All Good Things…

In case you hadn’t noticed, it’s been over a month since our last episode. Furthermore, we haven’t had any other content posted to the site, nor have our forums had much activity.

This may come as bad news to many of you, but here it is anyway: Nine Panel Nerds is going on indefinite hiatus. All of the panelists have had a lot going on in their own lives lately, so it’s been incredibly difficult to make time for the show. This isn’t something we planned on, but it’s gotten to the point where we really don’t have any other options. It’s better to nip it in the bud then just drag it out needlessly.

So from all of us here at NPN, thanks so much for listening, and for your generous support over the past two years. We may be back at some point, but no one knows what the future may hold. Until then…take care!

Energy Tank: Game Over

Game Over

Further details coming soon.

Episode 87: NPN vs. Disney/Marvel

Just about everyone has heard about Disney buying Marvel but what does the panel think about it?
Licensing, films, comic books, and even artwork, how will it all be affected? We try to cover it all. Plus a little Listener Mail.

Don’t forget to check out our website at ninepanelnerds.com, visit our forums at ninepanelnerds.com/forums, follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/ninepanelnerds, and last, but not least, be sure to email us at podcast[at]ninepanelnerds[dot]com!

 

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Episode 86: Dark Epiphany?

If you’re confused by the title of this episode, don’t be: Cross is reading Blackest Night! Find out why this has happened and what brought him around. Plus, Listener Mail.

Don’t forget to check out our website at ninepanelnerds.com, visit our forums at ninepanelnerds.com/forums, follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/ninepanelnerds, and last, but not least, be sure to email us at podcast[at]ninepanelnerds[dot]com!

 

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Energy Tank: Ten years of Dreamcast


(This entry has been crossposted, no pun intended, to my own blog. All must know the majesty that is Dreamcast.)

One of the greatest video game systems of all time celebrates its tenth birthday today…yet it’s been dead and buried for most of the past decade.

Sega Dreamcast

Yes, I’m talking about the almighty Sega Dreamcast. I was a senior in college way back in September of 1999, and I knew one person who bought a Dreamcast on launch day. Everyone else was a bunch of pathetic fools. (Or, being in college, just broke.) Regardless, we played a hell of a lot of Sonic Adventure, Jet Grind Radio, Soul Calibur, Power Stone, and other mold-breaking titles that Sega saw fit to unleash upon us. Sadly, the hugely successful launch of the PlayStation 2 a year later essentially killed the Dreamcast. The gaming masses’ dismissal of the Dreamcast at that point infuriated many a Sega fan, myself included. They never even gave the system a chance!

Aside from the phenomenal games library, look at all of the forward-thinking technology Sega crammed into the Dreamcast. For starters, it had a built-in modem, making it the only console that supported free online play out of the box until the release of the PS2 Slim in 2004; the Xbox (released in 2001) had an Ethernet port, but online play was not free. (It still isn’t!) The Dreamcast also had a web browser, support for an optional Ethernet adapter, VGA/480p output capability, multiple memory card slots in the controllers, an offset analog stick, memory cards that doubled as handheld gaming systems…the list goes on. Some games even linked up with the NeoGeo Pocket!

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: the Dreamcast is the most underrated video game system ever made. There was a boatload of fantastic titles produced for it, many of which are still ahead of their time today…but people practically ignored the console in favor of the PS2. That isn’t to say that the PS2 didn’t deserve the praise; far from it. (The damned thing is still going strong almost ten years after its release!) It’s just that too many fanboys had blinders on: PS2 was the only thing that existed in their field of vision after the success of the original PlayStation, and they weren’t going to give anything else a second look. Sure, Sega’s massive mistakes with the Saturn didn’t help the gaming public’s perception of their upcoming system, but plenty of blame does still lie with the consumer. The games released over the Dreamcast’s lifespan can easily go toe-to-toe with its competitors. Proof of this is the fact that many Dreamcast titles were later ported to the PS2, GameCube, and Xbox!

I maintain that if Sega had waited and released the Dreamcast alongside the PS2 in the fall of 2000, it would’ve been considerably more successful. Even if more people still wanted the PS2, that console had severe shortages. With another brand-new console sharing shelf space, what do you think they would’ve gone for, especially during the Christmas rush? Even though the Dreamcast launched only a year prior to the PS2, it was considered “old” by the time Sony’s console hit the shelves. (C’mon, even some Nintendo fanboys considered the PS2 “out of date” when the GameCube launched in 2001.) A final testament to the Dreamcast’s rabid fanbase was that Japanese developers kept releasing games years after the system’s demise!

The Dreamcast may be no more, but fortunately, it’s obtainable very easily and inexpensively. You’re doing yourself a great service if you pick one up, as there’s so many cheap, great games out there that will keep you entertained for a very long time. SEGA!

Episode 85: Just the 2 of Us

Scott and Dave talk about District 9, Inglorious Basterds, and a few other things.
Plus a DVDave, where he gives a quick review of The Icons of Science Fiction Toho Collection.

Don’t forget to check out our website at ninepanelnerds.com, visit our forums at ninepanelnerds.com/forums, follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/ninepanelnerds, and last, but not least, be sure to email us at podcast[at]ninepanelnerds[dot]com!

 

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Special Episode 17: Brian Clevinger and Scott Wegener

Atomic Robo #1Luke sits down and talks with Brian Clevinger and Scott Wegener, the writer/artist duo behind the critically-acclaimed Atomic Robo comic book series. The three talk about the creative process, the influences behind the book, and pretty much anything else that comes to mind in an absolutely hilarious conversation.

Don’t forget to check out our website at ninepanelnerds.com, visit our forums at ninepanelnerds.com/forums, follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/ninepanelnerds, and last, but not least, be sure to email us at podcast[at]ninepanelnerds[dot]com!

 

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Lita’s Casting Couch: Gargoyles

Gargoyles-logo

So, I’ve been toying with this idea for quite some time, and after an afternoon browsing my favorite fanart topics on DeviantArt, I decided to take the plunge and design my all-time favorite cartoon into a spooky, live-action adventure – yes, I’m talking prosthetics and spray paint! Now, anyone who’s ever seen this show knows that it was years beyond its time, and got very little of the recognition it deserved, save from its fans. So here’s my tribute:

Goliath: Eric Bana
Goliath

ericbana
Goliath not only needs to be tall and muscular, he also needs to be portrayed by someone familiar with the concept of honor, loyalty and leadership. Mr. Bana did just that in his role as Prince Hector in “Troy.” He can also give off the “wild beast” vibe – remember the first Hulk movie; the one no one seems to like? That and he looks good in very little clothing.

Elisa Maza: Rosario Dawson
elisa

rosariodawson
This girl is gorgeous, she’s a geek, and she CAN act her way out of a paper bag. Eliza Maza is half-African/half-Native American, so I had to go with someone who looked like they could fit that description. Besides, the girl can play ANY role you throw at her, and I don’t think she’s played an honest cop, yet.

David Xanatos: Gerard Butler
xanatos

gerardbutler
While Jonathan Frakes reprising his role would have been ideal, too many years have gone by and he no longer looks appropriate. Enter the Spartan King, the Phantom of the Opera, the.. dead husband from PS I Love You? Anyway, he has a commanding presence, incredible talent, and the look to boot. I think I would enjoy seeing him play a billionaire-genius-villain.

Demona: Christina Hendricks
demona

christinahendricks
So at this point in her career, she’s done a lot of TV shows, including E.R., Tru Calling, Cold Case, and Mad Men.  I think it’s time, however, for her to take on the big screen, and what better way to do that than as a hateful, jaded, blue-skinned, red-haired “demon.”

Hudson: Brian Cox
hudson

briancox
Um… it’s Brian Cox. Nuff said!

Brooklyn: Talyor Kitsch
brooklyn

taylorkitsch
I didn’t particularly care for his portrayal of Gambit in the recent Wolverine flick, but then again I didn’t care for the flick much at all. While he may have forgotten the cajun accent, he did manage to show that he has an acting ability as well as a few combat skills. I think he’ll fit nicely as second-in-command of the Manhattan Clan. Enjoy the beak!!

Broadway: Seth Rogen
Broadway

sethrogen
I know, the guy is in EVERYTHING these days. Every comedy and CG movie has this guy in the credits. Though you have to admit he’s good at being the comic relief, which is Broadway’s primary function… well.. that and eating. But seriously, Rogen fits the bill.

Lexington: Seth Green
lexington

sethgreen
If you weren’t sold on my Broadway casting, there’s NO WAY you won’t be sold on this one! Small, Green and Geeky, meet Small, Geeky and Green! Someone short, someone talented, and someone not afraid to try new things (i.e. Robot Chicken or hosting Monday Night RAW).

Fox: Tricia Helfer
fox

triciahelfer
Tricia’s got a reputation for playing the badass chick on the block –  Playing the Cylon Six in Battlestar Galactica, and the ruthless Carla in Burn Notice. She knows how to portray both devious and innocent at the same time, which fits her perfectly into the role of Xanatos’ scheming wife.

Owen Burnett: Paul Bettany
owen
paulbettany
I originally had this role going to Cillian Murphy, but upon further research, I decided he was far better as a mass murderer than an evil butler. So who’s this guy, you ask? How about the voice of Jarvis in Iron Man (BUTLER CREDIT), Silas from The Da Vinci Code (EVIL CREDIT), and the husband of Jennifer Connelly (GEEK BY ASSOCIATION CREDIT…Jenny C. = Betty Ross v.1).

So there you have it – one of Disney’s finest creations designed for the darker masses of the world. Hey, if they could make an awesome PG-13 movie out of a park ride, they can do this with their hands tied behind their backs! *Insert Theme Music*

Episode 84: Mr. Foster Goes to ConnectiCon!

Recently Luke attended the 2009 ConnectiCon in Hartford, Connecticut, pushing his on-line comic Moon Freight 3. Marc and Luke talk about what happened.

 

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Episode 83: Blackest Night

Marc and Dave give you their thoughts on DC’s new event Blackest Night.
Plus a Lita’s Casting Couch!

 

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