Beer2-D2... The Future is NOW

This year's annual Kirby Derby in Raleigh, NC brought Star Wars fans a surprise as Beer2-D2 "rolled out the barrel" and treated fans and friends alike to delicious, and complimentary, Carolina Summer Wheat Ale.



The theme of the event this time out was "Kirby to the Future," so why make mobile kegerator in the likeness of a character from "A long time ago...?" As co-creator Tom Dowd puts it "R2-D2 is from a long time ago, Beer2-D2 is the future."



Dowd explains how the idea went from loving goof to full fledged Star Wars nerd scheme to get free beer. As the project neared completion he emailed The Carolina Brewing Co. with the subject line "Outreach" and asked if they would donate a barrel. They did, plus four more and some shirts. Success!


Doug Peterson, Beer2-D2, and Tom Dowd. These Star Wars fans "...are my kind of scum. Fearless and inventive."

There is no telling where and when Beer2-D2 will be called into action next!

Mattel Electronics Sci-Fi Box Art

Hand painted production art circa 1978-82






and you know you're getting psyched for the new movie!

Super Shogun Stormtrooper

Here's a little bit of super coolness to brighten up your day. This news is so awesome that it's become my sole purpose in life for the immediate future.



Super 7 has announced the Super Shogun Stormtrooper, a fine tribute to both George Lucas and Go Nagai, two creative luminaries from the '70's, operating on polar opposite sides of the world, forever dominating the imaginations of generations of children young and old. Whatever your leanings, this classic Shogun Warrior/Jumbo Machinder reworking has the confidence and style to stand proudly along side either Jumbo Kamen Rider or Kenner Bionic Big Foot. Maybe you like both types of toys; Super Shogun Stormtrooper is quite likely to mix it up a little so that things on the shelf could start to get freaky. The infamous "Toy Pirates" even went as far as to create a new website in his honor.



Is it normal to have a sexual response to a toy?



The blaster doesn't shoot red missles, which sucks, but it comes with a foil sticker sheet for the things belly!

All in all, Super Shogun Stormtrooper appears to be an instant classic, and even at $300 a pop, getting one is going to take some luck.

The Original Dancing Traffic Cop

God rest Vitor Cianca's soul. The original dancing traffic cop has passed away at 92.

When I was a little kid I remember going downtown to visit my dad at work and being enthralled by Officer Cianca's routine. That was the guy on TV! Cianca made a real impression on not just the country but the world. Countless imitators emerged, which is the most sincere form of flattery there is. Do you think your local dancing traffic cop is cool? He or she probably is, but they are merely followers. True greatness is leading, and that's what Cianca did, both literally and figuratively.

Check out this old home movie and see the style. No Fred Astaire clowning here. Unfortunately you have to imagine the syncopated whistle blowing.



My condolences and thanks to the family. It's something to make total strangers smile, especially after your gone. This guy truly lives on in memory.

Great VHS Box Art pt. 2 "Inframan"

Here is the cover to this Shaw Brothers classic.



This one almost didn't make the cut due to the original kanji script being so crudely replaced by cut and paste lettering. However, this classic promotional art features a dynamic rendering of everything great about the film, and all in glorious brush stroke. A favorable qoute by Roger Ebert isn't hurting the cause either. As kid, this would have leaped from the shelves at you.