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Batgirl’s New Look

Laura Maier
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Batgirl’s New Look

Big changes are afoot for Barbara Gordon. Gail Simone has left the book due to creative differences and writers Cameron Stewart and Brenden Fletcher, along with artist Babs Tarr, have been brought in to give Batgirl a more light-hearted tone- which is what Gail wanted to do, and was the whole reason she left the book in the first place… I’m not sure if that’s irony or just bad timing…

As befits a changing of the guard, Barbara has also got a brand shiny new costume. As Geek Pride’s newly-self-appointed Fashion Consultant, it has fallen to me to examine it and report my findings.

(C) DC Comics
(C) DC Comics

First off, I have some misgivings about this costume, mostly in how young it makes Babs look. As a hardcore Oracle fan, I would really like to see her move forward- not necessarily all the way back to the chair, but at least taking steps towards being an intellectually confident leader like she was in Birds of Prey. The move from standard Bat-issue kevlar-esque super-fabric to a leather jacket and leggings makes her look closer to sixteen than twenty-one, which I find a little unsettling.

But that’s the only downside, as far as I’m concerned. Marvel’s been seriously outdoing DC in terms of character designs and redesigns- from Miss America’s “just threw it together” look, to Ms Marvel’s battle-burkini, to the new Captain Marvel’s homage to the original- all of these new outfits have an immediately iconic look, are practical, and perhaps most importantly make the heroines look gorgeous without the need for borderline-indecent costumes. And with this Batgirl redesign, DC are showing that it’s not just one company’s style, but a new trend we can expect to see more of in modern and future comics.

L-R: Miss America, Captain Marvel, Ms Marvel (C) Marvel Comics
L-R: Miss America, Captain Marvel, Ms Marvel (C) Marvel Comics

But enough backstory, let’s get to the good stuff!

Cowl
Her ears are no longer concealed by the cowl! This seems like a minor adjustment, but as anyone who’s ever cosplayed a becowled character will confirm, those things can seriously limit your hearing. Bad enough when you’re trying to buy limited edition figurines on a con floor, even worse when hearing someone sneaking up behind you is a literal matter of life or death.

Cape
If we learned one thing from The Incredibles, it’s that families stick together no matter what. And if we learned two things, the second would be that CAPES ARE ALWAYS FATAL. So it’s good to see that Babs has modified the badass deathtrap into something that can unpop in a pinch. It’s shorter too, which may mean it doesn’t serve as a glider anymore (although with ComicTech™, anything is possible) but again, will be less likely to get trodden on, or caught in revolving doors.

Fabric
Being a longtime admirer of other women’s boobs, I’d be lying if I said I objected to the “spandex contoured to perfectly outline ridiculously perky breasts” style of comic book artistry. That said, I’m well aware of the ongoing dissent towards the over-sexualisation of superheroines, and it’s good to see that DC are aware of it too, and are taking steps to ensure that their characters are sporting more realistic outfits. One minor quibble though- that leather vs. spandex comparison? Spandex doesn’t stretch like that on a human body either. I’m 80% sure no fabric does. Don’t blame decades of jaw-dropping comic-boobs on spandex. Spandex is innocent in this.

Pouches
I love pouches. I love pouches so much that I am constantly trying to convince people that they are an acceptable alternative to handbags. Pouches are practical and cool. One of the things I loved most about Stephanie Brown’s Batgirl costume was the pouches; and one of the things I hated most was that the pouches were around her leg, where they would keep slipping down. Barbara’s pouches, however, combine Batman’s utility belt with Steph’s weird garter-pouches, to give the garter-pouch the support it needs to stop Babs having to stop every few paces to tug her leg pouches up and curse.

Boots
I would like to go on record here as stating that I am in favour of any costume that ends with a GIANT pair of Doc Martens. I really like the attention to detail here, as they’ve included the yellow stitching that marks them as real DMs, and not mere knockoffs. Which is good, because knockoffs will fail you at the worst possible time, which in Babs’ case would probably be during a rooftop chase, or while dodging gunfire. The boots are also awesome from a cosplayer’s perspective- no more tottering around conventions in heels! Hurrah!

My verdict? A solid 9/10. The costume makes Barbara look like the teenage sidekick she was in the 1970s, but it makes up for that with practicality, charm and cosplayability. Careful, DC. You might make me start loving you again.

Watch it Whilst You Can: Deadpool Test Footage in High Res

Becca Harper
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Watch it Whilst You Can: Deadpool Test Footage in High Res

Hopefully we’ve all seen the recent leaked Deadpool test footage and drooled over how good it is. In fact, I have not read anyone dissing it at all, just begging for this film to be made. Since the footage was leaked it has been constantly pulled, then found again, then pulled…well you get the idea, anyway I have found another high res version that is working, for now.

The test footage, apparently from 2011, features Ryan Reynolds as the Merc With The Mouth and consists of the perfect balance of comedy, action and violence in the just under two minutes that we are privy to, I can definitely say I want to see this film, do you hear me Fox? Make it, make it now!


Deadpool Test Footage Released!! by invaderboom

If by the time you get here, it has once again been pulled, then I am so sorry though I shall endeavour to replace it for you as soon as I find another version.

The Swapper (PlayStation) Review

Sai Mealing
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The Swapper (PlayStation) Review

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In a time when virtually anybody with the right skills and enough perseverance can make a game, indie platformers aren’t exactly in short supply. Each month, it seems as though Steam, PSN and the iOS App Store are rife with a multitude of different takes on what is possibly gaming’s most iconic genre.

Finding a truly innovative modern platformer isn’t always an easy task though. Only once in a while does a game in the calibre of Braid, Limbo, Spelunky or Fez appear. Obviously when such a title does arrive, critical and community acclaim usually follow. These games are true diamonds in an oversized area of rough where most publishers seem happy just to rip off the likes of Rayman Legends in the hope of making a quick buck.

When The Swapper arrived for the PC last year, it didn’t make quite the same waves as some of the games mentioned above but still managed to gather enough of a following for the mainstream to pay attention. The Swapper combined elements of Portal and Fez with a faithful homage to 80’s Sci-Fi and created a genuinely captivating and haunting experience. It offered just enough of an open path to keep players coming back for more and utilised puzzles that felt rewardingly difficult rather than cheap.

TheSwapper_2013_05_30_09_08_33_598

It all takes place on an abandoned and derelict space station and very little is offered in the way of backstory or help at the start. With the lights turned off long ago, a single flashlight provides your only method of guidance throughout most areas and the most handy tool at your disposal is a cloning device that enables up to 4 clones to be created at any one time. The player can switch control between the clones and, as the story unfolds and the difficulty level increases, you are encouraged to find new ways to use the clones to your advantage. The object is always to collect the coloured orbs that allow progression to the next stage and you bend time, gravity and space along the way until you have eventually lost count of which clone your character’s soul now inhabits.

The Swapper is being released under the PlayStation Cross-Play system and those who buy the game will be able to play the PS3, PS4 and Vita versions as they see fit, with full cross-format cloud save integration. The PS4 version looks and plays almost identically to it’s PC forefather plus some additional functionality added for the touchpad and some of the best use of controller vibration that I have ever experienced. Likewise, the Vita version offers as good a handheld port as you are ever likely to find and is bound to be useful for collecting those orbs left over after the main campaign has finished.

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And you will have orbs left over as The Swapper cleverly doesn’t force exploration of every area but instead only requires players to collect a select few orbs from those available in order to achieve the next goal. This essentially means that it is almost impossible for non-completionists to become stuck on a specific puzzle as anybody who does can happily just walk away and choose a different puzzle instead. It’s a fantastic feature and one that other developers should maybe look up to as lesser games would have had me frustratingly searching YouTube or GameFAQs, thus detracting from the overall enjoyment of the game.

The Swapper isn’t without it’s problems, most notably that the game’s antagonists; ‘The Watchers’, cause messages to display on screen when the player walks past certain points and this can become a minor annoyance when you are just travelling between sections. It a very small problem though and if anything only serves to reiterate the importance of a narrative that gradually develops throughout the course of the campaign. In itself, the story has a very Kubrick and early James Cameron feel to it and the quality of the dialogue and voice over is far higher than most people might expect from an indie title.

Overall, The Swapper is a rare gem that shouldn’t be missed. A truly mature and intelligent video game with a sufficient level of polish to place it far above most of it’s rivals. Like Limbo, The Swapper proves that there is still room for innovation and great storytelling in the indie platform space and provides an experience that easily justifies it’s price tag.

The Swapper will be released on 6th August 2014 for PS4, PS3 and Vita with full cross-play support. Pre-orders are available now via the PlayStation Store.

Up to 75% Off in Square Enix Summer Sale

TheWookie
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Up to 75% Off in Square Enix Summer Sale

75-off-square-titles-e1374911133201

The end of summer is upon us and the folks over at Square Enix want to celebrate by offering enormous discounts on several of their awesome games. If you play PC games, this sale is definitely for you. From now until July 31st you can get up to 75% off a great range of games for PC (download only) in the Square Enix Store.

  • Murdered: Soul Suspect – 50% off
  • The Last Remnant – 60% off
  • Tomb Raider GOTY – 75% off
  • Laura Croft: Guardian of Light – 75% off
  • Thief – 60% off

 thiefbanner

There will also be a handful of classic games available for purchase from the store, again download only. Do you remember the first time you saw Laura Croft? well now you can experience the reborn Laura Croft for almost nothing in Guardian of Light.

Have you ever wanted to be a detective but it just wasn’t exciting enough for you? Well try out Murdered: Soul Suspect and solve your own murder from the afterlife or you can simply find game you’ve always wanted to play but just never found the time. Steam keys are issued with every purchase to ensure that you can sync your profile to your new games, get achievements and collect those trading cards for future crafting.

If that’s still not enough to get your fingers itching to play, You can also get all boxed editions of Murdered: Soul Suspect on every platform with 40% off. Hurry now, because the sale ends tomorrow, so grab a bargain whilst you can.

murdered_soul_suspect

First Trailer for Alexandre Aja’s Horns Shows Daniel Radcliffe in a New Light

Andy Haigh
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First Trailer for Alexandre Aja’s Horns Shows Daniel Radcliffe in a New Light

2014-07-29_0035

After languishing in limbo waiting for a distributor, production wrapped back in 2012, Horns based on the best selling book by Joe Hill looks set to finally appear in cinemas this year with the first trailer being shown at SDCC.

Horns is the story of Ignatius “Ig” Parish, after the mysterious rape and murder of his girlfriend Merrin, Ig faces accusations for what happened to his girlfriend and wakes up after a night of drunken oblivion to find himself growing a pair of horns. Ig quickly realises that the result of this is people, from friends to complete strangers, openly confessing their darkest secrets to him and he is able to manipulate them to his will. Hill’s book is a non linear narrative which features flashbacks and also touches on metaphysical aspects.

The film which is directed by Alexandre Aja features Daniel Radcliffe as Ig, still best known for the Harry Potter films which contrast sharply with the dark tone of Horns whilst Merrin is played by Juno Temple. The trailer shows Radcliffe’s Ig dealing with an accusatory angry mob, discovering his new horns and the effect they have on people along with his ability to manipulate others.

Horns is tentatively set for a Halloween release.

BOOM! Studios Set to Bring Cult Classic Escape From New York to Comics

Andy Haigh
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BOOM! Studios Set to Bring Cult Classic Escape From New York to Comics

escapefromny2

Following on from their recent Big Trouble in Little China title, publisher Boom! Studios is bringing another of cult director John Carpenter’s classic films to comics – Escape From New York.

For anyone who hasn’t seen it, Escape From New York is set in a dark future where, in a crime ridden U.S., Manhattan Island is now a walled off max security prison of sorts where the inmates are left to fend for themselves. When Air Force One crashes inside the perimeter, one-eyed ex-soldier-now-bounty hunter Snake Plissken, played in the film by Carpenter fave Kurt Russell, is given 22 hours to rescue the President and recover the sensitive documents he has on him.

The upcoming comic will be written by Christopher Sebela with an artist yet to be announced. Covers by Tim Bradstreet and Riley Rossmo have been released, both featuring different takes on Plissken. Whether the comic will feature other characters from the film remains to be seen.

The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies Trailer Lands

James Buckingham
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The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies Trailer Lands

Hobbit and Lord of the Rings fans rejoice! The trailer for the third installment of Peter Jackson‘s love letter to Middle Earth has finally landed, and it looks like it’s going to be a doozey!

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Feast your eyes on the official teaser trailer for The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies, due for release this Christmas.

Anyone else think that Thorin’s crown is a little… ostentatious? Anyway as well as that awesome visual feast, we also have a new poster for the movie, which you can see here:

The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies

The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies is directed by Peter Jackson, and stars Martin Freeman, Sir Ian McKellen, Orlando Bloom, Benedict Cumberbatch, Lee Pace, Evangeline Lilly, Cate Blanchett, Richard Armitage and Luke Evans

 

A Reworked Pilot For NBC’s Constantine & Showrunners Make Bold Statements At SDCC

Andy Haigh
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A Reworked Pilot For NBC’s Constantine & Showrunners Make Bold Statements At SDCC

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There’s been plenty of news around NBC’s upcoming Constantine with cast changes and new characters being cast, but one thing to emerge from SDCC is the new altered pilot that was screened. There are some fundamental changes that have been made, specifically with how the pilot ends. Sources say these changes include the original demonic entity and antagonist of the pilot being replaced by a dark mirror version of Matt Ryan‘s John Constantine and his conversation with Manny the Angel played by Harold Perrineau ending with a choice of whether he wants to recruit Lucy Griffiths‘ Liv or not.

The latter of these changes speaks to the departure of Griffiths from the show but the former references a demonic version of Constantine which fans of Hellblazer will recognise. Originally created by writer Paul Jenkins in the Critical Mass story arc, Constantine purged all the dark and undesirable aspects from within himself into a golem which then came to life and became a dark version of Constantine, which he then banished to Hell.

Showrunners David Goyer and Daniel Cerone also did a brief Q & A with Ceyrone stating:

“By the end of the first season, we’re going to introduce the entire Newcastle crew. All that’s happened to Constantine, it’s all ahead of him. We have a chance to introduce it all.”

Constantine is due to air in October.

Son of Nor: Available on Steam Early Access

David Rose
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Son of Nor: Available on Steam Early Access

SON_Screenshot02_1080p

There are a few games that are described as truly world changing and earth shattering, but few can lay as literal a claim to that crown as stillalive studio’s action adventure Son of Nor, now available on Steam Early Access. In the game you play a Son of Nor, a person consecrated by The Goddess of the Night and entrusted with great power. What powers you ask? Well, naturally you get a bevy of elemental magic powers as well as the power of telekinesis.

The big selling point however is terraforming. While not an entirely new concept in games, this is the first time it has become a primary, dynamic mechanic in the game. You can shift sand in any way you choose; to form barriers in combat, get to higher places and unveil hidden objects. Put together with the telekinesis and other magical powers and there is a ton of potential for creative combat, adventure and puzzle solving.

Marrying jaw-dropping art design with the ability to mould it as I wish? Sign me up!
Marrying jaw-dropping art design with the ability to mould it as I wish? Sign me up!

The puzzle set pieces in particular set this apart, being large in scope, incredibly dynamic and full of interesting little aspects that will stretch the limits of each of the mechanics and showcases really inspired art design on top of the technical nous. The game has co-op as well, allowing four friends online (or two local players via split screen) to share this world morphing experience. The utopian vision of this sounds very fun but the chaos this will most likely lead to sounds even more so.

How all this will will come together in the final product isn’t clear but given the openness of the developers to feedback, there’s the potential for a really great action adventure with some genuinely innovative gameplay to come out of it.

Son of Nor is currently in Steam Early Access, developed by stillalive studios, to be published by bitComposer studios and Viva Media, and is currently available on Steam Early Access for PC and Mac for £14.99

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A Climax 20 Years in the Making: Tekken 7 Trailer is Here

David Rose
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A Climax 20 Years in the Making: Tekken 7 Trailer is Here

Over the weekend at SDCC, Bandai Namco unveiled the trailer for Tekken 7 and it was quite the bold statement to say the least. In the past, Tekken pre-release trailers have emphasised the action or gameplay, but in this case the focus is on the end of an era.

The trailer contains no gameplay footage whatsoever, instead showing a monologue of Kazami Mishima, Heihachi’s wife. She is deeply conflicted by her love for her husband and the fact that she has to be the one to stop him, implying that he is more evil than the Devil that consumes her son Kazuya.

It’s a pretty bold move for a fighting game trailer to emphasise its story at the best of times, but Tekken 7‘s trailer has the focus entirely around a character who is long dead by the events of the game. However, with the way that the story has progressed, escalating from a simple revenge story to include volcano immolation, company warfare and huge amounts of explosions and collateral damage, perhaps a ghost is the best person to warn of the end of an era. It would also be the biggest possible contrast to the incredible, yet story-less, Tekken Tag Tournament 2.

Besides, we all know Mishimas never die…

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