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Pop Artifact! Marx astronaut figure

Educational comics

Pop Culture Roundup Oct. 9, 2006

"Inland Empire," David Lynch's first film in five years has a three-hour running time.

"Empire" begins with two interwoven stories of an actress, played by Laura Dern, who is making an onscreen comeback in a Southern melodrama she's filming called "High in Blue Tomorrows." But the film soon branches off to follow a third abused and abusive character also played by Dern.

"I figure I have at least three roles, maybe a few more," she laughed in an interview.

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The Tower Records chain is no more.

The disappearance of Tower's familiar red-and-yellow logo will leave a gaping hole in the landscape of American music retailing. Los Angeles-based Virgin Megastores, which operates 20 Virgin Megastores, now will become the most prominent deep-catalog retailer.

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Hey everybody! Let's do "The Lurch"!

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Underground Toys is distributing Doctor Who toys to U.S. retailers such as Borders and Spencer Gifts.

Two assortments of five-inch action figures (with a total of 12 figures between the two assortments), plus some 12-inch figures, key-chains, the Sonic Screwdriver, and a Radio-Controlled Dalek, should all be available in the U.S. by December.

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Upcoming stuff from TwoMorrows Publishing

MODERN MASTERS VOLUME TEN: KEVIN MAGUIRE
by George Khoury and Eric Nolen-Weathington

In 1987, a year after Watchmen and Dark Knight Returns turned comics
grim and gritty, artist Kevin Maguire proved that comics could still be
fun, with the release of the “all-new” Justice League. His style was
the
perfect match for the humorous dialogue and character-driven stories,
and the unlikely series quickly developed a large following. But the
glue that held the series together was Maguire’s ability to convey
emotion on the page. He has an uncanny knack for capturing just the
right facial expression and body language in his figures. The Justice
League, Captain America, the X-Men, the Defenders... they are all
actors
on Maguire’s stage, and he directs them with the ability of a true
Modern Master. This new volume in the Modern Masters series, by George
Khoury and Eric Nolen-Weathington, features a career-spanning Kevin
Maguire interview and tons of artwork, including a large gallery
section
featuring many rare and unpublished sketches and finished pieces. This
128-page volume presents the ultimate look at the work of a true Modern
Master: Kevin Maguire!

The 128 page (plus cover), squarebound , 8 1/2" x 11" trade paperback
with a full color cover and black-and-white interiors retails for
$14.95
in the U.S. and ships 13 December 2006.

ALTER EGO 63
Alter Ego 63 remembers comics legend ALEX TOTH in a special tribute
issue, feauturing: A full-color cover by TOTH of the Justice Society of
America! Never-before-seen TOTH interview by MICHAEL VANCE, where we
learn Alex’s views on violence in the media—and everyplace else! Tons
of
ALEX TOTH art—both published and unpublished—including sketches he sent
to friends! See samples of the work of artists TOTH liked: CANIFF,
SICKLES, CHRISTMAN, HASEN, COLE, KELLY, BECK, ROBINSON, OKSNER, MAYER,
FLESSEL, FOSTER, ROBBINS, CRANE, TUSKA, MESKIN, & others! Plus:
Christmas card art by MOLDOFF, MAROTO, and others! FCA (Fawcett
Collectors of America) with MARC SWAYZE & a tribute to TOTH—MICHAEL T.
GILBERT and Mr. Monster’s Comic Crypt—& MORE! Edited by ROY THOMAS.

The 100 page (plus cover), saddle-stitched 8 1/2" x 11" magazine with a
full color cover and black-and-white interiors retails for $6.95 in the
U.S. and ships 6 December 2006.