industry
Revolutionary industry developments in the geek sphere.
Rise of Adult Comics
Those Batman fans lucky enough to have arrived early on the third day of New York City’s 2015 Comic Con were treated to a preview of the thirtieth anniversary celebration of Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns. Despite the long lines and confusion, fans eagerly awaited the arrival of Miller onstage to discuss his work. As he stepped under the lights, the air became charged with the excitement of those who witnessed the monumental 80s comic hit stands during their childhood. The crowd was full of men in their 20s, 30s, and 40s, meaning that the comic had stuck with them over the years. Miller’s story is certainly special in its staying power, but it also speaks to the nature of adult comics as an industry.
By Geeks Staff10 years ago in Geeks
How Max Wasa Impacted Sci-Fi, Horror, and Wellness
Not many women can say they've been featured in countless Playboy magazines while also having portrayed a bloodsucking vampire on the big screen. Max Wasa's incredible range has been a force to be reckoned with throughout her successful career. By diversifying her interests (magazine, print, the big screen, indie films, music, publishing, and radio), Wasa's overflowing well of talent has never been capped.
By Natasha Sydor10 years ago in Geeks
Why Women Game Developers Matter
If you take a look at the top five games of 2015 according to MetaCritic, you’ll be pressed to find a female name among the credits. You may find names that sound like they should belong to women (here’s looking at you Leslie Benzies), but unfortunately the presence of women is nonexistent with the exception of Undertale’s Temmie Chang and Journey’s Robine Hunicke.
By Patricia Sarkar10 years ago in Geeks
History of 'Goosebumps'
In the world of children’s horror fiction, American author R. L. Stine created a series of stories that follow young children who always seem to find their way into scary situations. Beginning in 1992, Scholastic began releasing these soon-to-be trendy tales of young characters. By 1997, the publishing house put out 62 Goosebumps books and sold over 350 million copies in 32 languages.
By Geeks Staff10 years ago in Geeks
Street Fighter's Chun-Li
Fighting games have a long legacy in the world of video games. They paved the way for character based stories and, in many ways, can be credited for the rise of the video game industry via the arcades. Few will ever underestimate the influence of fighting games on the video game industry, but did you know that Street Fighter has a wholly unique claim to fame? Street Fighter pioneered feminism in the video game industry through the character of Chun-Li.
By Patricia Sarkar10 years ago in Geeks
History of New York Comic Con
Once upon a time, comic conventions were seen as strange niche gatherings that only the diehard would go to. Although the diehard will still go to these events religiously, they have become far more popular in the past 10 years due to the increasing celebrity presence, amazing cosplay, and friendly atmosphere. San Diego Comic Con is the undisputed king of the comic con world. However, it’s east coast sister from New York is gaining in speed and has grown from somewhat humble beginnings to a behemoth of an event.
By Geeks Staff10 years ago in Geeks
Biggest Gaming Companies
We’re far past the point of pretending that video games aren’t one of the most lucrative businesses in the entertainment industry. Indeed, games like Grand Theft Auto V have eclipsed the sales of many movies and books combined, becoming the highest grossing entertainment product of all time. As time goes on, video games become a larger part of our day to day life, with many who’d never consider themselves gamers playing games on their phone as often as they can. These are the most profitable gaming companies of all time.
By Patricia Sarkar10 years ago in Geeks
Professional Cosplayer Crystal Graziano
It’s a rare sight to see someone be a professional cosplayer. Many who attend conventions do it for fun and generally are fairly low budget. This isn’t to disparage what they’ve done, but when observing a cosplayer such as Crystal Graziano it’s fair to say that she deserves the title ‘professional cosplayer’. A google search of her name will bring up countless results of high quality cosplays ranging from Bioware RPG’s like ‘Mass Effect’ to Japanese Anime. But what does being a professional cosplayer even mean? How do you become a professional cosplayer, and is it simply looking pretty? Not in the slightest.For professional cosplayers it seems fitting to point out that, yes, cosplaying is usually their only source of income. There are very few in the world as of this moment, but more and more are coming into the fold as years go by.
By Geeks Staff10 years ago in Geeks
Sexuality In The Legend of Korra
Children’s television has advanced far beyond the innuendos of 80s Saturday morning cartoons like He-Man and G.I. Joe, programs that were rife with homoerotic interactions and inconsequential violence. The Nickelodeon animated series, The Legend of Korra, is a prime example of a show that defied the trappings of conventional kid’s programming while maintaining a sense of realism and a stance against ambiguous portrayals of female characters, diversity, death, and romance.
By Patricia Sarkar10 years ago in Geeks
Comic Creators that Frequent Cons
The best part of going to any con is the chance to mingle with the best and brightest talent available. This is where fans get to ask their favorite creators the burning questions that have been eating away at their hearts. While not every creator can make every con, there are a few usual suspects that manage to always find their way into the biggest conventions. So if you’re going to any reasonably well-sized con, chances are you’ll have a good chance at running into one of these creators. Here’s our list of our favorite creators that frequent cons, so keep an eye next time you’re at an event.
By Geeks Staff10 years ago in Geeks
History of Cosplay
Cosplay is one of the most awesome things about anime and comic cons but the practice that is readily associated as a Japanese phenomenon, originated in America. Once referred to as costuming, the first documented instance of cosplay occurred in 1908 when Mr. and Mrs. William Fell, a Cincinnati, Ohio couple, attended a masquerade ball in costumes depicting Mr. Skygack and Miss Pickles, martians from a newspaper comic that first ran in the Chicago Day Book.
By Patricia Sarkar10 years ago in Geeks
Retro Toys Return
Remember when toys were exciting and innovative? Not the toys of today, but the REALLY innovative toys of the past—the ones that were so different and so thrilling that toy companies couldn’t keep up with the demand for their amazing products? Toys are a beloved part of childhood. An old toy found in an old attic, once lost but never forgotten, can bring back a whirlwind of memories of happier, more innocent days. While some toys have been left behind in the dust of more technologically advanced products, others have been able to stand the test of time.
By Heather Johnson10 years ago in Geeks
