The End of The Fantastic Four Will Be On January 26, 2011 In Issue 587

This January Fantastic Four #587 marks the end of the Fantastic Four and the penultimate issue of Marvel’s longest running series. Concluding the red hot “Three” storyline by superstars Jonathan Hickman and Steve Epting, this issue arrives polybagged in comic shops to avoid spoiling the cataclysmic ending of the Fantastic Four and to preserve the surprise events that lead to the dissolution of Marvel’s first super hero team.

In addition, Marvel has officially announced that there will be no overprint on Fantastic Four #587, in addition to the issue not appearing on newsstands.

“The surprises in this issues—and what comes next—constitute one of the biggest events in Marvel history,” said David Gabriel, SVP Sales & Circulation. “When you see the plans that Tom Brevoort, Jonathan Hickman and Steve Epting come to fruition, you’ll know why we say this is the story everyone will be talking about. We urge retailers to look for a major incentive announcement in Diamond Daily and stock up not just for January, but for the coming months as the aftermath of this issue is revealed.”

This is it—the end of the Fantastic Four. But what could bring about such a stunning change to the fabric of the Marvel Universe? Fantastic Four #587 will be at comic shops on January 26, 2011.

The Fire Wire 2010 Holiday Gift Guide: Christopher’s Nolan’s Inception On Blu-ray Or DVD

Pick up the DVD ($28.98) or Blu-ray/DVD Combo ($35.99) release of Christopher’s Nolan’s Inception tomorrow for the movie buff on your holiday shopping list.  This film is the perfect blend of action sequences, amazing special effects and a thought provoking plot.

Extras will include featurettes (“The Inception of Inception”, “The Japanese Castle: The Dream is Collapsing”, “Constructing Paradoxical Architecture – Designing the Staircase to Nowhere”, “The Freight Train – Constructing the Street-Faring Express Train”).

Chronicle Books Friends & Family 35% Discount & Free Shipping Extended to December 12th

35% off plus free shipping until December 12^th! Please use the code FRIENDS at checkout! Go HERE for details.

Qrapping Paper

Even terrible gifts are worth opening when they’re wrapped in Qrapping Paper ($20 for 2 sheets) the world’s most interactive wrapping paper. Behind each QR code is an original holiday video that can’t be seen anywhere else. Over 50 in all, turning any gift into a tiny holiday film festival. To view the videos simply open your barcode scanning app on your smartphone.

Nordic Ware Burger Bites Grill Pan & Press Review

Made in the US, the Nordic Ware Burger Bites Grill Pan & Press ($38) offers a quick and easy way to make your very own sliders, right in the comfort of your own kitchen.  Whether you want to make traditional hamburgers or try ground turkey or salmon, this grill pan and press allows you to invent your own burger creations. Simply scoop ¼ c of your mixture into the 7 preheated Burger Bites chambers.  Using the grill press, push down on the mixture to create a burger patty.  Cook for approximately 5 minutes on each side, then add cheese or other toppings and enjoy. The pan is made of cast aluminum and has a non-stick interior for easy food release and cleanup.  The pan is oven safe for temperatures up to 400F, and measures L 17.87” x W 10.57” x H 2.125”.  If you are looking for a great addition to your cookware collection, consider the Nordic Ware Burger Bites Grill Pan & Press. (Reviewed by Meredith Fire-Hess)

The Fire Wire 2010 Holiday Gift Guide: Cool Rockets

Cool Rockets ($60 – $100) is a line of resin-cast, hand-finished rocket ships, all inspired by the styles of the 40’s and 50’s rockets from comics, TV, and toys. Created by Jeff Brewer, a film and special-effects modelmaker in northern California, Cool Rockets offer a unique collection that is handmade, unique, and more affordable than you’d think. All the designs are original inspirations of an era, not copies of some vehicle you’ve seen in a movie or TV show.

SKLZ Pro Mini Hoop System Review

Living in a colder climate, I have been searching for a way to bring the great game of basketball indoors during those winter months. I have found the perfect solution with the SKLZ Pro Mini Hoop System ($149.99). This is a phenomenal indoor basketball system, like none that I have ever seen or used before. It offers a pro-grade look and feel, that includes a 33” x 22” clear polycarbonate shatterproof backboard, as well as a spring action break-away rim.  One of the very best features is the ability to change the height adjustment of the hoop from 3’ for junior players up to 7’ for outdoor courtside play. The bottom of the base has wheels for easy portability.  The base can be secured down by filling the hole on the top with either water or sand. The system comes complete with tools, hardware, an instruction manual, the base, 2 pole sections, the sturdy backboard and rim, as well as an all-weather 8-loop net, and a SKLZ mini basketball. Whether indoors, courtside, or by the pool, the SKLZ Pro Mini Hoop System offers a great way for your family to dunk and slam just like the pros. If you are looking for the same great pro-grade look and feel for your office, children’s bedroom, dorm, or anywhere that has a spare door, you may want to consider the over-the-door SKLZ Pro Mini Hoop or Pro Mini Hoop XL. (Reviewed by Meredith Fire-Hess)

Ten Great Years of The Beatles

“Ten Great Years”, a wonderful illustration by Maxim Dalton celebrating the ten years The Beatles were together making great music. It’s available as a limited run Giclée print for $60.

Desile Folding Chair

This is what smart industrial design looks like. Attractive and functional. French artist, Christian Desile, created this award-winning folding chair ($335) from one single slice of board, so it takes up almost no space until you need a seat. But what’s even cooler – the chairs are made of a combination of bamboo & PET, making them truly sustainable.

The FIRE WIRE 2010 Holiday Gift Guide: The Scholastic Treasury of 100 Storybook Classics Vol. 2

Some of my most treasured memories have been spending time reading with my boys.  Although they are older now, they still love to go back and re-read the classic board and picture books from their childhood, such as Goodnight Moon, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, and The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Years ago, I found the most amazing video series that I fondly remember watching together as a family.  It was the Scholastic Storybook Treasures Series, that has since continued to release additional familiar and beloved titles from award-winning and classic children’s stories.  What is so great about these videos, is that they bring many our most cherished books to life.  They are narrated by an all star celebrity cast including: Sharon Stone, Sarah Jessica Parker, James Earl Jones and many more. These videos are produced by Weston Woods, and the original artwork is animated or slightly animated to suggest movement, causing excellent books to become spectacular movies. If you are looking for the perfect holiday gift, I highly recommend any of the Scholastic Storybook DVD’s. If you can’t decide which ones to buy, perhaps you should consider the Scholastic Treasury of 100 Storybook Classics, 16 DVD Disc Set ($109.95). In addition to the wonderful stories, great artwork, and narration, each video is a fantastic value.  Within each DVD, there are additional bonus features and stories that my children loved. Each video is carefully crafted based on a particular author or theme that binds each DVD together.

Due to the enormous popularity of these videos, a second Treasury has recently been released, The Treasury of 100 Storybook Classic Volume 2 ($99.95). This 17 disc set features 100 award-winning and classic children’s stories are faithfully adapted and brought to rich life. From Goodnight Moon and the beloved adventures of Corduroy to Red Riding Hood, this colossal set features nearly 20 hours of quality entertainment which together have won more than 115 awards including the prestigious Caldecott Medal and Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Children’s Video. Packed with celebrity narration from stars such as Zach Braff, Abigail Breslin, Stockard Channing, Mia Farrow, Cyndi Lauper, John Lithgow, and many others. These videos feature Scholastic’s innovative read-along function that highlights words as they are read, supporting early literacy skills. Along with additional fun and mind-stimulating activities, interviews with authors and illustrators, as well as 9 stories in Spanish. The 17 Titles in the treasury include:

Disc 1  -  Goodnight Moon
Disc 2  -  Corduroy
Disc 3  -  Good Night, Gorilla
Disc 4  -  The Wheels on the Bus
Disc 5  -  There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly
Disc 6  -  Is Your Mama a Llama?
Disc 7  -  Giggle Giggle Quack
Disc 8  -  The Hans Christian Andersen Collection
Disc 9  -  The James Marshall Fairytale Collection
Disc 10 – He s Got the Whole World in His Hands
Disc 11 – Antarctic Antics
Disc 12 – The Teacher From the Black Lagoon
Disc 13 – Miss Nelson Has a Field Day
Disc 14 – Crazy Hair Day
Disc 15 – So You Want to Be President?
Disc 16 – The Night Before Christmas
Disc 17 – A Very Brave Witch

In addition, Scholastic has also released The Wheels on the Bus Sing-Along Travel Kit ($24.95), designed for kids ages 3-9, and is sure to keep your children thoroughly entertained for hours.  This kit was awarded a prestigious 2010 NAPPA Gold Award, and features two musical DVDs featuring 15 animated literary classics, a CD with 13 sing-along songs, a 34-page activity booklet loaded with games and activities to support early math and reading skills, crayons, and helpful travel tips for parents.  Everything is packaged in a colorful and portable travel case, turning the set into a fun-filled, go-anywhere mini-suitcase.  Here are the 15 stories that are included:

1.  The Wheels on the Bus
2.  There Was an old lady Who swallowed a Fly
3.  This land is Your land
4.  Frog Went A-Courtin’
5.  Over in the Meadow
6.  Giraffes Can’t Dance
7.  Dem Bones
8.  The Chinese violin
9.  Changes, Changes
10. Musical Max
11. Joseph Had a little overcoat
12. Bugs! Bugs! Bugs!
13. All the Colors of the Earth
14. Keeping House
15. Hush little Baby

You can find a huge selection of Scholastic gift ideas here. The Treasury of 100 Storybook Classics and the Scholastic Storybook Treasures DVD’s are a must have, and should be on everyone’s holiday list for 2010! (Reviewed by Meredith Fire-Hess)

The Fire Wire 2010 Holiday Gift Guide: Stephen King’s Full Dark, No Stars

Just in time for the holidays Stephen King has released four unpublished novellas in his newest collection entitled, Full Dark, No Stars. The story titles and plot synopses for the 352 page upcoming book are:

1922
The story opens with the confession of Wilfred James to the murder of his wife, Arlette, following their move to Hemingford, Nebraska onto land willed to Arlette by her father.

Big Driver
Mystery writer, Tess, has been supplementing her writing income for years by doing speaking engagements with no problems. But following a last-minute invitation to a book club 60 miles away, she takes a shortcut home with dire consequences.

Fair Extension
Harry Streeter, who is suffering from cancer, decides to make a deal with the devil but, as always, there is a price to pay.

A Good Marriage
Darcy Anderson learns more about her husband of over twenty years than she would have liked to know when she stumbles literally upon a box under a worktable in their garage.

4-disc DVD/Blu-ray/Blu-ray 3D Combo Edition Of Alice In Wonderland Due On December 7th

Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment has announced a 4-disc DVD/Blu-ray/Blu-ray 3D Combo ($49.99) edition of Alice in Wonderland for December 7th. Extras will include multiple featurettes (“Finding Alice”, “The Mad Hatter”, “Effecting Wonderland”, “The Futterwacken Dance”, “The Red Queen”, “The White Queen”, “Scoring Wonderland”, “Stunts of Wonderland”, “Making the Proper Size”, “Cakes of Wonderland”, “Tea Party Props”, “Time-Lapse: Sculpting the Red Queen”), and a digital copy of the film.

3 Minute Clip Of Walking Dead Season Finale

There are only four days away is the season finale of AMC’s Walking Dead.  If the season’s first five gripping, thrilling, bloody, action-packed and drama-filled episodes are any indication, then viewers are in for one hell of a season finale.  Here are a few burning questions that viewers are asking about the finale: Will Rick find out about Shane’s affair with Lori?  Do Morgan and son Duane (from the season premiere) ever make it to Atlanta?  Where’s the one-handed-baddie Merle?  What caused the outbreak?

One question will definitely be answered:  Who is the mystery man at the CDC and what does he know?  The good news is that you don’t have to wait until Sunday’s finally to get a little sneak peak at the answer.  Here’s a three minute clip from this Sunday’s season finale of The Walking Dead.

And in case you’re not completely caught up on the show, AMC is airing a Walking Dead marathon, starting at 3:30 p.m. central, showing the entire first season leading up to the finale at 9:00 p.m. central.

See Paul Levitz, Jim Lee, Geoff Johns & Patton Oswalt Discuss 75 Years of DC Comics At UCLA’s Hammer Museum On December 14th

On Dec. 14th, at 7 p.m., Paul Levitz will join DC’s new editorial leadership, writer Geoff Johns and artist Jim Lee, at UCLA’s Hammer Museum for a free lecture event tied to the recently released art book, 75 Years of DC Comics: The Art of Modern Mythmaking.

Within its short 75-year lifespan, DC Comics has created and destroyed entire cities, worlds, and universes with a cast of characters that includes the titans of the Superhero world. Comedian, actor, and writer Patton Oswalt will moderate a discussion covering the pulp origins of DC Comics’ story lines and characters, as well as the future of digital publishing.

The event is free however, tickets are required. Tickets are available at the Billy Wilder Theater Box Office one hour prior to start time. There is a limit of one ticket per person on a first come, first served basis. Hammer members receive priority seating, subject to availability. Reservations are not accepted and RSVPs are not required.

Parking is available under the museum for $3 after 6:00pm.

Kevin Bacon’s Super Fan

Kevin Bacon stars as his own biggest fan in an Internet-ready ad for the Google TV-powered Logitech Revue.

Zipbuds

Zipbuds ($40) use a clever integrated zipper wire system that’s made from durable, Kevlar reinforced cabling. which prevents tangles while still remaining flexible. The buds feature a gold-plated audio jack and ship with three different sizes of noise-isolating ear tips plus two silicon over-molded “sport clips” built for comfort and sweat resistance. Zipbuds come in a variety of colors such as black, blue and pink.

The Fire Wire 2010 Holiday Gift Guide: Dr. Grordbort’s Infallible Aether Oscillator Ray-Guns

Dr. Grordbort’s world and Victorian era munitions ($100 – $700) are the ingenious fabrication of Weta Designer Greg Broadmore. Broadmore began the project via drawings and paintings featuring Dr. Grordbort and his weapons of choice, not to mention creepy aliens.

He and his associate Richard Taylor brought this fantastic world to life in 2007 when they fabricated their first three ray-guns. Since then, many other Infallible Aether Oscillators have been produced, along with a published reference guide/catalogue titled Dr. Grordobort’s Contrapulatronic Dingus Dictionary.

These harmless, gorgeous steampunk ray-guns would look awesome in the lair of your sci-fi loving teen (or 45 year-old man-child). Yes, I have one…it’s the Righteous Bison model which sits proudly on my credenza resting on the Universal Gun Stand should any otherworldly creatures attack our abode. These highly detailed realistic looking plastic/metal “weapons” make great conversation pieces plus the box is so handsome, you won’t even have to wrap it up for the holidays!

Deluxe Hoopnotica Starter Kit Review

Hooping is no longer simply a child’s game or a novel party activity for adults, it is a form of exercise that is sweeping the nation. The hula hoop of the 1950’s has been revived, updated and brought into the 21^st century thanks to a company called Hoopnotica. Hooping or Hoopdance consists of flowing and beautiful movements that combine the body and the hoop into one unified form.  It can be used as a tool for fitness, meditation, or just plain fun. Hoopdance can burn as many calories as running while working the abs and other major muscles. Getting your cardio fix has never been this entertaining or easy at the beginning level, as its non-impact exercise that people of all ages can enjoy. Get everything you could possibly need to learn the basics of Hoopdance with the Deluxe Hoopnotica Starter Kit ($78.99).  This kit comes complete with a Fitness TravelHoop in your choice of pink & gold or blue & silver color designs, acclaimed Beginning Level 1 & 2 DVD’s, Intermediate Level 3 DVD, HoopMix Volume 1 & 2 CD’s, as well as a coordinating HoopStrap. What is so great about this kit, is that the hoop is portable and can be taken anywhere.  It easily assembles by snapping the individual sections together. To transport, simply unsnap the sections, and secure them in the handy HoopStrap. Hooping can burn between 400 and 600 calories an hour, while relieving stress, increasing energy, and improving overall balance and coordination. Best of all, you do not need a lot of space to use the hoop, it is suggested to have an 8’x8’ area.  In addition, because it is collapsible, it can easily be stored and take up a small footprint of space. If you prefer to get out and hoopdance with others, many classes are offered throughout the US and abroad. If you want to have a blast and get into great shape at the same time, consider giving hooping a try. (Reviewed by Meredith Fire-Hess)

The Fire Wire 2010 Holiday Gift Guide: B. Toys Zany Zoo

I have written about the wondrous purveyor of kid’s playthings, B. Toys before and I am pleased to recommend the Zany Zoo Wooden Activity Cube ($50) as a 2010 Fire Wire Holiday Must-Have item for your 1-3 year old loved one!

Each face of the delightful 13.5″ x 12” x 18″ cube contains enjoyable interactive activities for your tot to explore all related to the colorful animal kingdom.

Little kids will want to turn the spinny spinners or race circular animal cutouts along the zig zag race track. Older children will be enthralled with memorizing the beautiful A-Z creatures ranging from an aardvark to a zebra.

The well constructed wooden and plastic toy weighs 13.5 pounds and is durable, safe, eye catching and fun. Opposed to boring throwaway gifts that only get played with once, consider the Zany Zoo and watch your child play for hours. Pick one up for the special someone on your holiday list at your local Target store and watch them learn and laugh!