Gamer raises money for Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

Taylor resident Kyle Harris put his video gaming skills to good use Nov. 8 in a 24-hour gaming session to raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Harris raised $632 for the cause by setting up a Paypal account for donations. The cause is close to his heart as his younger brother Korey Harris of Wayne suffers from the genetic disorder. Harris hopes to repeat the effort next year and double the amount raised as well as heighten awareness and education about the disease.

The White House's first super-team is getting put together – by a guy who sells gyros.

Joe Cyborg, a disembodied head attached to a robot body - who holds an undisclosed position at The White House, is looking to amass an off-the-books team of super-heroes - and former team-mates, The Almighties, have caught his eye...

The Almighties – who disbanded after learning their benefactor was actually an insane Neo-Nazi - comprised armored field leader Maxi-Tron, former downtrodden Canadian housewife turned swingin' super-heroine Ms. F, British punk rocker/werewolf Nite Fang, black ops soldier-for-hire Mason... and Greek takeout owner Stefanos.

Joe is not without his reservations over the motley crew; but if anyone should need replacing, he already has a new member in mind - in the form of (the Deadpool-parodying) Wayne Winston, who lives in a whale skeleton, in the mysterious underground lair known as Subterranea, with his step-parents Nigel and Rodent. 

“This might be a good time for Wayne to be offered such an opportunity,” says Sam Johnson, The Almighties' co-creator/writer. “The bizarre habitat he and his family call home was chosen for a reason – its serene environment keeps Wayne's more...'troubling'...character traits in check... But, at the behest of would-be world-conqueror Muhky – who wants to utilize Subterranea for his own ends - a demon imp is on his way to serve Wayne and co. a very brutal eviction.”

However, whether Wayne will get his lifeline rests in the hands of Stefanos. “Stef is a guy who acts as a part-time presidential aide, when he's not needed at his takeout, Doner Fella's,” Johnson continues; “So with his connection to the team and his (inexplicably) trusted position at The White House, who better for Joe Cyborg to have review The Almighties' potential line-up?”

Stefanos is a man in great demand, though - and his skills are sought after in The Almighties #0 not just by Joe, but by President Obama himself – when Stef is called upon to go back in time and save Obama's top Man in Black – Agent Coleslaw – after Coleslaw gets his face blasted off in battle.

Written by Sam Johnson (Geek-Girl, Cabra Cini: Voodoo Junkie Hitwoman) & Mike Gagnon (Classic Illustrated, Monkeys & Midgets), illustrated by Eleonora Kortsarz, Graham Pearce, Pablo Zambrano & Ron Gravelle, published by Actuality Press and rated 'Teen,' The Almighties #0 is released on November 5th  - along with a chance for newcomers to catch up on the team's debut adventure, when The Almighties #1 gets a new Limited Variant Edition – both available atwww.actualitypress.com

'Shrinking' variant offered for new Ant-Man #1

This January – the small hero with the big time heroics is ready for his shot in ANT-MAN #1, the new ongoing series from critically acclaimed creators Nick Spencer (Superior Foes of Spider-Man, Avengers World) and Ramon Rosanas (Night of the Living Deadpool). But first, Marvel is proud to present your first look at the exclusive Ant-Man #1 Shrinking Variant – available only in comic shops!

From blockbuster artist Ed McGuinness – each Ant-Man #1 Shrinking Variant is completely unique. Individually numbered, each cover features Ant-Man at a different size – small, large and everything in between. Fans lucky enough to get their hands on this highly collectable variant cover will own a unique piece of history, as no two variants are alike!

“This is completely unlike any cover we’ve ever attempted,” says Marvel SVP Sales & Marketing David Gabriel. “We’ve even had to utilize new technologies to make it happen. Each variant is completely unique. Each and every cover will feature a different sized Ant-Man. No two are identical!”

Scott Lang is ready to turn it all around in this brand new ongoing series. Sure he’s never been the world’s greatest super hero. Most people don’t even think he’s been the best Ant-Man – and the last guy created Ultron and joined the Masters of Evil, so that’s really saying something. But that’s all about to change. New city. New outlook. New Scott.

                                                                                  

Be there for Scott Lang’s brand new day and don’t miss your chance to get your hands on this truly unique, one-of-a-kind variant before they’re gone for good! This time, nothing’s going to stop the astonishing Ant-Man! Be there when he returns to comic shops with the can’t miss ANT-MAN #1 SHRINKING VARIANT comes exclusively to comic shops this January.

Deadworld soda to debut Friday

Detroit will be delivering a new taste in soda beverages for America soon and it will be promoted in a zombie theme.  Caprice Brands is announcing its company launch of branded beverages and leading the way is a line of premium zombie soda based on the iconic zombie comic book, Deadworld.

Deadworld has been published for over 25 years including stints at the nation's third and fourth largest comic publishers (Image and IDW, respectively) and has been nominated (and winning some) for numerous industry awards.  The storyline is based on a zombie apocalypse but in addition to the shuffling undead, Deadworld features intelligent zombies and they have a plan for taking over the world. 

Caprice Brands, like Deadworld, is from a Detroit area based company.  Caprice was formed earlier this year from three local entrepreneurs who decided to combine their expertise and launch the new company. 

Tim Dabish is the CEO of Intrastate Distributors Inc. a family owned beverage distribution company in Detroit.  Dabish has expanded the company during his tenure especially with the company’s own brand of Towne Club and Frostie.  Dabish noted that in his experience, “themed beverages do quite well in the beverage industry and popular culture characters such as zombies have a great and wide appeal.”

Paul Burke was a partner with Stan Lee on the Comic Book Greats video series before teaming up with Todd McFarlane in launching McFarlane Toys which in just three years’ time became a 100 million dollar company. 

Gary Reed, the creator and writer of Deadworld, is also the publisher of Caliber Comics, one of the leading independent publishers in the comic book market and a company that launched the careers of many of today’s top comic writers and artists.  Caliber is the largest comic publishing house ever based in Michigan.

The soda line will feature characters from the Deadworld series and most of the artwork is newly created by primarily local artists. “The Detroit area has always been a hot bed for talent in the comic book industry,” said Reed, “so it wasn’t too hard to find so many talented artists to contribute artwork to for the labels and containers.  The need for artists was considerable as Caprice is releasing twelve different flavors, with names such as Morbid Mix and Grisly Swill, and each flavor will have four different versions. Burke noted that having variant versions of the bottles, “adds to the collectible market as well as those who just want a cool product and great all natural taste.”

The Deadworld premium soda line is scheduled to be released in late November and is expected to be carried at major retailers and chains as well as specialty shop.  Intrastate Distribution will handle and process orders and fulfillment.

Pith helmet from "Space Balls" up for sale on Ebay

Wonderworld Comics co-owner Dennis Barger often buys things simply because they are “cool.”
Barger, the self-proclaimed “King of the nerds,” at least in this area, is showing off some of his geek cred this week with a new Ebay auction for a screen used Pith Helmet from “Spaceballs.”
RELATED: Photos of Wonderworld Comics Vintage Toy Room.
Barger has decided to put the helmet up for sale recently after he brought it out of storage for his re-grand opening party for his Taylor-based brick and mortar store.
The helmet was the only one produced for the 1987 movie, and was used again on screen when Barger travelled to New Jersey and attempted to sell it on AMC’s hit show “Comic Book Men.”
The helmet is listed on Wonderworld’s Ebay Store for a buy it now price of $8,000, with free shipping.
Barger said in the listing that he hasn’t seen any screen-used props from the movie go on sale in over 10 years.
The item comes with all of the paperwork from the original auction where it was purchased and certified to be real. Furthermore, the man that sold the helmet to Barger is still a customer at the store and gladly tells the tale of how he came to own it when asked.
Check out the Ebay listing here: http://goo.gl/LQKkNU
 (Video courtesy Terrell Culbert/Breathe Again Magazine, was partially filmed at WonderWorld Comics.)

Vintage toy room opens at Wonderworld Comics in Taylor

If there is one thing Dennis Barger and R.J. Bowman, co-owners of Taylor-based Wonderworld Comics know better than comics it’s vintage toys.
Selling vintage toys has always been a key part of the business model for the store, but generally it was done through private showing in the jam-packed warehouse.
SLIDESHOW: Photos of Wonderworld Comics Vintage Toy Room.
Recently the pair debuted their new Vintage Toy Room at the store, 22347 Ecorse Rd., within the room are toys dating back up to 50 years.
“Shopping at Wonderworld is like having Santa Claus with a time machine.” Barger said.
There are vintage toys “Star Wars,” “Star Trek,” “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers,” “Captain Planet,” “Transformers,” and just about any other line of toys released from the 1970’s through the mid 1990’s. Also included are some rarer pieces that date back earlier than the 70’s.
“With the exposure we got on “Toyhunter” (A TV show on the Travel Channel) we realized the stuff we had in the back is actually a bigger draw than we thought,” Barger said. “People started showing up wanting vintage toys so we moved back to the other end of the strip mall and put in the vintage toy room.”
The vintage toy room is about the same size as the regular store is, and can be used to host events as well. There is also a spot for vintage video games where several systems will be set up to test out games and accessories.
At the toy room’s debut party about 40 people came in on a Friday night to celebrate, and gawk at all of the merchandise that was previously only available to select few.
The crown jewel of the toy room so far is a “G.I. Joe” playset that is rare to come by with all of the parts. The USS Flagg, which is about 8 feet long and three feet high when assembled was expensive in the 1980’s when it was released and never sold well because of the size and price issues with it. Now the toy goes for huge money when complete. The vintage toy room has one proudly on display, with rumors of at least one more waiting for space to be displayed.
Contact Wonderworld Comics at 1-313-292-8697.
 (Video courtesy Terrell Culbert/Breathe Again Magazine, was partially filmed at WonderWorld Comics.)

MTV artist Steven Cooper to perform in Allen Park

A rising star in the MTV universe will bring his fresh spin on hip hop to Allen Park.

Steven Cooper will take the stage tonight at Simons After Dark, 4936 Allen Road, in Allen Park.

His music fuses pop and hip-hop elements with aggressive delivery and lyricism.

Cooper’s latest tune, “Bigger,” features Akon and, at the time of its release, broke into the top 100 downloaded singles on iTunes.

He recently was featured alongside Akon and Tech N9NE and has been signed to MTV.

His catchy songs have been featured on ESPN, Fox, MTVu and ABC Family. Cooper recently headlined the Promise Land Festival in Ottumwa, Iowa, performing for more than 3,500 attendees.

Born in the Midwest, he was raised by a young mother and never knew his father.

He recalls growing up in a home surrounded by sex, drugs, violence, and addiction, which eventually left his family homeless.

After dealing with depression and anger issues in his teenage years and being bullied in school, he began to write lyrics and decided to share his songs with the kids at school.

His new EP titled “One Night Out” is available now on iTunes.

Visit iamstevencooper.com for more information about the singer.