Pop Culture Safari!

Doctor Who soundtrack out Feb. 13 in U.S.

A top seller and download in the U.K., composer Murray Gold's music from the revived "Doctor Who" TV series is finally coming out over here.

Tracks include:

1. DoctorWho Theme – TV version
2. Westminster Bridge
3. The Doctor's Theme
4. Cassandra's Waltz
5. Slitheen
6. Father's Day
7. Rose In Peril
8. Boom Town Suite
9. I'm Coming To Get You
10. Hologram
11. Rose Defeats The Daleks
12. Clockwork TARDIS
13. arriet Jones, Prime Minister
14. Rose's Theme
15. Song For Ten (performed by Neil Hannon)
16. The Face of Boe
17. UNIT
18. Seeking The Doctor
19. Madame de Pompadour
20. Tooth and Claw
21. The Lone Dalek
22. New Adventures
23. Finding Jackie
24. Monster Bossa
25. The Daleks
26. The Cybermen
27. Doomsday
28. The Impossible Planet
29. Sycorax Encounter
30. Love Don't Roam (performed by Neil Hannon)
31. Doctor Who Theme – Album

You can pre-order it now for $13.99 from Amazon.

DVD: Peter Pan platinum edition out March 6

Extras on this double-disk remastered reissue of the classic Disney film include:

* Restored original theatrical soundtrack
* Camp Never Land: Explore Never Land with all-new multi-level games
* Deleted songs
* In Walt's Words: Walt Disney reveals "Why I Made Peter Pan"
* The Peter Pan Story: 1952 featurette
* Sneak Peek of the all-new Tinker Bell movie
* You Can Fly: The Making of Peter Pan

You can pre-order it now for $19.99 from Amazon.

DVD: Wild, Wild West season 2 due out March 20

The second season set of this James Bond meets "Gunsmoke" series includes 28 episodes on seven disks.

You can pre-order it now for $34.99 from Amazon.

DVD: U.S. vs. John Lennon out Feb. 13

This documentary details the ex-Beatles' early 1970s political activism and subsequent immigraton fight with the Nixon Administration, which sought to deport him.

Extras include an interview with Walter Cronkite.

You can pre-order the disk now for $19.59 from Amazon.

New Comics Dec. 20, 2006

See complete lists:
DC Archives
DC Showcase
DC Trade Paperbacks
Marvel Masterworks
Marvel Essentials
Marvel Trade Paperbacks
Upcoming Trade Paperbacks - Graphic Novels

Comics Shipping Dec. 20, 2006

DARK HORSE COMICS

OCT060022 BAKERS MEET JINGLE BELLE (ONE SHOT) $2.99
OCT060013 CONAN #35 (MR) $2.99
OCT060040 CRIMINAL MACABRE TWO RED EYES #1 (OF 4) $2.99

DC COMICS

OCT060177 52 WEEK #33 $2.50
SEP060290 ALBION TP $19.99
SEP060217 AQUAMAN SWORD OF ATLANTIS #47 $2.99
AUG060191 AQUAMAN SWORD OF ATLANTIS ONCE AND FUTURE TP $12.99 $10.39 at Amazon.
OCT060157 BATMAN LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT #213 $2.99
OCT060182 BIRDS OF PREY #101 $2.99
OCT060158 CATWOMAN #62 $2.99
OCT060183 CHECKMATE #9 $2.99
OCT060286 DEADMAN #5 (MR) $2.99
OCT060289 FABLES #56 (MR) (NOTE PRICE) $3.50
SEP060313 FABLES VOL 8 WOLVES TP (MR) $17.99 $12.23 at Amazon.
OCT060292 HELLBLAZER #227 (MR) $2.99
OCT060195 ION #9 (OF 12) $2.99
OCT060211 JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA HEREBY ELECTS TP $14.99 $10.19 at Amazon.
OCT060237 KRYPTO THE SUPER DOG #4 (OF 6) $2.25
OCT060269 MAN CALLED KEV #5 (OF 5) (MR) $2.99
SEP060269 MOON CHILD VOL 5 $9.99
OCT060221 OMEGA MEN #3 (OF 6) $2.99
OCT060271 RED MENACE #2 (OF 6) $2.99
OCT060272 RED MENACE VAR EDITION #2 (OF 6) $2.99
OCT060241 SCOOBY DOO #115 $2.25
SEP060248 SECRET SIX #6 (OF 6) $2.99
OCT060227 SHADOWPACT #8 $2.99
SEP060207 SUPERMAN For TOMORROW VOL 2 TP $14.99 $10.19 from Amazon.
OCT060232 TEEN TITANS #42 $2.99
SEP060270 TENJHO TENGE VOL 11 $9.99
OCT060295 TESTAMENT #13 (MR) $2.99
OCT060280 TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE #2 (MR) $2.99
OCT060298 Y THE LAST MAN #52 (MR) $2.99

IMAGE COMICS

OCT061865 AGE OF BRONZE #24 $3.50
OCT061866 BOMB QUEEN VOL 2 #3 (OF 3)(MR) $3.50
OCT061846 CRYPTICS #2 $3.50
JUL061747 DARKNESS COMPENDIUM EDITION TP $59.99
OCT061853 DEADWORLD REQUIEM THE WORLD TP (MR) $16.99 $11.55 from Amazon.
OCT061871 ELEPHANTMEN #5 $2.99
OCT068218 FELL 5TH PTG #2 $1.99
OCT068217 FELL 6TH PTG #1 $1.99
OCT068120 FELL NEW PTG #5 $1.99
OCT061902 FRESHMEN VOL 2 #2 $2.99
SEP061823 NEGATIVE BURN #7 (MR) $5.99
OCT061881 PIRATES OF CONEY ISLAND #3 (OF 8) $2.99
OCT061850 WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ GN $9.99

MARVEL COMICS

OCT068070 ANITA BLAKE VH GUILTY PLEASURES 2ND PTG VAR #2 (OF 12) $2.99
OCT062140 AVENGERS EARTHS MIGHTIEST HEROES II #4 (OF 8) $3.99
OCT062180 CABLE DEADPOOL #35 $2.99
AUG062036 CIVIL WAR FRONT LINE #9 (OF 11) $2.99
OCT062150 CIVIL WAR WAR CRIMES ONE SHOT $3.99
OCT062204 CRIMINAL #3 (MR) $2.99
OCT062121 DAILY BUGLE JANUARY NEWSPAPER PI
JUL061965 FANTASTIC FOUR #541 CW $2.99
OCT062130 FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN #15 $2.99
SEP062118 IRON MAN #14 CW $2.99
OCT062158 IRON MAN CAPTAIN AMERICA CASUALTIES OF WAR ONE SHOT CW $3.99
OCT068053 MAGICIAN APPRENTICE 2ND PTG VAR #3 (OF 12) (PP #743) $2.99
OCT062161 MARVEL ADVENTURES AVENGERS #8 $2.99
OCT062234 MARVEL SELECT FLIP MAGAZINE #20 $4.99
OCT062235 MARVEL TALES FLIP MAGAZINE #19 $4.99
OCT062168 MS MARVEL #10 $2.99
SEP062126 NEW AVENGERS #26 $2.99
OCT062165 NEW AVENGERS ILLUMINATI #1 (OF 5) $2.99
OCT062195 PUNISHER #42 (MR) $2.99
OCT062131 SENSATIONAL SPIDER-MAN #33 $2.99
OCT062171 SHE-HULK 2 #14 $2.99
OCT062173 THUNDERBOLTS #109 $2.99
OCT062126 ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #103 $2.99
JAN062094 ULTIMATE X-MEN ULTIMATE COLLECTION VOL 1 TP $24.99 $17.24 at Amazon.
OCT062174 UNION JACK #4 (OF 4) $2.99
OCT062192 X-MEN FIRST CLASS #4 (OF 8) $2.99
OCT062197 ZOMBIE #4 (OF 4) (MR) $3.99

WIZARD ENTERTAINMENT

OCT063024 WIZARD ANIME INSIDER NARUTO CVR #40 $5.99
NOV063177 WIZARD COMICS MAG RAMOS ART CVR #184 (HELLBOY REPLACEMENT) $5.99
NOV063178 WIZARD COMICS MAGAZINE 2007 PREVIEW RAMOS ART CVR #184 $5.99
NOV063176 WIZARD COMICS MAGAZINE SPIDER-MAN 3 MONTAGE CVR #184 $5.99

COMICS

SEP063349 A G SUPER EROTIC ANTHOLOGY #47 (A) $4.99
OCT063400 ACTION PHILOSOPHERS VOL 2 GIANT SIZED THING TP $8.95
OCT063459 ANGEL DIARY VOL 5 GN $10.95
SEP063213 BATTLESTAR GALACTICA ZAREK #1 $3.50
SEP063217 BATTLESTAR GALACTICA ZAREK ADD COPIES NEG CVR #1 PI
SEP063215 BATTLESTAR GALACTICA ZAREK ADD COPIES SKETCH #1 PI
SEP063218 BATTLESTAR GALACTICA ZAREK PHOTO FOIL CVR #1 PI
OCT063141 BETTY & VERONICA DIGEST #171 $2.49
OCT063464 BRING IT ON VOL 4 $10.95
OCT063468 CYNICAL ORANGE VOL 3 $10.95
AUG063206 DARKMAN VS ARMY OF DARKNESS #2 (OF 4) $3.50
JUN063351 DEVILS PANTIES #7 $4.95
OCT063458 GOONG VOL 1 GN (RES) $10.95
JUN063516 GUMBY #2 $3.99
AUG063232 HACK SLASH SLICE HARD CASELLI CVR A $4.95
AUG063233 HACK SLASH SLICE HARD CRANK CVR B $4.95
SEP063055 HERC & THOR PKT MANGA VOL 1 (APR068167) $14.95
SEP063229 HIGHLANDER #2 $2.99
OCT063445 JOE & MAX #1 $2.99
OCT063743 JOHN WOOS SEVEN BROTHERS AMANO CVR #3 $2.99
OCT063744 JOHN WOOS SEVEN BROTHERS HORN CVR #3 $2.99
OCT063143 JUGHEAD #178 $2.25
OCT063144 JUGHEADS DOUBLE DIGEST #127 $3.69
OCT068108 LONE RANGER #2 VAR CVR ED 2ND PTG (PP#744) $2.99
SEP063219 LONE RANGER #3 $2.99
OCT063410 LOVE & ROCKETS VOL 2 #18 (MR) $4.50
OCT063599 MAINTENANCE #1 (MR) PI
JUL063089 NIGHTWOLF THE PRICE #3 (OF 5) $2.95
AUG063520 PARIAH #4 $2.99
OCT063742 RAMAYAN 3392 AD #4 $2.99
SEP063222 RED SONJA #17 $2.99
OCT063145 SABRINA VOL 2 #81 $2.25
OCT063246 SIMPSONS COMICS #125 $2.99
OCT063147 SONIC THE HEDGEHOG ARCHIVES VOL 2 TP $7.49
FEB063361 STREET FIGHTER II #5 POWERFOIL SVEN CVR C $12.50
OCT063087 URSA MINORS #4 $2.95
OCT063739 WALK-IN #1 $2.99
OCT063600 WASTELAND #5 (MR) $2.99

Pop Artifact! Jaws game

Pop Culture Roundup Dec. 19, 2006

Animation pioneer Joseph Barbera died Monday.

Hanna-Barbera Productions...became synonymous with television animation, yielding more than 100 cartoon series over four decades, including “Scooby-Doo, Where Are You?,” “Jonny Quest” and “The Smurfs.”

On signature televisions shows like “The Flintstones” and “The Jetsons,” the two men developed a cartoon style that combined colorful, simply drawn characters (often based on other recognizable pop-culture personalities) with the narrative structures and joke-telling techniques of traditional live-action sitcoms. They were television’s first animated comedy programs.

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Via YouTube: Comics creator Stan Lee's appearance on "To Tell the Truth."

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A film based on cartoonist Mike Allred's "Madman" is in the works.

George Huang ("Swimming With Sharks") will direct a script he'll pen with Allred. Robert Rodriguez and Elizabeth Avellan will produce via their Troublemaker Studios banner.

...[The film] will follow a template similar to "Sin City," which Troublemaker produced and Rodriguez directed with creator Frank Miller for Dimension.

As with that film, the creative behind the comicbook is an active part of the creative process. And, like "Sin City," "Madman" will be shot entirely at Rodriguez's Troublemaker Studios in Texas.

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Via Bubblegumfink: Groove to the Peppermint Trolley Company (the band that sang the "Brady Bunch" theme).

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U.S. PBS station KTEH in San Jose has purchased rights to air the first season of the new "Doctor Who." Other outlets may follow.

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Details on the new "Prisoner" TV series to air on AMC:

The cable network is set to co-produce with the U.K.'s Granada and Sky One a new version of the sci-fi thriller, which aired from 1967-68 on CBS. The remake will feature a similar story line to the original series, which starred Patrick McGoohan, who also was creator, producer, writer and director.

...Production on the hourlong series is scheduled to begin in the spring for a worldwide premiere targeted for January 2008.

The article doesn't say who will star. Former "Doctor Who" Christopher Eccleston was reportedly in the running for the part, but now he's joining the cast of "Heroes," so who knows...

Best Prisoner sites.

Review: Darwyn Cooke's Spirit

Darwyn Cooke's got enviable talent--he's one of the best cartoonists working in comics today and I'm sure there are plenty of people who don't feel a bit sorry for him.

But I pity him, nevertheless, because he's now at work trying to fill amongst the biggest shoes in comic book history: Those of Will Eisner, in an ongoing monthly title featuring Eisner's seminal character The Spirit.

Sure, Cooke will tell you he's not trying to emulate or match Eisner's work. But the comparisons are inevitable.

It's true that plenty of other people have worked on the Spirit over the years. Eisner didn't even touch the strip for a few years during World War II, when it was ghosted by Lou Fine, Jack Cole and others. And The Spirit: The New Adventures title of the late 1980s saw all sorts of comics pros trying their hand on the character. But Cooke is the first cartoonist to take the job on solo--scripting and penciling an ongoing monthly Spirit comic.

Reportedly, Cooke was invited by Eisner himself to do the Spirit, shortly before the cartoonist's death. And if there had to be a new Spirit comic, I can't think of a better person for the job. He's no Eisner--nobody is--but Cooke is an inventive, fluid artist who can tell a good yarn in pictures. And, on the basis of a one-shot Spirit/Batman comic and the first issue of the new Spirit series proper, Cooke's stint on the character should be a treat.

Admittedly, the Batman crossover had some problems. Firstly, it didn't really do much to introduce us into the Spirit's mileau and failed to really capture his character. Also, Jeph Loeb's script lacked serious luster. His captions were dull and dashed off, lacking any style or drama. And Cooke's art suffered from a few storytelling hangups that caused me to lose track of what was happening a few times.

For example, the transition where Batman first appears was abrupt--taking place in a single, small, caption-less panel that failed to tell us the scene of action was shifting from the Spirit's point of view. And the Octopus' and the Joker's purple pin-stripe costumes were too similar to my eyes, and I couldn't tell who was who a few times. But, overall, it sure was pretty to look at. I loved the first splash, where the Spirit logo is depicted as huge, tumbling letters from a sign. And all the characters--the Spirit, Batman, Dolan, Commissioner Gordon, Barbara Gordon, Ellen, P'Gell, Penguin, the Joker, Carrion, etc. , look fabulous.

Much better is Spirit #1, which sees Cooke handling the full script and pencils, accompanied by J. Bone on inks and the wonderful Dave Stewart on colors. These guys could do random, nonsensical panels and the result would still be the best illustrated book published by DC or Marvel these days.

The bonus here, though, is that the issue actually tells an entertaining story. It's a done-in-one, which is suiting given that Eisner's classic Spirit tales were all told in just 7 or 8 pages. I believe Cooke plans to do all his issues as stand-alones and I hope that's the case. It's nice to see a regular-sized comic that can tell a single, well-paced story like this one.

Plot-wise, it's not a terribly sophisticated yarn--just a romp about the Spirit and a kidnapped girl reporter he rescues from an icky new villain, the Pill. But it's funny with lots of action and it flows smoothly--no glitches that take you out of the story, ala the Batman crossover. Cooke does a nice job of gently ushering the Spirit into the 21st century, taking a satirical jab at 24-hour news networks along the way. It's the type of thing Eisner was a master at: Mixing noir action, screwball comedy and subtle social commentary into one nice little package.

Cooke's major triumph, though, is giving us a new take on Eisner's ever-problematic Ebony White.

Eisner introduced Ebony back in the 40s and came to deeply regret the racially stereotyped way he wrote and drew the character. Eisner eventually smartened Ebony up and wrote a number of excellent stories spotlighting him. But he still looked and spoke much the same. Ultimately, Ebony was a product of much less englightened times.

The easy thing for Cooke to do would've been simply to ignore Ebony completely and not use the character. Instead, he's updated Ebony for our times. He's smart, funny and a great foil for the revived Spirit.

Truthfully, I'd buy pretty much anything Cooke drew. He's that good. There's lots of stuff I'd love to see him do--an ongoing Challengers of the Unknown title, for example, or an original series or graphic novel featuring his own characters. But, despite any reservations I and other longtime Spirit fans might have had, I think he's going to do a wonderful job with this series.

I'm still having a hard time believing it's a monthly. Reading a comic this good every 30 days is going to be a treat.

New CDs Dec. 19, 2006

The Compact Coward by Noel Coward

Our Back Yard: Live by Echo & the Bunnymen

Cover by Tom Verlaine

Living with War - Raw by Neil Young

The Article 3 by Me'Shell NdegéOcello

White & Nerdy by Weird Al Yankovic

More upcoming CDs

New DVDs Dec. 18, 2006

The Simpsons - The Complete Ninth Season

The Simpsons - The Complete Ninth Season (Collectible Lisa Head Pack)

Little Miss Sunshine

Hogan's Heroes - The Complete Fifth Season

Walt Disney Treasures - More Silly Symphonies (1929-1938)

Walt Disney Treasures - The Complete Pluto, Volume Two

Walt Disney Treasures - Your Host, Walt Disney

Walt Disney Treasures - The Mickey Mouse Club Featuring the Hardy Boys

ER - The Complete Sixth Season

Married With Children - The Complete Sixth Season

Lady in the Water (Widescreen Edition)

Gene Simmons - Family Jewels - Season One

My Super Ex-Girlfriend

More upcoming DVD releases.

Pop Artifact! Popeye chalk

Pop Culture Roundup Dec. 18, 2006

Via Bat-Blog: A foreign TV commercial featuring Batgirl, Catwoman and Wonder Woman. Not exactly sure what they're trying to sell...

Best Batman sites.

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CBS is considering an animated "Star Trek" show.

The series would most likely be broadcast on the web and be made up of ‘Clone Wars’ like 6-minute mini episodes. The yet-to-be-named project was originally pitched by long-time Trek producer David Rossi (well known to TrekMovie.com readers as a producer on Trek Remastered) along with his producer/writer partners Doug Mirabello and José Muñoz. Rossi sat down with TrekMovie.com for an exclusive look at how he and his partners hope to create a different kind of Trek set in the 26th century.

Best Star Trek sites.

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Reuters catches up with ex-Monkee Mickey Dolenz.

Dolenz's muse keeps him busy. He just finished playing Charlemagne in the play "Pippin" in Toronto. He's also had two books published this year -- a children's book titled "Gakky Two-Feet" (Putnam, 2006) and a trivia game book titled "Micky Dolenz' Rock 'n Rollin' Trivia" (Square One Publishers, 2006).

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Via the Collected Comics Library: We can expect these Marvel Essentials volumes in 2007 (nice to see that Golden Age stuff on the list):

Essential Spider-Woman Vol. 2
Collects Spider-Woman #26-50, Marvel Team-Up #97 and Uncanny X-Men #148

Essential Defenders Vol. 3
no contents yet

Essential Silver Surfer Vol. 2
Collects Silver Surfer (1982) #1, Silver Surfer (1987) #1-18 and Annual 1, and Marvel Fanfare #51

Essential Marvel Two-in-One Vol. 2
Collects Marvel Two-in-One #26-52 and Annual #2-3

Essential Dazzler Vol. 1
Collects Dazzler #1-21, Uncanny X-Men #130-131 and Amazing Spider-Man #203

Essential Fantastic Four Vol. 6
Collects Fantastic Four #111-137

Essential Golden Age Marvel Comics Vol. 1
Collects Marvel Comics #1-8

Essential Golden Age Sub-Mariner Vol. 1
Collects Sub-Mariner Comics #1-8

Essential Golden Age Captain America Vol. 1
Collects Captain America Comics #1-8

Complete list of Marvel Essentials books.

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Soundtracks for Marvel Comics' new direct-to-DVD animated movies are available on iTunes.

Each soundtrack is performed by a live orchestra and composed by Emmy Award-winning composer Guy Michelmore

For Ultimate Avengers, Michelmore conducts Seattle's Northwest Sinfonia orchestra and creates an epic soundscape perfectly suited for the action-packed drama of Marvel's first film, highlighted by the sounds of a choir singing Old Norse lyrics describing Thor's mighty battles!

In Ultimate Avengers 2, Michelmore builds on the thematic soundscapes established in the first film and infuses the score with an authentic African sound reflective of the film's Wakandan setting. To achieve this, Michelmore brought in a gospel choir from West London, many of whose families originate from West Africa, to chant words in Swahili and West African languages.

And while the film hasn't been released yet, eager fans can already download the incredible soundtrack to Invincible Iron Man. Michelmore's score for this film weaves two different sounds into a cohesive sonic tapestry, blending the Eastern-tinged music highlighting the movie's flashbacks in China with the sounds of the '30s and '40s, a reflection of the art design of the New York setting.

Best Marvel Comics sites.

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Ringo Starr plans an autobiographical documentary film.

A source told Britain's Daily Express newspaper: "To most of the general public, Ringo is still the Liverpudlian who simply got lucky by hooking up with Lennon and McCartney at the right time.

"Less is generally known about Ringo's story. He is speaking to people such as Beatles producer Sir George Martin in the film, and it is hoped people will go away with a better understanding of him."

...The documentary is set to be broadcast on British TV next year.

Best Beatles sites.

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Talented cartoonist Jay Stephens has a cool-looking how-to-draw monsters book coming out soon.

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Via Drawn!: A Yuletide video from Sufjan Stevens.

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Denis Payton, who played sax, guitar and harmonica in the Dave Clark Five, died Sunday.

"He had an amazing philosophy on life and will be greatly missed by me and all who knew him," said Dave Clark, one of the group's founding members. "Denis was extremely brave and not afraid of death."

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With our troops bogged down in Iraq, who will protect us from the threat of giant monsters?!

Lots more here.

Pop Artifact! "Space 1999" action figure

Pop Culture Roundup: Dec. 15, 2006

Entertainment Weekly has a several pics from the upcoming Quentin Tarantino-Robert Rodriquez trashfest "Grindhouse."

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From Bedazzled: Kate Bush singing "December Will Be Magic Again" from her 1979 BBC Christmas special.

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Atlantic Records co-founder Ahmet Ertegun died Thursday.

Atlantic's roster included huge stars: Professor Longhair, the Drifters, Led Zeppelin, Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Cream, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Dusty Springfield, Genesis, AC/DC, the Bee Gees, Bette Midler, the Allman Brothers Band, the Three Tenors, Hootie and the Blowfish, Kid Rock, James Blunt, and Gnarls Barkley.

Launched in 1947 as a short-term outlet for Ertegun's fixation with the jazz and blues that was largely unknown to most Americans, Atlantic has grown into one of the world's biggest record companies. Ertegun was founding chairman, surviving various ownership changes since he and his partners sold the label in 1967 for $20 million.

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Fred Marsden, drummer of Gerry and the Pacemakers (and brother to Gerry), died last Saturday.

The group disbanded in 1967. Gerry Marsden reformed the Pacemakers in 1973 but without Fred, who had given up the music business to be a telephone operator and later established the Pacemaker driving school.

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Neato Coolville digs out the Shogun Warrior toy he got for Christmas back in 1977. I got one, too, probably that year.

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Warners wants Guillermo del Toro to direct a new Tarzan flick. Del Toro's next project, however, may be a film based on DC Comics' Deadman character.

Best Tarzan sites.

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I Gotta Hear This Dept.: Former "Doctor Who" Tom Baker has recorded a version of the Kinks' "You Really Got Me" for charity. Preview and order it here.

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Attendance at Baltimore's Geppi Entertainment Museum, dedicated to all things pop culture, could be better.

The major problem (which affects not only Geppi’s Museum, but the Sports Legends Museum, located under GEM, as well) – location, location, location. GEM and Sports Legends are located literally a stone’s throw (by someone who really can’t throw) from Camden Yards and the Ravens’ stadium – blocks away from the Inner Habor, the city’s tourist hub.

“Other than a game day, we’re in a landlocked position,” GEM owner Steve Geppi told the Gazette.

Another factor that contributed – fewer people going to Orioles games – 2.1 million in 2006, compared to 3 million in 2005. While attendance numbers were not given for GEM, Sports Legends only brought in 1/3 of its expected attendance during its first year of operation.

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There's an official video for the "Within You Without You/Tomorrow Never Knows" mashup of the Beatles' Love album over at YouTube.

Best Beatles sites.

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There'll be an original Doctor Who Christmas story in England's Sunday Times Dec. 24. Don't know if it'll be available online.

Best Doctor Who sites.

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Pop Artifact: Pete the Pepper toy

Pop Culture Roundup Dec. 14, 2006

Bat Blog readers share some images of cool old Batman toys.

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The Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph interviews cartoonist Darwyn Cooke, whose take on Will Eisner's "Spirit" debuted in comic book shops yesterday.

Before his death, Eisner signed off on the idea of a new Spirit series. DC approached Cooke not long after.

"I was really pretty flattered - and pretty scared - that they had thought of me for it," he says.

It took a while to decide to take the job, he says. There was no way, after all, that he could top Eisner and his groundbreaking storytelling skills. The key to doing the series, he decided, was to take the Spirit out of the era he was known for and craft modern-day adventures. "Because then I'm not doing an homage and I'm not trying to live up to something that's already there."

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Via BoingBoing: Disneyland fans will want to check out The Ghost Relations Department: a "Haunted Mansion" blog.

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Bob Dylan plans a very special holiday episode of his "Theme Time Radio Hour" show.

In addition to music, the two-hour show will also feature a complete reading by Dylan of the classic poem, "Twas the Night Before Christmas," as well as his recitations of other holiday-themed anecdotes and insightful commentary on holiday traditions around the world.

This special episode of "Theme Time Radio Hour" will be devoted to the theme of "Christmas and New Year's," with a song list that spans the decades, including "Who Took The Merry Out Of Christmas" by The Staples Singers, "Sock It To Me Santa" by Bob Seger, "Jingle Bells" by Johnny Paycheck and "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve" by Nancy Wilson, among many others. The two-hour holiday episode of "Theme Time" will debut on Wednesday, December 20 at 10 a.m. ET on XM's Deep Tracks channel (XM 40), with additional encores airing on XM through the end of the month.

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Speaking of Bob, he's reportedly seeking an injunction to prevent the release of "Factory Girl," an upcoming docudrama about 60s model/actress Edie Sedgwick.

BOB Dylan wants to send "Factory Girl" to the glue factory - charging the upcoming Edie Sedgwick biopic falsely suggests he was responsible for the Andy Warhol ingenue's suicide.

The famed folkie's pit bull lawyers have fired off a letter to producers Bob Yari and Holly Wiersma, and screenwriter Aaron Richard Golub, demanding the flick not be released - or even screened - until they see it to determine if Dylan, who they say has "deep concerns," has been defamed.

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Action Figure Insider has the skinny (and pics) on upcoming Justice League figures for 2007. Oooh, I need that Miracle Man figure.

New and upcoming action figures Dec. 14, 2006

Complete List of Marvel Legends Action Figures
Complete List of DC Direct Action Figures

Here's a look at action figures available via your local comics shop or via the TIP!-supporting links below:

DC Direct Action Figures

Alex Ross JLA series 5 action figures
--Brainiac
--Lex Luthor
--Green Arrow
--Martian Manhunter
--Red Tornado
--Translucent Martian Manhunter

Batman Through the Ages
--Box Set

Batman/Superman Series 4
--Batzarro
--Bizarro
--Superwoman
--Batwoman
--Batman Beyond
--Kryptonite Batman

DC Direct Reactivated Action Figures
--Batman
--Wonder Woman
--Lobo
--Superman

DC 13-inch Figures
Deluxe Edition 13-inch Green Lantern
Deluxe Edition 13-inch Lex Luthor
Deluxe Edition 13-inch Two-Face
Deluxe Edition 13-inch Superman
Deluxe Edition 13-inch Shazam

Elseworlds Action Figures Series 2
--Red Son Batman
--Red Son President Superman
--Kingdom Come Jade
--Kingdom Come Spectre and Norman McKay
--Gotham By Gaslight Batman

Elseworlds Action Figures Series 3
--Supergirl
--Batgirl
--Nightstar
--Kingdom Come Aquaman
--Red Son Green Lantern

First Appearance Series 4
--Blue Beetle translucent
--Blue Beetle
--Brave New World Atom
--Warlord
--Brave New World Martian Manhunter
--Brave New World Aquaman

Infinite Crisis Action Figures Series 1
--Powergirl
--Omac
--Mongul
--Earth Prime Superboy
--Alexander Luthor

JSA Action Figures
--Mr. Terrific
--Hawkgirl
--Dr. Midnite
--Hourman
--Golden Age Atom 2-pack

Hanna Barbera Series 2 Action Figures
--Captain Caveman
--Fred Flintstone and Dino
--Johnny Quest
--Magilla Gorilla
--Penelope Pitstop and Muttley
--Tom and Jerry
--Yogi Bear
--Flintstones at the Drive-In

Hanna Barbera Series 3 Action Figures
--Fred Flintstone Quittin' Time
--Twinkle Toes Fred Flintstone
--Great Grape Ape
--Huckleberry Hound
--The Jetsons
--Secret Squirrel
--Snagglepuss

Hasbro Spider-Man Origins Figures
--Set of 8
--Spider-Man
--Spider-Man Venom costume
--Green Goblin
--Doctor Octopus
--Iron Spider-Man
--Wolverine
--Captain America
--Daredevil

Lost series 2 action figures
--Crash site box set
--Sawyer
--Jin
--Sayid
--Desmond
--Sun
--Mr. Eko

Marvel Figure Factory Sets
--Angel
--Beast
--Black Costume Spider-Man
--Deadpool
--Invisible Woman
--Silver Surfer

Marvel Legends Action Figures

Hasbro Marvel Legends Figures Series 1
--Emma Frost
--Ultimate Iron Man
--Movie Beast
--Planet Hulk
--Banshee
--Hercules

Hasbro Marvel Legends Action Figures Series 2
--Wolverine
--She-Hulk
--Yellow Jacket
--Quick Silver
--Lord Asgard Thor
--Magneto Xorn
--X3 Jean Grey
--First Appearance Storm

Marvel Legends Series 15
--Mandarin
--Beta Ray Bill
--Moon Knight
--Spider-Woman (variant)
--Quicksilver (variant)
--Thor-Buster Iron Man
--Wasp (variant)
--Captain Marvel (variant)

Marvel Legends Icons 13-inch Action Figures Series 3 Action Figures
--Spider-Man
--Spider-Man Variant
--Beast
--Beast Variant

Hasbro Marvel Legends Icons 13-inch Series 1 Action Figures
--Wolverine
--Thor

Marvel Legends Masterworks Sets
--Spider-Man Vs. Green Goblin
--Fantastic Four Vs. Mole Man
--Hulk Vs. The Thing
--Galactus Vs. Everybody

Marvel Select Figures

Best of Marvel Select Figures
--Grey Hulk
--Thanos
--Ultimate Spider-Man
--Green Goblin

Marvel Studios
--Dr. Doom with Mask
--Dr. Doom unmasked

Star Wars Transformers
--Millennium Falcon With Han Solo and Chewbacca

Pop Artifact! Plastic Indians

Pop Culture Roundup Dec. 13, 2006

A very happy birthday to the excellent Bedazzled blog--one of my daily stops! Lot's of good stuff there. Like this! Johnny Cash singing "Silent Night."

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Via Boing Boing: The cast of "Battlestar Galactica" depicted in Simpsons-form.

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Comics Worth Reading offers up a great rule-of-thumb (or whatever other part of the anatomy you might choose) to artists designing "costumes" for female characters: "If you would not allow your favorite 16-year-old female relative (daughter, cousin, niece) to wear it, don’t draw it."

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I never did trust Henry Kissinger.

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Deal alert: Phil Spector's Back to Mono--a four-CD set including a buncha great girl group singles, plus his classic Christmas record--$12.99 at Amazon.

New comics Dec. 13, 2006

See complete lists:
DC Archives
DC Showcase
DC Trade Paperbacks
Marvel Masterworks
Marvel Essentials
Marvel Trade Paperbacks
Upcoming Trade Paperbacks - Graphic Novels

Comics Shipping Dec. 13, 2006

DARK HORSE COMICS

OCT060047 BLADE OF THE IMMORTAL #120 (MR) $2.99
AUG060053 CRYING FREEMAN VOL 4 TP (MR) $14.95 $10.17 at Amazon.
OCT060021 ESCAPISTS #6 (OF 6) $2.99
MAY060038 MAIL VOL 1 TP (MR) $10.95
OCT060012 OUTER ORBIT #1 (OF 4) $2.99
MAR060017 PATH OF THE ASSASSIN VOL 1 SERVING IN THE DARK TP (MR) $9.95
AUG068094 STAR WARS LEGACY (NEW PTG) #1 (PP #736) $2.99
MAY060045 STAR WARS LEGACY (NEW PTG) #2 $2.99
OCT068110 STAR WARS LEGACY (NEW PTG) #3 $2.99

DC COMICS

OCT060282 100 BULLETS #79 (MR) $2.99
OCT060176 52 WEEK #32 $2.50
OCT060154 BATMAN #660 $2.99
OCT060235 BATMAN STRIKES #28 $2.25
OCT060238 CARTOON NETWORK ACTION PACK #8 $2.25
OCT060287 DMZ #14 (MR) $2.99
SEP060268 EMMA VOL 2 $9.99
AUG060271 EX MACHINA #25 (MR) $2.99
OCT060189 FIRESTORM THE NUCLEAR MAN #32 $2.99
AUG060290 FOUNTAIN SC (MR) $19.99 $13.59 at Amazon.
OCT060257 GEN 13 #3 $2.99
OCT060258 GEN 13 VAR EDITION #3 $2.99
OCT060200 GREEN ARROW #69 $2.99
OCT060194 GREEN LANTERN CORPS #7 $2.99
OCT060208 JLA CLASSIFIED #30 $2.99
SEP060235 JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #4 $2.99
SEP060236 JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA VAR ED #4 $2.99
OCT060213 MARTIAN MANHUNTER #5 (OF 8) $2.99
SEP060269 MOON CHILD VOL 5 $9.99
SEP060243 NEW TEEN TITANS TERRA INCOGNITO TP $19.99 $13.59 at Amazon.
OCT060220 OMAC #6 (OF 8) $2.99
OCT060160 ROBIN #157 $2.99
OCT060281 SANDMAN MYSTERY THEATRE SLEEP OF REASON #1 (OF 5) (MR) $2.99
OCT060226 SPIRIT #1 $2.99
OCT060259 STORMWATCH PHD #2 $2.99
OCT060260 STORMWATCH PHD VAR EDITION #2 $2.99
SEP060209 SUPERMAN THE GREATEST STORIES EVER TOLD VOL 2 TP $19.99 $13.59 at Amazon.
OCT060230 TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED #3 (OF 8) $3.99
SEP060251 TRIALS OF SHAZAM #4 (OF 12) $2.99
OCT060265 WILDSTORM FINE ART SPOTLIGHT JIM LEE $3.50

IMAGE COMICS

JUN061705 BATTLE POPE #12 (MR) $3.50
OCT061846 CRYPTICS #2 $3.50
OCT061871 ELEPHANTMEN #5 $2.99
JUL061701 FEAR AGENT #9 $2.99
OCT061873 GIRLS #20 (MR) $2.99
MAY051533 HELLSHOCK DEFINITIVE ED VOL 1 TP $19.99
APR061819 HUNTER KILLER #10 $2.99
OCT061881 PIRATES OF CONEY ISLAND #3 (OF 8) $3.50
OCT061862 PORTENT VOL 1 TP $12.99
AUG061780 STRANGE GIRL #12 $2.99

MARVEL COMICS

OCT062132 AMAZING SPIDER-GIRL #3 $2.99
OCT062143 AVENGERS NEXT #3 (OF 5) $2.99
OCT062145 BLADE #4 $2.99
OCT062148 BULLET POINTS #2 (OF 5) $2.99
OCT062230 DARK TOWER DOOR POSTER $12.99
OCT062229 ESSENTIAL OFF HANDBOOK MARVEL UNIVERSE UPDATE 89 VOL 1 TP $16.99
OCT062182 EXILES ANNUAL #1 $3.99
OCT062152 FANTASTIC FOUR THE END #3 (OF 6) $2.99
OCT062154 GHOST RIDER #6 $2.99
OCT062223 HEROES REBORN AVENGERS TP $29.99 $19.79 at Amazon.
OCT062200 MAGICIAN APPRENTICE #4 (OF 12) $2.99
OCT062163 MARVEL ADVENTURES FANTASTIC FOUR #19 $2.99
OCT062184 NEW X-MEN #33 $2.99
JAN051876 ULTIMATE GALACTUS BOOK 1 NIGHTMARE TP $12.99 $10.39 at Amazon.
OCT062236 ULTIMATE MARVEL FLIP MAGAZINE #20 $4.99
OCT062237 ULTIMATE TALES FLIP MAGAZINE #20 $4.99
OCT062129 ULTIMATE X-MEN #77 $2.99
SEP062187 UNIVERSE X VOL 1 TP NEW PTG $29.99 $24.95 at Amazon.
OCT062186 WOLVERINE #49 $3.99
OCT062221 WOLVERINE ORIGINS & ENDINGS TP $13.99 $13.59 at Amazon.
OCT062178 WONDER MAN #1 (OF 5) $2.99
OCT062188 X-23 TARGET X #1 (OF 6) $2.99
OCT062189 X-23 TARGET X DJURDJEVIC VAR #1 (OF 6) $2.99
OCT062190 X-FACTOR #14 $2.99
OCT062193 X-MEN PHOENIX WARSONG #4 (OF 5) $2.99
FEB062085 YOUNG AVENGERS VOL 1 SIDEKICKS TP $14.99 $10.19 at Amazon.

COMICS

SEP063076 BETTY #161 $2.25
JUL063503 BUCKY O HARE AND THE TOAD MENACE GN $9.99
STAR17974 COURIERS VOL 1 GN $12.95
OCT063597 DAMNED #3 (MR) $3.50
JUN063351 DEVILS PANTIES #7 $4.95
SEP063274 DORK TOWER #35 $3.49
JUN062816 GARGOYLES #2 $3.50
OCT063441 HARD BOILED COMICS #2 (MR) $2.95
OCT063445 JOE & MAX #1 $2.99
SEP063079 JUGHEAD AND FRIENDS DIGEST #16 $2.49
OCT063717 LONE RACER GN $12.95 $10.36 at Amazon.
OCT063599 MAINTENANCE #1 (MR) PI
SEP063080 PALS N GALS DOUBLE DIGEST #108 $3.69
OCT063413 SANCTUARY #2 (OF 6) (MR) $3.95
SEP063085 SONIC X #15 $2.25
FEB063361 STREET FIGHTER II #5 POWERFOIL SVEN CVR C $12.50
SEP063622 STREET FIGHTER LEGENDS SAKURA DOGAN CVR A #4 (OF 4) $3.95
SEP063623 STREET FIGHTER LEGENDS SAKURA LEE CVR B #4 (OF 4) $3.95
OCT063484 TRANSFORMERS ANIMATED MOVIE ADAPTATION #3 (OF 4) $3.99
OCT063600 WASTELAND #5 (MR) $2.99

Pop Artifact! Howdy Doody night light

Pop Culture Roundup Dec. 12, 2006

Via Blog@Newsarama: First the mainstream press discovered comics aren't just for kids. Now they've learned comics are expensive.

“We’re coming into a time, not limited to comics, where people are willing to pay more for really beautiful collections of things that are important to them — the complete New Yorker, Calvin & Hobbes,” says DC Comics publisher Paul Levitz. “A niche has opened up for almost an objet d’art kind of book.”

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Veteran comics artist John Severin is set to illustrate a revived Bat Lash series from DC. It'll be plotted by the character's creator, Mad genius Serio Aragones.

Best DC Comics Sites.

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Mike Sterling asks the age-old question.

(BTW: Veronica)

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Neato Coolville checks out the 1976 Sear Wish Book. Man, I remember getting sooo... excited when those things would show up in the mail.

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Click today's date on the BBC's online Doctor Who advent calendar and see a trailer for this year's holiday ep.

Best Doctor Who Sites.

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More Doctor Who: The show's soundtrack is the top download on British iTunes' soundtrack chart. The soundtrack CD is due out soon in the U.S. You can pre-order it now for $13.99 from Amazon.

Marvel Comics March 2007 solicitations

See the complete list here.

DC Comics March 2007 solicitations

See the entire listing here.

Pop Artifact! Plastic cowboys

Pop Culture Roundup Dec. 11, 2006

The official Doctor Who site has an online advent calendar. Click to get free wallpapers, etc., including a clip from the upcoming "Who" spinoff "The Sarah Jane Adventures" (click #9).

Best Doctor Who sites.

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More Doctor Who: 21 percent of British boys are hoping to receive a cyberman mask for Christmas.

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Cartoonist Martin Nodell, who co-created the original Green Lantern, passed away over the weekend. Comics historian Mark Evanier has a nice tribute.

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"Spider-Man" director Sam Raimi is slated to do a "Shadow" film.

A "Shadow" movie has long been a dream project for Raimi, and the crime-fighter's influence can be seen in Raimi's 1990 movie, "Darkman."

"I've been a passionate Shadow fan ever since I was a kid and have long dreamed of bringing this character to the screen," Raimi said.

Best Shadow sites.

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Matt Damon is open to playing Capt. Kirk in a new "Star Trek" movie, but hasn't been cast in the role--contrary to rumors.

"If the script was good, I'd do it," Damon said in an interview while promoting his latest film, The Good Shepherd. "But, yeah, I heard that [rumor]. I think J.J. Abrams or somebody said that at press junket or something, and it got picked up [by the media and Star Trek fans]."

Best Star Trek sites.

Best Christmas Albums. Period.

It's here: That time of year you can play your favorite Christmas albums without seeming like an obnoxious loon.

But, it's sad really, that some of these releases only get a three- or four-week window for airplay--some of the music is so enjoyable. Or maybe we just enjoy it more because we hear it so infrequently. Plus there's that whole nostalgia factor...

At any rate, people who love and collect music tend to have a favorite batch of holiday albums they put on year after year. I'm no different, of course, and here are some of my season standbys:

A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector

Nothing says "Christmas" more than an album produced by a meglomaniacal accused murderer with a Napoleon complex. But, seriously, this is a great, charming album with lots of upbeat, exhuberant tracks from Darlene Love, the Ronettes, the Crystals and others--all backed by the fabulous Wall of Sound.

Complete Columbia Christmas Recordings by Gene Autry

I had Gene's original "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" album as a kid and listening to it was an annual tradition. His take on these seasonal favorites is so gentle and warm, plus his great spoken introductions--he nails what the season is all about: Family and friends and kids having fun.

This remastered, expanded collection was created in conjunction with the Autry estate and includes his original "Rudolph" album along with other Christmas tunes, including a couple of duets recorded with Rosemary Clooney.

White Christmas by Bing Crosby

C'mon! Do I really need to explain why everyone needs this? The seminal version of "White Christmas," anyone? Plus, better yet, "Mele Kalikimaka," baby.

Christmas Island by Leon Redbone

I got this one five or six years ago and it's become probably my most-played Christmas album. It's joyful and warm, just like Autry's Christmas recordings. The old timey arrangements and Redbone's one-of-a-kind mumbly vocals evoke a time when the snow was deeper, the air was colder, the fire was warmer and Christmas day seemed to last forever.

Elvis' Christmas Album

For crying out loud, read what I said about Bing Crosby's album up above! If you can hear music, you need this. It's nostalgic and campy but fun and beautiful to boot. Plus, it really shows the King's vocal range, from the the reverent gospel vocals of "Peace in the Valley," the blue crooning of "I'll Be Home for Christmas" to the rocking "Santa Bring My Baby (Back to Me)."

Beatles Fan Club Christmas Recordings 1963-70

Some day Apple will put this out as an official release and rest of the world (not just we Beatlemaniacs) will be able to experience the zany, funny Christmas recordings the Fabs' used to send out to their fan club members on flexi-disks each December.

If you haven't heard 'em, don't go in expecting a lot of Christmas carols and holiday standards. The "songs" that do appear--"Christmas Time is Here Again" and "This is to Wish You a Merry, Merry Christmas"--are dashed off and fragmentary. These releases are more about humor than music.

The records are full of "Goon Show"-style jokes and general goofing around. The group's exhuberance and joyfulness come through loud and clear. You can hear how much they enjoyed being Beatles. Until they didn't. The 1968 and 1968 recordings, you can tell, were all recorded individually, apart from one another. But the Fabs still cared enough about their fans to make an effort.

Like I said, they haven't been officially released. But Google around a bit and you can find sound files for them. For more historical info on the Beatles' Christmas recordings, plus cover art from the flexis, go here. (The pic above is the cover of the compilation LP of Christmas recordings the Beatles Fan Club sent out to fans in 1970, after the group had broken up).

Christmas with the Beach Boys

The original 1964 Beach Boys Christmas LP featured lots of Four Freshman-style takes on holiday standards over big band and string arrangements along with a handful of excellent Brian Wilson-penned originals. The best-known of those, of course is "Little Saint Nick," but others, like "The Man With All the Toys," are great too.

This expanded version includes later, not as good, Christmas recordings by the band along with some outtakes but why not have the works?

Christmas with the Chipmunks

As a toddler, I threw a copy of this LP across the room and smashed it to bits. I'm not sure if that was due to my age or whether I was annoyed by the Chipmunks' sped-up, screechy singing. Either way, destroying the record meant that I was missing out on a lot of goofy, nostalgic fun. I should buy the CD so my kids can annoy me with it.

A Jolly Christmas from Frank Sinatra

Nothing says Christmas like an LP of songs sung by a short-fused, pugilistic egomaniac with possible mob ties. Really, though, Christmas songs are some of the best songs around, and Sinatra was one of the best singers. The combination is pretty much what you'd expect. Nice to have on while you sip a glass of eggnog or something stronger. Plus, you gotta dig Frank's hipster ad libs, ring-a-dings and singing-behind-the-beat brilliance.

Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas by Ella Fitzgerald

See what I said with Sinatra re: matching great music with a great singer. This one's a beauty.

A Charlie Brown Christmas: The Original Sound Track Recording Of The CBS Television Special

It's Christmas, right? This one is a must if just for the melancholy "Christmas Time is Here." Plus you get the rollicking "Linus and Lucy."

Merry Christmas by the Supremes

Don't they look cute in their Santa hats? The sound great, too, especially on the hip "Little Bright Star," which coulda shoulda been a Motown hit as great as any other.

Someday at Christmas by Steve Wonder

Not content with standards, Stevie put a few originals on his Christmas LP, too, including the upbeat "What Christmas Means to Me."

The Ventures' Christmas Album

I don't know if these surfers ever saw snow, but they twang'n'reverb a good carol. Part of the fun of this one is spotting the then-current pop tune the group quotes before launching into the Christmas song--like the Beatles' "I Feel Fine" that turns into "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." What an insane, inspired idea.

That's not all, obviously. I have plenty more where that came from. But that'll do for this year. I'll round out the list with a few 2006 releases I haven't heard, but which look interesting:

Cool Yule by Bette Midler

Christmas Time Again by the DBs and Friends (reissue/expanded)

Happy Holidays by Kelly Willis (reissue/expanded)

Christmas with Dino by Dean Martin (reissue)

Christmas is 4 Ever by Bootsy Collins

Merry Christmas, Baby by Lou Rawls (reissue)

Songs for Christmas by Sufjan Stevens

Sly and the Family Stone albums set for reissue in March

The Sly and the Family Stone will be out in remastered, expanded form March 20.

More info from Sony Legacy:

In 1967, this interracial, mixed-gender combo harnessed all the disparate social and musical trends of the era and burst on the scene with a debut album that completely shook up the musical landscape with its fusion of soul, rock, R&B, psychedelia, and an emerging genre, soon to be dubbed “funk.” The sound was powerful and joyous, delivering everything one hoped to find in music -- the thrill of the new, a galvanizing groove, and lyrics that actually said something. This thrilling combination saw Sly permanently perched at the top of the album and single charts of the late ‘60s and early ‘70s, and quickly established his legacy as one of the most innovative artists in music history. 2007 will mark 40 years from the band’s first release, and Legacy is celebrating with a long-awaited upgrade of the Sly & the Family Stone catalog. Each of the seven studio albums will be available in limited-edition, lavish digipaks. Each title will feature restored and expanded packaging, including rare photos, memorabilia, and new liner notes by a diverse group of writers and artists. A bounty of bonus tracks -- many of them previously unreleased -- will be spread across all seven titles.

The reissue program includes:

--A Whole New Thing
--Dance to the Music
--Life
--Stand!
--There’s a Riot Going On
--Fresh
--Small Talk

CD: I Dig Everything collects Bowie's early singles

Slated for Jan. 16 release, this compilation collects David Bowie's singles for the Pye label. Details:

For Bowie fanatics and archivists, I DIG EVERYTHING provides a revealing glimpse into this stylistic chameleon's beginnings. This collection brings together the first three singles Bowie recorded for the Pye label in 1966 before recording his first album on Decca the following year. The package is impressive; a handsome booklet full of info and pictures, and each single housed in a separate picture sleeve. The songs themselves are a million miles from both Bowie's first hit, the spacy 1969 folk-rocker "Space Oddity" and those from his self-titled Donovan-meets-Anthony Newley debut album. The six tunes contained here are a mixture of American R&B-influenced mod soul and swinging-London pop. Motown-like beats abound in arrangements that suggest the Young Rascals' alternate life in the UK.

Tunes include:

1. I'm Not Losing Sleep
2. I Dig Everything
3. Can't Help Thinking About Me
4. Do Anything You Say
5. Good Morning Girl
6. And I Say to Myself

You can pre-order it now as an import for $14.99 from Amazon.

DVD: Marvel Animated Features gift set

Due out Jan. 23, this set boxes up Marvel's direct-to-DVD offerings: "Ultimate Avengers 1," "Ultimate Avengers 2" and "The Invincible Iron Man," along with a superhero bust.

You can pre-order it now for $44.95 from Amazon.