Filming has just started on Series 7 of Doctor Who in Cardiff. This series will see the last days of the Ponds with Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill returning for their final, rollercoaster voyage with The Doctor. Amy and Rory have been at the Doctor’s side for more than two series but what will he do after their heartbreaking departure?

On returning for his third series as the Eleventh Doctor, Matt Smith says: “It’s thrilling and exciting to be back and working with two of my closest friends.”

Karen Gillan adds: “It’s just brilliant to be back on the TARDIS with Matt and Arthur for our craziest adventures yet.”

Series 7 will then see a dramatic turn of events when The Doctor meets a new friend. Prepare yourselves for thrills, adventures and dramatic surprises as the show builds towards its enormous, climactic 50th anniversary year. Fourteen big, blockbuster-movie episodes – each a brand new epic adventure featuring new monsters and some familiar foes as you’ve never seen them before.

BBC Press Office, via Doctor Who News

BBC hints at Doctor Who’s future as production begins on Series 7 is a post from: Nerdvana. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

There’s already a second episode of KaraokeFanboy Radio, and the Amazing Arizona Comics creator’s new podcast this time interviews Evermore Nevermore owner Bob Leeper.

Leeper, a Nerdvana contributor, and his wife Debbie of course have some news of their own: As reported yesterday, the former Mesa shop has transcended the physical realm and relaunched officially as an online hub celebrating Arizona pop culture and alternative art.

As part of their mission to keep promoting local events, Evermore Nevermore and former neighbor Queen’s Pizzeria present Republi-Con on Wednesday, coinciding with Mesa’s moment in the national spotlight as host of a GOP presidential candidates debate. Nerdvana contributor and Amazing Arizona Comics writer-artist Russ Kazmierczak Jr. is one of the artists participating in the debate-themed event, which explores issues like immigration, unions, the economy and church vs. state — issues at the heart of Mesa’s turbulent Main Street.

Here on Nerdvana, we’ve also got a new installment of Kazmierczak’s exclusive AAC strip, The Fight for the 14th — the secret history of Arizona’s centennial!

Podcast interviews Evermore Nevermore owner as ‘Republic-Con’ nears in Mesa is a post from: Nerdvana. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Video: The awards of Vul-Con is a post from: Nerdvana. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Try not falling asleep during this first not-so-Amazing Spider-Man clip is a post from: Nerdvana. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Over the weekend, Evermore Nevermore’s website was updated to reflect the owners’ new mission following the downtown Mesa shop’s December 2011 closure: supporting Arizona pop culture and alternative art events.

Utilizing our accumulated network of web and social media resources, Evermore Nevermore lives on as Arizona’s Pop Culture & Alternative Art Network!

Here you will find news, links and other resources to the best edgy, off-the-wall, and pop culture themed art in the southwest. Please click around, do some shopping and help support our amazing Arizona artisans!

This week, EN and Queen’s Pizzeria (next to its former physical location) present Republi-Con 2012, a political art and debate event coinciding with the nationally televised GOP candidates debate just down the street at the Mesa Arts Center. Amazing Arizona Comics creator (and Nerdvana contributor) Russ Kazmierczak Jr. is among the talents involved.

You can also catch EN owner Bob Leeper’s movie reviews and frequent posts about pop culture here on Nerdvana.

Evermore Nevermore flies again as pop culture, alternative art events website is a post from: Nerdvana. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Russ Kazmierczak Jr.

The debut episode of Karaoke Fanboy Radio gives voice to Kazmierczak’s main satirical character, Speed Cameron, and also features segments geeking out about comics and analyzing Arizona Gov. Jan’s Brewer’s now-infamous tarmac finger-wag with President Barack Obama on his recent visit to the East Valley — a moment captured and expanded upon in a Nerdvana-exclusive strip of its own.

While you’re enjoying the podcast, don’t forget to check out Russ’ latest saga for Nerdvana: “The Fight for the 14th,” a tale from the secret history of Arizona’s struggle for birthday independence against a certain chafed cherub who won’t take “no” for an answer.

But that’s not all. You’ll be able to meet Russ and other Arizona artists Feb. 22 at Republi-Con 2012, a political art and debate event from 6 to 10 p.m. at Queen’s Pizzeria in downtown Mesa. The event, coinciding with Mesa’s GOP presidential candidate debate, will include local spoken-word artist The Klute, as well as artists Steve Failla and David St. Albans. You’ll also be able to register to vote and watch the televised Republican debate, taking place across the street at the Mesa Arts Center.

Republi-Con is organized by the creative forces behind Evermore Nevermore, which until recently had a storefront downtown that sold, among other things, issues of indie publications like Amazing Arizona Comics.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Amazing Arizona Comics creator launches podcast, plans ‘Republi-Con’ appearance Feb. 22 is a post from: Nerdvana. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

John Carter – Clip No. 1

Via GeekTyrant

Watch the first clip from John Carter is a post from: Nerdvana. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Source: TIME

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter trailer debuts is a post from: Nerdvana. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Apple

But this innovation hasn’t come without a cost — and it’s a cost borne not by those who are using and benefiting from these devices.

If you haven’t already done so, read The New York Times’ reporting on the human costs that are built into an iPad for Chinese workers. If you’re anything like me, it will make you think hard about the choices you make as a consumer. I say this not to be preachy or holier than thou — indeed, I recently purchased two second-generation iPads for my department at work, and find myself more and more enthralled by the tablet and its nearly limitless applications. And I know few who are immune to this effect. But I believe that it’s as healthy to question the origins of the tools we use as it is the food we consume, the air we breathe and the media we subscribe to.

This sort of scandal is, of course, nothing new, and it’s not unique to Apple. But with the recent death of the company’s iconic co-founder Steve Jobs, an unimpressive product rollout for the iPhone 4S and now this international outrage, it’s not unreasonable to ask whether Apple’s best move at the next press event wouldn’t be to raise product prices as much as would be necessary to guarantee that the next generation of must-have devices can be used with a clear conscience all around.

Would you pay even more for these already-extravagant devices if it meant better wages and working conditions for their manufacturers?

Update: (AP) — Apple said Monday that an independent group, the Fair Labor Association, has started inspecting working conditions in the Chinese factories where its iPads and iPhones are assembled.

Do tech consumers care how the workers who make their gadgets are treated? is a post from: Nerdvana. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

But this adaptation of Mary Norton’s beloved children’s novel The Borrowers also brings with it several new printed treasures.

VIZ Media’s Studio Ghibli imprint has released a lavish art book, hardcover picture book and two-volume comics based on the new film.

From the same studio that created SPIRITED AWAY, HOWL’S MOVING CASTLE and PONYO, comes a heartwarming new story to captivate both children and adults! Arrietty isn’t your ordinary 14-year-old girl… she’s small enough to maker her home under the floorboards of a typical house, “borrowing” what she and her family needs from the giants in whose shadows they live… A young boy named Shawn befriends Arrietty, but when adults discover the Borrowers, Arrietty and Shawn must work together to save her family!

THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY PICTURE BOOK – Rated “A” for All Ages – MSRP: $19.99 U.S. / $22.99 CAN – Available February 7th, 2012

The colorful and easy-to-read THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY Picture Book is a full-color hardcover edition that will appeal to younger readers especially. The book uses the vividly colored animation cel art from the feature film combined with simplified text to retell the story of Arrietty and her adventures.

THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY FILM COMICS – Rated “A” for All Ages – MSRP: $16.99 U.S. each / $19.99 CAN each – Available February 7th, 2012

The official 2-volume film comic of THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY re-tells the film’s story with vivid full-color frames.

THE ART OF THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY – Rated “A” for All Ages – MSRP: $34.99 U.S. / $39.99 CAN – Available February 7th, 2012

Co-founded by the legendary filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki, Studio Ghibli films enthrall and enchant audiences across the world. The Art of series gives fans the opportunity to follow their favorite film from initial concept to the silver screen, thanks to hundreds of sketches, concept drawings, and animation cels, plus in-depth interviews with the creators.

“Fans and readers of all ages won’t want to miss these new additions to VIZ Media’s Studio Ghibli Library of titles,” says Masumi Washington, Senior Director, Editorial. “Studio Ghibli has mastered the ability to tell poignant and engaging stories that captivate both children and adults, and their latest film, THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY, continues this tradition. Our forthcoming picture book and film comics are fun ways for young readers to visit the world of ARRIETTY while the gorgeous art book will be a must-have for the ardent Studio Ghibli fan or those who want to know more about the evolution of the film. Discover the adventures in-store for this band of ‘borrowers’ in these new releases scheduled for February!”

More information on VIZ Media’s Studio Ghibli titles is available at www.VIZ.com.

VIZ Media borrows a page or two from Arrietty is a post from: Nerdvana. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.