Secure Immaturity

Hey gang! Brian and I put together an episode we are very proud of! This episode is all about merchandising in our lives. When did we first realize it existed? When did we decide to ignore the fact that we were being ripped off? When was enough ENOUGH! Enjoy this episode. . .we had a great time making it. Oh and please make us feel good by writing us an email at secure immaturity at gmail.com because I’m really tired of reading  penis-enlarging ads! 

• http://media.libsyn.com/media/secureimmaturity/Episode_VII.m4 

For William via Spiegel:

Michael Ballack, captain of the German national soccer team, talks to SPIEGEL about his breakthrough at London’s Chelsea, Germany’s prospects in the European Championship and his post-career plans.

V by David Lloyd

Originally uploaded by brianinmunich

I thought I’d post some bits an bobs from my art and sketch collection this week. David Lloyd drew V for me in pastels at the Munich Comic Festival in 2007.  The muted colors make V come through.

And, yes, I brought along a Moleskine reporter’s notebook for the sketch.  (I am that kind of insufferable asshole.)  That may have been a bad choice in retrospect, since they do a terrible job absorbing some ink.  Unless I write in pencil or ballpoint, I have trouble with   I may have to cut this one out and remount it in something.

Still, thought I like the size, and with a little luck, I may be able to fill that book up with sketches.

Hey y’all. Do you have a collection you’re proud of (like Brian) or embarrassed of (like me)? Then listen to the next episode and see what mistakes have been made and what tips you need to have a great collection!

• http://media.libsyn.com/media/secureimmaturity/Episode_VI.m4a

In honor of the now-late March Madness college basketball tournament and the upcoming NBA finals (and the Champions League semi-finals) I decided to pit superhero against superhero in the Marvel Comic Cards April Madness. Sixteen heroes vs. Sixteen villains. I will post a battle every week and we’ll collect votes and announce the winners on the show. Below is our first battle.

He’s an automatic number one seed but does Spider-Man deserve such a distinction against clear under-dog Grim Reaper? You have the stats! You make the call!

I lost interest in The Ultimates, and I shouldn’t have bothered with Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch on Fantastic Four. The comic looks pretty enough, although Reed Richards looks off, and who ever colored the thing loves Photoshop a little too much.

But, the story is a bit soulless, and I still can’t deal with all of the Civil War shit in Marvel’s books. It did save me from taking a chance on the collection, though.

I can’t get my head around this thing.

I shouldn’t like No More Heroes. The controls aren’t anything spectacular, the graphics give me a bit of a headache, and I find the enemies repetitive. But, this thing has got style.

I play just to see the next boss coming up, and I giggle the whole way. Some of the minigames don’t even feel like the grinding they’re meant to be. I enjoyed mowing grass, for example.

I still don’t know what to make of it. There’s nothing to do but play more.

As soon as I got back to Munich this week, I hit the comic store, because I knew that All Star Superman was waiting for me. The first panel made me happy in a way that I haven’t felt for a long time. Go read it.

Last week, I had the opportunity to take advantage of the low dollar on a business trip.  I was afraid that I’d come back with so many DVDs that I’d have to split the load among my colleagues, but I didn’t buy a single thing because the prices in the States are outrageous.

Taking the high Euro into account, American DVDs are about 20% higher, with the exception of new releases.  DVD sets are even worse, with most TV shows around 30% higher in America.  HBO is the worst, with its sets selling for about half price in Germany.

There is no wonder that people pirate movies and shows like crazy.   The Wire sells for something like $7.00 an episode, and some Dr. Who episodes were selling at $24.00 a pop.  At those prices, it’s easy for people to justify stealing content; nobody likes a gouger.

Professor Layton just got me through a long and tedious flight. On the surface, the game looks like one of the old Lucas Arts point and click adventures, and with the DS touch screen it looks like it plays similarly. Professor Layton and his sidekick Luke wander through the town St. Mystere talking to people and trying to figure out where the mysterious inheritance is hidden.

Once I started talking to people in the village, the comparison with the point and click adventures broke down. Before villagers answer your questions, the present you with a logic or word problem. I like those kinds of puzzles, but I wouldn’t recommend Professor Layton to anyone who doesn’t like them.

Professor Layton looks spectacular with beautiful animated sequences and pretty designs. It’s the best looking thing on the DS.

I’ve got another flight coming up, and that’s a few more hours of compulsive puzzle solving.