Here’s what judge Kathy Blackwell had to say about Nerdvana’s 2011 entry:

“‘There’s much to love about this blog — strong writing and reporting, eloquent opinions, photos and community engagement. A lot of personality. Very well done.”

Phoenix New Times bloggers rounded out the top 3, with music blog Up on the Sun coming in second and food blog Chow Bella third. (Chow Bella also took the top prize for best opinion blog).

This is the content Nerdvana submitted for judging:

• Downtown Mesa’s eclectic Evermore Nevermore closing Dec. 9 - http://evtnow.com/22p (11/25/11)
• The Blog is Yours: Atomic comments - http://evtnow.com/9a (8/30/11)
• Comic book fans, creators mourn Arizona’s Atomic Comics - http://evtnow.com/ac (8/21/11)
• Phoenix Comicon guest Bruce Boxleitner talks ‘Tron,’ Apocalypse and the sad state of space travel - http://evtnow.com/ll (5/23/11)
• ‘Stargate Universe’ finale: Looking back on 14 years as the iris closes — for good? - http://evtnow.com/ee (5/9/11)

Last year Nerdvana took first place in the same category, and we came in second the year before that.

The recognition means a lot, but it wouldn’t be possible without all of Nerdvana’s readers, tipsters, Facebook fans and Twitter followers, as well as East Valley Tribune managing editor CeCe Todd for putting up with me through the contest submission process and beyond. And congratulations are also in order for fellow Tribune honorees Tim Hacker, Mark Heller, Mike Sakal and Darryl Webb of the affiliated Ahwatukee Foothills News (whose amazing supermoon photo has taken the Internet by storm and is sure to garner honors in the coming year).

Nerdvana named ‘Best Features Blog’ again by Arizona Press Club is a post from: Nerdvana. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Alec Kozak

Alec hails from Prescott, Arizona, and he has done his part to keep Flagstaff cool with his creative comics, while attending school there for the past few years. He loves telling stories and is a self-taught artist. In a 2010 Nerdvana interview, Alec described his artwork as, “partially macabre in nature, I tend to see to the darker side of lighter things; or attempt to portray them that way. That idea stems from showing both the hypocrisy and humor in things that people otherwise take seriously and that I would like to reveal to them.” You can read the full 2010 NERDVANA article HERE.

Alec is excitedly preparing for the 2012 Phoenix Comicon, but took a few moments to update us on his current projects and to expound on his artistic influences as part of our NERDVANA Artist Profile series leading up the comic convention.

What projects are you currently working on?

We will be debuting issue #1 [of] Kozak Komik’s newest comic, SECOND STAR, at the convention. It’s Peter Pan meets modern warfare in a Neverland you never knew.

Kozak Komiks

My favorite artists are Ben Templesmith and Alex Ross. Two extremes, I know, but I like art that compliments the epic-ness of a story.

Who is your favorite local artist?

My favorite local artist is Russ Kazmierczak, he’s a good guy and good friend. I admire how excited he is about his comics and am impressed with his marketing techniques. I think he reaches audiences on multiple levels and I respect him for it.

What is your favorite music to listen to while working on your art?

My favorite band is Rage Against the Machine, although I listen to everything on my iPod when I do comics. I even have playlists for some of my comics that act as “soundtracks”.

What is your favorite movie and how has it influenced your art?

Artistically, I’m influenced by movies and music, and have WAY too many to count. I would say that my favorite movie is Fight Club.

Borderlands by Kozak Komiks

I’m excited to see all the other artists and celebrities at the con and look forward to seeing people in Arizona coming out to enjoy the convention.

Are you offering any special exclusives for fans at Comicon?

My crew and I will have prints and be doing sketches for families and fans. Although we won’t have exclusives, we will have the entire creative team behind Second Star at the table. We will have Second Star T-shirts for sale as well.

What is the craziest thing you’ve been asked to sketch?

The craziest thing I have ever been asked to sketch was a killer bee for a “killer B.” where “B” was the derogatory term for this guy’s long-lost sister. Family reunions for the win.

If you had a superpower, what would it be and how did you acquire it?

If I had a superpower, I would totally choose the power of time control. I could sleep longer, work harder, and rewind time when I or my friends do something stupid so we could laugh at it.

For the 2012 Phoenix Comicon, you’ll be able to find Alec Kozak, together with his partners in crime-fighting, Nathan Schulte and David Stoll, at artist alley booth #352. Alec can often be found participating in artist events at  CAB Comics in Flagstaff and you can also follow this him on FACEBOOK and Deviant Art.

2012 Phoenix Comicon

Phoenix Comicon: Artist profile – Alec Kozak is a post from: Nerdvana. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Nominated in the same category were Attack the Block, Captain America: The First Avenger, Hugo, Midnight in Paris, Source Code and The Adjustment Bureau. So, some pretty stiff competition, actually. A full list of Nebula Award winners can be found here. The awards, which date back to 1965, are given each year for best novel, novella, novelette, short story and script.

In response to the award, Gaiman tweeted:

Just won a Bradbury award at the #nebs2012 for The Doctor’s Wife. Thanked everyone, including Verity Lambert and Sydney Newman. #glowing

— Neil Gaiman (@neilhimself) May 20, 2012

(Lambert and Newman are the television producers who launched Doctor Who in 1963.)

“The Doctor’s Wife” also was recognized last month with a Hugo Award for best short-form dramatic presentation from members of the World Science Fiction Convention.

Via Doctor Who News

See also: The Time Lord’s wives: Sex, love and marriage in Doctor Who

Neil Gaiman-penned Doctor Who episode ‘The Doctor’s Wife’ wins Nebula Award is a post from: Nerdvana. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Via The (unofficial) Disney Blog

Not the droids you’re looking for? Make your own! is a post from: Nerdvana. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Keith Decesare

Keith performs extensive research on his subjects and creates narratives for each piece of work, believing each picture has its own story. Many of his stand alone pin-ups depict beautiful and adventurous women in fantasy settings, but he has also won awards for imaginative work such as his ‘Puss n’ Boots’ piece that depicts a swashbuckling Bengal tiger on the high-seas.

Keith has created art for WotC, Kenzer Co. and Atlas Games and he is also the artist and author of the very fun RPG themed webcomic, Roll 4 Damage, in which talking game pieces discuss the trials and tribulations of their gaming lives. The 2012 Phoenix Comicon is his first large-scale vending event, and while Keith is busily preparing his wonderful wares for exhibit, he took a few minute to answer our Nerdvana Artist Profile questions.

What is your secret origin?

I come from the deepest darkest regions of Phoenix Az. with a small jaunt to and from the magical land of California. I am a self-taught artist who is trying to hammer out a freelance existence.

© 2012 Keith Decesare

Steampunk pin-ups, talking dice, samurai babes, deadly Victorian Ladies with dragons and felines in boots… You know, the usual.

What is your goal/ambition with your art?

For the past year or so I’ve been working towards my goal to be able to actually live off my art as opposed to doing art as a hobby.

What projects are you currently working on?

Right now I’m working on my webcomic, Roll 4 Damage, for myself. I’m also working with local author Sharon Skinner to do a cover on an upcoming novel as well as a CD cover for local band HideBehind!

Who/what has influenced you most artistically? Which artist(s) do you most admire?

Donato Giancola, John Howe, James Gurney, Brian Froud, Aly Fell, Adam Hughes, Jason Chan, Serge Birault, Linda Bergkvist, Bobby Chiu, John Singer Sargent. I am influenced and admire all these as well as many others. Although, if you ask me to pick one, I would have to say my Grandfather, Glen Guyett. He used to be a graphic artist who did many designs such as the First Interstate bank Katchina, the original Taco Bell sombrero sign and the Mr. Lucky sign on Grand Ave. Now he teaches watercolor classes here and in Pinetop.

© 2012 Keith Decesare

There are so many great artists I know here it’s hard to answer. If I had to[say] it would have to be Daniel Davis of Steamcrow. His posters, books and comics are brilliantly done!

What is your favorite music to listen to while working on your art?

Pretty much anything goes. Just depends on the mood I want to be in. Right now (don’t laugh) Nightwish, Kenny Loggins – Return to Pooh Corner and anything from Jonathan Coulton.

What is your favorite movie and how has it influenced your art?

The Dark Crystal had a HUGE impact on me! My dad took me to go see it in the theaters (yes, I’m old) and while my dad fell asleep, I was mesmerized by this “complete” world Jim Henson created!

What are you most looking forward to at Phoenix Comicon?

I’ve been going to cons for many years. This is the first one where I am a vendor! The thing I’m looking forward to is the experience of meeting everyone from the other side of the table!

© 2012 Keith Decesare

I’m offering two prints. One is from my webcomic, Roll 4 Damage, and the other is a dragon suitable for any fantasy fan!

What is the craziest thing you’ve been asked to sketch?

At my first ever show, I was commissioned to do a sketch card of ‘Slappy,’ the ventriloquist dummy from R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps (shudder).

If you had a superpower, what would it be and how did you acquire it?

Due to a freak lightning storm, my smart phone and I combine to become AppMan! I would know all, be all and I would never get lost, due to GPS! My weakness? No coverage.

You can find Keith at the 2012 Phoenix Comicon in booth #248. You can also follow him on FACEBOOK or check out his web page gallery at KadCreations.com, and be sure to check out Keith’s gaming webcomic Roll 4 Damage.

2012 Phoenix Comicon

Phoenix Comicon: Artist profile – Keith Decesare is a post from: Nerdvana. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

With lots of planning and money from their own pockets, they planned Steampunk Street again this year, pulling together local vendors and artists to showcase their beautiful work. I simply couldn’t miss this event, not only to support my friends but also to enjoy the fruits of their labor.

One of my favorite parts of Steampunk Street are the costumes people wear. Steampunk enthusiasts are known for the hard work they put into their wardrobe and there were a lot of people dressed up for the event. Here are some highlights from the night, to view the rest of the pictures from this night go –>Here<–.

Photos: Downtown Mesa’s Steampunk Street is a post from: Nerdvana. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

You can purchase tickets at the Comicon website now for $15, or for $20 at the convention.

That is, if there are any left by then. See, they’ve sold out the last two years. And tickets are gonna go fast.

Doors to the Hyatt Regency Ballroom, 122 N. 2nd St., open at 8 p.m. Saturday, May 26 and the festivities last until midnight. The theme this year is Space Geek, and those dressed the part can compete in the Fashion Geektacular to vie for the titles of Geek King, Geek Queen, Space-Geek King, and Space-Geek Queen. Dress code is geek casual or formal, so basically wear whatever you want. Costumes, gowns, street clothes, it’s up to you!

In addition to the costume contest, there will be auctions for super-nerdy swag, plus entertainment and guest appearances by Arizona Avengers leading the Time Warp, James A. Owen performing Pure Imagination, Justice League Arizona dancing to the YMCA and other surprise star appearances.

All proceeds benefit Kids Need to Read, so all this fun is for a good cause. For more information, visit kidsneedtoread.org.

Get your Geek Prom tickets before they’re gone is a post from: Nerdvana. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Battleship © 2012 - Universal Pictures

© 2012 - Universal Pictures

If you can imagine a mishmash of the films An Officer and a Gentleman, Top Gun, the Transformers series, Pearl Harbor, Battle: Los Angeles and the Hasbro Battleship game, then you’ll have some sort of idea of the ground that this movie covers. The crazy thing is, I’m not a big fan of any of those previously mentioned movies and yet I was blown away by how well Battleship works.

The story is centered on Alex Hopper (Taylor Kitsch), who is an irresponsible ne’er-do-well who joins the Navy (at his brother’s direction) to avoid jail time and to impress the daughter of a Navy Admiral. Once in the service, now Lt. Hopper still can’t seem to stay out of trouble and he’s scheduled to be booted out of the military at the completion of a multi-country joint-military exercise off the coast of Hawaii.

Enter an alien invasion brought on by an interplanetary communication effort that has reached out to an Earth-like planet in another solar system. The aliens track the communication signal back to its source in Hawaii and they send an unfriendly exploratory mission to Earth that arrives in the Pacific Ocean just off the coast of Pearl Harbor and Honolulu. The aliens set-up a force-field that separates some of the naval forces from each other and they begin destruction of the military bases and island infrastructure. A battle of wits and naval firepower ensues.

© 2012 - Universal Pictures

The extraterrestrials in Battleship wear a “Halo-esque” style of armor, but when exposed they have somewhat human characteristics and they only seem to attack if something or someone is perceived as a threat. I thought the aliens seemed pretty well thought out, but most of this movie is improbable, with very large time/location lapses. Nonetheless, if you don’t think about it too much, it is enormously entertaining.

Although I had my doubts it could be done, Battleship director, Peter Berg (Hancock), and his writers, Erich & Jon Hoeber (Red), do a very good job of incorporating all the aspects of the Battleship game into this film. From the peg-like explosives that the aliens use to destroy the ships, to the force-field barrier that prevents the forces from seeing their enemies and the hit & miss tactics the ships use to find and kill their adversaries, it all comes together in a fantastic and fun way.

© 2012 - Universal Pictures

Battleship is a modern version of an old John Wayne style patriotic war picture, and its star, Taylor Kitsch, even resembles the iconic action hero.  I applaud the attention that Battleship pays to Navy vets and wounded veterans from all services, and to be certain, there is a lot of corn, straight off the cob, in this movie. But Battleship knows what it is and embraces its cheesiness with unbridled affection. If this type of thing makes you cringe, then this is probably not the movie for you, but if you can just kick back and enjoy an old-school sci-fi romp, based on an old-school board game, you’re going to have a blast.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Review: Battleship – 45,000 tons of fun is a post from: Nerdvana. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

April Reyna

April began her comic art career with Heroic Age Studios where she worked on color separations for DC comics including Justice League of America, Teen Titans and Wonder Woman. She has since worked as a freelance artist on projects including Devi-licious Recipe Adventures, Alien Heart Bigfoot and her comic book series Mark of the Pterren.

April also creates phenomenal pin-up pieces and sketch cards as well as other commissioned work and she was named one of the New Times Top 100 Creatives in 2010. She’s busy prepping for her appearance at the 2012 Phoenix Comicon, but she took a few minutes to answer our Nerdvana Artist Profile questions about her art and artistic influences.

April Reyna

My secret origin? A very small town called, Sullivan, Illinois. Nothing but corn and soybeans as far as the eye can see.

How do you describe your artwork?

I describe my art as a journey to self-discovery. I’ll never know for sure what I’m capable of until I try, and I know I have a long way to go until I’m truly happy with every piece I produce.

What is your goal/ambition with your art?

My goal is to someday be devoted exclusively to my trade (aka – quit my day job [laughs]!)

What projects are you currently working on?

I just wrapped up issue #2 of Mark of the Pterren and I’m anxiously waiting to start issue #3 soon. Melissa Stacy is the writer for this awesome comic book. I’m the artist (pencils and inks), Andy Bohn is my letterer, Alfred Trujillo did the pencils to the variant cover and Krista Ward is the colorist for said variant. A HUGE cast of people are contributing to this book and I couldn’t be more pleased.

April Reyna

The first artists to make their impressions upon me include J. Scott Campbell, Michael Turner and Marc Silvestri. Gen13 and Witchblade were the first books I read sitting on Melissa Stacy’s floor as a teenager and I’m so happy I found them. It was instant love.

Who is your favorite local artist?

I couldn’t possibly pick a favorite local artist! That is like asking which finger I wouldn’t mind hacking off [laughs]. I learn so much from all my peeps and it never gets dull seeing them in and out of the comic scene. I admire them all and you know that there are so many of them down here in this neck of the woods. Natalie Sanders, Jean Arrow, and Bianca Thompson rock my world on the ladies side. Shelby Robertson, Ben Glendenning, Andy Bohn, Alfred Trujillo, Jeff Pina, Mike DeBalfo and Chris Wood also hold a special place in my heart. There are three times as many more names that I’d love to drop in there too [laughs]. These guys make me feel like family and I love them… Squee!

What is your favorite music to listen to while working on your art?

Gosh, I haven’t reinstalled my itunes since that unfortunate computer issue a few months ago, but I do love my NIN. What I usually do is play a TV series in the background, something that I’m familiar with so that it isn’t too distracting, [like] Family Guy, Firefly, Arrested Development, Witchblade, etc.

What is your favorite movie and how has it influenced your art?

Favorite movie is a tough question as well.  I think I would have to say The Cell. Its references to actual works of art and its twisted interpretations are impressive and I love works that make me feel, make me think, make me analyze and discuss what is at play. I find that I start to layer things from the background to the foreground to show depth and importance to whatever figure that is in that panel. It has also made me realize that you can have a wonderful story amidst a morbid and dark subject matter and our comic book, Mark of the Pterren, is not meant for the faint of heart.

Mark of the Pterren

I’ve been looking forward to PCC all year long. I know that I’m definitely getting some comics signed by David Mack, David Finch, Greg Horn, Mike DeBalfo, Eric Basaldua, etc.  It is gonna’ be EPIC!!!

Are you offering any special exclusives for fans at Comicon?

Yes, Mark of the Pterren will have a variant available and I will also have an exclusive print available too. I took a snap shot of it and posted it on my fan site ReynaArt. The pencils that Alfred Trujillo did for the Mark of the Pterren are on that fan site. So go check ‘em out and show some love! Squee!

What is the craziest thing you’ve been asked to sketch?

I think the craziest thing I’ve been asked to sketch was mafia kittens, from last year’s PCC. It was a lot of fun to do that panel [laughs]. My favorite, however, is this blank cover that a fan continues to bring me at every show starting from my first one. I continue to build more and more sketches onto it and I can see this progression in my work and that makes me feel very excited. I think there are 4 sketches on it now.

If you had a superpower, what would it be and how did you acquire it?

Honestly, I have thought it over and I would want the power to find that perfect parking place everywhere I go. Yup, it’s boring but it would be awesome for everything. I would acquire it magically from pretend shanking Shelby Robertson in the kidney, and sure, I’d carpool with him since he’d have granted me my super power [laughs]!

For the 2012 Phoenix Comicon, April can be found at booth #726. She will also be participating in the con panels for Unity Project: Women Unite, Sketch Off Friday #2 and Artists’ Jam Off . April can often be found at events hosted by local comic shops including Pop Culture Paradise, Hero Comics, Gotham City Comics and Coffee and Drawn to Comics. You can also follow April on FACEBOOK.

2012 Phoenix Comicon

Phoenix Comicon: Artist profile – April Reyna is a post from: Nerdvana. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Good news everyone!

The creative forces behind downtown Mesa’s Royale independent moviehouse are back with an online “horror host show” in the vein of classics like Elvira, with wrap-around segments to be filmed on a laboratory set at downtown Mesa’s Monsterland Bar & Grill.

Local Horror Movie enthusiasts Jeremiah Wilkerson and partner Andrea Beesley (Midnite Movie Mamacita) both formerly of The Royale Cinema in Mesa, along with critic/writer Mark Moorhead are teaming up to create Phoenix’s newest Horror Host Show.  Horror Hosts have been void on the scene in Arizona since Ghoulia (KOLD-TV) and Dr. Scar (KGUN-TV) in the 1950s-1970s and Edmus Scarey (KNXV-TV) in the 1980s.  Dr. Midnite (Wilkerson) and Nurse Nocturna (Beesley) will launch their venture with a panel at the Phoenix Comicon on Saturday May 26^th (Room 131BC) 6-7pm at the Phoenix Convention Center.  The Dr. Midnite Show will premier online via DrMidniteShow.com on Friday July 13^th.

The format of the show will follow a traditional Horror Host layout (e.g. Elvira, Svengoolie) with wrap-around segments filmed in the Doctor’s laboratory (Monsterland Bar & Grill) accompanying a classic B-Movie.  Viewers will be able to experience the complete show online via the website or join the motley crew at various Valley locations where they will perform the show live.  After programming Film Events in the Valley since 2006, Beesley is excited to take the experience to a new level.  “Following the closure of The Royale we wanted to continue doing Community Events to stay involved with the loyal following we have established over the years.  Reviving a beloved American tradition like Horror Hosting seemed a natural fit for our mission”.

Hailing from the dark and dreary land of Clinton, Iowa, and nearly driven to insanity by boredom, Dr. Malcolm Midnite left his homeland and received a doctorate in mad science before settling in Phoenix, AZ. Here he plans to be the greatest mad doctor ever, but given that he is terrible at it, he hosts films about his more successful mad heroes and emulates their plots instead.

The ever elusive Nurse Nocturna is the faithful assistant to Dr. Midnite.  Self-taught in the art of medicine, this German ex-pat is tight-lipped about how she lost her eye and how subsequently came to wear an eye-patch, but sources suggest that it had something to do with the Dr. and one of his misguided experiments. 

Royale collaborators back with online Dr. Midnite horror show is a post from: Nerdvana. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.