Howards show ratings wise, too, according to some guy on the internet Do they bother dealing with any of the many plot inconsistencies on the show? What is this, Battlestar Galactica? Star Trek? Are you really going to obsess over every stupid bloody thing in a comedy? Did you do that during Father Ted ? Did you pore over the intricacies and plot nuances of Frasier too? Basically the short answer is no, not really.
tumultuous time in the last 15 years. Despite the odd funny moment, it has largely been a shadow of its former self. What initially started as an inviting and surprisingly warm show about the last human and his attempts to keep his sanity became an increasingly testing and sometimes embarrassing series that focused on dreadful effects and increasingly stupid plot arcs (Lister being his own dad was just one of many fridge-nuking moments). 2009s Back To Earth represented the nadir of the show; a selfindulgent, embarrassing, awkward and at-out unfunny mess that could almost have been an episode of Garth Marenghis Darkplace without the knowing pastiche elements. Its fairly shocking, then, that Red Dwarf X has ended up being a surprisingly likeable return to some semblance of form. Of course, its not amazing (although to be honest, Red Dwarf was never hilariously funny, relying on likeable characters, genre trope subversions and a lot of charm), but its the most consistent series in about 15 years. Indeed, after the abomination that was Back To Earth, it represents an almost Christ-like return. Strangely, theres been sod-all character development. Its not a gripe as such, but youd expect things to have changed a bit, the strain
of being stuck with the same people for years nally causing things to escalate. By now a feral Lister should have throttled the Cat to death and be stalking the corridors in a loincloth made out of his dreads, or a rampant Rimmer putting Red Dwarf on collision course with Hackney or something, but no, theyre still the same people; still joshing each other and getting up to all sorts of mischief, and to be honest theres something comforting about that. Taking everything back to basics and dispensing with the more far-reaching concepts has made the show likeable again. Theres a greater concentration on jokes, and things feel a lot less stodgy. Its the most consistently funny series in ages, too. Some of it is a bit cringeinducing and dated (albeit in an endearing manner), but its also laugh-out-loud funny in a way Red Dwarf hasnt been for a long time. Witness Rimmers face when he malfunctions, or the episode where they go back in time and nd Jesus, who goes off on one after nding out about all the hassle caused by Christianity. It blows hot and cold and errs on the side of mediocrity, but unlike Back To Earth or the last couple of series, it isnt utterly hateful either.

Though less of a full-on comedy, Farscape too had a rag-tag, mismatched crew, not to mention more farting.
Farscape
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TRIVIA ACCORDING TO AN INTERVIEW WITH THE CAST, SOME SCENES FROM THE ABORTED MOVIE MADE IT INTO THE NEW SERIES. WE HOPE ONE OF THEM WAS THE MOOSE JOKE.
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Red Dwarf X / Goosebumps / Merlin / Sinbad / / /
REVIEWS HOME / TV
GOOSEBUMPS SEASON ONE

Viewer, beware; youre in for a scare!
Details PG / 416 mins / 1995 // / / // 13.99 Released 26 November 2012 Creators RL Stine, Deborah Forte Cast RL Stine, Kathryn Short, Cody Jones, Amos Crawley, Ben Cook Distributor Revelation Films Extras None
If the sight of a Golden Retriever with yellow demonic eyes is enough to bring back sweet after-school memories, then this will be calling out to you like your mum for dinner. Its the rst time Goosebumps has been released on DVD in the UK and, more shockingly, many episodes were either banned or aired with heavy cuts at the time for being deemed too frightening. Nowadays, Season One comes with a PG rating, but the ideas remain rooted in the night terrors of kids everywhere. Halloween masks that get stuck onto your face, strange men hidden in cupboards, a monster under the sink that feeds on bad luck; you cant accuse the plots of lacking imagination.
Each episode is introduced by RL Stine, who wrote the books the series was based on. They do a good job of representing the scares on screen, but a rewatch reveals things you never noticed before. For nostalgia, Goosebumps is worth a revisit, but perhaps its best to watch some clips online rst to see if you can handle the whole box set.
Jodie Tyley SHOW EXTRAS N/A
SEASON ONE
SINBAD
Hoping hell sail away, sail away, sail away...
Details 12 / 540 mins / 2012 // / / // 22/25 / 22 October 2012 Creators Andy / Wilson, Colin Teague, Brian Grant Cast Elliot Knight, Naveen Andrews, Marama Corlett, Elliot Cowan Distributor 2entertain Extras The Magic Of Sinbad, The Magic Of Malta, The Magical Costumes Of Sinbad
Its tough reinventing a

character rehashed as often as Sinbad, and this latest recreation complete with enough eyeliner to coal Green Days entire fan club is both daft and disappointing. Newbie Elliot Knight portrays Sinbad as a cocky thief with little in the way of endearing features, leaving us not-sosecretly wishing the cursed necklace placed on him by his grandmother would tighten and eradicate his cheesy grin. Antagonists Lord Akbari (Losts Naveen Andrews) and Taryn (Orla Brady) are more enjoyable albeit a little theatrical so its a shame they dont feature more heavily from the outset. What is heavy, however, is the latters excessive use of make-up, which, coupled with towering hair styles, can only remind us of one person. Particular outts also bring the shows authenticity into question; Sinbads initial short and plimsoll ensemble and Rina (Marama
MERLIN SERIES FIVE: VOLUME ONE

We like this more mature Merlin. It made us jump in The Death Song Of Uther Pendragon, left us bemused by the ambiguous motives of Mordred in Arthurs Bane Part Two, and shocked us when Gwen sentenced a servant to death in the opening episode. This series benets from its three-year time jump, giving us a wilder and more dangerous Morgana and a bigger white dragon. Aithusa threatened to steal every scene with her intriguing choice to side with Morgana and her lack of vocal chords. We nally got to see Uthers reaction to Merlins magic when Arthur conjured his father from the dead. It was an epic showdown in which Anthony Head played Uther like the bigot he is. There was no redemption or attempt at making
The die is cast
// 19.99 Released Out now Details 12 / 270 mins / 2012 // / / Creators Julian Jones, Johnny Capps Cast Colin Morgan, Bradley James, Angel Coulby, Katie McGrath Distributor Fremantle Home Entertainment Extras TBC
Musotw! see n
amends, and writer Howard Overman cruelly teased the near-revelation of Merlins true identity. The bromance between Merthur remains intact, and it was great to see Merlin get his own back by slapping the king. Still, the relationship is pushed forward as we start to see Merlins power to inuence and advise. Arthur admits as much to Gwen, saying, It turns out hes not entirely stupid! Overall, its a strong introduction to the best series so far.
Jodie Tyley SHOW EXTRAS
Corlett)s hot pant and sequined shirt combination, for example, both appear disconcertingly modern. Theres also room for CGI improvement, a point seemingly acknowledged by producers through swift shifts away from the awfully constructed and constantly recycled exterior shot of Lord Akbaris palace, back to the considerably more authentic set in Malta, which at least makes sea scenes and town visits believable. The storylines are initially lacking; dedicating too much time to character bonding over developing any action. Things pick up as the narrative darkens, reliance on CGI creatures decreases and more time is devoted to exploring the characters pasts, particularly those of Rina and Gunnar (Elliot Cowan). But improvements surface too late, and few outside a pre-teen or parental audience are likely to make it to the nale, as slapstick humour and the obvious use of self-performed stunts, coupled with dodgy jump cuts to avoid physical contact gives the series an inescapably PG-13 vibe.
Rowena Heal SHOW EXTRAS

Merlin
Magic and mythology the way it should be, Merlins a family show with plenty to please adults, too.
TRIVIA THE HOODED MAN WITH THE BRIEFCASE IN GOOSEBUMPS OPENING CREDITS SEQUENCE IS RL STINE HIMSELF.
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Season Seven
Season Seven: Part One

Musotw! see n
SUPERNATURAL
Right in the feels!
Even for a cult series, Supernatural is a rare beast, being seemingly as unkillable as the main protagonists. Picking up exactly where we left them at the end of last season, Misha Collins has tremendous fun going off the deep end as angel Castiel, while Sam (Jared Padalecki) faces his own rather personal demons, and big brother Dean (Jensen Ackles) tries in vain to save the day. A large part of the charm of Supernatural is the mix of lighthearted episodes and heavy ongoing plots of angst and doom, not to mention the ridiculously attractive stars. Season Seven, however, leans largely towards the dark side, and the light touch of The French Mistake is sorely missed. The liveliest characters of the strong supporting cast, Castiel and Bobby (Jim Beaver), are both missing for the bulk of the series, but while this does open up more potential for the Winchesters to enjoy episodic brotherly adventures, there are far more tears than joy. Thankfully, Crowley (Mark Sheppard) and newcomer Garth (DJ Qualls), a fellow hunter with a
DOCTOR WHO
We all knew time was up for the Ponds, and this rst half of the series did a good job of entertaining us enough to forget that sorry fact. Moffat returned to straightforward storytelling after last years timey-wimey mystery, and we got to have the most fun weve had in the TARDIS in ages. Daleks from every era were reunited with the Doctor, while Amy and Rorys relationship was temporarily severed in the same epic opener, Asylum Of The Daleks. We even unwrapped the new companion earlier than her planned Christmas debut, with Jenna-Louise Coleman proving to be like a sassy Willow Rosenberg, hacking computers and spouting throwaway comments about sexual experimentation (Actually it was Nina I was going through a phase). It was a series of cinematically minded episodes that sent production costs rocketing. We saw Matt Smith ride a triceratops and a horse and tackle
The Ponds nal adventure
Musotw! see n
Details 15 / /966 mins / 2011 / / / / 26.97/34.25 / Out now / / Creator Eric Kripke Cast Jared Padalecki, Jensen Ackles, Misha Collins, Mark A Sheppard Distributor Warner Home Video Extras Episode Commentaries, Directing The Supernatural, Washboards & Tommy Guns, Jensen Sings, Unaired Scenes
Details 12 / 360 mins / 2012 / / / / / 17/20.99 Showrunner Steven Moffat Cast / Matt Smith, Karen Gillan, Arthur Darvill, Mark Williams Distributor 2entertain Extras Behind the scenes, Pond Life by Chris Chibnall, Asylum Of The Daleks prequel by Steven Moffat, The Making Of The Gunslinger by Toby Whithouse
very different approach, bring some much-needed fun to proceedings, giving Ackles the opportunity to exercise his brilliant comic timing. Meanwhile, James Patrick Stuart as Dick Roman, leader of the Leviathans, has a truly terrifying dead eyes grin; half shark, half dentist. Hamming it up insanely and providing the writers with all manner of material for dick jokes, Stuart is a consummate scene stealer. Fantastic guest stars abound, from The Guilds Felicia Day and Fireys Jewel Staite to an episode featuring a magical and maniacal couple, played by Buffys James Marsters and Charisma Carpenter. The playfulness and energy of previous years is a little lacking, and this is heart-wrenching stuff for a series with such a dedicated fanbase. Its a risk well taken on that front, but were hoping the upcoming eighth season remembers to provide laughs among the punches.
Laura Sneddon SHOW EXTRAS
multiple moral conundrums. A Town Called Mercy epitomised this with a gun-slinging cyborg who was actually sympathetic, and we understood the importance of the companion to bring the Doctor back to Earth, so to speak. The Power Of Three recalled the Russell T Davies-era with a slow Earth invasion, and reunited us with Rorys dad Brian, played by Mark Williams (we always suspected Rory was a Weasley). He seemed like a simple plot device, used to usher the Ponds back into the TARDIS, but the unshot scene where he discovers whats become of them is heartbreaking (head to SciFiNow.co.uk for the animated storyboard). When it came to the mid-series nale, even the Statue Of Liberty couldnt overshadow the Ponds exit, though she gave it a good go. It was liberating that, for once, love didnt save the day; it actually ruined it as far as the Doctor was concerned. Amys journey came full-circle, starting as a fairy tale with the Raggedy Doctor in the garden and ending in the pages of a storybook. Its the end of an era, but the start of a golden one for Doctor Who.
Jodie Tyley SHOW EXTRAS
Buffy The Vampire Slayer

Red Dwarf X
More home-grown space adventures with Lister, Rimmer, Kryten and the Cat after a 13-year breather.
Witty banter, creepy monsters, mindless violence and one Armageddon per series.
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TRIVIA DJ QUALLS, GUEST STAR IN SUPERNATURAL SEASON SEVEN, WAS IN THE FINAL TWO FOR THE ROLE OF SHELDON COOPER IN THE BIG BANG THEORY, NARROWLY MISSING OUT TO JIM PARSONS.
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Game Of Thrones / The Complete First Season / /The
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yourself an epic Game Of Thrones Christmas, just answer the following simple question:
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Only our spellchecker dislikes this one
DISHONORED
Long-time PC
nerds will remember the late-Nineties era of shooters hybridising with role-playing games. This brilliant creative curve brought us the likes of Thief, System Shock 2, Half-Life and Deus Ex, medium-dening experiences that will probably inuence designers forever. Dishonored, from the lead designer of Deus Ex, is a 2012 update of that style of game, set in a land called Dunwall that is heavily layered with a steampunk aesthetic, where scores of rats roam the streets as a plague eats away at the miserable population. This ambitious setting represents a triumph in world building, and as a complete package, Dishonored is a wholly successful extension of the similar games that preceded it. You play Corvo, the loyal guard to Dunwalls Empress that is, until shes brutally killed and her child kidnapped, with you framed for the whole ordeal. You join a group of assassins, pop on a mask, develop BioShock-style superpowers and set about plotting your revenge by killing the right people. Like Deus Ex, you can play Dishonored in both lethal and non-lethal ways, with the game accounting for either approach with sophisticated design; the stealth and combat mechanics are easy to grasp and, importantly, logical in the way theyre employed. It feels satisfying to slit a guards throat, 076 |
Must play now!
Format 360/PS3/PC // Age rating 18 // Publisher Bethesda // Developer Arkane Studios // Players 1 // Released Out now // Price 49.99 Downloadable PS3/PC
but even more rewarding to bypass enemies altogether. Everything makes sense in Dishonored, and that extends to the world as well the environments have an almost real-life logic to them, like you can imagine Dunwall being an old English city forged by centuries of history (it looks a lot like old bits of Portsmouth, actually), and Arkane manages to relay that feeling to you by thinking about the minutiae of where everything is set out. Its breathtaking to live in a digital world that feels so organic. Dishonored succeeds in echoing the complexity of rst-person games gone by, all while demonstrating absolute conviction in the way it depicts a steampunk world on the brink of collapse. The latter would be an enviable achievement in any medium, but somehow its all the more laudable when youre the one living in that universe. You simply have to embrace an experience this rich when it comes along, so rare it is to nd in the homogenous, trend-driven industry shod usually spat onto supermarket shelves.
Samuel Roberts VERDICT
THE WALKING DEAD: EPISODE 4 AROUND EVERY CORNER

At this point, you will probably know if The Walking Dead episodic game is your thing or not and given the strong response it has gotten from players online, it seems to have garnered the kind of watercooler chatter (alright then, Twitter chatter) that only the greatest decision-driven titles are capable of generating. It taps into the essence of The Walking Dead: human stories and impossible odds that use the zombie apocalypse as a hook. While this might actually be the weakest episode in terms of gameplay, Around Every Corner forms a strong narrative prelude to the chapter ve series climax. The obvious abby points in The Walking Dead game come with the puzzles, which form the bulk of the gameplay. Arbitrary tasks have to be done in a certain order, like picking things up, inspecting doorways hidden by bad camera angles, nding the right tools to progress and so on it may help the actual pacing of the game, that is, allowing the experience to last for more than 30 minutes, but in this instalment we found these obstacles to be especially boring. Its
Bring a shovel
Format 360/PS3/PC/iOS / Age rating 18 / Publisher Telltale Games / / Developer Telltale Games / Players 1 / Released Out now / Price 3.40-3.99 / / / Downloadable All formats
fortunate, then, that the scenario is by contrast extremely dramatic, able to use just the limited expressions of its digital characters to show how the backdrop is taking its toll on protagonist Lee and Clementine, the young girl he protects while she searches for her parents (this is the main thrust of Around Every Corner). This multiple choice tale is wickedly compelling, and The Walking Dead has few aws on this front if the series is to continue for another run of episodes, though, its going to require a refresher on the gameplay side of things, fraught as it is with hangovers from archaic point-andclick adventures. Still, for The Walking Dead fan, this really is your year: not only has Robert Kirkmans franchise conquered television and comicbooks with quality storytelling, but those same values have made it by far the best game of 2012 too.

Deus Ex: Human Revolution
It was three (or four? We forget) shit boss battles away from a perfect score.

Left 4 Dead
Features the novel twist of spending more time killing zombies rather than talking about them.
TRIVIA VIKTOR ANTONOV IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ART DIRECTION IN DISHONORED HE PREVIOUSLY CRAFTED CITY 17 FOR THE BRILLIANT HALF LIFE 2.
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Dishonored / The Walking Dead / XCOM: Enemy Unknown / Doom 3: BFG Edition / / /
REVIEWS VIDEOGAMES
Munsotw! play
XCOM: ENEMY UNKNOWN DOOM 3: BFG EDITION

Its just not PC
Format 360/PS3/PC / Age rating 12 / Publisher 2K Games / Developer Firaxis / / / Players 1-2 / Released Out now / Price 49.99 / Downloadable PC / / /
The granddaddy of shooters returns, again

Format Xbox 360/PC/PS3 // Age rating 18 // Publisher Bethesda Developer Id Players 1 // Released Out now // Price 24.49 Downloadable All formats
You wait all year for fantastic genre games to turn up and two drop at the same time. XCOM: Enemy Unknown has its roots in strategy games of the day, a streamlined but by no means dumbed-down version of the original XCOM entries from the Nineties, updated with the same kind of relish for intelligent tactics but spruced up by a Men In Black-esque art style. XCOM comfortably translates the fundamentals of PC strategy to consoles, and even if youre not acquainted with the genre youll be shocked by how much spare time youll sacrice to this RTS deity. Your aim as mankinds key line of defence is to drive out extraterrestrial invaders not especially highconcept, but its a means to an end mechanics-wise. As the commander, your role entails researching new armament tech, customising your troops right down to individual details such as their surnames and sending them into 3D, isometric-type battles.
That might not sound especially enthralling, yet the attention to detail drags you in once your soldiers are gone in battle, theyre gone for good. These troops, who you create, foster and triumph with as war buddies, can be wiped out in mere moments, even with the best military equipment available. That connection is cleverly played upon in XCOM, giving you an extra incentive to keep these rag-tag chaps alive (especially if youre as weird as us and decided to name this cannon fodder after your friends and members of your family). XCOM encompasses all the heartbreak and triumph that comes with classic strategy games youll grab chunks of your hair when your team of veterans is brought to its knees like facing off against a real alien invasion, we suppose. In the face of escalating difculty, youll only fall further in love with XCOM. Its totally at odds with everything else coming out during this busy period, and like Dishonored it has the capacity to live in your disc tray long after you think youre done with it.
Satan knows what

possessed the mercurial John Carmack at Id Software to re-release an upgraded, expanded edition of Doom 3. Maybe theyre gauging interest for the hopefully forthcoming Doom 4. Whatever it is, its nice to see Doom 3 again. Obviously, it cant even begin to compare with the primitive, balletic violence of the rst two games, but taken on its own merits, Doom 3 is an effective, if rather obvious little bit of interstellar/dimensional haunted house trash. Doom 3 takes some pretty hefty cues from the likes of System Shock 2 and Half Life in order to try to modernise its appeal. For the most part its effective, and nding audio les from people saying things like people are going mad, somethings going wrong, hereaaaaargh pretty effectively sets the apocalyptic, hellish scene. Some of the scares can be seen coming a mile away, though. Compared to the likes of Condemned or F.E.A.R, its about as frightening as an episode of Buffy The Vampire Slayer. The ghting is
oddly unsatisfying sometimes, too. The shotgun has been beefed up a bit, but all of the other weapons feel disappointingly weedy, and theres nothing satisfying about enemies that instantly disintegrate. Where are the gibs? These things are important to some, you know. Oh well. The BFG edition at least xes certain issues that people had with the original release. A shouldermounted torch has now been added to the game, so theres no ipping between ashlight and weapon required in this one. It also runs at a pretty solid 60 frames per second, so everythings wonderfully smooth and playable. The expansion pack Resurrection Of Evil is present, too, as well as some new missions (which feature bits of the main campaign ipped around, so nothing amazing). Doom and Doom 2: Hell On Earth have also been included, which is great if for some reason youve never played them. Theres God-knows-how-many hours of gameplay here, and its still better, more varied and enjoyable than the offensive and jingoistic military shooter youre probably playing.
Daniel Cairns VERDICT

The closest thing to a great Total Annihilation-style RTS on a games console.
Supreme Commander 2

F.E.A.R
Still the best horror shooter ever, with the most devastating shotgun in a game, too. Blammo.
TRIVIA TRENT REZNOR OF NINE INCH NAILS WAS ORIGINALLY GOING TO DO THE SOUNDTRACK FOR DOOM 3 (AFTER HE COLLABORATED WITH ID ON QUAKE). PLANS WENT BELLY UP, THOUGH.
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5 SCI FI, FANTASY AND COMIC BOOK ADAPTATIONS TO LOOK FOR IN 2013
Not all games based on some of our favourite franchises have to be blatantly ass here are ve upcoming titles were actually looking forward to
Aliens: Colonial Marines
With artistic contributions from Syd Mead and sound effects lifted from Aliens, this should be an authentic experience, with a canon story that takes place after Alien 3. Importantly, too, theres a multiplayer mode where aliens and marines can take each other on. For those disappointed by Prometheus, perhaps something more familiar will revive your interest in the franchise. Release date: March 2013
Star Wars 1313
Set in the Coruscant underworld (even further down than youve seen before), players take on the role of a Bounty Hunter. Not a lot is known about the story, but the tone is deliberately adult, the idea being that well see a darker version of Star Wars seedy side (but dont they always say that?). Targeted for next-gen consoles, expect to see shagging gungans and coke-snorting rodians around Christmas next year. Release date: Late 2013
Ni No Kuni: Wrath of The White Witch
Alright, so Ni No Kuni is not strictly based on a lm or TV show, but co-created with Studio Ghibli, Ni No Kuni is a traditional Japanese RPG that has been richly translated from its source with similar production values to Ghiblis movies. It allows you to live in a quite extraordinary Ghibli-style world, and pairs your character with a delightful Welsh demon sidekick. Release date: January 2013
Deadpool
Heres one that took us by surprise: a game based on Marvels daft mercenary that aims to capture the humour of his best comic-books (written by long-term Deadpool scribe Daniel Way). Its a lofty goal, but this is why we believe it could yield great results the developer is also behind the fan service-heavy Transformersthemed Cybertron titles, which demonstrated how well a popular property could cross over into a terric videogame. Release date: Late 2013
Fables: The Videogame
From the esteemed makers of The Walking Dead, Telltale Games, comes another game based on a comic-book, this time Bill Willinghams Fables, which puts classic fairy tale characters into a town and lets their lives play out. Expect another graphic pointand-click-style adventure from Telltale, hopefully with a colour palette that matches the majesty of the monthly Vertigo comic. Release date: Early 2013
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BookClub
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Your community for reading and celebrating fantastic ction

Get in touch @SciFiNow /SciFiNow
FEATURES
80 Essential Read: Harry Potter And The Philosophers Stone

Find out how JK Rowling was inspired to create the boy wizard
84 A Beginners Guide To Ray Bradbury

Get to grips with the visionary author of Fahrenheit 451
94 Mark Frost
Discover whats next for the author behind the cult TV series Twin Peaks
REVIEWS
This Issue We Read: Harry Potter And The Philosophers Stone

Turn to page 80 to see why, and let us know what you think
86 Unholy Night 87 The Fractal Prince 87 Stray Souls 88 Katyas World 88 Pandaemonium 90 Centre Of Gravity 92 Spider-Men 93 Superman: Earth One 93 Anomaly
THIS IS YOUR BOOK CLUB Your Opinions

Tell us what youve been reading on Facebook or Twitter, and well print it
Your Decision Your Reviews
Next Well Be Reading: The Colour Of Magic

Pick up The Colour Of Magic by Terry Pratchett, and jump headrst into the Discworld with the book that started it all
Follow SciFiNow on Twitter. Read and share your thoughts with the hashtag #BookClub; they might make it into the magazine!
You can contribute to the Book Club discussions as much or as little as you like; the most important thing is that you have fun.
Pick up issue 76 of SciFiNow to check out what we thought and learn about the history of the book and its author with our Essential Read.
Let us know what you want to see. This is your section, so tell us what you think Write a review of the last book you read, and it could appear on scinow.co.uk. Submit your review as a 300word text le to scinow@ imagine-publishing.co.uk
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BooK CLUB
WORDS mATTHeW HAndrAHAn
millions have been entranced by JK rowling, but the harry potter booKs are darKer than their whimsical facade suggests
essential read: Harry Potter and tHe PHilosoPHers stone
Classics in any form are rare, and instant classics are rarer still. When revered texts like The Fellowship Of The Ring and The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe were first published, the road to legendary status was long and winding. With no internet, crude marketing and inefficient channels of communication, word travelled very slowly indeed. Attaining immortality once took decades; for JK Rowling and Harry Potter it took a good deal less. Despite only being published in 1997, Harry Potter And The Philosophers Stone is one of the most famous books in history, and the founding stone of the most lucrative brand in literature. The Harry Potter novels are available in 65 different languages and in every medium where books are still published. The series has enjoyed a level of success only possible in the modern age, where entertainment properties are repackaged and exploited in every conceivable manner. You can watch the eight multi-million-dollar Harry Potter movies while wearing a Harry Potter polo-shirt, with a Ron Weasley alarm clock to remind you when its time to grab a cool beverage from your Harry Potter Pumpkin Ice Slushie Maker. If you make a mess, dont fret you can clean it up with your Harry Potter Late Night Ride Towel. If JK Rowling were ever to decide to write another novel for the series, she might well call it Harry Potter And The Ludicrous Merchandise.
SynopSiS
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry has been the centre of magical learning for centuries, but 1991 heralds the arrival of its most famous student: Harry Potter, an 11-year-old boy whose parents lost their lives in a war against an army of dark wizards. Their once-powerful leader, Lord Voldemort, vanished when a spell intended to kill the infant Harry backfired, ending his seemingly unstoppable rise to power. Harry Potter is The Boy Who Lived , but he knows virtually nothing about that. Hidden in the banal muggle world of non-magical people for his own protection, he has grown up an orphan, oblivious to his magical heritage and tormented by those appointed to care for him. For Harry, the letters offering him a place at Hogwarts could not be better timed. All the teachers seem so nice, particularly that Professor Quirrell
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essential read
Harry Potter And The Philosophers Stone is collected in the Harry Potter Wizards Collection Box Set, available now priced at 177.75.
By every usual standard i was the Biggest failure i knew Jk rowling

Frankly, the fact that the books are still so highly regarded despite the abundant nonsense loitering on the halo of their success is a testament to their quality which is something of a mystery in itself. The books covered in these articles are seldom found at the start of an authors career, and when they have been they were generally written following the publication of a string of admired novellas, short stories or essays. True greats generally give some indication of their brilliance ahead of time, but not Joanne Rowling. Educated in a comprehensive secondary school and rejected by the Oxford University admissions board, Rowlings life took a different path to other titans of British fantasy literature. She had been writing stories for almost as long as she could write at all, but her parents were more concerned that she be able to earn a living than indulge her imagination. By the time she got a job as a bilingual secretary at Amnesty International at the end of the Eighties, Rowling, who was approaching her mid-20s, had shown almost no sign of the outpouring of creativity to come. Certainly, the character of Harry Potter and the basic premise for the books seemed to come from nowhere. On a train from Manchester to London in 1990, the image of a scrawny, little, black-haired, bespectacled boy who was learning how to be a wizard arrived fully formed in her head. She started to write the first chapter that very night. Ultimately, she wouldnt finish The Philosophers Stone for another six years, and by then both she and her novel would be very different. It is difficult to imagine the novel that the Rowling of 1990 would have written had she persevered to the end of a first draft, though it may have lacked some of the darkness and realism that balances the excesses of Harry Potter s more whimsical side. The years between that first contact
with the idea and the completion of the finished manuscript were the most difficult of Rowlings life: a string of bad luck, poor decisions and genuine tragedy that would have sent most people reeling, potentially to never recover; half a lifetime of experience in half a decade. The events of this period were poured over endlessly by the media during the height of Potter-mania the rags chapter of the rags-to-riches narrative that the tabloids constructed on Rowlings behalf. The gory details are out there if youre the voyeuristic type, but its enough to know that Rowlings mother, who suffered from multiple sclerosis, died shortly after she had the idea for Harry Potter. Soon after, she married and had her first child, only for the marriage to dissolve after little more than a year amid restraining orders and allegations of domestic abuse. By Christmas 1993, Rowling was an unemployed, divorced single-mother struggling to pay the bills on a tiny Edinburgh flat. By any conventional measure, a mere seven years after my graduation day, I had failed on an epic scale, Rowling said in a commencement address to Harvards graduating class of 2008. An exceptionally short-lived marriage had imploded, and I was jobless, a lone parent and as poor as it is possible to be in modern Britain without being homeless. The fears that my parents had had for me, and that I had had for myself, had both come to pass, and by every usual standard I was the biggest failure I knew. Is this failure the key to Harry Potter? Did Rowling need to hit rock bottom to discover a foundation upon which she could build a new world on the page? Its certainly a compelling argument: between that inspired train journey in 1990 and her downtrodden arrival in Edinburgh in December 1993, Rowling had finished just three chapters of Harry Potter And The Philosophers Stone. Almost the entire book would be formed over the next two years, even as poverty, depression and fatigue scratched unrelentingly at the door. Ultimately, the evidence is there on the page. All writers pour themselves into their earliest work, and Rowling is no exception: she modelled Hermione Granger on herself as an eager, awkward 11-year old; Ron Weasley is patterned on her best friend, and his car, a blue Ford Anglia, is the same as that owned by the Weasley family. Significantly, Lilly Potters decision to sacrifice her life to save that of her infant son the moment that drives the plot of all seven novels was added because of her own mothers premature death.
55 Potter Harry
1
Reasons to read
And The Philosophers Stone

Because every sentient being on this planet already has, so why not you? What makes you so special? For once, the popular vote went to the right place. Theres nothing cool about avoiding Harry Potter.
Trust us, it used to be far more embarrassing than it is now. Bloomsbury even issued grown-up paperback covers for red-faced adults who wanted to kill their commute with a bit of light wizardry. These days its a badge of honour. The films are a major achievement in their own right, but all that money, screen time and aging British acting talent doesnt quite capture the full scope of Rowlings world. Entire plotlines were sacrificed for brevity But thats a good thing, because for books with so many pages they read like a dream. Its difficult to think of other novels that take up so much room on the bookshelf yet so little time to actually consume. If you have children its a win-win proposition: charming but substantial fantasy literature for them, and a sense of pride that theyre actually reading a book and not watching TV/playing videogames for you.
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BOOK CLUB
Your Take On The Classic WHAT YOU
THOUGHT @SCIFINOW
Classic kids novel. Brilliant how the books grow up with the reader and this simple story becomes longer, darker and more complex. #BookClub @CmdrSheppard Indeed! I really like it, great and interesting adventure :) #BookClub @mcatherine_art Its amazing! One of my favourites, I cant believe I didnt read it sooner. Im thankful for my brother making me do it! :) #BookClub @jaystarlove Its the literary equivalent of a gateway drug. If it gets people reading sci-/fantasy, Im all for it. #BookClub @Jon404 Ive never read any of the books or seen any of the lms! Am I the only one, I wonder? :D#BookClub @Pussinabox Ive read it a thousand time! Its magical, best book ever. I could read only this one for my entire life. #potterhead#BookClub @_readerz It is an amazing book, the sheer wonder of it is what makes it such a great series. #BookClub @Gen_crow It was a badly written book but it got kids (and adults) reading so is worthwhile #BookClub @JonnBlanchard
The lms, although acclaimed, dont come close to offering the same experience as the novels.
Issue 76s Essential Read: Terry Pratchetts The Colouryour thoughts on Of Magic Join in and share
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THE POTTER BOOKS IN GENERAL ARE A PROLONGED ARGUMENT FOR TOLERANCE AND A PROLONGED PLEA FOR AN END TO BIGOTRY JK ROWLING
Discussing the series creation retrospectively, Rowling has talked about the sinister quality of much of childrens literature the sterile innocence of the Famous Five books, for example. The Harry Potter series certainly explores the darker aspects of growing up hormones, alienation, even death but to what extent that was a conscious attempt to do something iconoclastic in childrens literature as the series rst stones were laid is open to question. Rowling was in a dark place, and the rest may just have followed. The wraith-like Dementors, which can take a humans soul with a kiss, seem to evoke the Grim Reaper. In truth, however, they are physical manifestations of the hopelessness Rowling felt at the nadir of her depression. It was entirely conscious, she said in an interview with The Times. And entirely from my own experience. Depression is the most unpleasant thing I have ever experienced. It is that absence of being able to envisage that you will ever be cheerful again. The absence of hope. That very deadened feeling, which is so very different from feeling sad. Sad hurts, but its a healthy feeling. Its a necessary thing to feel. Depression is very different. Rowlings wizards are all mists and outcasts in one way or another: from the bureaucratic Ministry of Magic to the resurgent Death Eaters and, most importantly, the muggle world. Some of this was channelled from Rowlings frustrating experiences claiming benets from a British government only too happy to push the poor to the fringes of society and keep them there. The Death Eaters were drawn from one of the darkest chapters in world history: the rise of the Nazi party, which was underpinned by a belief in the importance of heritage and purity of blood. I wanted Harry to leave our world and nd exactly the same problems in the Wizarding world, she said at Carnegie Hall
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following the publication of The Deathly Hallows. So you have the intent to impose a hierarchy, you have bigotry and this notion of purity, which is a great fallacy, but it crops up all over the world. People like to think themselves superior, and that if they can pride themselves on nothing else they can pride themselves on perceived purity. The Potter books in general are a prolonged argument for tolerance, a prolonged plea for an end to bigotry, and I think its one of the reasons that some people dont like the books, but I think that its a very healthy message to pass on to younger people that you should question authority and you should not assume that the establishment or the press tells you all of the truth. Are these books about wizards or political agitators? To Rowlings credit, the Harry Potter books manage to be about both, never holding back from the extent of Voldemorts evil, and without once faltering as entertainment. There is death in Harry Potter, and plenty of it, but without that its doubtful the books would have resonated so strongly with people of such diverse ages and creeds. Certainly, Rowling goes to more extreme places as the story progresses, but only because she is mining the themes laid down in The Philosophers Stone. Im surprised when sometimes people say to me, Oh, you know, the books are getting so dark. Im thinking, Well,
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which part of Philosophers Stone did you think was light and fluffy? she said in an interview with the fan site Mugglenet. There is an innocence about it but the book opens with a double murder. The possibility of death, I think, is present throughout Philosophers Stone. The possibility of failure was at the forefront of Rowlings mind. For the sake of her daughter, she needed enough revenue from Philosophers Stone to sustain her for however long a second book would take to write the rejection slips from 11 different publishers offered scant encouragement. When Bloomsbury agreed to finance a limited print-run for a 1,500 advance, the publisher advised Rowling to find a day job; there was no money in childrens books. My realistic side allowed me to think I might get one good review in a national newspaper, Rowling told The Times in 2000. That was my idea of a peak. The peak was rather higher than that, and as Bloomsbury would soon find out, there is a river of money in childrens books. Rowling is now one of the richest women in Britain, a generous philanthropist and runner-up for Time magazines Person of the Year. She need never worry about shoes for her daughter or paying the gas bill again, but comfort can be a mortal enemy to creativity. Harry Potter was born of adversity, and well soon know what debt Rowling owes to that struggle. Whats quite uplifting is that in the middle of all this sadness I feel about Harry ending is the thought that financially I dont have to publish immediately, she said in an interview with USA Today after the publication of The Deathly Hallows. So I can take my time. And the idea of just wandering off to a cafe with a notebook and writing and seeing where that takes me for a while is just bliss. Heaven. No pressure.
Where Have I Seen This Before?

magic through the ages
HArry POTTEr GOES TO THE MOvIES

If you havent read Harry Potter then youve almost certainly seen the films, though youd be forgiven for stopping after Chris Columbuss workmanlike adaptations of the first two novels. Nevertheless, the production design is impeccable throughout, the cast is tremendous and the films become darker and more interesting from Prisoner Of Azkaban onwards.
THE BOOkS Of MAGIc A WIzArd Of EArTHSEA

There are many novels that have explored the concept of a magical school, but Ursula K Le Guins 1968 classic A Wizard Of Earthsea is arguably the best. Indeed, Le Guin actively discussed its similarity to Harry Potter, telling The Guardian that Rowling, could have been more gracious about her predecessors She has many virtues, but originality isnt one of them. That hurt. Created by The Sandmans Neil Gaiman, The Books Of Magic follow a similarly bespectacled boy who discovers his destiny as the most powerful wizard ever. Gaiman only wrote the first four issues, but under the pens of John Ney Rieber and Peter Gross it became a real epic, rivalling the likes of The Sandman, Lucifer and The Unwritten in scope.
MErlIn
BBCs Merlin has certainly picked up where Harry Potter left off in terms of a compelling longform drama about a boy wizard and his friends; the hatred of magic users in the show standing in as an equally effective allegory for bigotry as that in Harry Potter, and the lessons about friendship are just as strong.
JESSIcA MITfOrd
The revered civil rights activist and journalist was Rowlings role model from the age of 14, and ultimately became the single most important influence on her writing. Mitfords memoir Hons And Rebels, which describes the conflict between her communist ideals and those of her Nazi-supporting sisters, seeded numerous ideas for the wizard civil war that takes place in the Harry Potter novels.
lEGO HArry POTTEr

There is no shortage of shoddy products based on the Harry Potter license, but the two Lego Harry Potter videogames are not among them. Theres very little here that would seriously test the capabilities of anyone except for young children, but the lack of challenge is more than compensated for by abundant charm and good humour.
The late Richard Harris personified Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore in the first two films.
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FAQ
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What was The Ray Bradbury Theatre about? The ray Bradbury Theatre was basically ray Bradbury: The TV show. a collection of his story adaptations in the offbeat anthology tradition of The Twilight Zone. it ran from 1985 to 1992, so had a good run, and featured many notable actors like William shatner, Jeff Goldblum, Michael ironside and a young lucy lawless. He had a good innings, didnt he? indeed he did, and a good life along with it. in addition to the hundreds of things he wrote, he found time to have a relatively idyllic personal life. He was married to the same woman since 1947 (until she died in 2003), and she was the only woman he ever dated. awwww. How many adaptations of his work are there? a lot, lets put it that way. Unlike some writers that are diametrically opposed to the way Hollywood can homogenise and lessen the impact of the original work (alan Moore will have a few opinions about that), Bradbury was more than happy to help adapt his work for the screen. Basically, he seemed a thoroughly nice bloke. Just how many stories has Ray Bradbury written? He wrote over 500 short stories, various poems and even a few plays. God knows how he found the time to do all that, though living until the ripe old age of 91 probably helped. Can you tell us any other curious things about him? How about this he couldnt drive. its not an earth-shattering revelation, but its something. He actually thought the car was mankinds worst invention, responsible for countless deaths, the worsening environment and Top Gear.
RAY BRADBURY R
A Brad Reputation
WORDS Daniel Cairns
A BEGINNERS GUIDE TO
ay Bradbury (who passed away this year at the grand old age of 91) was a jack of all trades, dipping his toes into many ponds, from science fiction and horror to fantasy and even a bit of mystery. Influenced as many are by the writings of Edgar Allan Poe, HG Wells and other luminaries, he continued down the path forged by those forebears and influenced many in his own right, be it through his writing or the numerous adaptations that sprung up following his success. Born in 1920 to a supportive and loving family, the fires of
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Bradburys imagination were stoked by sneaking into cinemas and watching previews (he lived in Hollywood) of many movies, going out of his way to catch a real-life glimpse of many stars. It was around this time that he knew where his future lay. Hed spent his entire youth writing, reading and absorbing, deciding there and then that he was pre-destined for a lifetime of creativity. His first short story was published in 1938, and after being rejected from the military (due to bad eyesight) he was free to make a go of it full time, with his first collection of shorts being
published in 1947. After that, there was no stopping Bradbury, and his canon quickly expanded, encompassing a gargantuan number of novels, short stories and plays. So influential was Bradbury that upon his death, President Barack Obama released a statement praising Bradburys prescience and imagination, exclaiming that it helped to shape America into an arguably better place. Ray will continue to inspire many generations with his writing. Even if you dont agree with his policies, its hard to argue with him about that.
Photo by alan light
Like many of his works, Fahrenheit 451 has received a film adaptation.
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Bradburys seminal Fahrenheit 451 has influenced many a future dystopia.
It envisages a future where books are not only marginalised, but banned.
Book-burners
FAHRENHEIT 451
Dystopia about a dumbed down world

Bradburys love of literature and the Publisher: written word is at Harper the forefront here Voyager in this story about Published: a world that shuns 1953 Price: 7.99 books and other literature in favour of TV and other more superficial forms of entertainment. Firefighters are tasked with book-burning, showing just how topsy turvy things are in the world he presents. It also shows how visionary he was, given that games, movies and TV are now the mediums of choice for many, while the only books that get significant attention are badly written bits of Twilight fan fiction. Fahrenheit 451 is my favourite because its so realistic and bound to happen eventually. #BookClub @OpinionGeeks
Mars attacks
THE MARTIAN CHRONICLES
We move to Mars after Earth gets itself in a state

Like many sci-fi authors, Publisher: Bradbury doesnt Harper Voyager think the human Published: race is capable 1950 of sorting itself Price: 7.99 out in the future, doomed as it is to blow itself to bits through needless conflict and render Earth an uninhabitable dump. Whats next for them? Upping sticks to Mars, of course! This collection of shorts deals with the human colonisation of the red planet (beginning in the far-off future of, er, 1999), where they run into a spot of bother with the locals. The collection includes the tremendously bleak There Will Come Soft Rains . I love all of them! But my copy of The Martian Chronicles gets the most rereads #BookClub @teresaelectro
Carnival carnage
SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES
Two teenagers go through hell when the circus arrives

Named after a line in Shakespeares Publisher: Macbeth (By Gollancz the pricking Published: of my thumbs, 1962 Something Price: 7.99 wicked this way comes) this novel tells the tale of two 13-year-old boys, Will and Jim, who get drawn into the strange goings-on brought about by the arrival of a mysterious carnival in their local town. Its soon established that the carnival isnt there to entertain, and the boys end up in a struggle for their lives. Disney adapted the movie in 1983, and a surprisingly effective horror it was, too. Something Wicked This Way Comes is my favourite, its eery right from the start. Full of creeping malice. #BookClub @davidneal33
Technology woes
THE ILLUSTRATED MAN
A collection of stories about technological advancement

This collection is brought together by Publisher: the framing Harper device of the Voyager illustrated Published: man himself, a 1951 Price: 7.99 character covered with various animated tattoos that each tell a story. The themes of the novel once again concern the increasingly damaged psychology of humans and their struggles with burgeoning technology. Tales of astronauts, nurseries and honest husbands and wives facing overwhelming, inhuman odds help create an excellent, though very gloomy collection. Not necessarily a book, but his short story The Veldt is particularly horrifying. #BookClub @JayIsANerd
Acquired taste
THE HALLOWEEN TREE
Things get decidedly odd one Halloween night

The Halloween Tree is a fantasy horror concerning Publisher: eight boys, who Del Rey one Halloween Books night end up Published: having to pursue 1972 Price: their missing ninth 15.99 friend (through cosmic means) through time and space, stopping off in places like Ancient Greece and Egypt, as well as witnessing the customs and traditions of many an ancient culture. Its basically like a more hands-on, terrifying episode of Sesame Street, as they find out the history of Halloween and the nature of fear throughout the ages.
I used to watch The Halloween Tree movie all the time as a kid, and the book is just as good! ^_^ #BookClub @Echo_31
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BOOK CLUB
UNHOLY NIGHT
Approaching anything by Seth Grahame-Smith is always something of a moral quandary. His work so far has been a mish-mash of genre tropes wackily dovetailed to established mainstream ction/historical gures. Think of all the hard-working, unpublished authors busting their backsides with original ideas forged from their own gut-wrenching experiences, only to be made horribly aware of the fact that the general public would rather snigger en masse at the concept of Elizabeth Bennet dealing violently with zombies or a celebrated ex-president hunting vampires. Its pretty galling. Unholy Night nds him rewriting the Nativity, but plonking in a load of Tarantino-esque violence and bloodshed. A trio of hardened thieves (one, Balthazar, whos just recently burgled King Herods castle) escape
Details Author: Seth Grahame-Smith Publisher: Bantam Press Price: 12.99
God hates us, everyone

Hunter) and his brand of popcorn nonsense then you probably wont be disappointed. Its as at-out silly and pants-on-head-stupid as all his other pieces of work, custom-made to be turned into a screenplay (Grahame-
Your Five Books About Religion

1. A Case Of Conscience
justice by disguising themselves as (here we go) three wise men. While on the run they come across Mary, Joseph and their newborn in Bethlehem. Though hardened, Balthazars not so mean as to leave
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James Blish Has to be A Case Of Conscience by James Blish. Good ethical issues and a fascinating alien world. #BookClub @absolvitor
SETH GRAHAME SMITH HAS SET THE BAR SO LOW ITS PRACTICALLY UNDERGROUND NOW
them to Herods death squads, and agrees to escort them to Egypt. This being Grahame-Smith, the famous pilgrimage is fraught with bloodshed, beasties and betrayals, and inevitably the group will face challenges that never found their way in the Bible. If youre a fan of his previous works (including Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Smith has already penned Dark Shadows and is currently scribbling Beetlejuice 2). For people expecting a little bit more for their money, though, this is largely execrable. His reputation, arguably, works against him. The frustrating thing is that he can clearly write. There are passages here where you do start to empathise with certain characters, and it is well paced. The problem is that its wrapped up in such a deeply boring, lazy and unlikeable premise. Perhaps if he poured his powers into an original idea hed create something of actual worth. Alas, that is not to be. Besides, why would he? The formula is working for him so far, reaping the requisite monetary rewards. Its catching on, too. You need only see the cavalcade of equally groan-worthy me-too authors that have sprung up in his wake: Queen Victoria: Demon Hunter; Sense And Sensibility And Sea Monsters, and even a sequel to Pride And Prejudice And Zombies. There are even movies now following the formula (besides the adaptation of his own Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, theres Hansel And Gretel: Witch Hunters coming out). GrahameSmith has helped set the bar so low its practically underground now, and its only a matter of time before Unholy Night nds itself being screened in front of a whooping, braying audience.
Daniel Cairns
2. Northern Lights
Phillip Pullman The His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman was brilliant to read when I was younger, and tackled many controversial areas. #BookClub @TayCosmo
Phillip K Dick Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep? Dune showed me where religion would end up; Phillip K Dick showed what wed go through to get there. @lennyukdeejay
3. Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep?
Kurt Vonnegut Vonneguts The Sirens Of Titan: The Church of God the Utterly Indifferent is the only church I could ever belong in #BookClub @Zardoz67
4. The Sirens Of Titan
5. Good Omens
VERDICT
Queen Victoria: Demon Hunter AE Moorat Rather depressingly, Queen Victoria likes to hunt demons. Who knew?
Neil Gaiman/ Terry Pratchett Undeniably Good Omens, a charming, funny and downright beautiful take on heaven, hell and humanity #BookClub @King_Clumsky
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REVIEWS BOOKS
THE FRACTAL PRINCE

Great art neednt be
accessible. Hannu Rajaniemi, author of The Quantum Thief, is all too aware of this. Yet, with followup The Fractal Prince, hes decided to go even further. Jean de Flambeur, a hero in the heist at the centre of The Quantum Thief, returns, imprisoned on a positively Banksian sentient space ship with a sense of humour. His life force slowly ebbing, he tries to break the code to a mysterious Schrodinger box. Meanwhile, on Earth, political espionage abounds among the social elite. Rajaniemi is also a published writer in his native Finnish, but apparently that is too boring, as he crams his work with enough neologisms to make Anthony Burgess blush. The Fractal Prince is the second part of a trilogy, and makes no effort to explain the events of its predecessor. Most amusingly, the Schrdingers cat concept is basically the only thing explained, despite also being the only one readers will likely be aware of already. Rajaniemi is a rare kind of writer, almost relentlessly original and adamant in his
Details Author: Hannu Rajaniemi Publisher: Gollancz/Orion Books Price: 12.99
Fight to the Finnish
S UR READ YO What you lot have been

reading this month
Red Country by Joe Abercrombie. Only 100 pages in but really enjoying the Western vibe. Another win for Joe. #BookClub @mirage1180 Reading Alice Hoffmans Green Angel, a stunning mixture of fantasy and magic realism to explore grief. Beautiful. #BookClub @BeingBetteDavis Im reading 3001: The Final Odyssey, starting to get interesting now. The main character threw me, though. I was like, No way! #BookClub @Am05ingh Im reading Stephen Kings Cell for Halloween. The whole zombie virus thing is a bit old hat now, but its a good version! #BookClub @lipsyy James Herberts Ash on my Kindle a good bloody read, even jumped once or twice. #BookClub @johnbrunton2013 Ive just nished The Shining again in preparation for Doctor Sleep. Not sure whats next, though. #BookClub @_natbot Re-reading Iain M Banks The Player Of Games. And it is still AWESOME. #BookClub @Tim_McNulty The brilliant Yellow Blue Tibia by Adam Roberts. Its fast paced and funny. Great ideas. Well recommended#BookClub @nexus1979 Just nished Anno Dracula and it was amazing, about to start The Strain #BookClub @Bobbyskizza Ive just started James Herberts Ash. Very spooky and supernatural setting, James Herbert at his best! #BookClub @paul_bowler Reading Stephen Kings Carrie yet again, refreshing my memory so I can pick the new movie to pieces when it comes out. #BookClub @Coopster17
refusal to dumb his work down. The more you consider his writing, the more extraordinary it becomes the thread of thought experiments running through each book adding more depth. That originality is slightly on the wane here compared to The Quantum Thief, as the shock of the new is gone, and Rajaniemi hasnt really learned anything new in the interim but when his writing is already so unique he neednt bother. What is most tantalising is that the trilogy will most likely conclude with a truly staggering piece of literature. Until then, The Fractal Prince does a fantastic job of whetting the appetite.
Gareth Hughes
VERDICT
A Clockwork Orange Anthony Burgess Noted for its lm adaptation, it is partially written in the ctional nadsat dialect.
Must read now!
Self-help for the supernatural

Penning a plot complete with a toothpaste-hungry goblin, health-obsessed vampire and a troll with a fondness for Thai food should be a recipe for ridiculousness. Instead, Kate Grifn awlessly balances horror and humour to conceive a very human take on becoming inhuman; protagonist Sharons light-hearted reaction to becoming a shaman, tasked with saving the city, is not only comical, but believable. The focus isnt entirely on wit; the narrative often adopting a sinister turn towards death, destruction and a bloodthirsty hound. Rather, Grifn utilises comical lines with a subtle ease that allows for an intense battle between a self-help group and
STRAY SOULS
Details Author: Kate Griffin Publisher: Orbit Price: 8.99
Must read now!
a group of killers to conclude with an amusing apology left by Sharon, stating: bomb fell sorry for the inconvenience. Its fast-paced, with incredibly short chapters over 100 in 438 pages and the inclusion of character proling alongside the narrative eases the distinction between the large group of leads without slowing the story. This is aided further by Grifns alterations to the protagonists dialogue, using excessive likes (Kevin the vampire), unwarranted expletives (Sammy), or a whiteboard and semipermanent marker (Sally), to separate speakers. Her detailed physical descriptions are both vivid and imaginative.
Not many could pull off a funny yet frightening read about the supernatural-induced demise of London, but this is both unique and addictive.
Rowena Heal
VERDICT
A Madness of Angels Kate Grifn The rst in the Midnight Mayor series, its lead, Matthew Swift, also appears in Stray Souls.
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KATYAS WORLD
After only a few chapters of Katyas World, it becomes evident that author Jonathan L Howard probably enjoyed envisioning his underwater world far more than creating Katya and the other leads. An excessive amount of words are wasted on mechanics clearly researched thoroughly but too often the jargon extends beyond the point of scene-setting to levels only coherent among submarine enthusiasts. Its an unlikely audience considering the 15-year-old lead points predominantly to a YA readership. Instead, more space should have been dedicated to developing the protagonists, some of which arent always convincing. Tasya nicknamed the Chertovka, or shedevil is rarely believable as a cold-blooded killer due to a constant knack of risking her life to save others. Katya, too, is remarkably smart for her age; constantly conceiving miraculous, life-saving plans even when a boat-full of federal agents and war veterans are fresh out of ideas. Little of her history or
Details Author: Jonathan L Howard Publisher: Strange Chemistry Price: 7.99

Drowning in jargon
personality is disclosed until the narrative approaches its conclusion and shes forced to relay her tragic past, by which time were more interested in the situation that comes before this trip down memory lane. However, Howards background in videogames (he worked on the Broken Sword series, among numerous other titles) shines through magnicently when it comes to the action scenes, with the mini-narratives and constant challenges reading like submissions. He has a habit of introducing unpredictable twists among pages cluttered with terminology, which shock enough to persuade us to keep hanging on. Just. Those with a fondness for conict over characterisation will likely enjoy Howards tense narrative, although a lack of personality and time spent above sea level may have the effect of leaving many feeling claustrophobic.
Rowena Heal
THOSE WITH A FONDNESS FOR CONFLICT WILL ENJOY HOWARDS TENSE NARRATIVE
VERDICT

Dark Life Kat Falls For fans of oceanic settings, expect sea-creatures, gangs of outlaws and lots and lots of water.
PANDAEMONIUM
Readers with powers of perception will spot the endishly clever play on words used by Ben Macallan in the second in his series of urban fantasy novels. Pandaemonium is the eerie follow up to Desdaemona (see what he did there?), in which an ordinary girl who has managed to acquire extraordinary powers from a dark, unworldly source must pay the price of her betrayal and deception. Imagine Lisbeth Salander from The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo with long hair and an absence of body art battling a succession of increasingly dangerous creatures, as well as dealing with the awkwardness of a couple of ex-bedfellows that are hot on her heels. Desi, as she likes to be known, isnt easy to warm to, being arrogant, self-absorbed and, in all honesty, a bit of a bed-hopper. There is a distinct lack of female presence throughout the novel; Desi has men everywhere. In fact, the only other females we eetingly meet come in the
Details Author: Ben Macallan Publisher: Solaris Price: 7.99
Desdaemona has Hell at her heels!
form of the devils wife and a horrically mutilated angel. Set in modern England, Macallan has an uncanny knack of seamlessly merging the daemonic Underworld with the blissfully unaware Overworld. The transition is at times so gradual that even Desi doesnt notice. The meeting between the London Underground and its supernatural equivalent is particularly memorable. Pandaemonium is quirky and full of bizarre supernatural beings that are refreshing in their originality, but come and go too quickly. The pace is fast and events are not dwelled upon, which may make it difcult to pick up if you have not read the rst book in the series.
Claire Nicholls
VERDICT
Water Witch Carol Goodman Callie has banished a powerful demon into the Borderlands, but is she strong enough to keep him there?
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BBC, DOCTOR WHO (word marks, logos and devices), TARDIS, DALEKS, CYBERMAN and K-9 (word marks and devices) are trade marks of the British Broadcasting Corporation and are used under licence. BBC logo BBC 1996. Doctor Who logo BBC 2009. Dalek image BBC/Terry Nation 1963. Cyberman image BBC/Kit Pedler/Gerry Davis 1966. K-9 image BBC/Bob Baker/Dave Martin 1977.
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IT H CONDS W 60 SE
Tell us about your latest novel, Foundation These are books set right after the Vanyel series, but if youre not familiar with those, this is a perfect place to jump in. It is the story of Mags, an abused orphan who nds himself rescued from a horric life as a starving miner and taken to be trained as one of the Heralds of Valdemar. But, of course, his new life is anything but simple, as he learns he must simultaneously battle the enemies of his Kingdom and King, uncover the mysteries of his past and ght off enemies of his own.
Mercedes Lackey
THE EDUCATED APE AND OTHER WONDERS OF THE WORLDS

In need of a literary treadmill?
The Educated Ape And Other Wonders Of The Worlds is the third in Robert Rankins metaVictorian fantasy series, which has garnered a cult following by being extremely ostentatious. Rankins imagination runs rampant, though this isnt anything new, as readers of the previous books (which contain myriad ights of fancy, like Japanese devil sh girls and reverseengineered space ships, derived from the scraps of the Martian invasion in HG Wells War Of The Worlds) will happily tell you that very little is off limits when it comes to these perversions of Victorian life. The Educated Ape is similarly outlandish. Set in 1899, it involves a series of characters and their dreams, including an ape that wants to see monkeys treated with respect and a man seeking intergalactic peace. This all leads to something pretty grand, and when you factor in the impending apocalypse things escalate pretty quickly. To anyone unfamiliar this can all seem a bit much, and maybe too self-consciously wacky. Rankin clearly grew up watching Monty Python, and his penchant for peculiar British humour has made the transition to the page in a big way. Though sometimes grating, this is most welcome, and the deliberately dry, extremely proper descriptions really help to highlight a lot of the absurdity. Theres a lot of Terry Pratchett here, with perhaps a twinge of PG Wodehouse only with apes.
Daniel Cairns
Details Author: Robert Rankin Publisher: Gollancz Price: 16.99
I DONT WRITE EPICS THAT NEVER SEEM TO COME TO A CONCLUSION

What separates your brand of fantasy from others on the shelves? Im not the sort to write huge epics with casts of thousands that never seem to come to a conclusion. Although the Valdemar series is quite long, encompassing quite a number of books, I concentrate on small casts that are very character-centric and much smaller series within the series. Each one of those has a denite beginning, middle and end. Collegium Chronicles is the largest of those sub-series at ve books long (one for each year of training). Usually, its trilogies. Tell us about your favourite character youve created. I cant! Its a secret, something I am working on in my spare time. I can only tell you its not like anything else I have ever written before. Youre a bestselling author in the US, but new to the UK. How does that feel? Ive had imprints from other series, as well as the Valdemar series here before, but its been sporadic and scattered among several publishers. And, of course, readers in the UK have always been able to import my books from the US, albeit expensively. Im hoping having reasonably priced UK editions will encourage more readers.
VERDICT
The Hogfather Terry Pratchett A similarly surreal and quintessentially British piece of humourous fantasy.
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Details
CENTRE OF GRAVITY
Here we go again
Ever get the feeling that
youve read something before? Then youve probably read a book by Ian Douglas. When an unmanned recon probe disappears, it turns out to have used the last of its power to bring home vital information about gas giant-inhabiting aliens a forewarning of potentially catastrophic consequences. Meanwhile, Rear Admiral Koenig has to deal with interstellar politics while smarting from the loss of his one true love. Ian Douglas, an alias of William H Keith Jr, is one of several vehicles for the Vietnam veterans identikit military sagas. If this is your rst Douglas book, you may well nd it engrossing. He knows pulse-pounding writing, even if he occasionally gets bogged down in description. Despite his experience, the writing can appear amateurish leaning on the convenient exposition crutch from an early stage, but still expecting readers to know the rst Star Carrier book verbatim. But Centre Of Gravity is ultimately a continuing stagnation. One thing you can guarantee from any Douglas book is that the military are always right. It reaches the point of propaganda every book Douglas releases, pseudonym or not, retreads the same themes and storylines. If Douglas can get away with cranking out a carbon copy
Author: Ian Douglas Publisher: Harper/Voyager Price: 7.99
of his previous novel every few years then more power to him for nding a formula that works, but creative bankruptcy is snapping at his heels.
Gareth Hughes
VERDICT
The Algebraist Ian M Banks Another exploration of a gas giant-inhabiting civilisation, its accessible and far-reaching.
Foundation is available now, published by Titan Books.
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Details Writer: Brian Michael Bendis Artist: Sara Pichelli
SPIDER MEN
Are two webheads better than one?
When did we get to the point
where we let Marvel and DC do daft, inter-dimensional crossovers again? Spider-Men, if the title doesnt give it away, brings together the two webspinning superheroes: Peter Parker from the regular Marvel Universe, and Miles Morales, the new Spider-Man from the Ultimate Universe. Basically, its two different versions of the same character meeting for the rst time, and the opportunity hasnt been wasted by writer Brian Michael Bendis, as he endeavours to explore every storytelling angle you can think of within the beautiful pages of Spider-Men. Peter crosses the vortex of reality via a thin Mysterio-fuelled plot, and nds himself in a bizarre parallel Manhattan where nothings quite the same the main noodle-scratcher is that hes supposed to have died several months ago. Yet another complication rears its head when he encounters Morales, who is equally bafed. Bendis subverts the idea of a contrived comic-book event, using the eyebrow-raising plot as an excuse for numerous gags while letting the story mostly play out through delicate dialogue rather than bombastic action. Peter meets his parallel Aunt May, of course, who believes him dead, but the real tantalising scenario here is his meeting with a living Ultimate Gwen Stacy, with his own universes beloved blonde being long-dead.
Publisher: Marvel Comics Price: 18.99
st Munow! d rea
Without spoiling anything, these situations are so enriching of SpiderMans legacy that fans will get a real kick out of it, as Bendis manages to swerve past anything resembling a cynical note in bringing these two icons together. Strangely, in a summer of loud comic-book events, Spider-Men has gone relatively unnoticed, but here we get the ultimate demonstration of Peter Parkers unending appeal, as well as clear evidence that theres a bright future ahead for Bendiss newer Spidey.
Samuel Roberts
Details Writer: Brian Wood Artist: Grant Bond
SUPERNATURAL: THE DOGS OF EDINBURGH

Hunting in the Highlands
Every successful genre series
spawns licensed tie-in products, and Supernatural is no different, boasting a growing stable of ction that expands on the series. The Dogs Of Edinburgh sees Sam and Dean drawn across the pond to investigate mysterious disappearances, ancient myths and tribes of seal-faced Innsmouth rejects at the request of an old ame of Sams, Emma of the Isles (yes, thats her full name). The story, while fairly predictable, is well paced and in keeping with the formulae and tropes of the television series. Transplanting the boys to foreign soil makes for a welcome twist, with the choice of antagonists reminding us that theres plenty of mythology to explore. Grant Bonds artwork also complements the story perfectly; dark, stylish and evocative of Scotlands wilder reaches. The dialogue, however, lacks the sharp, dark humour that denes the Winchesters, and perhaps suffers for Woods overly restrained use of dialect on the part of the Scottish characters a detail which, if handled well and not allowed to descend into parody,
Publisher: DC Comics Price: 10.99
VERDICT
Green Lantern: Circle Of Fire Brian K Vaughan In one of Vaughans early superhero titles, Kyle Rayner encounters his dead girlfriend.
could have contributed a great deal in terms of emphasising the strangers in a strange land theme that the story aims to evoke. The Dogs Of Edinburgh is ultimately a respectable addition to the Supernatural canon, but it falls short of being a must-read for any but the most die-hard fan.
Gavin Watson
VERDICT
DMZ Vol 1: On The Ground Brian Wood Woods brutal, gritty, satirical saga of a US caught in a very modern civil war starts here.
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REVIEWS GRAPHIC NOVELS

This isnt your old mans comic industry anymore
Details Writers: Skip Brittenham, Brian Haberlin Artists: Brian Haberlin, Geirrod Van Dyke Publisher: PG UK Price: 29.25
Details Writer: J Michael Straczynski Artist: Shane Davis Publisher: DC Comics Price: 16.99
The Man Of Steel youre looking for

Theres still no perfect answer to the conundrum of how Superman should be portrayed in 2012. Weve seen Grant Morrison put him in jeans as the peoples hero to awed effect with his Action Comics run, and two years ago JMS portrayed him as an extraordinary kid moving to a real city in Earth Ones opening volume. Theyre two well-produced efforts at breaking fresh ground, but neither showed us anything new. Yet, Straczynski has found a more compelling way of developing his Superman in Earth Ones longawaited sequel this is a Clark Kent who struggles with morality in the face of bleak circumstances and nds mankind simultaneously horrifying and wondrous. We werent expecting that kind of approach based on the last volumes safer take, but it highlights the characters empathy, as well as his strange relationship with the world. Its a provocative interpretation, and thats exactly what Superman needs. Here, Clarks strength is challenged on a number of different levels as he determines what he will and will not do with his powers.
SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE VOLUME 2
Must read now!
You dont have to get too far into Witchblade co-creator Brian Haberlin and former Pixar board member Skip Brittenhams mammoth 370 pages before you know exactly what the attraction is for celebrity fan Ridley Scott its exactly the sort of vast, bottom-up sci- world-building that informed the likes of Blade Runner and Alien. Anomaly kicks off with disgraced former Enforcer Jon reecting on the catastrophic genocide that cost him his rank and haunts his dreams his employers being the faceless parasites of The Conglomerate, they just brush the whole thing under the carpet. Given a chance to redeem himself, Jon is enlisted to safeguard the daughter of a company executive on a rst contact mission, becoming embroiled in an epic conspiracy in true, grand space opera style. Well-written dialogue and well developed characters are at the heart of the story, bringing you through a farreaching setting that recalls everything from Halo to Dinotopia, while touching on issues of corporate greed that are all too relevant. Ridley Scotts enthusiasm given the relish with which he adopted Real 3D in Prometheus and an extensive, intelligent viral marketing campaign is probably as much to do with Anomalys extensive use of Ultimate Augmented Reality as it is whats visible on the page. Armed with the UAR app, a whole world of 3D animation and 2D pop-ups, background details and more open up to you ranging from the gimmicky to the
ANOMALY
Must ead now! r

genuinely enriching as critters scuttle across the page and dossiers on planets and people make themselves available. Its the art style that is Anomalys sole, real weakness (alongside the long-term wrist strain caused by holding it) clearly built around the demands of the UAR, it leaves some pages looking like screengrabs from a Nineties videogame, and others with the sort of at mixture of semi-3D, computer-aided illustrations that were initially so revolutionary on Christian Gossetts The Red Star, but aged poorly. Anomaly isnt the rst epic space opera in comic-book form, nor is it the rst to employ UAR, but its the rst to so convincingly wed these concepts with such a thorough commitment to building a fully immersive and purely cinematic sci- experience.
James Hoare
VERDICT
Saga Brian K Vaughan/ Fiona Staples This space opera has better art and a weirder story.
It feels very real-world, then, and builds a complete picture of Straczynskis Superman interpretation. Lets hope he doesnt stop here this is the most rewarding Superman story weve read in some time.
James Hoare
VERDICT
Superman: For All Seasons Jeph Loeb/Tim Sale Heartfelt storytelling that transcends pretty much every era of the characters existence.
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BOOK CLUB
The American Harry Potter?

WORDS JODIE TYLEY
Twin Peaks co-creator Mark Frost returns to mystery writing in his latest novel, The Paladin Prophecy
f everything is laid out from the beginning and you know where its all going then I feel less motivated to turn the page, says writer Mark Frost, who has just penned his latest novel, The Paladin Prophecy. When you consider that hes the co-creator of Twin Peaks, the show that hooked generations with its central murder mystery tale, its logical that he has returned to that format. More than that, its a major hook for anyone who fell for the elliptical plot, distinct characters and David Lynchs individualist visuals. Suddenly, TV was loaded with possibilities, and thats the way Frost feels about the Young Adult shelves. Like most sentient beings, Frost read the Harry Potter series, but he felt driven to create something similar for the American youth. The Potter books draw very heavily on British traditions and literary references, he says, and I didnt feel that anybody had tried to tell a story about American kids in contemporary settings that drew on the many mythological sources that we have in North America. I wanted to tackle that from an American point of view, but in the same way try and reach a universal audience. Hes already got the stamp of approval from the director of Harry Potter And The Philosophers Stone, Chris Columbus, who described it as a wonderfully inventive and exciting tale. The story orbits teenager Will West, who has shaped his life by his fathers rules to live by, in particular number three: Dont draw attention to yourself. Things change when he scores off the charts in a nationwide exam, however, and is offered a scholarship at an exclusive prep school, where he discovers hes not the only one with hidden talents. It shares genes with the likes of X-Men: First Class, The Da Vinci Code and Percy Jackson, and just like the latter two it is being developed for a motion picture. As part of the deal, I made sure I was the rst person to take a hack at the screenplay and also produce the movie, says Frost, who also penned both Fantastic Four lms. Its important to me, especially when its something thats as close to my heart as these books. Its the only way I would let a movie like this be made. Frosts TV and lm work has naturally informed the way he structures his novels. The forms are so demanding in terms of economy and getting your story across in a quick and easy-to-follow way, he says. The advantage in prose is that you can get inside the characters heads more directly, but you still have to create memorable pictures for people, particularly for a younger audience who prefer things fastpaced and with a lot of action, so it was essential to make things visual.
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The Frost Report

Mark Frosts genre hits (and Misses)
Martin Sheen starred in this underrated supernatural horror/ thriller, adapted by Frost from the novel by Nicholas Conde.
The BelieveRS (1987)
The Six Million DollaR Man (1975)

Frost wrote two episodes of the spy-fi sensation: Return Of The Robot Maker and Steve Austin, Fugitive.
all SoulS (2001)

Created by Frost, Aaron Spelling and The Outer Limits Stuart Gillard, All Souls ambitious tale of a haunted hospital ran for six episodes before being canned due to low ratings.
I made Sure I waS the FIrSt perSoN to take a hack at the ScreeNplaymark FroSt
The character of Will is worthy of any Marvel or DC superhero origin story, being capable rather than hamstrung by challenges. Heroes often have that extra quality that elevates them to another level under pressure, continues Frost. I thought it would be fun to do that with a character of Wills age. It was also fun to populate the book with all these other characters, and it turns out have unique things about them that theyre also in the process of discovering. His friends are a quirky bunch, lightening the mood like Ron and Hermione did. Rather than thinking about the fight for their lives, though, Mark ponders an internet utopia. I take all the best parts of YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, and combine them into a new service called YouTwit-face. Aside from humour, the mystery is also punctuated by the aforementioned rules. There are more than 100 that Wills father cooked up, from number five: Trust no one, to number seven: Dont confuse good luck with a good plan. The advice is practical, and Frost says theyre a combination of his own rules to live by and guidance hed wish his nine-year-old son would follow. As a parent, youre always trying to impart what you think you know to your child, he says, and as a young person I think you hunger for real advice specific to situations that might be helpful to you, so I thought it would be fun to make that an ongoing part of the books. It has a unique place in the unfolding mystery, as well discover. On top of this, Frost wants readers to take away a deeper meaning. The overriding theme is that getting to know yourself is the secret to a fulfilled and enriched life, he says. A questioning mind and open heart are the two essential things you need, and I want the readers to be inspired to take a few steps in that direction themselves.
Twin PeakS (1990)

Frost teamed up with David Lynch to turn TV upside down with one of the most revolutionary genre shows ever.
FanTaSTic FouR (2005)

Frost co-wrote this limply received superhero origin story with Michael France. Theres definitely no hint of the talent that gave us Twin Peaks.
FanTaSTic FouR: RiSe oF The SilveR SuRFeR (2007)

And this is even worse, despite the presence of Frost and co-writer Don Payne, who later went on to write Thor and Thor: The Dark World.
The Paladin Prophecy is available now from Doubleday for 9.99.
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THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO
UTTERLY ICONIC, THE BYWORD FOR B-MOVIE DESTRUCTION AND AN UNDISPUTED HOUSEHOLD NAME, THERES A WHOLE LOT MORE TO GODZILLA THAN A GHASTLY US REDUX AND MEN IN RUBBER SUITS KNOCKING OVER CARDBOARD CITYSCAPES. SCIFINOW EXPLORES THE AMAZING TRUE STORY OF THE KAIJU CRAZE ORIGINATOR AHEAD OF GUILLERMO DEL TOROS GODZILLAFLAVOURED PACIFIC RIM AND GARETH EDWARDS EAGERLY ANTICIPATED GODZILLA REBOOT
eaning big lizard in Japanese, Godzilla (or Gojira in Japanese) is one of the Far Easts most famous contributions to world cinema. Unfortunately, UK fans have been dramatically under-served when it comes to the characters vast oeuvre. Indeed, aside from a DVD spin for the original 1954 outing and a badly dubbed edition of 1962s largely selfexplanatory King Kong Vs Godzilla, the sole way in which to digest the rampaging reptiles various Japanese jaunts is via import discs or old British VHS releases. Inevitably, this has meant that when many people hear Godzilla, they associate the re-breathing behemoth with the more widely seen and widespread American remake from 1998. However, in reality, the Godzilla franchise represents a vast legacy in monster mash-ups, many of which are meditative of Japanese culture and identity. As a result and putting rubber suited-shenanigans aside for a second the lms often feature fantastically imaginative special effects and a unique sense of creativity. Of course, in 1954 when the black and white bombast of Godzilla opened to a blockbuster box ofce reception in its native Japan the country which birthed the big guy was less than a decade removed
from the atomic attack that captivated the world. Certainly, the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki instigated an already ailing Japanese army into immediate surrender. What had been the premiere force in the area ended World War II amid a sea of radiation and red-faced retreat. Moreover, having been on the receiving end of the atomic bomb, Japan saw the devastation and death such a weapon could cause rst-hand. It was hardly a shock, therefore, that Godzilla would explain nuclear radiation as the reason behind the creation of everyones favourite seadwelling, city-stomping, toothsome terror. The oversized reptile takes almost 22 minutes to appear, and the lm resonates with the era in which it
Almost all modern monster movies owe a debt to Godzilla.
was made. Discussions about scientic irresponsibility, the threat to human life versus the destruction of the monster and entire cities in panic and under police supervision unmistakably mediate the fallout of the horrors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Godzilla himself, meanwhile, is mostly glimpsed in passing although his trademark, high-pitched roar rarely fails to antagonise the eardrums. Moreover, the notoriously naff rubber suit (which looks surprisingly menacing in this venture) is kept in the shadows while the solemn monochrome photography and arthouse ourishes including long moments of character reection and silence hint at loftier and less generic ambitions. The original was an incredible achievement in special effects for its time, admits JD Lees, editor of G-Fan magazine, the long-running Godzilla fanzine which has chronicled the characters highs and lows for over 20 years and more than 100 issues. There is obviously a very serious side to it, and the lm plays things straight there is no joking around. Produced by the Toho Company, who would become synonymous with Godzilla, and directed by Ishir Honda a lmmaker who had fought during the war and also served under the tutelage of legendary director Akira Kurosawa 1954s introductory opus still holds up today. Although a little slow-going, the impact of certain images, such as when orphaned children sit weeping in front of their dead parents, ensures
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Every Godzilla lm of the Shwa period reviewed and rated
GODZILLA 1954-1975 MEGAREVIEW

Godzilla (1954, Ishir Honda)
One of the most inuential, interesting and important monster movies ever made, this is also a lot more serious and well-intentioned than any of the icks which followed in its footsteps. If you havent seen this little gem of Japanese cinema then you certainly owe yourself a late night viewing it remains something special.
Godzilla Raids Again (1955, Motoyoshi Oda)

In this black and white sequel, Godzilla destroys Osaka and also ghts his rst nemesis: the four-legged dinosaur Anguirus. This is a so-so sequel, clearly lacking Hondas eye for technical detail, but there is still some fun to be had with its snowy landscapes and the central gargantuan grudge match.
King Kong Vs Godzilla (1962, Ishir Honda)

The rst Godzilla movie to be made in colour, this is full of carnage, but also indicates the rather inane direction that the series would take in later years. That said, the King Kong suit is kitsch enough to be appealing and the nal ght is suitably schlocky. Believe it or not, this started life as Godzilla Vs Frankenstein.
Ghidorah, The ThreeHeaded Monster (1964, Ishir Honda)

Aside from boasting the most annoying theme-noise ever inicted on anyones ears, Ghidorah is actually a formidable opponent for Godzilla and the equally imposing Rodan. This is the one where Godzilla ends up being good, although we can just about forgive that given all the action Honda throws at the screen.
Invasion Of Astro-Monster (1965, Ishir Honda)

A bit of a minority opinion this, but Invasion Of AstroMonster also known as Godzilla Vs Monster Zero is brainless, painless and quite good fun. It now seems a bit like post-war wish-fullment, with Japan nally in control of its own weapon of mass destruction as Godzilla is sent to do battle with Ghidorah.
Godzilla Vs The Sea Monster (1966, Jun Fukuda)

When things really began to collapse. This was originally intended to be King Kong Vs The Sea Monster, but was hastily rewritten when Toho decided to rush another sequel into production. As a result, Godzilla is less characteristic than usual, while his destruction is oddly off-kilter given the past two sequels.
Destroy All Monsters (1968, Ishir Honda)

An inventive premise, at least, makes Destroy All Monsters worth watching. In the year 1999, all of the worlds monsters have been contained on a faraway island ( la Jurassic Park), although some space cretins come down, indulge in some mind control and force the beasts to try and destroy Earth. Yes, this is all ridiculous, but in its sublime rubber-reality there is still plenty to love.
All Monsters Attack (1969, Ishir Honda)

This is the one where Godzillas son speaks and we also get to see lots and lots of recycled scenes from previous movies. Obviously aimed at very young children, All Monsters Attack is best avoided.
Godzilla Vs Gigan (1972, Jun Fukuda)

More outer space-inuenced inanity, this time with Gigan (a weird interplanetary oddity with metal hook-hands and a buzz saw on his body) and Ghidorah arriving on Earth to attack Godzilla (who actually bleeds in this entry!). Theres too much stock footage here, and the introduction of monster-speech is a strange aside, to say the least.
Godzilla Vs Megalon (1973, Jun Fukuda)

Underground crazies take exception to some nuclear tests and send their own monster, Megalon, overground to mess up Japan. Its an initially interesting Z-movie idea, but the pisspoor special effects and a friendly robot-man called Jet Jaguar make this as unbearable as the last few features.
Godzilla Vs Mechagodzilla (1974, Jun Fukuda)

The instalment where the big G ghts himself albeit in the guise of Mechagodzilla, a fairly formidable opponent. Godzilla spurts blood again which is a surprise given the series slant towards child audiences but despite the increased production values this is all too little, too late.
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Mothra Vs Godzilla (1962, ishir honda)

This colourful, corporate-bashing classic is arguably the highlight of the entire series. The plot takes in miniature Japanese babes (who control mothra the mammothsized moth) and curmudgeonly businessmen seeking to exploit the discovery of a mysterious giant egg. in the midst of this, godzilla destroys everything.
As more movies were made, more monstrous adversaries were created for Godzilla to face off against.
Son Of Godzilla (1967, Jun fukuda)

Talk about scraping the bottom of the barrel. Yes, godzilla has a son. Yes, this mini-lizard plays hopscotch with his dads tail, and no, this is not amusing in any way, shape or form. Just awful.
Theres a level of crafT and care in These films which would surprise people who were waTching The american B-movies of The Time Jd lees
that Godzilla effectively encapsulates the message of nuclear devastation. It also introduced Haruo Nakajima as the man in the monster suit (although some shots were created with his co-star Katsumi Tezuka who would also return to the role in later sequels). In all, Nakajima would portray the colossal creature in 11 additional Godzilla movies braving his way through burns, bruises and other brutal experiences while bringing some much-needed character to the crazed critter. Special effects, meanwhile, including some excellent miniatures, were crafted on the watch of the late, great Eiji Tsuburaya the genius responsible for the aesthetic wizardry of the original Godzilla series up until his death in 1970. Toho was a large studio, and they were very intricate about the staging of their effects and the preparation of the sets, continues Lees. While the Godzilla films were made remarkably quickly compared to the average Hollywood release, the crew at Toho took more time on these movies than on any other Japanese production. There was a level of craft and care in these films which would perhaps surprise people who were watching the American B-movies of the time. Godzilla was not treated as some low-budget, Roger Corman-style monster movie. In Japan, one in every nine people shelled out to experience Godzilla on the big screen. Thus, it is hardly surprising that Hollywood became curious about this box office sensation. Unfortunately, when the big green giant made his way to America in 1956, it was with an altered version of his metropolis-munching masterwork entitled Godzilla: King Of The Monsters. New English language footage was inserted into this edition, directed by journeyman filmmaker Terry O Morse and featuring Canadian actor Raymond Burr as an expat Stateside journalist who becomes unwittingly involved in the Godzilla disaster. Burrs narration covers up some holes in the plot, but the Americanisation of the feature also removes the nuclear element, as well as a central if not entirely vital sub-plot involving a love affair and a forced marriage. The end result takes a rather mature monster mash-up and makes it more akin to an innocently intentioned childrens film. Looking at the American version of Godzilla almost 60 years later, it is easy to dismiss it as a watereddown version of the original, admits Jim Ballard, the English expat behind the Gaijin Channel and producer of a web series tracing the roots of Japanese sci-fi. However, when you consider the American version was released at a time when there was still a lot of post-war prejudice towards Japan, I think everyone involved did an incredible job of bringing Godzilla to a Western audience. It showed American audiences that the Japanese were real human beings and not warmongering barbarians. That aspect alone, I think, gives the American version a special place in history. Ultimately, Godzilla: King Of The Monsters was a huge hit in America, although by the time it made its mark across the ocean it had quickly spawned | 103
Godzilla Vs Hedorah (1973, Yoshimitsu Banno)

also known as godzilla vs The smog monster, this is an odd anti-pollutant movie (complete with a theme song about saving the earth) with the green gargantuan fighting against a sewage monster. maybe worth enduring just for the sight of godzilla flying (!).
Terror Of Mechagodzilla (1975, ishir honda)

The final bow of the shwa era, and the swansong for honda as well, this takes far too long to bring godzilla into the mix although die-hard kaiju devotees might enjoy the concluding carnage.
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its own genre. Dubbed kaiju meaning strange beast all number of audacious ogres were suddenly unleashed into Japanese cinemas. Honda himself was called back by Toho to take on the directorial reigns of classics such as Abominable Snowman (1955), Rodan, Giant Monster Of The Sky (1956), The Mysterians (1957) and many more. Ironically, Hondas demanding diary meant that he had to sit out on the sequel to his greatest achievement 1955s Godzilla Raids Again, a rather imsy follow-up which nevertheless scored big with fans. This said, Godzilla Raids Again indicates the genesis of a series and what is known to fans as the Shwa period the timeline which stretches until the nal franchise entry, Terror Of Mechagodzilla, in 1975. In Japan, Shwa means period of enlightened peace an ironic title given the gregarious cinematic obliteration of Tokyo. The Shwa era has so many classics that it is hard for me to choose one favourite, admits Ballard. But I guess I would go for Mothra Vs Godzilla a beautifully shot fantasy lm with a great cast of characters. It also features what is perhaps my favourite portrayal of Godzilla as an unstoppable juggernaut. Interestingly, following Godzilla Raids Again the decision was taken at Toho to capitalise on the new craze in cinemascope movies, which were then taking America by storm. As such, Godzilla who was well served by the sinister noir-style shadows and cityscapes which the monochrome approach provided was brought to life in eye-bleeding colour with King Kong Vs Godzilla. Presented in Tohoscope, the costumes may have looked like, well, blokes in fancy dress when exposed in all their lavish ludicrousness, but the overall production design, as well as the recreation of Tokyo and various other miniature special effects, were well served by this new technical approach. Indeed, seen in all their widescreen glory, key classics such as King Kong Vs Godzilla and 1964s magnicent Mothra Vs Godzilla in which our man battles a giant moth hold up as some of the most beautifully presented monster movies in screen history. I think that one way of becoming aware of how special these movies are is to take a look at some of the lms which tried to imitate them during the Shwa period most of which are rightly forgotten about, claims Lees. I think that the other thing that added to the quality was the Japanese fondness for extravagant imagery and presentation they really pay attention to backdrops, set dressing and lighting. I think you can see that care for detail in other aspects of Japanese culture such as their food presentation, their advertising methods and their comic-books. They have a huge team psychology behind these lms, too they were more collaborative than Hollywood movies, so different talents made signicant contributions. These were not just the result of one mans vision. If someone still needs proof about how great some of the effects were, look at Mothra. That was just a marionette, not someone in a costume, and yet they created a lifelike creature which you really cared about quite an accomplishment considering it was just a big puppet! Furthermore, by Godzilla Vs Mothra, a formula was in evidence. Basically, the return of Godzilla creates mass panic, the military haplessly try to mount a defence, another monster does battle with the green gargantuan and, in the process, lots of buildings

Every Godzilla lm of the Heisei period reviewed and rated
Godzilla 1985 (1984, Koji Hashimoto)
Also known as Return Of Godzilla, this is actually a worthy rebirth for the city-crunching colossus, even if, as many fans have pointed out, the rubber suit is less revamp than same old, same old. Still, there is plenty of fun to be had here, and the darker tone more or less hits the right notes.
Godzilla Vs Biollante (1989, Kazuki Omori)

Creating a publicity boom for this longdelayed sequel, Toho allowed fans to enter ideas for the next instalment. The result of this is an all-new monster the thoroughly bizarre Biollante. Unfortunately, this is less seriousminded than Godzilla 1985.
Godzilla Vs King Ghidorah (1991, Kazuki Omori)

An excellent, mindfrazzling, time-travelling oddity, this is an ambitious attempt to tell the genesis of Godzillas story and even goes as far as destroying the beast (and then reinventing him from scratch). Not sure about the creature assisting the Japanese army, though.
Godzilla And Mothra: The Battle For Earth (1992, Takao Okawara)
A decent enough, sort-of remake of the Shwa series highlight Godzilla Vs Mothra. This would ultimately go on to prove to be successful enough to launch Mothra as the star of her own standalone trilogy of movies.
Godzilla Vs Mechagodzilla II (1993, Takao Okawara)

The return of an old favourite, albeit with a new and improved robo-suit, this is probably the point in the Heisei series when it became clear Toho was running on empty. This is not too dissimilar from the old Mechagodzilla movies but then why change a winning formula?
Godzilla Vs SpaceGodzilla (1994, Kensho Yamashita)

Its hard to make head nor tails out of this including the thoroughly cluttered explanation for the birth of SpaceGodzilla. Son of Godzilla gets kidnapped in this moronic monstermash, prompting dad to come to the rescue.
Godzilla Vs Destoroyah (1995, Koji Hashimoto)

Caused controversy at the time because Godzilla actually dies. It introduced a fast-deteriorating re-breather, now in a condition of nuclear meltdown, thus threatening the safety of the planet. Off-kilter and unusual, this is well worth seeking out.
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Inevitably, as the franchise expanded, the situations became ever more ludicrous, with the likes of King Kong Vs Godzilla being a direct byproduct.
are destroyed. Clearly aiming for a family audience, though, the lingering on any human death is avoided. Going one step further in diluting the characters menace, 1964s Ghidorah, The Three-Headed Monster would conclude with Godzilla teaming up with the winged beast Rodan (at the request of Mothra) to destroy a nemesis who is considered to be a huge threat to humankind. While this involves a fantastic final fight, it also makes Godzilla a rather unexpected force for good. Consequently, in subsequent sequels such as 1965s Invasion Of Astro-Monster, in which Godzilla is sent to save some space-humans from an attack by Ghidorah, and the slapstick Son Of Godzilla (1967), the previously foreboding fire-breather was turned into little more than crummy comedy relief. I can sort of understand why he was given a little son called Minilla, chuckles Lees. Tohos perception was that Godzilla had to be more and more accessible to very young kids, because that is where the box office was. I suppose I can appreciate that. I mean, I think making them more serious and bloody would have just cut the child audience out of things entirely, so a return to the theme and tone of the original movie would have been unwise. In fairness to Toho, they did back off from the whole son of Godzilla thing when they realised they were going a bit too far with it. I do think that one of the reasons it splits fandom is that some the die-hards as grown adults with families of their own may be a tiny bit embarrassed to be discussing a movie series which has these childlike elements in there. Yet, the damage was more or less done.
Despite a few late-in-the-day highlights, such as the Ishir Honda-helmed Destroy All Monsters (1968), Japans most famous filmic fiend was on his last legs. Honda would return to his hit property with 1975s Shwa swansong Terror Of Mechagodzilla, but with the passing of effects genius Eiji Tsuburaya (who had also created Ultraman), even the aesthetic pleasure of seeing some rubber-destruction was diminished. While I do think Godzilla works best as a terrifying monster, I also think that the Shwa period added a tremendous amount of variety to the character, affirms Ballard. I know that few fans would agree, but I would quite happily see Godzilla return as a hero one day. For fans, though, it would take 1984s Return Of Godzilla (known in the west as Godzilla 1985) for him to make a comeback. This time he would be reinvented
Few places have suffered the wrath of the giant green lizard as much as Tokyo.
as a big, badass beast from beyond the sea ready to trample Tokyo for the first time since 1964s Ghidorah, The Three-Headed Monster. Toho had always planned on bringing Godzilla back, reveals Lees. But they had to decide when the time was right to do so. Star Wars had been released, and that really sent the sci-fi and fantasy genre in a different direction. It was at that point Toho began to wonder if Godzilla had any future at all. So in 1980 they did a re-release of Mothra Vs Godzilla which was a huge hit. Then they tested the waters a little further by doing a film festival dedicated to Godzilla. That was in 1983, and the reception to it was fantastic, so they decided to go ahead with a new movie after all. Released in the US by Roger Cormans New World Pictures, where it did only middling business, Godzilla 1985 also has the ironic distinction of suffering the same schlock-treatment that stifled the original 1954 movie. For the first time in 30 years, Raymond Burr was brought back to the Godzilla universe once more playing a bamboozled reporter who narrates the action for subtitle-phobic Americans. Thankfully, the Burr version of Godzilla 1985 was kept to US soil, although this direct sequel was met with a decidedly mixed critical reception upon its release. Based on the idea that Godzilla was vanquished at the close of the 1954 fable, this long-delayed return to the characters darker roots is played with monotone seriousness and tries to build up some degree of suspense. Alas, despite a much-mooted animatronic head, provided for close-up shots of the marauding | 105
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GODZILLA
monster, the old rubber suit remains. This leads to an odd mix between kitsch and contemporary with some sublime set pieces and straight-faced thespian turns, supported by the same plastic-fantastic protagonist who was last seen in the pre-Star Wars world of the early Seventies. Godzilla 1985 was the rst lm since the original to feature the character without any other monsters ghting him, enthuses Ballard. I think it did its best in reintroducing Godzilla as a menacing force of nature. It also draws on the original lms anti-nuclear message with a Russian missile on route to Japan to destroy Godzilla. Unfortunately, Godzilla 1985 was widely criticised as a rather slow and dull affair, although I think it is quite underrated. At the very least, Godzilla 1985 was the best movie for the munch-happy marauder since Destroy All Monsters in 1969. It was also an attempt to birth a new chapter known as the Heisei period (meaning peace everywhere a reference to the period begat by Japans Emperor Akihito). After Godzilla 1985 we had to wait ve years before the next entry in the Heisei series Godzilla Vs Biollante but it brought about dramatic changes and some particularly impressive technical innovations, continues Ballard. But as the Heisei series progressed, it was marred by clumsy screenwriting, and the special effects innovations made in Godzilla Vs Biollante were lost to apathy. For me, it was an era full of great ideas that were never properly realised.
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Certainly paling in comparison to the heady rst few years of the Shwa era, the new Godzilla was often placed in ridiculous situations (such as 1994s nadir of Godzilla Vs SpaceGodzilla), although the lms insisted on maintaining some semblance of seriousness. The result was largely hit and miss but, in fairness, 1995s conclusive Godzilla Vs Destoroyah boasted arguably the best special effects to date and an explosive end for the rubber reptile turned into a big, gooey pile of lizard-plasma. It was a tting tribute to the terror-titan that, post-Godzilla Vs Destoroyah, Hollywood was knocking at Tohos doors with the promise of a new, massively budgeted blockbuster a summer shocker that was designed to reinvent the icon into a 21st Century merchandisemonster well, that was the plan, anyway. I remember wondering what some of the great special effects talents in Hollywood could do with Godzilla, admits Lees. So when it was announced that we would see a Roland Emmerich version of the character it was very exciting, especially to fans, because we would nally see what could be done with Godzilla if money was not an issue. Alas, the Roland Emmerich-directed epic was more Jurassic Park than Godzilla, telling of a huge T-Rex aimlessly stomping around New York. This would not be especially bad if it was even half as interesting as Steven Spielbergs dinosaur movie but Emmerich does nothing with the premise. The behemoth gatecrashes the Big Apple, ees from the army, hides from
MARRED BY INCREASINGLY CLUMSY SCREENWRITING, THE SPECIAL EFFECTS INNOVATIONS WHICH WERE MADE IN GODZILLA VS BIOLLANTE WERE LOST TO APATHY JIM BALLARD

Every Godzilla lm of the Millennium period reviewed and rated
Godzilla 2000 (1999, Takao Okawara)

Old hand Okawara returns (he helmed a couple of the Heisei titles) for the rst Japanese Godzilla movie to gain a US theatrical spin in 15 years. This is also the rst lm outside of the American disaster to recreate Godzilla with CGI (although the rubber suit is back). All in, this is a bit too long and laborious, but it has its moments.
Godzilla Vs Megaguirus (2000, Masaaki Tezuka)

This outing ignores the events of the last lm and pushes things even further into sci- territory. However, with a plot that makes room for everything from kamikaze pilots to an outstanding attack on Tokyo at the lms end, theres plenty going on, and it rarely pauses for breath.
Godzilla, Mothra And King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack (2001, Shusuke Kaneko)
A not-bad critterclobbering epic which nonetheless far too often derails from the action (we do not need to see an old doomsday philosopher in a cave), but when we get to see all of the title titans smash each other up the pace is suitably picked up.
Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla (2002, Masaaki Tezuka)

Marks the return of an old favourite, but this instalment bafes the lineage of the character by indicating that Godzilla died in 1954 and has been rebuilt as Mechagodzilla by the military. The reason? A new giant-lizard has arisen. Confusing and confused.
Godzilla: Tokyo SOS (2003, Masaaki Tezuka)

A direct sequel to Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla, this brings back Mothra as well, and effectively just lets the beasts bludgeon one another. The same formula as usual applies, but even with improved special effects the Millennium series was evidently struggling to win sufcient new followers.
Godzilla: Final Wars (2004, Ryuhei Kitamura)

To date the nal of the Japanese Godzilla movies, this is far too hyperactive and choppily edited to really pass as a good movie, but in its defence, everything but the kitchen sink is thrown at the screen, including an amazing scene in which American Godzilla is trashed by Japanese Godzilla. Awesome.
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GODZILL A
COMPLE TE GUIDE
So where do we place the Roland Emmerich blockbuster in the mythology of all things Godzilla? According to an in-joke which appears in Godzilla Vs Megaguirus, America was invaded by a monster in 1998, but Japanese authorities deny it was Godzilla. Moreover, in Godzilla: Final Wars, the American version of the beast appears, only to be smashed into the Sydney Opera House and immediately killed by the real deal. Obviously, Toho was miffed at the massacre-job done to their beloved behemoth and, for those who are curious, the US-take on the toothsome terror is undoubtedly one of the worst summer movies ever inicted on the general public. Its so bad, in fact, that we would rather watch Son Of Godzilla again and that is saying something.
THAT AMERICAN REMAKE
It is hoped that 2014 remake Godzilla and kaiju mashup Pacic Rim will do justice to the legacy of the classic original.
view, lays some eggs and thats about it. Neither the tone of the lm, nor its monster, has anything in common with the Toho Godzilla (who never retreats from a ght) and, to add insult to injury, the Emmerich outing is really, really boring. The lm was made by people who neither understood, nor had any interest in understanding, the lms which came before it, states Ballard. The lmmakers themselves were quite vocal about this while promoting the movie, with Emmerich stating he gave up trying to watch the Toho movies because they were all the same. The FX director, Volker Engel, was also quoted as saying Tohos Godzilla was just a fat guy in a rubber suit. But, oddly enough, Godzilla: The Series served as an animated sequel to Emmerichs lm, and is actually much more true to the character. Unlike the movie which preceded it, many of the staff for the cartoon were big Godzilla fans, so they brought many hallmarks of the classic Toho lms to the forefront. So it was, then, that Toho decided to instigate an allnew Godzilla franchise known as the Millennium series. Beginning with Godzilla 2000, this was an above-average, if not ideal, reinvention which at the very least eliminated the sour taste that had been left by the American atrocity. Now featuring a slew of CGI, but retaining the rubber costume (albeit now looking better than ever), Godzilla 2000 led to ve sequels climaxing with 2004s Godzilla: Final Wars. This time, though, the character was not killed, and the Millennium mythology came to a natural close due to a desire on Tohos part to celebrate the creatures 50th anniversary. After this, in light of dwindling box ofce receipts, the studio decided to give its scaly superstar some time off. Toho desperately wanted a nal celebration for Godzilla, and they got that with 2004s Final Wars, says Lees. They hired a hip director in Ryuhei Kitamura, who had made Versus and Azumi, and gave him free reign. They also spent more money than they ever had done before and hoped for the
best. Although I think that the nal lm was a disappointment, it was at least a face-saving end for Toho: they got their opening at Graumans Chinese Theatre, and that attracted a fair bit of media attention too. Having a 50th anniversary for Godzilla was important to them. As such, fans now have to wait for Gareth Edwards, the man behind the critically acclaimed sci- romance Monsters, to bring Godzilla back to the screen. While some celebrate the fact that the screenplay is from David S Goyer who penned Chris Nolans Batman trilogy it is worth drawing attention to the fact The Dark Knight Rises is one of the most conservatively themed movies of recent years. Given the anti-nuclear, anti-invasion and occasionally anti-corporate ideologies of the Godzilla legacy (in which hierarchies are commonly shown to be as monstrous as the Tokyo-trashing giant lizard), perhaps some degree of scepticism should be reserved for this latest reboot. I think that Guillermo del Toros homage to kaiju, Pacic Rim, which is due out in 2013, sounds like it might be more fun than the new Godzilla, mentions Lees. The fans need to think critically about what an American Godzilla means. Edwards has said it is going to be gritty and realistic, and that he is approaching it as what it would be like if Godzilla actually existed in our world? Well, you can make a movie like that, but I do not think it will be a franchise creation or have anything to do with Godzilla. So this might well be another case of be careful what you wish for. Even so, if Godzillas future is in America and on the packaging of tie-in toys then so be it. At the very least, the true lover of the giant lizard has ve decades worth of destruction to wallow in. While we wish Evans and company the best of luck in bringing something so indigenously Japanese to America, we suspect that, somewhere in Tokyo, Toho are once again planning to reinvent a national icon for yet another generation of creature feature fanatics.
GODZILLA ON DVD
The buyers guide to the behemoth
Unfortunately for any aspiring UK Godzilla expert, youre going to need to look abroad for your x of kaiju craziness. Currently, the original lm can be had on DVD from the BFI, and a badly dubbed but nevertheless widescreen edition of King Kong Vs Godzilla is available on disc as well. Aside from that and the Emmerich remake, youre stuffed. But the good news is that a region free Blu-ray of the 1954 classic is available in America complete with some interesting extra features. We strongly advise importing this, alongside Classic Medias The Godzilla Collection (DVD only, region 1, original Japanese language) which offers Godzilla (1954), Godzilla Raids Again, Mothra Vs Godzilla, Ghidorah, The Three Headed Monster, Invasion Of AstroMonster, the stinky All Monsters Attack and Terror Of Mechagodzilla. The rest of the Shwa series can be imported from Australia and in dribs and drabs in longdeleted American discs (dubbed into English). For the Heisei period you will need to look to Japan or Hong Kong for a complete collection. We recommend www.dddhouse.com for cheap deals on this lot. Thankfully, things are a lot easier for the Millennium series, with Media Blasters in the USA giving each title a worthy DVD spin. Finally, there are two animated series Godzilla The Original Animated Series (which introduced Godzuki AKA animated Son of Godzilla), this can be found on region one disc, and the post-Emmerich cartoon, which has been largely ignored, on home video. Those who are curious, though, can see three episodes on the special edition DVD of the 1998 Godzilla.
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GALLERY
DOCTOR WHO
THE BRAIN OF MORBIUS (1976)
I decided that the formal structure of Solons citadel would be unlike traditional Gothic structures in that it would have supports on the inside instead of buttresses on the outside. Hence the radiating pattern of struts the sloping columns that leaned out towards the walls. I intended it to look as if they each had a gigantic steel ball-and-socket joint at their base to allow for movement of the structure.
As production designer on Doctor Who across that formative rst decade and beyond, Barry Newbery helped to not only dene the tone of the show from its inception in 1963, but contributed to an amazing legacy of breathtaking craftsmanship and innovation from an era when the BBC managed the impossible on a shoestring. Using exclusive photos from his new book, The Barry Newbery Signature Collection, the man himself guides us through some of his iconic creations
DOCTOR WHO
DESIGNING
I was never very pleased with those sets. The script didnt inspire me, and I had to stretch the man-hours too far. Even the control panels were a pragmatic outcome of saving money. They were simply exiglass shapes stuck onto the at surfaces.
THE DOMINATORS (1968)
THE GUNFIGHTERS (1966)
There werent any photographs of the OK Corral itself, but there were some showing the gateways to other corrals, which I was able to refer to instead. In fact, all the sets I created for The Gunghters were based largely on the stills sent over from Yale. However, with sets like the saloon interior, I did pay heed to the conventions of the Western and made sure they had all the features youd expect.
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The Daleks MasTer Plan (1965-66)
My man-hours were limited, so I had to improvise. I remember I made use of two cyclorama cloths: a light blue one, which looked white on black-and-white TV, and a dark blue one, which looked grey. What I did was have the light blue one hung behind the set and the dark blue one placed up against it, folded back at an angle. This gave the impression of the sloping side of a pyramid against a pale sky background. I also used painted backcloths, but I dont think they were very successful. The lines of the painting simply werent fine enough.
doctor who
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THE INVISIBLE ENEMY (1977)
The biggest set required for the Titan base was the underground area where the Nucleus had its breeding tank. What really made this set so distinctive, I think, was the network of girders and pipelines running across the top of it. This consisted of a grid of dexion scaffolding with various sizes and colours of plastic tubes laid across it, the whole being suspended on cables from hoists in the studio ceiling.
MARCO POLO (1964)
I spoke to a friend of mine who worked at the British Museum, and he referred me to a book published in 1902 by an archaeologist called Sir Aurel Stein, who had done a lot of work in the Gobi Desert. In this book were photographs of a petried forest and numerous artefacts that Stein had discovered preserved in the sand. So I had photographs of furniture and architectural details of houses of the period 1100-1300 to use as reference for Marco Polo. Something else I discovered was that the architecture in Korea in 1900 was virtually the same as that in China in 1300 very little had changed over the centuries. This meant that I could also refer to fairly contemporary pictures of Korea.
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THE AZTECS (1964)
DOCTOR WHO
GALLERY
Of all the stories I worked on, The Aztecs was actually the most difcult to research. At the time, very little was known about the Aztec culture. Fortunately, I found there had recently been a documentary lm made about the Aztecs by a Mexican woman, an archaeologist, and I arranged to have a special viewing of it. That was very useful.
Book designer Paul Smith on restoring the images from the show
THE BARRY NEWBERY SIGNATURE COLLECTION

Barrys slides and prints had been digitised at different times on a variety of scanners and clearly not always cleaned beforehand. Some had just the odd hair or specks of dust, but others were very mucky or scratched. There werent the resources to re-scan the lot more than 700 images in all or even just the 250 selected for the nal book, so they would have to be cleaned digitally. Many of the photos were not entirely square, with edges of the lm frame partly visible. Rather than simply crop in tighter, I unwarped the images so they lled the view. Luckily, the scans were large typically around 5,000 pixels square so very ne noise would be lost when they were reduced to the size needed for printing, although I did lter out some ne white speckling on black-and-white shots anyway, taking care not to lose any ne detail. Dark areas showed the dust most, of course, but I didnt want to simply make those areas blacker to hide it, as there was a lot of detail to be recovered when the levels were balanced. Plain areas with little detail were individually selected and a mix of ltering and cloning used to remove dust and scratches, while more detailed sections had blemishes painstakingly painted out. I tried to determine and paint out only those aws on the surface of the photos and not scuffs and marks on the sets themselves.
I had to create the landscape of the alien planet that the Ark reaches at the end of its journey. For this, I used a lot of broom-type plants, on the stems of which I hung rovings of breglass, strewn so as to give the impression of a kind of candyoss. My aim was to create a setting totally unlike any you could nd on Earth.
THE ARK (1966)
The Barry Newbery Signature Collection is available from www.telos.co.uk priced at 39.99 in hardback and 24.99 in paperback.
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FLASHBACK
THE BORG
AFTER A FEW EARLY MISSTEPS WITH THE FERENGI, THE BRUTAL BIONIC BORG EVENTUALLY CAME TO DEFINE STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION CELEBRATING ITS 25TH ANNIVERSARY THIS YEAR AND WITH BRANNON BRAGA RETURNING TO THE MAN-MACHINE MONSTERS HIS RUN ON THE SHOW SPAWNED WITH A NEW COMIC-BOOK, WE SPEAK TO CREATORS ACROSS ALL ERAS TO FIND OUT WHAT MADE THEM THE SHOWS PERFECT VILLAINS
WORDS EDWARD GROSS
THE BORG
Quadrant. There, they encounter the Borg, who slowly begin to disassemble the starship with their superior technology. Unable to defeat the collective race of hive creatures, Picard reluctantly tells Q hes learned his lesson and asks him to transport the Enterprise back home before its obliterated. Q does so, but the door was left wide open for the Borgs return. Maurice Hurley, who served as executive producer of the series at the time, notes that the creation of the Borg was merely an attempt generate true jeopardy in the series. When youre talking about Star Trek, everything is a metaphor, right? muses Hurley. What are you looking for? Youre looking for something unconquerable. In
FLASHBACK
At their best, the Borg are the things of which nightmares are made; an unrelenting, seemingly unstoppable force fuelled not by the desire to kill, but rather to stop at nothing less than total assimilation. It is that notion that has certainly allowed the Borg to remain one of the most fascinating adversaries to populate the Star Trek universe a point driven home by IDWs recent four-issue miniseries, Hive, written by Brannon Braga, writer/producer for The Next Generation, Voyager, Enterprise and the feature lms Generations and First Contact. Ive always wanted to dip my toe back into the Star Trek universe in some way, shape or form that was not the typical way, says Braga. I always contemplated doing a graphic novel or comic. A couple years ago I was approached by IDW to do a book, and I just happened to have an idea. I never really felt done with the Borg; I had one last story I wanted to tell. The scenario is that the Borg have won, he continues. It starts 500 years in the future, and they have assimilated the galaxy, including Picard, who is again Locutus and serving as the king of the Borg. Hes this kind of wretched, ancient creature who is realizing that maybe this isnt perfection; that perhaps individual is perfection. Obviously, there is some small trace of Picard still in this guy, which kicks off this story. As such, Hive is the culmination of a saga that began in the middle of Star Trek: The Next Generations second season as the show was searching for its own identity away from the original Star Trek. The rst indication it was starting to do so came with the episode Q Who. In that scenario, the omnipotent Q returns, commandeering Picard in a shuttlecraft. Warning the captain of human complacency, he transports the Enterprise to the deepest recesses of the Delta 112 |
THERE HAD NOT BEEN A WORTHY SUCCESSOR TO THE KLINGONS AS ADVERSARIES IN THE NEXT GENERATION
MICHAEL PILLER
the rst episode that featured the Borg, we were ung out there and confronted with our future, and the future is, Oh my God! What are we going to do about these? Then you create an adversary based on the notion, What is the ultimate survivor? Hurley explains that, in his own words, he does not work in a vacuum, and that the Borg was conceived with executive producer Rick Berman. I said to Rick, I want to deal with what I think is the ultimate kind of consumer, which is insects, Hurley says. Insects have no emotion, no pity, no sympathy, no mercy. They just dont care. Theyre going to do whatever their imperative is going to tell them to do, and thats it. Berman said, You cant do insects. In terms of the prosthetics, theyre going to look goofy and weird, theyre not Star Trek and Im not going to do it. And
he was absolutely right. Then we started talking about the basis of an insect, which is basically an attitude. The other thing about insects thats amazing is how they work in concert; they are the ultimate community. Everything serves the community, everything serves the one, which is also the basis of a great adversary great armies win wars by serving the one. So we put those elements together, and from that came the Borg. A payoff for the introduction of the Borg came with the Season Three cliffhanger and Season Four premiere episodes, The Best Of Both Worlds, during the process of which Picard is captured and assimilated by the Borg, transformed into Locutus and forced to go into battle with the Enterprise, now captained by Riker. Naturally, the crew gets Picard back in the end, but not before the emotional damage has been done. In a previous interview, the late Michael Piller, who took over the show following Hurleys departure at the end of Season Two, explained, The conversations we had about the Borg always seemed to come back to what ultimately did not come to pass. We felt there had not been a worthy successor to the Klingons as adversaries in the new generation, and that was a very serious problem that a show like this had to wrestle with. In our conversations, when the Borg came up, most of the staff felt they were boring because there was no personality you could put your teeth into. The fact is because they were all one and there was no spokesman or star role, every time we talked about doing a Borg show we said, Why dont we create a queen bee that can be the spokesman for this group and make her a character instead of cold steel? That idea did not sit well with Piller, who didnt want to conventionalise the alien menace. But then he came up with the notion of a king bee in the form of Picard, or Locutus, as he became known for a time. It just fell into place, he explained.
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THE BORG
f l a s H B ac k
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The Borgs next appearance was in Season Fives I, Borg, which took yet another slant on the race. This time, an Away Team discovers a wounded Borg and brings it back to the Enterprise. There, Picard supports the notion of essentially placing a virus in the Borg before returning it to the collective consciousness. In between, however, Geordi and a few others get to know this Borg who they nickname Hugh and come to realise that it would be morally wrong to commit this form of genocide. Instead, they want to teach it about human emotions so that it will hopefully bring compassion to the Borg. Picard is against this, until he, too, gets to know Hugh and is swayed. As a result, Hugh, equipped with human emotion, returns to his kind. theyre unstoppable, and if we keep stopping them it undercuts how unstoppable they truly are. Theyre very mindless, they dont have personality and theyre hard to deal with dramatically. In The Best Of Both Worlds, you take Picard and make him Locutus, and youve got something. This was a chance to take a Borg and make him a person. What are you responsibilities to that person? One of the analogies we used were the experiments where they were teaching chimps sign language. When the experiment is over, what do you have? Someone whos sort of on the cusp of intelligence and communications skills, but what do you do? Youve taken this animal and broadened it to something else, but you cant just throw it back into the jungle.
Jeri Ryan on getting inside the mind of Seven Of Nine
A BORGS LIFE
WE KEEP SAYING THEYRE UNSTOPPABLE, AND IF WE KEEP STOPPING THEM IT UNDERCUTS HOW UNSTOPPABLE THEY TRULY ARE
RONALD D MOORE
When it comes to the Borg, its a lot harder to hate them if you know them, and it deals with the issue of what happens to these communal Borg, which cannot be treated as anything else but parts of the whole, when one is separated and becomes an individual, says Piller. How do you treat him when he is an individual? I feel that if you take the unstoppable villain, the stereotype, and turn it inside out, thats great dramatic storytelling, because you dont allow the audience to ever get comfortable with what they expect the Borg show to be. Battlestar Galactica producer Ronald D Moore, who was a producer on TNG at the time, shares, I think this is a real good way to bring the Borg back, because theyre very limiting in the way they are. We keep saying It was an idea which called for a continuation, examining the impact of Hughs return to the collective. The answer came in the form of the Season Six cliffhanger/Season Seven premiere, Descent, in which Datas brother Lore rules over a society of virtually insane Borg who are driven by a need to kill. At the same time, Lore corrupts Data, lling him with negative emotion that Geordi tries to help him guide his way through to return to normal. We completely upended the Borg and turned them into fanatics, proclaimed producer Jeri Taylor. They look like Borg, but they dont walk, talk or quack like Borg at all. I think theres enough of a radical change having Lore as the menace who commandeered them and turned them into ghting machines and Lores
Actress Jeri Ryan joined Star Trek: Voyager in its fourth season in the episode Scorpion, Part 2, in which the crew and the Borg form an alliance in order to combat a new alien life form. During the course of the episode, a drone known as Seven Of Nine is separated from the collective and forced by Janeway to become a member of the starship crew. It is the captains intent that Seven gradually rediscover her humanity and individuality, which was stripped away from her by the Borg 18 years earlier. Ryan, who turned more than a few Trekker heads in Sevens skin-tight outt, drives home the point that when she started, this was a Borg who was different from any other audiences had seen before and she struggled to nd that character. I was really oundering around, trying to gure out who she was. Rick Kolbe, the director of Scorpion Part 2, gave me the image of a Prussian general, because we didnt want a robot; we didnt want that stiff, automated thing. But we wanted her to have that strength and that groundedness the Prussian general is the image he gave me, and I went with it. That helped me the most to really nd this character as a Borg. But it was tough, particularly when I was completely Borg, because theres no emotions. Youre playing a person without her own thoughts, with this whole collective thing going on. I think the hardest thing for me, she adds, is the fact that her transformation had to be a gradual one. Obviously, with each script and storyline you could see the arc of the character and nd its progression. The hardest thing, though, was trying to gure out long-term what the progress for this character was and what the arc of the character was. Throughout, she was actively seeking out more knowledge about humanity, trying to understand these humans, the weird things they do and their reasons for doing them. It was tough to make that gradual, because you wanted to make changes in every episode, but you couldnt take her too far, too quickly.
Few Star Trek enemies left as much of a mark as the Borg.
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THE BORG
F L A S H B AC k
Hive takes us into a nightmarish future in which the Borg achieved full victory.
ethnic cleansing of non-machines, if you will. Ultimately, the brothers have to deal with each other in that sort of mythic slaying of the evil brother. The Next Generations final and some would argue one of the best battles with the Borg would take place in the 1996 feature film, Star Trek: First Contact, in which the Borg travel backwards in time to destroy the Federation before it can be born. The Enterprise follows in an effort to thwart their plan. Things become complicated when the Borg Queen captures Data, and makes it clear she wants Picard back as Locutus. As Berman explains it, I think the Borgs appeal is their hive-like quality; the fact that they are not an individual culture, but a culture made up of countless drones all with one voice and one mind. That makes them very curious and mysterious, and thus very
frightening to people. We used them sparingly on the series, and it was time to come up with a way to use them in a feature film. Offers First Contact production designer Herman Zimmerman, Alien featured the quintessential monster. What I think is different about the Borg as antagonists is that they once were human or humanoid organisms, and the monster from Alien was always a creature of an entirely different species with no concern about human values of any kind. The Borg have had humanity or humanoid origins and are now assimilated into this machine culture. In a way, they are more scary than something that tears you apart, because they dont tear you apart; they make you over into something you dont want to be. To me, thats much scarier than just being killed.
Just as scary, in a way, was watching Picard deal with the demons of his past, a deeply buried hatred for the Borg for what they did to him and a need for vengeance that manifests itself during the course of the story. Part of the movie was about the journey of Picard and the ultimate recovery from all he went through with the Borg, says Braga. At its core its a story of vengeance, with Picard dipping down into a 20th Century kind of mentality. Hes made to see that hes acting like Captain Ahab, with his obsession and quest for vengeance. The Ahab quality is pretty subtle, but its definitely there and it becomes worse and worse as the movie goes on. He still harbors a lot of profound anger toward these creatures. Despite the fact that the race would show up in various Star Trek spin-offs, for all intents and purposes the saga had come to a close insofar as TNG was concerned. Until Hive. Its a story that takes place both 500 years from now and in Picards present, says Braga, and explores the question of how indeed history could be altered. Its not really time travel, more of a narrative jump, though the two stories do connect. I really do feel that this is the final chapter in the Borg saga, dealing with themes that I dont think Star Trek has dealt with before. This is the story of a final showdown, and only one person is going to be left standing. The thing about the Borg, he closes, is that they never really go away. They just keep making attempts to assimilate or kill you. But Hive is more of an apocalyptic showdown, which I think is the only way you could end the Borg story.
Star Trek: The Next Generation Hive is on sale now from all good comic stores, or digitally from Comixology. Star Trek: The Next Generation Season Two is out on Blu-ray from 10 December, priced at 47.
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UNBREAKABLE
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ITS NOT CHRISTOPHER NOLAN WE SHOULD BE THANKING FOR THE HARDENED SUPERHERO MOVIE; ITS M NIGHT SHYAMALAN. UNBREAKABLE ARRIVED POST-SIXTH SENSE AND PRE-SPIDER-MAN, AND WAS CRUELLY OVERLOOKED. WE REVISIT THE FRANCHISE THAT NEVER WAS
WORDS JODIE TYLEY
Modern Classic Film No.40
UNBREAKABLE
Film
RUNNING TIME: 106 minutes RELEASE DATE: 22 November 2000 DIRECTOR: M Night Shyamalan WRITER: M Night Shyamalan CAST: Bruce Willis, Samuel L Jackson, Robin Wright Penn, Spencer Treat Clark
About
Security Guard David Dunn (Bruce Willis) is the sole survivor of a train crash, emerging without a scratch, but its not just the doctors who are intrigued. Comic-book collector Elijah Price (Samuel L Jackson) suffers from a serious illness that means his bones snap like twiglets, and hes developed a theory: Price thinks that if he can be born as a breakable man, then there must be another positioned at the other end of the spectrum. He believes David is that person, and he will do anything to convince him of the powers he never knew he had.
M Night Shyamalan sees dead people. They hover over every project hes helmed since The Sixth Sense, taunting and daring him to think up a twist to rival the burn marks left by his debut. Unbreakable was that tricky follow-up project, and even with Bruce Willis on board it opped by comparison. Ego bruised, Shyamalan threw his trilogy plans in to the embers of development hell and started making lms no one deserved, like Lady In The Water. Reecting on his career, he told Time Out London, My movies dont get the acclaim the day they come. I have to wait longer. My wife keeps asking me to make lms like others do. But I cant. I wish I could make a popcorn version of Unbreakable. But thats the reason why so many hold this bleak superhero story as the best. It doesnt feature a strapping young Chris Evans or Henry Cavill dressed like a cosplayer; it stars the experienced Bruce Willis in a security guard slicker. People talk about realistic and gritty superhero movies like theyre a new concept, but Unbreakable quietly bucked the trend more than ten years ago. In this lm, the only mildly oddball gure is Samuel L Jacksons Biblical soothsayer, Elijah Price, aka Mr Glass. Hes one of the hardcore comic-book collectors that will spend approximately one year of their life reading them (according to the opening credits), so we can rationalise his wild beliefs that superheroes could exist. Willis downbeat security guard from Philadelphia, David Dunn, is similarly grounded, with a crumbling marriage and deant child in tow. The way he treats Elijahs wacky claims as if hes a cold caller looking to pull a scam reects our natural urge to
write it off. After all, the movie wasnt marketed like a superhero ick, and it was made in a time long before that sub-genre gained momentum. If Unbreakable was released after Sam Raimis Spider-Man, maybe it would have been hailed for the groundbreaker it was. Theyre both origin
take, but there are over 30 scenes that are all done in one take, he told Hollywood. com. Thats astounding! Usually you only get one or two in a movie because they are technically difcult to do. Nights vision included those shots. He knew we were going to do that before he ever started.
I WANTED TO MAKE FEATURELENGTH TWILIGHT ZONES, WHERE SOMETHING HAPPENS AND YOU REALISE YOU WERENT WATCHING WHAT YOU THOUGHT M NIGHT SHYAMALAN
stories, but Shyamalans take was much more in-depth. It was like the rst half of Spider-Man shoved under one of Peter Parkers microscopes, exploring the cosmic cost of discovering superhuman powers. Is it something you should develop for the good of humanity, or does that way lie straitjackets and padded cells? By the end of the lm, we havent seen David save the world from the Lokis and Red Skulls of the universe, but hes made the local newspaper. He uses his edgling powers of premonition to pick out the baddest man in Penn station and rescue a couple of kids held hostage by a murderer. The struggle that ensues isnt a colossal, city-smashing nish, but rather an intimate display in front of a single camera. It all feels that much more real because of it, and it turns out this was the lmmakers plan all along, as Bruce Willis explains. Not only is the nal ght scene done in one That scene in the kitchen with the little boy with the gun, there are no cuts. There are three people there. If anyone missed a line, you had to go back. The boy in this tense exchange was played by the trembling lips and wide eyes of Spencer Treat Clark as Joseph, Davids son, who latched onto the idea that his father really could beat up everyone elses dad in the playground. Like most of the children that feature in Shyamalans lms, Joseph played a key part in the story and helped his father believe in himself. Interestingly, Unbreakable began life as a typical movie made up of three acts, as Shyamalan reveals in the behind-thescenes DVD feature. It started out as a traditional movie where the rst act was him realising he had powers, the second act was him ghting good and bad and the third act was him ghting the ultimate villain, and it just didnt respond to me, he says. I didnt connect with the person in
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UNBREAK ABLE
MODERN CL ASSIC
5 SUPER SCENES
The moments that made the movie unforgettable
WEIGHT-LIFTING PAINT CANS

Davids son starts sneaking more pounds onto his fathers weightlifting bar. Once the token chides are out of the way, David starts to get excited about how much his body can hold, and soon enough theyre resorting to paint cans to increase the load.
T
DAVIDS AMBITION IS TO OPEN A CHAIN OF RESTAURANTS. IRONICALLY, WILLIS IS CO-FOUNDER OF PLANET HOLLYWOOD.
BROKEN GLASS ON THE STAIRS

David suspects someone is in possession of a gun, and Elijah is determined to nd out if hes right. He hobbles after him before coming to a ight of stairs and losing his balance. The camera swings upside down and the sounds of glass and bone breaking will haunt you. He was right about the gun, though.
T
OSTEOGENESIS IMPERFECTA IS THE DISEASE THAT ELIJAH SUFFERS FROM. ITS A REAL CONDITION, ALBEIT RARE.
GUN AT THE DINNER TABLE

The scene starts innocently enough with David and his wife doing the dishes until their son pulls out a gun. Joseph wants to prove that his dad wont get hurt even if he shoots him, and its a tense stand-off. The outcome could go either way, and the camera never leaves the scene, boosting the realism.
T THE CHARACTERS HAVE COLOUR SCHEMES AS A NOD TO THE COMICS THEYRE INSPIRED BY. ELIJAHS IS PURPLE AND DAVIDS IS GREEN.
PREMONITIONS ON THE PLATFORM

Finally convinced that he does have some supernatural abilities, David takes Elijahs advice and heads to a place packed with people. As it turns out, the train station is home to all sorts of rapists, murderers and thieves, which is how David is led on his rst heroic mission.
T
DAVID DUNNS NAME FITS IN WITH THE ALLITERATIVE SUPERHERO NAME PATTERN, LIKE PETER PARKER, MATT MURDOCK ETC.
PARTING OF THE WAYS

You think its nearly over Elijah even says this is the part where they shake hands but this is a Shyamalan lm. Another revelation is disclosed at the last moment and changes the way you view the whole movie. It may not be as good as The Sixth Sense, but its still pretty juicy.
T IN THE BIBLE, ELIJAH WAS PROPHESISED TO RETURN TO EARTH TO PAVE THE WAY FOR THE COMING OF THE SON OF DAVID, A SAVIOUR.
M Night Shyamalan introduced the low-key supernatural lm years before Christopher Nolan attempted it.
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WE ALL WANT TO BE GREATER THAN WE ARE, OR FASTER OR STRONGER THOSE THINGS ALWAYS APPEAL TO MESAMUEL L JACKSON
the second and third acts, but I connected a lot with somebody realising something extraordinary about themselves. David isnt the typical hero stufng his wedding ring in his coat pocket when a pretty lady takes a seat on the train and Elijah isnt the out-and-out evil villain, either. I wanted to make feature-length Twilight Zones, where something amazing happens in the last second and you realise you werent watching what you thought you were watching, admits Shyamalan. When you go back and watch it a second time it should feel like everything was inevitable; that it was going to end this way. Its natural. The lm begins in a gloomy world that could easily be Christopher Nolans Gotham. Every scene is starved of light, and Bruce Willis no-messing, no-fun character thrives in it, face arranged in a perma-frown. But among the muted tones, little pops of colour appear and make you take notice. So when a little girl on the train catches Davids eye, she catches ours too with her bright hair ties and uorescent yellow coat; its a warning sign that something is going to happen and, sure enough, the train derails and that child along with everyone else, except for David is killed. The scenery seems to come to life when David begins to realise his place in the world, but Samuel L Jacksons Elijah is consistently colourful and eccentric. His hair was inspired by the 90-degree angles of American social reformer Frederick Douglas, but the purple costume was all Jacksons idea, as he revealed on the DVD. I thought of Elijah as very regal, and thats the colour for regality, he says. I also came up with the idea of the glass cane; it was elegant; sturdy but fragile. This prop had a signicant role to play in one of the most memorable scenes of the movie: when Elijah chases after a suspected gunman and crashes down the stairs. Theres a disquieting score
SUPERNATURAL ENCOUNTERS
Director M Night Shyamalan cant get enough of making genre movies
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THE SIXTH SENSE

Never has a horror lm been so tender. The scares are sudden and satisfying, but the plight of young Cole is incredibly moving. The Sixth Sense is Shyamalans Pulp Fiction, the lm hell be forever praised for and that every subsequent work will be judged against.
T M NIGHT SHYAMALAN MAKES A CAMEO AS DR HILL, EXAMINING COLE AFTER THE EVENTS OF THE BIRTHDAY PARTY.
SIGNS
Mel Gibsons performance in Signs makes us forget about What Women Want. We believe in his pain as he yells at God for taking his wife away and in the family struggling without a mother. By the end of it, we believe Shyamalan can do no wrong
THIS TIME, SHYAMALAN CAMEOS AS T RAY REDDY, WHO CAUSED THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT THAT KILLED THE PRIESTS WIFE.
THE HAPPENING
Then The Happening happened. Shyamalan started spouting eco-babble as the release of a natural compound triggers mass suicides. Zooey Deschanel wanders around in a constant state of wide-eyed horror and Mark Wahlberg is as dull as the foliage.
SHYAMALAN IS THE VOICE OF JOEY, T ALMA (DESCHANEL)S CO-WORKER WHO KEEPS CALLING.
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IF YOU LIKE THIS YOULL LIKE THE OTHERS // THE TWILIGHT ZONE // HELLBOY
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UNBrEAk ABLE
MoDErN CLASSIC
the decision to cast heavyweights Willis and Jackson paid dividends, lending the story dramatic weight.
playing in between the sounds of bones splintering, glass shattering and the awful screams of a broken man. Its one of those events that stay with you years after you first saw it in the cinema. I always read comics from the time I was a kid, Jackson continued. I can shamefully say I read Archie and Veronica, and I collected Superman. We all want to be greater than we are, or faster or stronger Those things always appeal to me. Indeed, the actor went on to play Nick Fury, Director of SHIELD in Avengers Assemble, still collecting superheroes but in a much more clear-cut role. Its only in the last few minutes of Unbreakable that you realise the true agenda of the commanding yet vulnerable Elijah. It changes everything, and cemented Shyamalans signature of a twist ending, as he observed in the bonus footage. Its
something I struggle with, because I get an idea and develop it, and then it turns into a wonderful revelation, and now I sit down and think Do I want to do the revelation at the end of the movie? Thats something Im going to be struggling with for a long time. I may not do the next movie like that, but its been interesting seeing the reaction to the last two movies, hearing gasps in the last two minutes. It turned out that he did carry that on that tradition, directing Signs, in which a dying womans words turn out to be a prophecy. We wonder whether his own career is mimicking his art. Indeed, its a huge and unexpected twist that the man who delivered The Sixth Sense for his debut would produce The Last Airbender years later. Perhaps its for the best that we never discovered what happened to David Dunn and Mr Glass they remain perfectly preserved and, ultimately, unbreakable.
What If?
We cant help but wonder: what would have happened if the twist of Unbreakable occurred in the middle of the movie instead of the climax? The filmmaker could have fully explored the extent of David Dunns powers and given him an epic battle scene rather than a struggle in a bedroom. The trap of being a slave to the surprise ending would have been sidestepped, and audiences could have been spared the awful decline of a cinematic great. Films like The Happening might never have happened, and the sight of a soggy Bryce Dallas Howard would be blowdried from existence. It would be Shyamalan who wed credit for delivering a dark and grounded superhero film, and Christopher Nolan would be recognised for following his lead. We would have surely experienced the makings of a franchise, but maybe thats part of Unbreakables appeal. Its so understated and daring that its comicbook master Grant Morrisons favourite superhero movie ever, and one of ours, too.
Why Is unbreakabLe a modern cLassIc?

100% orIgInal
Comic-books may have inspired this movie, but the idea came from the directors head. The hero is flawed and the villain has appeal, giving us depth that even 3D blockbusters cant muster. Heavyweights Bruce Willis and Samuel L Jackson lend huge credibility to the film, and once again the director proves he can draw out an impressive performance from a child actor. Incidentally, Willis and Jackson have also teamed up in Die Hard With A Vengeance and Pulp Fiction.
top castIng
clever cInematography
Eduardo Serra worked with the director to simulate a comic-book panel through camera angles, such as framing people within doors, as well as using visual motifs. Note that there are several scenes with Elijah involving glass, reflecting his nickname.
The VILLage
Theres plenty of intrigue here. You know from the off that theres a twist in the tale somewhere just by knowing the director. It has the ability to delight and displease in equal measure, but its worth watching to discover which side of the divide youre on.
The fILmmaker sTars once agaIn as T Jay The guard aT The desk In ThIs aTmospherIc ThrILLer.
Lady In The WaTer

As a sea nymph called Story, Bryce Dallas Howard materialises in an apartment block and wants to find her way home. Its a high-handed message about mankind fulfilling its potential delivered in a silly story that doesnt raise a laugh in the right places.
The dIrecTor gIVes hImseLf The roLe T of The WorLds saVIour, confIrmIng WhaT We suspecTed: hes no acTor.
real superheroes
David Dunn is so understated as the hero that he makes Christian Bales Batman look as conspicuous as Danny DeVitos Penguin. Hes subtle to the extreme, and we bet some didnt even know they were watching a superhero flick! Composer James Newton Howard was drafted in after his work on The Sixth Sense to create a singularity tone for the music. on Shyamalans request it had to be distinctive, a feat he achieved by using only a select number of instruments rather than a full-blown orchestra. Much of it was recorded in a converted church in London.
hauntIng musIc
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DO YOU HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE OF A QUANTUM PHYSICIST, OR IS YOUR BRAIN SWISS CHEESE? TEST YOUR TIME-TRAVELING KNOWLEDGE. GO ON, TAKE A LEAP!
PROJECT QUANTUM LEAP
1| Whereabouts is the top-secret Project: Quantum Leap located? 2| What theory, created by Sam, did he use as his basis for the project? 3| In the Evil Leaper Project, what was the alternate Ziggy supercomputer known as? 4| Sammy Jo Fuller is a member of the PQL team, but who is she? 5| What was the nal episode called? 7| Which pop star did Sam teach a signature dance move to? 8| In the episode Lee Harvey Oswald, who did Sam manage to save from being killed in the original timeline? 9| Which Fifties singer appears as himself? 10| Which Friends actor plays Kiki Wilson in the episode Nowhere To Run? from the Image Chamber holding? 15| What form does Al take when he becomes visible to Sam?
THE TIMEWARP QUANTUM LEAP QUIZ

LEAPING
ALL ABOUT AL
11| What is Als ofcial military rank? 12| How many wives did Al have? 13. Where is Als favourite honeymoon destination? 14| Apart from Ziggy, what does Al usually appear
CELEBRITY LEAPING
6| Who played the teenage Donna Elesee, who later becomes Sams wife?
16| What does Sam usually utter at the end of each episode? 17| Which character did Sam leap into more than once? 18| How many times has Sam leaped into a woman? 19| In the episode The Leap Home, Sam leaps into a teenage version of himself to try and win a game of what? 20| In Sams very rst leap, who does he leap into?
you did with our DIDNT HE/SHE DO WELL! See how scoring system arbitrary
16-20
11-15
6-10
0-5
With such magnicent leaping knowledge, you are worthy of the hero who emerges from the Quantum Leap accelerator ready to put right what once went wrong. You deserve to make that leap home!
SAM
Your system clearly stores a great deal of knowledge, but maybe there has been a malfunction. Your enormous database may have been your downfall; too much data to analyse has stopped you nding all the answers.
ZIGGY
A bit too much irting and not enough attention to detail! You are a loyal sidekick and do your best to nd the correct answers, but sometimes your direction is a bit off. Dont rely on Ziggy; put the cigars out and try harder next time.
AL
Oh dear! Youre nearly as bad as Gooshies breath! You are so absent-minded that even Ziggy despairs of you. Looks like youre destined to remain on the other side of the imaging chamber, away from the action.
GOOSHIE
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ANSWERS: ANSWERS: ADMIRAL 12 FIVE 13 NIAGARA FALLS 14 A CIGAR 15 A HOLOGRAM 16 OH BOY! 17 JIMMY LAMOTTA 18 NINE 19 BASKETBALL 20 AN AIR FORCE TEST PILOT
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1 NEW MEXICO 2 THE STRING THEORY 3 LOTHOS 4 SAMS DAUGHTER 5 MIRROR IMAGE 6 TERI HATCHER 7 MICHAEL JACKSON 8 JACKIE KENNEDY 9 CHUBBY CHECKER 10 JENNIFER ANISTON 11 REAR
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MEMORABILIA
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Coming Distractions
Parademon Figure
DC Direct brings Apokolips huge shock trooper army to life in classic seven-and-a-half inch fashion. These are New 52 Parademons, however, so with a new universe, Darkseids minions also require updated looks, which are pretty menacing if this figure is anything to go by. www.forbiddenplanet. com 14.99
The best collectables in the weeks ahead
Frank the Pug

The original Men In Black breakout star gets his own bobblehead figurine to celebrate the release of Men In Black 3 despite not actually appearing in the movie. Stood on a name plate/base, Frank wears his iconic suit and measures eightinches high. www.play.com 24.99
The original mutants are back
X-MEN OR BUST
Sheldon Cooper Vinyl

Beloved The Big Bang Theory character Sheldon Cooper gets immortalised in vinyl courtesy of Funkos Pop! range of black-eyed figures. This time around, however, the Shazam reference is dropped for a Green Lantern tee to compliment his brown-coloured ensemble. Bazinga! www.forbiddenplanet. com 8.99
MARVELLOUS MEMORABILIA
Stay ahead of Phase Two with these awesome busts
Marvels future is looking especially bright at the moment, especially as far as the companys movie-verse is concerned; not only is Joss Whedon returning for another sequel-interlinking Avengers movie, but James Gunn has signed to helm the bigscreen outing for Guardians Of The Galaxy. Meanwhile, Edgar Wrights Ant-Man has nally been given the green light, and Mark Millar is now overseeing 20th Century Foxs Marvel movies the X-Men series, including James Mangolds The Wolverine and Bryan Singers First Class sequel, as well as the upcoming Fantastic Four reboot. Oh, and Marc Webb has been conrmed to return for an Amazing Spider-Man sequel. Its a busy time for Marvel creators and fans alike, and the collectables market is no exception. Weve got upcoming memorabilia covering many of the characters mentioned above and more besides. Following our Wolverine blowout last month is a brand new classics statue from Sideshow Collectibles, which combines metallic powder and polystone to give Logan a prestigious bronze-technique nish with all the solidity and cold-to-the-touch nish of a metal statue. The piece will be produced in as-yet unspecied limited quantities. Also from Sideshow are three Avengersthemed pieces the rst is a premium format gure of Hawkeyes comic-book incarnation, which stands at 20 inches tall and includes a fabric costume. The second is a maquette inspired by the latest screen version of the Hulk, sculpted in collaboration
Isnt it satisfying when you complete a collection? Bowen Designs hopes to take the hassle out of collecting one particular series, instead giving fans ve pieces in one set the original X-Men bust pack features founding members Cyclops, Jean Grey, Beast, Iceman and Angel, complete with original costumes and individual detailing. X-actly what we were after. www.bowendesigns.com / $300 (approx 185)
Mars Attacks Figure

The iconic trading cards first appeared back in 1962, making 2012 its 50th anniversary. This figure depicts one of the series invaders, which proved so popular in the hands of Tim Burton. www.play.com 17.99
with the CGI artists at Legacy Effects at a whopping quarter scale. More impressive still is the Iron Man Mark VII life-size bust created from the original movie moulds and, similarly to previous Stark-themed busts, featuring working LEDs in all the right places. Elsewhere is Gentle Giants ongoing line of Marvel busts, featuring Spider-Man villains Green Goblin and Venom. Both are crafted at 1/6 scale, come with a certicate of authenticity and are limited in number. Last, but by no means least, is another of Marvels recent big-screen heroes well, antihero, at least. This Ghost Rider statue features Johnny Blaze atop his blazing motorcycle in a sculpt inspired by the Road To Damnation graphic novel, and includes a light-up base to remind you of his hellish powers.
1. Wolverine statue www.sideshowtoy.com $299.99 (approx. 186) 2. Hawkeye Statue www.forbiddenplanet.com 299.99 3. Hulk Maquette www. forbiddenplanet.com 599.99 4. Iron Man Bust www.modelzone.co.uk 799.99 5. Green Goblin Mini Bust www.forbiddenplanet.com 79.99 6. Venom Mini Bust www.bigbadtoystore.com $76.99 (approx. 48) 7. Ghost Rider Statue www.forbiddenplanet.com 419.99
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THE VAULT
Memorabilia
Invade your own pastoral Mid-Rim territory
STAR WARS DROID CARRIER

If you have ever felt that your home would make a fantastic Naboo then youre in dire need of Hasbros fantastic Multi Troop Transport, ready to unleash wave after wave (or 16, to be more accurate, with racks for 20 blasters) of pratfall-prone Battle Droids to a backing track of electronic battle and droid sounds, missile launchers and pivoting main cannons. Also included are four Pilot Droid gures and one poor, lone Obi-Wan Kenobi to hold them all at bay. Yeah, Obi-Wan, wesa thinking yousa gonna die. www.toysrus.co.uk 149.99 Ages: 4 years
PROP SHOP
Bringing the movies home
Immortals Helmet
Tarsem Singhs mythological epic may have featured extensive effects work, but at least some of what we saw was real including this screen-worn helmet, which is made from hard plastic and includes a visor and spike. www.premiereprops.com $499.99 (approx 309)
TOP TEN
Underworld Pistols
ZOMBIES
2 WWI Zombie Soldier Sucker Punch epitomised Zack Snyders style-oversubstance approach, and is brought to life via this statue of one of the movies reanimated soldiers. Gentle Giants sculpt stands at 17 inches and includes a certificate of authenticity. www.forbiddenplanet. com 238.99 3 Zombie Judge Hopkins Figurine The tangibility of the characters in stopmotion horror-comedy ParaNorman becomes even more credible thanks to this line of figurines celebrating the movie including the menacing zombie Judge Hopkins. www.bigbadtoystore. com $11.99 (approx 7)
Want some undead memorabilia? Use your braaaaains
Dual-wielding pistols is something of a genre clich these days, but they still look cool. Regale visitors with tales of your vampire-hunting days backed up by these limited edition replicas of Selenes death-dealing duo from the Underworld series. hollywood-collectibles.com $199.95 (approx 123)
Mirror Mirror Costume

1 Bicycle Girl Funkos usually cute range of Pop! vinyl figures turns its attentions to the altogether more gruesome subject of The Walking Dead, with this endearing/chilling model of the iconic Bicycle Girl. Walkers, Rick Grimes and others are also available. www.forbiddenplanet. com 8.99 4 The Walking Dead Minimates Diamond Select celebrates the 100th issue of The Walking Dead with a black-and-white Minimate twin-pack featuring Dale and a female zombie. The monochrome finish pays tribute to Charlie Adlards brilliant artwork. www.bigbadtoystore. com $7.99 (approx 5) 5 Lego Zombies Lego may have plenty of licensed lines, but given the popularity of all things undead right now it needs no excuse to develop its very own zombie-based toy sets the result is this gruesome package, which features hero Jack McHammer and four zombies. shop.lego.com 34.99 Actually worn by Sean Bean during filming, this hero Kings costume comes complete with a long burgundy cape, buckled boots and all the detailing youd expect from a Hollywood production. Its not exactly Ned Stark, is it? www.premiereprops.com $2999.99 (approx 1,852)
6 Well Zombie Figure McFarlane Toys returns to The Walking Dead with a wave of season two action figures, which includes this terrifying/disgusting well-walker. Featuring all of the articulation youd expect, the new line is also 3D-scanned from the original actors for unparalleled detail. www.play.com 14.99
7 Creepy Cuddlers This range of plush dolls comprises three cartoonstyle undead characters. Lucky the bunny, Fluffenrot the cat and Jangles the monkey make up the anthropomorphised range of animals, while zombies Zach and Ophelia are also available. www.forbiddenplanet. co.uk from 12.99 each
8 Frozen Dead Statue Inspired by the 1967 British B-movie, Sideshow Collectibles premium format figure depicts the decomposing body of an undead soldier of the Third Reich. At over 19 inches tall, the piece comes with accessories and is limited to just 200 units. www.sideshowtoy.com $349.99 (approx 216)
9 Left 4 Dead Smoker Valves survival shoot-emup features numerous zombie types, but its the Smoker who gets the action figure treatment courtesy of Neca. As well as more than 20 points of articulation, this figure also features a bendable tongue. www.bigbadtoystore. com $18.99 (approx 12)
10 Plants Vs Zombies Plush Its the least likely grudge match around, but that doesnt stop Plants Vs Zombies from being one of the most ubiquitous undead franchises of the moment. Complement your smartphone game with this zombie. www.forbiddenplanet. com 12.99
Resident Evil Case

Limited to 1,250 pieces, this officially licensed replica comprises a custom aluminium case featuring the Umbrella Corporation logo and prop vials. We hope the post office treats it as a biohazard. www.hollywood-collectibles. com $199.95 (approx 124)
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{Vault}
MEMORABILIA
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GEEK CHIC
The latest in sci- paraphernalia
Skywalker Jumper Batleth Letter Opener
Star Treks sometimes-antagonists may be a battlehardened, alien warrior-race, but the Klingons need some way of opening their post as much as the next extraterrestrial hence this shrunken blade, modelled on the battleeld favourite. www.thinkgeek.com $24.99 (approx 15)
The Addict/Star Wars collaboration continues to bear fruit with this urban take on Red Squadrons most iconic pilot. Inspired by an American Football sweater, the sleeve also features an SW on the sleeve in the grid iron font. www.trufeshufe.co.uk 54.99
Dungeons & Dragons Tee
If youre old enough to remember the early days of Gary Gygaxs role-playing legacy, you may actually remember when the art on this retro T-shirt was new and youre old enough to wear it. Good die guide, too. www.trufeshufe.co.uk 19.99
Star Trek Door Chime
If you want your home to be more like the bridge of the original Enterprise, this is for you an ofcially licensed, wall-mountable chime which features a communicator whistle, door opening and red alert alarm sounds. www.rebox.com 24.99
Akira Tee
Available as hoodie, vest, girlie, luxury or just your common or garden T-shirt, this subtle, neon-tinged riff on animated cyberpunk classic Akira is perfect for any would-be motocycle gang members or giant mutant blob monsters. www.arcanemovietees.com From 15
The Crow Print
The latest in Nakatomis ofcially licensed series of prints inspired by Alex Proyas dark classic, this anime-style design by artist James Flames includes glow-in-the-dark ink, and is limited to just 145 prints. store.nakatomiinc.com $40 (approx 25)
Batman Lunch Bag
Doctor Who Toothbrush
This take on the Doctors Sonic Screwdriver looks the part, but comes complete with a real-life practical use the Time Lords most valuable tool is actually an electric toothbrush. Look out for TARDIS-themed dentures in a future issue. www.rebox.com 11.99
Blade Runner Tee
Does this shirt mean youre a replicant? Maybe you could ask Gaff (in Cityspeak, obviously) when hes next rummaging around in your closet. As always with Arcane Movie Tees, its available in an array of colours and ts. www.arcanemovietees.com From 15
Now we know where Bruce Wayne keeps his bat-sandwiches which arent made of actual bats, of course. Featuring not only a bat-insignia and a utility belt-themed compartment, this bag also has a cape. Super, eh? www.thinkgeek.com $14.99 (approx 9)
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THE VAULT
Memorabilia
GOBLINS VS PANDA
We dig into the latest expansion packs
King Of Tokyo turned out to be one of our favourite games when it was released earlier this year, effortlessly capturing the spirit of old Japanese monster movies like Godzilla. The father of Magic: The Gathering hasnt been resting on his laurels, though, having just unleashed the rst new expansion: Power Up! which effortlessly enhances an already ne game. In Power-Up! when you roll three hearts you have the option of taking an evolution card in addition to gaining health. Players keep their evolutions secret until they want to play them, and evolutions are either permanent or temporary, ranging from changing the face of your dice or something more benecial to skipping your turn for suitable rewards. The pace remains fast and furious, and best of all, the game introduces a new monster: the giant Panda Pandakai. Alternatively, you could delve into the latest Dungeon Command expansion, Tyranny Of Goblins, which introduces them to Wizards new skirmish game. Like previous packs, all of the included models are beautifully moulded and covered in intricate detail. Theyre also well-painted and integrate with the monsters in the D&D Adventure System. There are a solid range of order cards on offer, with the gameplay focused on
CLASSIC CARD SETS
Essential collectables from Ash Trading Cards
swarming your opponent (as youd expect with Goblins). Many of the cards dont feel as strong toe-to-toe when placed up against monsters from previous sets, but the included powerful commanders do balance things out slightly.
King Of Tokyo: Power Up! Publisher: IELLO Players: 2-6, Price: 14.99 Tyranny Of Goblins Publisher: Wizards Of The Coast Players: 2-4, Price: 31.99
With The Hobbit nearly upon us, weve decided to focus on the many card sets available for the original trilogy. First up is this rather stylish foil set of chase cards based on The Fellowship Of The Ring. The ten-card chase set costs 20 and features a number of the films main players, including Bilbo, Gimli and Saruman. Theres a nice foil finish as well.
Chase me
MAGIC: THE GATHERING INNISTRAD

1 2 3 4 5
1 Geist Of St Traft 26 2 Snapcaster Mage 23 3 Liliana Of The Veil 21 4 Olivia Voldaren 15 5 Woodland Cemetery 12
TOP FIVE
A true masterpiece
These cards are simply gorgeous. Topps released a stunning card set called Masterpieces in 2006, which featured some truly beautiful artwork. All of the art is brand new, and while there are no scenes from the movies included, they do feature the actors in their now famous roles. The style varies widely due to the artists involved, but the end result is a must-have for fans. A 90-card set costs 9.95.
Now THIS is a walking dead game City Of Horror revels in anarchy. Players control a group of characters in a city overrun by zombies and must survive until helicopters arrive. At the beginning of a turn, any player in the water tower gets to see where the zombies will be moving. They can then choose to share that information or keep it secret in order to win an advantage over the other players. Friendships are also tested by the voting system, which kicks in whenever zombies overrun an area and get to eat a person there. Everyone in the location gets a vote to decide who is thrown to the ravenous undead, and arguments will break out as people aim to keep each other sweet until those choppers nally arrive. Whoever has amassed the most victory points at the end of the game wins, so enjoy that hollow victory, as youll most likely not have any friends left.
Publisher: Repos Players: 3-6 RRP: 39.99
DEAD RISING DUNGEON

DO YOU REMEMBER?
The original dungeon delver
Originally released in 1975, Dungeon was essentially a simplified version of Dungeons & Dragons, which had kicked off the previous year. Players could chose one of several characters and then had to delve into the six-layer dungeon in search of treasure. Treasure was usually secured by fighting monsters using dice, rolls and once a player had hit their required amount of treasure they could attempt to return to the surface and win the game. While the mechanics were fairly simplistic, Dungeon remained lots of fun to play, successfully capturing the spirit of TSRs popular role playing game. It will be interesting to see if the recent update will retain the same magic.
Evolutionary cards
The final set of cards were covering this month features all the main players from the entire trilogy of films. There are 47 characters plucked from the trilogy, from major players like Aragorn to lesser characters like Rosie Cotton. The set also includes 16 different races as well as eight fearsome monsters, including Shelob, the Balrog and the Watcher. The 72-card set is available for just 9.95.
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A smart, polished and intelligent game of countless permutations
IGN 8/10
Endless Space is a relentlessly difcult sci- strategy game, challenging your intelligence at every turn. Gamespot - 8/10
I could honestly write a thousand words more on what makes Endless Space so much more addicting and absorbing than the bulk of its contemporaries
Game Revolution - 9/10
This galaxy is ancient, and its rst intelligent life was the civilization we call the Endless. Long before our eyes gazed upon the stars they ew between them, though all that remains of this people is what we call Dust. A substance found scattered, or in forgotten temples, it once gave powers to admirals and galactic governors. The galaxy will belong to the faction that can take control of the Dust and uncover its secrets
OUT NOW
BUY ENDLESS SPACE AND OTHER EXCITING GAMES AT: WWW.ICEBERG SHOP.COM
AVAILABLE AT:
Endless Space 2012 Amplitude Studios. Developed by Amplitude Studios. Licensed exclusively worldwide to and published by Iceberg Interactive B.V. Iceberg Interactive design and mark are registered trademarks of Iceberg Interactive B.V. Microsoft, Windows and DirectX are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. All other brands, product names, and logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. All rights reserved. Made in Europe.
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