Saturday, December 29, 2018

Artist Spotlight: The Art Of . . . Jen Bartel

I've previously showcased a few of my favourite pop culture and vintage pulp artists, and each weekend I showcase art from more of my favourite artists.

The art of Jen Bartel.

The Geeky Nerfherder 7th Anniversary & My 2018 Favourites

And another year of pop culture geekery comes to a close. I've enjoyed watching some really good movies and shows, playing some great video games, reading some awesome books and comics, and travelling around the UK on nerdy days out at various Comic/Geek Cons and events this year, meeting people from some of my favourite movies, games and books, plus some of the finest comic creators and alternative poster artists!

Highlights from 2018 include meeting one of my favourite authors, Andrzej Sapkowski - author of 'The Witcher' series, at a geek con in London; attending a screening of 'Star Wars' with a live orchestra at the Arena Birmingham; as well as attending the opening of Matt Ferguson's art exhibition in Leeds and the Thought Bubble Comic Festival there too, my favourite Geek Con of the year.

It's also been 7 years to the day since the beginnings of this nerdy blog began with a blog post way back on this day in 2011. The Geeky Nerfherder has come a long way since then too, but always with the aim of showcasing cool art and the artists that make them.

On my social media profiles, where I sometimes post bonus content, such as the #OnThisDay feature where I post some of my favourite films, books, comics that were first released or published on a particular date, I continue to gain new followers through Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, Pinterest, Ello and more, with the number of followers somehow now numbering in the thousands! WOW! Thank you so much for following me on there. It's always gratifying to know that people are also enjoying the cool art I'm posting and hopefully discovering new artists along the way as well. So if you’re not already following, here are the links to my social media profiles:

on Twitter (@GeekyNerfherder)
on Instagram (@geekynerfherder)
on Tumblr (GeekyNerfherder)
on Pinterest
on YouTube
on Google Plus
on Ello (@geekynerfherder)
on Goodreads
on Flickr (GeekyNerfherder)

Stores:
on Threadless (GeekyNerfherder)
on Red Bubble (GeekyNerfherder)
on Society6 (GeekyNerfherder)

On the blog, I'm still featuring the latest poster releases and highlighting some of the pop culture inspired and new contemporary art shows too. I've also been continuing my 'Artist Spotlight' series, where I showcase some of my favourite artists, as well as my #ArtOfTheDay series, where I post a random piece of pop culture artwork from the Geeky Nerfherder archives. I'm also trying to add more reviews of the books and movies I read and watch over the year.

As well as the video project on my YouTube channel of the Geek Cons I go to, another side project I've been slowly progressing with is with writing a story I've had in my head for a while. Hugely inspired by the science fiction and fantasy genres (not very surprisingly), I'm fairly happy with how it's going so far, especially with the world building and the lore of the world. There's still a long way to go yet, but it's been fun to dip into my imagination and get creative in some way, whenever I can.

As always, a big thanks to everyone I've met throughout my travels at the Geek Cons I've been to this year, and to everyone that drops by the blog and/or follows me through the various social networks I post to. I hope that you continue to enjoy my posts of cool art and pop culture geekery.

You can also help support the blog by using these Affiliate Links when shopping online:
And so, it's that time of year once again, where everybody lists all their favourites from the year, and here are mine:

#ArtOfTheDay: 'The Redhead' by Clonerh Kimura

Back cover art by Clonerh Kimura for the Kickstarter Variant edition of 'The Few And Cursed' issue #5 published through a Kickstarter campaign by series writer Felipe Cagno

Friday, December 28, 2018

#CoolArt: 'The Dude Abides' prints by Doaly for Zavvi

'The Dude Abides' by Doaly, an officially licensed 'The Big Lebowski' print release available through Zavvi.

18" x 24" screen print in a numbered Regular edition of 200 for $39.99, and a numbered Variant edition, with metallic ink, of 125 for $44.99.

On sale Saturday December 29 at 12pm UK from the Zavvi website.

Regular Edition
Variant Edition

#CoolArt: 'There Is Nothing To Fear Here' prints by Dan Mumford for Zavvi

'There Is Nothing To Fear Here' by Dan Mumford, officially licensed 'Indiana Jones' prints available through Zavvi, in collaboration with Acme Archives.

24" x 18" screen print in a signed and numbered Regular edition of 250 for $39.99, and a signed and numbered Variant edition of 100 for $44.99.

On sale Friday December 28 at 12pm UK from the Zavvi website.

'There's Nothing To Fear Here' (Regular Edition) by Dan Mumford
'There's Nothing To Fear Here' (Variant Edition) by Dan Mumford

#ArtOfTheDay: 'Akira' by Alexander Iaccarino

'Akira' by Alexander Iaccarino

Thursday, December 27, 2018

#CoolArt: 'The Thing' prints by Matthew Peak for Bottleneck Gallery & Vice Press

'The Thing' by Matthew Peak, a new officially licensed joint print release through Bottleneck Gallery and Vice Press.

24" x 36" Glow In The Dark screen print in a numbered Regular edition of 225 for $65 / £50, and a numbered Variant edition of 125 for $75 / £60.

On sale Thursday December 27 at 12pm ET / 5pm UK from Bottleneck Gallery and Vice Press.

Regular Edition
Variant Edition
Glow In The Dark ink layer

#ArtOfTheDay: 'Ambition Of Anakin' by Tsuneo Sanda

'Ambition Of Anakin' by Tsuneo Sanda

Tuesday, December 25, 2018

Monday, December 24, 2018

#CoolArt: 'Krampus - Tis' The Season' by Scott Fischer for Every Day Original

'Krampus - Tis' The Season' by Scott Fischer for Every Day Original.

6" x 12" oil and acrylic on wood panel original art that was originally available, now sold, from the Every Day Original website.

Book Review: 'Mortal Engines: Book 1 - Mortal Engines' by Philip Reeve

Cover art by Ian McQue
Inspired to add to my reading list by the movie, which I enjoyed, and the rave reviews of the book series, 'Mortal Engines', book one of the 'Mortal Engines Quartet' of books by Philip Reeve, is set in a dystopian far future, where cities, now mobile, roam the 'hunting grounds' - vast open wastelands left decimated by a devastating 'Sixty Minute War', searching and devouring other cities and small towns for parts and workers to fuel and keep the huge traction cities running. London, where the majority of the story is set, is one of these huge traction cities. A city that is also divided into classes, with its poorer residents and workers at the bottom and the richer more powerful at the top of the tiered city.

And it's in London where we're introduced to the main cast of characters. Tom Natsworthy, a young and idealistic apprentice at the Guild of Historians, who remains loyal to the city. Hester Shaw, a teenage girl with an horrific scar over half her face, in London with a vow to kill Thaddeus Valentine, an historian at the city of London, who murdered her parents and inflicted the scar down her face. Katherine Valentine, adopted daughter of Thaddeus Valentine, who with the help of Bevis Pod, an engineer she befriends, seeks out the truth of her father's activities, uncovering details of a recovered machine called MEDUSA, found by Hester's mother and part of a computer from a super weapon that was used in the Sixty Minute War, and now part of Lord Mayor of London, Magnus Crome's plan to rebuild the superweapon to use against the Anti Traction League and destroy the shield wall of Batmunkh Gompa, that protects the League.

It's a very entertaining and engaging read. There's plenty of action and adventure; Tom and Hester are both thrown off the London and get mixed up with slave traders, pirates, the enigmatic Anna Fang and the Anti Traction League and more, and there's also lots of intrigue too as Katherine and Bevis investigate Thaddeus Valentine and the MEDUSA weapon. The characters are compelling too, finding myself getting drawn into their narratives as the story progresses.

I listened to the audiobook option, narrated by Barnaby Edwards, and if you can, definitely check that out. Barnaby's performance is really good. The different vocalisations and accents brought the characters to life, adding a sense of vivid realism and a different dimension to the story.

It's a thoroughly enjoyable story with a good cast of YA main characters that trundles along at a brisk pace with plenty going on, but not too much, to keep you invested. As I read the book after watching the movie, there are differences in storyline and in the fates of the characters, but it didn't detract from enjoying either of them, and would recommend both the book and the movie. Looking forward to the next instalment in the series, 'Predator's Gold'.

Available from Amazon, WaterstonesAudible Audiobooks and all good bookstores.

#CoolArt: 'Princess Mononoke' print by Alexander Iaccarino

'Princess Mononoke' by Alexander Iaccarino.

20" x 30" 11 colour screen print in a signed and numbered limited edition of 150 for $65.

On sale now from his website.

#ArtOfTheDay: 'Worlds Greatest SuperHeroes' by Alex Ross

'Worlds Greatest SuperHeroes' by Alex Ross

Friday, December 21, 2018

'The Ring' Limited Edition Steelbook & Collector's Edition from Zavvi

'The Ring' limited edition bluray steelbook for £15.99, and limited edition collector's edition bluray box for £44.99, from Zavvi .

Steelbook features:
  • Region B bluray (Europe, Africa, Oceania, Middle East, French Territories, Greenland)
  • Brand new 4K restoration from the original camera negative, approved by director of photography Junichiro Hayashi
  • High definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation
  • Lossless Japanese DTS-HD master audio 5.1 and PCM 2.0 soundtracks
  • Optional English subtitles
  • New audio commentary by film historian David Kalat
  • The Ring Legacy, a series of new interviews from critics and filmmakers on their memories of the Ring series and its enduring legacy
  • A Vicious Circle, a new video interview with author and critic Kat Ellinger on the career of Hideo Nakata
  • Circumnavigating Ring, a new video essay by author and critic Alexandra Heller-Nicholas on the evolution of the Ring series
  • Sadako’s Video
  • Theatrical trailers
  • Booklet containing new writing by Alexandra Heller-Nicholas
  • Limited edition packaging featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Matt Griffin
Available for pre-order now from the Zavvi website (Release date March 18 2019).


Collector's edition boxset features:
  • Region B bluray (Europe, Africa, Oceania, Middle East, French Territories, Greenland)
  • 3 Discs
  • Brand new 4K restoration of Ring from the original camera negative, approved by director of photography Junichiro Hayashi
  • High definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentations
  • Lossless Japanese DTS-HD master audio 5.1 and PCM 2.0 soundtracks
  • Optional English subtitles
  • Bonus feature: Spiral, George Iida’s 1998 sequel to Ring
  • New audio commentary on Ring by film historian David Kalat
  • New audio commentary on Ring 0 by author and critic Alexandra Heller-Nicholas
  • The Ring Legacy, a series of new interviews from critics and filmmakers on their memories of the Ring series and its enduring legacy
  • A Vicious Circle, a new video interview with author and critic Kat Ellinger on the career of Hideo Nakata
  • Circumnavigating Ring, a new video essay by author and critic Alexandra Heller-Nicholas on the evolution of the Ring series
  • Spooks, Sighs and Videotape, a new video essay by critic Jasper Sharp on the J-horror phenomenon
  • The Psychology of Fear, a newly edited archival interview with author Koji Suzuki
  • Archival behind-the-scenes featurette on Ring 0
  • Ring 0 deleted scenes
  • Sadako’s Video
  • Multiple theatrical trailers for the Ring series
  • Limited edition 60-page booklet containing new writing by Violet Lucca, Alexandra Heller-Nicholas, Jasper Sharp, Kieran Fisher and Kat Ellinger
  • Limited edition packaging featuring original and newly commissioned artwork
Available for pre-order now from the Zavvi website (Release date March 18 2019).

'Mary Poppins Returns' Exclusive Bluray Steelbook & T Shirt Bundle From Zavvi

'Mary Poppins Returns' exclusive limited edition bluray steelbook for £24.99, or 4K Ultra HD bluray steelbook for £32.99, from Zavvi .

A bundle including a 'Mary Poppins' T shirt for £32.99 (with standard Steelbook edition) or £39.99 (with 4K Ultra HD steelbook), or separately for £14.99 is also available.

Available for pre-order now from the Zavvi website.

#CoolArt: 'Dave Matthews Band at Charlottesville VA' print by Miles Tsang

'Dave Matthews Band at John Paul Jones Arena, Charlottesville VA' by Miles Tsang.

18" x 24" screenprint in a numbered AP Regular edition of 100 for $75, and a numbered Galaxy Foil edition of 35 for $120.

On sale Friday December 21 at 12pm ET at his website.

#ArtOfTheDay: 'Web Warriors' by Julian Totino Tedesco

Cover art by Julian Totino Tedesco for 'Web Warriors' issue #8, published June 2016 by Marvel Comics

Thursday, December 20, 2018

#CoolArt: 'Voyageurs National Park' print by Matt Carlson (aka Plaid Mtn) for Fifty Nine Parks

'Voyageurs National Park' by Matt Carlson (aka Plaid Mtn), a new print release from Fifty-Nine Parks.

18" x 24" 6 colour screen print in an open edition for $40.

5% of the print sale will be donated to the National Park Service.

On sale now from the Fifty Nine Parks website.

#CoolArt: New AP Edition Prints by James Flames

New prints by James Flames.
  • 'Lighting The Way'. 18" x 24" screen print, in a signed and numbered AP edition of 75.
  • 'Dave Matthews Band at Charlottesville'. 18" x 24", screen print, in a signed and numbered AP edition of 75.
  • 'mewithoutyou Fall 2018 Tour'. 18" x 24", screen print, in a signed and numbered AP edition of 35.
On sale Thursday December 20 at 2pm ET from James' website.

'Lighting The Way'
'Dave Matthews Band at Charlottesville'
'mewithoutyou Fall 2018 Tour'

#ArtOfTheDay: 'Hellboy' by Mike Mignola & Dave Stewart

'Hellboy' by Mike Mignola & Dave Stewart

Wednesday, December 19, 2018

#CoolArt: 'Luscious And Vicious' print by Kelsey Beckett

'Luscious And Vicious' by Kelsey Beckett, a print release from Haven Gallery, and the original is part of her solo art exhibition, 'Contrast', on view at Haven Gallery until January 19 2019.

16" x 20" Giclee print on Epson Archival Hot Press Bright paper, in a signed and numbered Regular edition of 40 for $60, and a signed and numbered hand embellished edition of 10 for $120.

On sale now at the Haven Gallery website.

#NewComicBookDay: My Comics Pull List This Week

My comics Pull List this week
  • 'The Witcher: Of Flesh And Flame' #1 (Dark Horse Comics)
  • 'Artifact One' #3 (Aspen Comics)
  • 'The Sandman Universe: Lucifer' #3 (DC / Vertigo Comics)
  • 'Red Sonja' #24 (Dynamite Comics)
  • 'Rat Queens' #13 (Shadowline / Image Comics)
  • 'Star Wars: Darth Vader' #25 (Marvel Comics)
  • 'Solo: A Star Wars Story' #3 (Marvel Comics)
  • 'American Gods: My Ainsel' #9 (Dark Horse Comics)

'The Witcher: Of Flesh And Flame' #1 cover art by Marianna Strychowska

#ArtOfTheDay: 'Princess Leia' by Mike Mayhew

'Princess Leia' by Mike Mayhew

Tuesday, December 18, 2018

#CoolArt: 'Star Wars: The Last Jedi' prints by Matt Ferguson for Bottleneck Gallery

'Star Wars: The Last Jedi' by Matt Ferguson, a new officially licensed print release from Bottleneck Gallery and Dark Ink Art.

18" x 24" screen print, in a numbered limited edition of 295 for $50 each or $95 for the set.

On sale Tuesday December 18 at 12pm ET from Bottleneck Gallery and Dark Ink Art.

#CoolArt: 'Return Of The Jedi' TIMED & Limited Edition prints by Jock for Mondo

'I Am A Jedi, Like My Father Before Me' by Jock, a new 'Star Wars: Return Of The Jedi' print release from Mondo.

24" x 36" screen print in a TIMED release Regular edition for $60, and a 36" x 24" Variant edition of 275 for $80.

On sale from Tuesday December 18 at 12pm CT until Friday December 21 at 11.59pm CT from the Mondo website.

Timed Release Regular Edition
Variant Edition

#CoolArt: Haven Gallery presents 'Little Big IV' Group Art Exhibition

Haven Gallery presents 'Little Big IV', a group art exhibition of new artworks measuring 8" x 8" and smaller.

The exhibition is on view at Haven Gallery, 155 Main Street, Carriage House Square, Northport, NY 11768 until January 19 2019.

by Nadezda

#CoolArt: Haven Gallery presents 'Swords' - A Solo Art Exhibition by Craww

Haven Gallery presents 'Swords', a solo exhibition of new artworks by Craww, exploring ideas of facing conflict and change, and finding strength through the adoption of signs and rituals.

The exhibition is on view at Haven Gallery, 155 Main Street, Carriage House Square, Northport, NY 11768 until January 19 2019.

#CoolArt: Haven Gallery presents 'Requite' - A Solo Art Exhibition by Amy Minchew

Haven Gallery presents 'Requite', a solo exhibition of new artworks by Amy Minchew, with an exploration of the tumultuous relationship we as human beings have with nature, and the capacity to recover quickly on both parts.

The exhibition is on view at Haven Gallery, 155 Main Street, Carriage House Square, Northport, NY 11768 until January 19 2019.

#CoolArt: Haven Gallery presents 'Contrast' - A New Solo Art Exhibition by Kelsey Beckett

Haven Gallery presents 'Contrast', a solo exhibition of new artworks by Kelsey Beckett, exploring the archetypes, stereotypes, or negative associations typically imposed upon women.

The exhibition is on view at Haven Gallery, 155 Main Street, Carriage House Square, Northport, NY 11768 until January 19 2019.