The Gospel: Solid Snake Part 3

This is the Gospel according to Roger,continued from the second, the witness of the greatest story ever told and devout follower of all words spoken by the great Hideo Kojima.

In 2009, Snake returned this time under the name of Iroquois Pliskin to infiltrate the Big Shell decontamination facility. It was believed that a new Metal Gear known as Arsenal Gear was being developed there. While investigating Big Shell, Snake met Raiden and saved him from Vamp. Snake also found the Patriot AI of GW on Big Shell where he used a computer virus to attack it. GW was thought to have been destroyed totally by the virus but this was proved to be untrue. Raiden also ended up killing Solidus Snake during the Big Shell incident but Liquid Ocelot managed to escape in a Metal Gear Ray. Snake would vanish for another 5 years.

In 2014, Snake was approached by Colonel Campbell while visiting the supposed gravesite of Big Boss for one last mission. Campbell had received information that Liquid Ocelot had been spotted somewhere in the Middle East. Snake at this time was suffering from unexplained accelerated aging. His window for life was given as a year at best. Snake decided to take on one last fight.

Snake’s first order of business was to meet up with the members of Rat Patrol Team 01 which turned out to be commanded by none other than Meryl Silverburgh herself. On his way to meet the team Snake ran into a gun launderer calling himself Drebin. Drebin took guns that only responded to certain nanomachines in soldiers and made them so that Snake could use them. After meeting with the members of the team and getting Liquid’s whereabouts, Snake set out to kill Liquid once and for all. As Snake was approaching him, Liquid activated a machine that turned off the nanomachines in the all of the soldiers surrounding him. Nanomachines were standard in all soldiers. The nanomachines controlled the release of hormones and linked the soldiers of a particular unit together. They also help suppress the mental strains of battle. Therefore without the nanomachines, the soldiers would experience all the emotions of battle for the first time at once and as a result went crazy. Snake was also apparently affected by Liquid’s machine but not nearly to the extent of everyone else. As Snake was on the ground he was approached by Naomi Hunter who was working with Liquid.

Snake awoke to find himself on his airborne base again with Otacon. They had received an encrypted message from Naomi begging to be rescued in South America. Snake departed to save Naomi as that was his only lead. After making his way through Liquid’s compound, Snake found Naomi in a cabin. After examining Snake she found that the FOXDIE in him was mutating and she explained that eventually it would lose it’s ability to choose targets and would become a worldwide pandemic. She also explained that the accelerated aging was not because of FOXDIE but because of his own genes being programmed to die early. The Patriots had programmed the genes during the Les Enfants Terribles because they did not want the genes of Big Boss to fall into enemy hands. Snake was also given a nanomachine suppressor by Naomi. As Snake was about to leave he was confronted by Laughing Octopus.

Laughing Octopus was a member of the Beauty and the Beast Unit. The unit was comprised of incredibly beautiful female soldiers with each one having been through a very horrible experience. Each member also had a very powerful armored suit that could be used for both attacking and defense. Laughing Octopus had the ability to create the illusion of being something or someone else thanks to her special camouflage which could blend in with her surroundings as well as being changed into whatever she desired. Laughing Octopus was raised in small Scandinavian town known as the Devil’s Village. The village’s primary source of food was octopus. One night a cult attacked the village and massacred the entire population except for her. They forced her to help in the massacring and torture of her family and friends under the threat of death. The cult also demanded that she laugh the entire time. She began to hallucinate that the blood on her hands turned black like the ink of an octopus. Thus she took up the name Laughing Octopus. Snake was able to defeat Octopus and in her defeat she finally accepted what she had done and came to peace with herself.

Snake then went about tracking Naomi and found her about to be taken away by Vamp in a helicopter. Drebin suddenly appeared in his Stryker and rescued Snake and Naomi. The three were then surrounded by Gekko in a small town after the Stryker they were aboard crashed. Gekko are unmanned bipedal tanks equipped with machine guns. Just as the machines were about to close in they was saved by Raiden who had become a cyborg ninja himself. The three of them escaped along with a heavily injured Raiden.

Once inside the Nomad, Raiden informed Snake of what he needed to do next. The task was to contact Big Mama. Big Mama was the leader of Paradise Lost. Paradise Lost was a resistance army devoted to the destruction of the Patriots. After trailing one of Paradise Lost resistance members, Snake discovered her hideout. Big Mama explained that she was in fact EVA. The same EVA who assisted Big Boss in the Snake Eater mission and the same EVA who gave birth to both Solid and Liquid Snake. She told Snake the Patriots were formed by Major Zero, Big Boss, Ocelot, Sigint, Para-Medic and herself with the sole mission to carry out the final wish of The Boss. She told Snake how that Major Zero turned Big Boss into a legend and that eventually there was falling out between the two. Big Boss and Zero had two different views of what The Boss would have wanted. When Zero had Big Boss cloned without his permission, he finally left to form Outer Heaven which was his version of what The Boss wanted. Ocelot and EVA were loyal to Big Boss but Ocelot stayed behind for whatever reason. Zero then created four different AI’s with one more to head up the four to carry out his final vision. He believed that the next generation would not be able to handle this task. EVA then revealed that Big Boss was in fact still alive and that his mind was being kept at bay with nanomachines. As they were talking they were discovered by Liquid’s dwarf Gekko. Snake and EVA escaped on EVA’s motorcycle to protect the van which contained the supposed body of Big Boss. After a chase the two crashed and Snake climbed a tower to face off against Raging Raven.

Raging Raven was the second member of the Beauty and the Beast Unit. Raven had the ability of flight thanks to her armored suit and the ability to control several unmanned flying drones that resembled her suit. Raging Raven was born in a territory of Indonesia. Her homeland was war torn long before she was born. As a young child she was kidnapped by soldiers along with other children and beaten. When the children tried to cling to hope and encourage each other, the soldiers beat them harder and called them disgusting ravens. Then the soldiers up and left with the children still tied up, to be eaten by ravens that inhabited her homeland. She watched in horror as the ravens picked apart her friends one by one until they came for her. But instead of eating her they cut her bonds. When she was freed she, she became filled with an uncontrollable rage. She killed the ravens and tracked down the soldiers. Once nightfall came she went into the camp and slaughtered everyone, soldiers and prisoners alike. After Snake defeated her, she came to terms with had happened and what she had done.

After the fight, Snake went back down the tower and helped EVA to a boat that was waiting to take the two of them along with Big Boss to safety. As the two were making their way to the boat they were confronted by Liquid Ocelot. Liquid had obtained Big Boss’s DNA from the boat and had used it to hack into the Patriots system. Since Liquid had Big Boss’s DNA he no longer needed the body of Big Boss that he had been after for years. Ocelot shuts down the nanomachines in all the soldiers so none of their weapons worked and slaughtered them. He also destroyed the boat that Big Boss was on and killed EVA in the process. The only success of the mission was the boarding of the Mk. II Metal Gear that was able to board Liquid’s boat and obtain information about his plan.

From the information gathered by the Mk. II Metal Gear, Otacon and Snake were able to deduce that Liquid was planning to destroy the main satellite of JD to destroy the patriots once and for all. Snake and Otacon figured out that Liquid planned to return to Shadow Moses Island to commandeer Metal Gear REX’s rail gun that was used to launch nuclear weapons. The two set a course for the island that they had left ten years ago.

Shadow Moses had laid dormant since the incident ten years before. As Snake infiltrated the island for the second time he found that all of obstacles he faced before were gone and replaced by unmanned dwarf Gekko. As Snake was making his way to REX’s lair through the snowfield for the second time he was confronted by the third member of the Beauty and Beast Unit, Crying Wolf.

Crying Wolf, the third member of the B&B corps, was a sniping expert. She was born in war-ravaged Africa. Her village was destroyed and her parents were killed in the name of ethnic cleansing. She left the village with her only surviving relative, her infant brother. She traveled with her brother until one day she was noticed by a platoon of enemy soldiers approaching. She took her brother and hid in an abandoned shack. While they were hiding in the shack her brother began to cry. Fearing for both their lives, Wolf covered her brother’s mouth to muffle his screams. After the soldiers passed she removed her hand now covered with snot, saliva and sweat to discover the horrible she had done. She had smothered her own infant brother and her last surviving relative. She carried her infant brother in shock all the way to a refugee camp. As she journeyed she began to hallucinate about a lone wolf walking beside her. While inside the camp she was tormented by the screams of infant children which constantly reminded her of her little brother. She hallucinated about the wolf waiting just outside the camp. She wished only for the crying to stop. The wolf granted her wish. The wolf went from child to child silencing their screams. Since the wolf was just a figment of her imagination it was actually her going from infant to infant, one by one, snuffing out their little lives. Snake was again able to out snipe and defeat this enemy and as a result she came to terms with what had happened and was finally able to rest in peace.

Snake had defeated the third member of the B&B corps., he made his way to REX’s hanger. Once inside he was confronted by Vamp. Vamp was filled with nanomachines that accelerated his healing tremendously and made him near invincible. Snake’s first order of business was to inject Vamp with his nano suppressing syringe and make him mortal. Snake accomplished this task and as the two were about to fight they were interrupted by suicide Gekko designed to destroy Shadow Moses. Raiden now healed showed up and took on Vamp while Snake fended off the Gekko. After Vamp was killed, Snake boarded Metal Gear REX and attempted to escape through the hanger door. Naomi was also killed in the process as she turned off the nanomachines in her body and allowing a terminal cancer she had been living with to take her life. Snake drove REX out of the base safely before it was destroyed. Just as he thought the threat was over he was attacked by Liquid piloting a Metal Gear RAY. RAY was designed to be a REX killer but with Otacon’s help Snake was able to destroy RAY. Ocelot escaped however and injured Raiden heavily in the process.

Solid Snake now joined by Rat Patrol Team 01 had one last chance to stop Liquid. They took a WWII battleship to where Liquid was planning to launch a nuclear warhead using the railgun he had stolen from Metal Gear REX. Snake mission was to infiltrate the Arsenal Gear that Liquid was aboard and plant a virus that Naomi had created to destroy the AI GW once and for all. By doing this, Liquid would no longer be able to use GW to hack the Patriots system. Snake battled his way through the the ship and found himself in the ships belly along with Meryl who was knocked unconscious. After killing many of Liquid’s personal soldier’s, Snake was taken on by the last member of the Beauty and Beast Unit Screaming Mantis.

Screaming Mantis was a psychic and was controlling the other members of the B&B corps. She was born in South America. Her village was attacked and burned to the ground when she was still young. She was hunted day and night by death squads but was unable to escape so she took refuge in a basement. She stayed in the basement while being tormented by the screams of tortured villagers. She drank the dirty murky water and eventually began to hallucinate. She imagined a preying mantis who taught her how to block out the screams and would eat the corpses of males. Screaming Mantis had turned to cannibalism. Like a preying mantis she ate only male corpses. The fight between Snake and Screaming Mantis had striking similarities to the fight he had 10 years ago against Psycho Mantis. Screaming Mantis could manipulate anyone with nanomachines in them and would force the bodies of dead soldiers and Meryl to attack Snake. Snake incapacitated Meryl and defeated Screaming Mantis. Once again through defeat Mantis was able to deal with her past and was finally at peace. After she died however the spirit of Psycho Mantis himself took over her armor and demonstrated his powerful attacks. However before a fight could commence the spirit of the Sorrow banished him forever.

Snake having defeated everyone else had one last thing to do. He traveled down a corridor that was filled with microwaves to prevent people from attacking GW that laid at the end of the hallway. Snake had a death wish at this point because of his accelerated aging and the fact that he believed he would become a walking biological weapon based upon what Naomi had told him. He loaded in the virus and was shocked to see that virus not only destroyed GW but went on the destroy the entire Patriots system. Snake thought his mission was over but he had one last fight. He had to kill Liquid Ocelot once and for all.

On the very top of Arsenal Gear which Liquid had named Outer Haven the two fought hand-to-hand in what would be likened to their fight atop Metal Gear REX ten years earlier. The two fought to the death with Snake becoming the victor. In his dying breath Ocelot returned to his former self and told Snake that this was his plan all along and that JD and the Patriots had finally been destroyed.

Now that the Patriots along with Liquid had been destroyed Snake’s fight was finally over. Everyone moved on with their lives. Meryl and her father, Colonel Campbell, reunited at her wedding. Raiden and his girlfriend Rosemary joined together once again after she introduced his son to him. Snake had one thing left to do though. Believing that he was about to become a biological weapon he had to take his own life. Just as he was about to carry this out on Big Boss’s supposed grave, Snake was stopped by none other than Big Boss himself.

Big Boss approached Snake and disarmed him and forced him into a hug. Big Boss explained that the body destroyed by Liquid on the boat was actually that of Solidus. He explained that Revolver Ocelot had actually formed himself into Liquid Snake’s doppelganger to complete his mission of carrying out what he believed to be Big Boss’s final mission. Big Boss went on to say that he had been kept in a state of suspension by nanomachines and that after JD was destroyed he gained his consciousness back. He told Snake that he would not in fact become a biological weapon and that the FOXDIE in him would only live as long as he did. Big Boss explained that FOXDIE would only kill one more person and that would be himself. Big Boss became increasingly ill during the conversation and had Snake carry him to The Boss’s grave and saluted it once more as he had done 50 years ago. Big Boss then collapsed and died on The Boss’s grave. Before he died though he told Snake to live out his final days not as a snake but as a man. Snake then leaves the gravesite to live out his last few days in peace along with Otacon and Sunny.

Solid Snake is without a doubt the greatest hero in video games. It’s hard to imagine that this character who was created in 1987 for the MSX2 would still be relevant today. His staying power is almost unrivaled. Solid Snake is also the main character in what is, in my opinion, the greatest and most intricate story ever told. To grasp what this character has been through and what he has done is a task in and of itself. Solid Snake is an American hero to his very core.

Posted by Nerd Boy Wonder 10 December Permalink

The Gospel: Solid Snake Part 2

This is the Gospel according to Roger, the witness of the greatest story ever told and devout follower of all words spoken by the great Hideo Kojima. This a continuation of those words from Part 1.

In 2005, renegade members of FOXHOUND took hold of Shadow Moses Island, a remote nuclear weapons facility off the Alaskan coastline. The group was led by Liquid Snake and his demands were the remains of Big Boss. The renegade group was comprised of genetically altered soldiers with extensive VR training but little field experience.

Solid Snake returned to the battlefield again with Colonel Campbell once again acting as his commanding officer. Snake’s objective’s were to rescue DARPA Chief Donald Anderson (who used the codename Sigint in Operation: Snake Eater when he was supporting Big Boss) rescue ArmsTech Kenneth Baker and finally to access the ability of the terrorists unit to launch a nuclear strike and prevent it if necessary.

Snake infiltrated the base and met up with the DARPA Chief who told Snake that the terrorists had a new weapon known as Metal Gear REX that was capable of launching a nuclear warhead. The DARPA Chief told snake that two codes were needed to activate REX. One of the codes was his, which the terrorists already had, and the other code was being held by Kenneth Baker. Snake was also told that there were three PAL keys that could be used to deactivate the Metal Gear. Suddenly however, the DARPA Chief died of a heart attack seemingly.

As Snake was continuing his mission he ran into Meryl Silverburgh, who was Colonel Campbell’s niece. Before Snake had a chance to speak with Meryl they were ambushed and Meryl ran into an elevator shooting at Snake along the way. Meryl had been posing as one of the enemy soldiers.

Snake then made his way to basement to find Kenneth Anderson. Snake found him tied to a pillar attached with C4. Snake was confronted by Revolver Ocelot in the basement.

This is the same Major/Revolver Ocelot who worked as a triple agent in the Operation: SnakeEater mission. Ocelot was master of handgun combat and used twin Single Action Army revolvers in a gunfight with Snake. He was also the terrorist unit’s interrogation specialist. The two had a long gunfight with Ocelot using his superior western quick draw skills to ricochet bullets off of nearby objects to shoot Snake. The fight was cut short though by the Cyborg Ninja who intervened and cut off Ocelot’s hand. The Ninja vanished and Ocelot ran off. Snake helps Baker who tells Snake that Meryl should have the PAL override keys that he needs. Baker gave Snake REX’s launch data and told him to find Dr. Hal Emmerich.

On his way to Emmerich, Snake gets a call from someone calling himself “Deepthroat”. He claimed to be one of Snakes fans and warned him of an attacking tank ahead. The tank was piloted by 3 GENOME soldiers and commanded by Vulcan Raven The tank was easily decommissioned by Snake when he threw a grenade down the tank’s hatch. This would not be the last appearance of Vulcan Raven, however.

As Snake entered Dr. Emmerich’s office, he was confronted again by the Cyborg Ninja. The fight confused Snake because the Ninja seemed to know him and his fighting style was familiar to Snake. It wasn’t until after the fight that it was revealed that the Cyborg Ninja was actually Gray Fox whom Snake had fought with and against in his previous two missions. Snake found Emmerich and Emmerich told Snake that he infact developed REX without knowledge of the nuclear platform intention and that if the PAL keys didn’t work then Metal Gear REX had to be physically destroyed.

Snake found Meryl but discovered that she had only one of the PAL keys needed. As Snake and Meryl were making their way to REX’s hanger they were confronted by Psycho Mantis, who took control of Meryl forcing Snake to knock her out so she wouldn’t shoot herself. Mantis was a mind reader and a telekinetic. After one of the most epic fights in history, Snake defeated Mantis. Mantis as he is dying gives Snake vital information and used his powers to open a special pathway for Snake.

As Snake and Meryl made their way to the communication towers, Sniper Wolf shot Meryl in an attempt to use her as bait for Snake. This results in Snake being captured and tortured by Ocelot who also takes the launch data that Baker had given Snake. In between torture sessions, Snake was put in a cell with DARPA Chief Donald Anderson’s corpse. Anderson looked to have been dead for days which was very peculiar because Snake had witnessed him die of a heart attack hours earlier. Snake takes advantage of a novice soldier by faking death in the cell. When the soldier opened the cell Snake immediately knocks him out. After escaping the cell, Snake heads for the communication towers again.


Once atop the tower, Snake is confronted by Liquid in a Hind D helicopter. Liquid shoots down one of the bridges connecting the towers and Snake uses a rope to repel to a lower bridge. While there he met with Otacon who attempted to fix the elevator while Snake went back out to take on Liquid in the chopper. Snake shot down the chopper and continued down the elevator and onto the snow field where he was confronted by Sniper Wolf but this time in a fight to the death. After a battle across a vast snowy battlefield, Sniper Wolf is beaten by Snake in combat and as he approaches her she begins to speak. She tells Snake that she was born and raised on a battlefield and how that Big Boss whom she refers to as “Saladin” had helped and trained her. She then requests Snake to end her suffering which he does.

Snake then continued onto where REX was being held and in the process was met once again by Vulcan Raven. Vulcan Raven was a beast of a man who carried a machine gun that is usually mounted to an F-16 fighter plane. After Snake had defeated Raven, Raven revealed to him that the DARPA Chief Snake had talked to before was actually Decoy Octopus in disguise. Snake was then radioed by Master Miller, who was actually Liquid in disguise, that Naomi Campbell was actually a spy working against Snake.

While making his way into REX’s Hanger, Snake overheard Liquid and Ocelot detailing their plans to turn Shadow Moses into the next Outer Heaven. Otacon then radioed Snake to tell him that the trick to the PAL keys was to heat them or cool them to a certain temperature and mold them. Snake was then spotted by Ocelot who shoots one of the PAL keys out of Snake’s hand. Snake letter found the key had been eaten by a rat .

After Naomi Campbell was arrested, she radioed Snake to explain why she did what she did. She explained that Grey Fox, or Frank Jaeger, was actually her adoptive father. Snake had presumably killed Grey Fox while in Zanzibar Land. She explained that she joined FOXHOUND to get revenge on Snake. Naomi had created an artificial virus which she named FOXDIE. The virus is set to attack people of a specific genetic code and make their hearts “commit suicide.” The genetics which this virus had been programed to attack were Snake’s along with the FOXHOUND rebels, though only Decoy Octopus and one other member of FOXHOUND were infected.

Snake got all of the PAL keys and molded them to fit into REX’s keyholes. After inserting the last key Snake is horrified to learn that he had in fact activated REX, and not shut it down. Liquid subsequently reveals himself to Snake and thanks him for activating REX. Liquid had used Snake to get the PAL keys. Liquid traps Snake in the control room but Otacon is able to help Snake get out. After escaping the room, Snake goes to confront Liquid.

After Liquid explains how Snake is being used by Pentagon to spread the virus that will kill himself, he climbs into REX’s cockpit. This leaves destroying REX as the only option available to Snake. After fighting for some time and gaining little ground the Cyborg Ninja, Grey Fox, appears and destroys REX’s radome, which forces Liquid to open the cockpit to see, thus exposing himself. Grey Fox then explains to Snake that he adopted Naomi because he had killed there parents and had felt guilty about it. Grey Fox then goes about taking on REX himself but is crushed. Snake then begins to shoot stinger missiles at the exposed cockpit of REX which cause the bipedal tank to explode. The explosion knocks Snake out as well.

Snake then wakes up to find himself on top of REX with Liquid. Liquid shares with Snake his plans about turning the world into a battlefield where soldiers would always be needed. Liquid reveals that they are brothers and everything about Les Enfants Terribles. Campbell then radioed Snake to inform that a nuclear airstrike was on the way and that would try to delay it. Snake and Liquid then engaged in hand-to-hand combat on top of REX with Snake coming out on top.

Snake then ran to get Meryl and the two commandeered Jeep. As they were escaping in the tunnel, Liquid appeared and chased them. After a gunfight on the speeding Jeeps the two vehicles crashed. Snake and Meryl were trapped underneath their Jeep with Liquid walking slowly towards them. just as Liquid was about to reach them he suffered a heart attack from FOXDIE. Snake would remain unaffected by FOXDIE.

After all the events had transpired it is revealed that Ocelot was actually a double agent working for the President of the United States. It is also revealed that Solid Snake and not Liquid was the inferior clone of Big Boss. The President is revealed to be the third clone of Big Boss and is named Solidus. Unlike Solid and Liquid, Solidus is an exact copy of Big Boss and possesses a perfect balance of dominant and recessive genes. This sequence of events would be remembered as “The Shadow Moses Incident.”

In the next two years, Snake and Otacon would form the anti-Metal Gear group known as Philanthropy. Their tactic was to find information about the development of Metal Gears and then put a stop the development by whatever means. On August 8th, 2007, Snake boarded a tanker in New York Harbor with the information that the Marines were developing a new Metal Gear known as RAY.

Once aboard the tanker, Snake saw the tanker being overtaken by Russian mercenaries. He made his way into the area where the new Metal Gear was being stored. While still inside the hanger, Snake was shocked to see the appearance of Revolver Ocelot. Ocelot has attached Liquid Snake’s arm to himself as he had lost his right hand in the Shadow Moses Incident. Ocelot then detonated SEMTEX which he had planted around the tanker, Just as Ocelot was about to board RAY and escape, his right arm began to twitch and he turned to Snake and spoke to him with Liquid Snake’s voice. Ocelot then tore open the side of the tanker with RAY and escaped in his new Metal Gear. Snake vanished for two years and was believed to have been killed.

Posted by Nerd Boy Wonder 9 December Permalink

The Gospel Part 1: Big Boss

This is the first in a series of articles entitled, The Gospel, that center around the Metal Gear Solid game franchise. This is Gospel according to Roger, the witness of the greatest story ever told and devout follower of all words spoken by the great Hideo Kojima.

The Greatest Warrior of the 20th Century. Saladin. Naked Snake. Big Boss. No matter what you call him, he is without a doubt the greatest character ever created in interactive entertainment. No one person has changed the course of history more than this man. Multiple generations would be influenced by his life. If you have no idea what I’m talking about then get ready for some knowledge.

Big Boss, who’s real name is John, was born sometime in the 1930’s and started his military career in the 1950’s. He saw his first combat in the Korean War which is where he also became the Boss’s apprentice. In 1954, John was involved in the nuclear test at Bikini Atoll and as a result lost his ability to reproduce. The Boss was the head of the Cobra Unit of WWII that won victory for the Allied Forces. After the war, she became the mother of U.S. Special Forces. During John’s time with the Boss, she taught him combat, weapons, espionage, foreign languages and survival tactics. With their time together they also developed Close Quarters Combat. On June 12, 1959 the Boss left John to carry out other missions.

In 1961 Jack, which is the name he went by at the time, joined the Green Berets where he participated in black ops in Vietnam. During this time his closest ally was Python but while on a mission together Python was shot and thought to have been killed. Then in 1964 John Doe would become Big Boss.

On August 24th, 1964, John Doe was sent on top secret mission into the heart of Soviet Union to rescue Nikolai Sokolov. Sokolov was a defecting scientist who was in charge of a prototype weapon capable of delivering a nuclear strike from almost anywhere on earth. On this mission, Jack was given the codename Naked Snake and was being assisted by a team consisting of Major Zero, Para-Medic the teams medical officer, Sigint the weapons specialist and special support by the Boss. As Snake and Sokolov were making their escape, they were intercepted by the Boss who was supposedly defecting to the Soviet Union. During their confrontation Colonel Volgin, a Russian Colonel who was revolting Nikita Khrushchev, fired an American made nuclear warhead at Sokolov’s research facility. Because of this action, Khrushchev demanded that United States eliminate the Boss to prove its innocence in the ordeal. One week later, Operation: Snake Eater was put into motion.

On August 30th, 1964, Snake again deployed into the Soviet Union with the mission of eliminating the Boss and her Cobra Unit. Once again with radio support from Major Zero, Para-Medic and Sigint, he began his trek into the Soviet wilderness to meet with Adam. Adam along with Eva were NSA code breakers who defected to the Soviet Union several years prior to these events. Eva then arrives to save Snake from an ambush and tells him that Adam couldn’t make it. Eva however, is unable to deliver the recite the password.

During his mission, he encounters a young Soviet Major named Ocelot. Ocelot is the commander of Colonel Volgin’s most elite soldiers and an excellent gunman. Snake refuses to kill Ocelot because “he’s still young.” After another encounter with Ocelot which is cut short by swarm of hornets, Snake is forced to dive into a cave below. Snake navigates the tunnel and as he is about to leave, he is confronted by the Pain.

The Pain is a member of the Cobra Unit that is headed by the Boss. He is badly disfigured from the stings of the hornets which he controls. The Pain will use hornets to shield himself from attacks and also to attack enemies. Snake would be the first to defeat the Pain and because of it, he learned the pain of battle.

Snake continued his mission into Graniny Gorki. Snake was once again looking for Sokolov but instead found a man named Granin. Granin was working on another secret weapon for the Soviets that he called a sort of “Metal Gear”. He scoffed at Sokolov’s weapon and was very bitter that the Soviets chose it over his. Because of this, Granin was sending his blueprints to his colleague in America. When Snake examines the prints, he sees prototype for Metal Gear REX and Metal Gear TX-55. Snake can also see models of Metal Gears REX and RAY on a shelf behind Granin. As Snake is about to leave, Granin gives him information about where to go next and a keycard. Snake follows these directions and on his way is confronted by the Fear.

The Fear is the second member of the Cobra Unit to confront Snake. He is extremely agile and quick with double jointed elbows. The Fear employs the use of a new stealth camouflage, booby traps and two crossbows. The arrows from the bows are either poisonous or carry a frag grenade. Because of this very quick movements and the stealth camo, the Fear must constantly eat to replenish his stamina. Snake is able to beat the Fear and is the first man to do. Upon defeating the Fear, Snake learns the fear of battle.

Snake then made his way farther into the wilderness and on his way to meet EVA when he is encountered by The End. The End is the father of sniping. He is over 100 years old and is somehow able to communicate with forest that surrounds him. The End uses a sniper rifle equipped with tranquilizer darts and stun grenades. He also employs the use of a Parrot that acts as his spotter. After one of the most epic fights in history, Snake is able to out track and out snipe The End.

Snake then meets with Eva who informs him how to sneak into the fortress where Sokolov is being held. When descending into the tunnels below, Snake is confronted by the third member of the Boss’s Cobra Unit, the Fury.

The Fury is a former Cosmonaut who during a re-entry into earth became engulfed in flames. He was burned severely and thus was no longer capable of feeling pain. He wears a space suit and carrys a flame thrower. During a fight in total darkness, Snake defeats the Fury and as a result is subject to the fury of battle. In his dying words, he tells the Boss that she is the last one and that he has gone to join the Sorrow.

Snake ascended from the tunnels where he fought the Fury into the Groznyj Grad fortress where Sokolov was being held. Using the disguise of Volgin’s gay lover, Major Raikov, he made his way to Sokolov only to recognized by Volgin himself. After an intense torture session in which Snake gets his eye shot out by Ocelot, he ends up in a jail cell. During the torture scene, the Boss shoots Snake in the leg with a fake death pill which he pries out of his leg with a fork. The Boss has also given Snake an unloaded Single Action Army. After using the fake death pill to escape the cell, he escapes into the sewer system below the fortress while being chased by Ocelot and his unit. After jumping from a drainage waterfall Snake is near death and is confronted by the Sorrow

The Sorrow is the final member of the Cobra Unit and was the Boss’s closest companion and lover. After a scene where Snake is confronted by every person he kills in battle he touches the Sorrow, he seemingly falls dead. However, this is just a trick and Snake can use the revival pill in his tooth to bring himself back. During his revival, Snake hears the voice of the Boss and the Sorrow on a mission where the Boss is assigned to kill him. Upon awakening, Snake radios his team who tells him that the Sorrow has been dead for some time now. Snake learns of the sorrow of battle from this encounter.

Snake then meets with Eva who gives him a new explosive known as C3. They plan to use the C3 on the fuel tanks surrounding Sokolov’s weapon known as the Shagohod. Snake successfully plants all of the C3 but Snake was caught and was confronted by Volgin with a beaten up Eva laying behind him. Eva was discovered trying to steal the Philosopher’s Legacy which is a vast sum of money amassed together the most powerful men from Russia, China, and the Soviet Union after WWII. Volgin assumed that this is what Snake was after the entire time. Volgin had inherited the Legacy from his father. Volgin then challenged Snake.

Volgin has an almost superhuman strength and has the ability to manipulate electricity. He uses this to shock Snake and uses his electricity to fire bullets at him. Snake defeats Volgin and escapes the base with Eva on a motorcycle.

After escaping the soldiers, they are confronted once more by Volgin this time piloting the Shagohod. After an intense fight, Snake and Eva defeat Volgin and destroy the Shagohod. Though they must quickly flee the area because they are still being pursued by enemy soldiers. After a long chase, Eva crashes her motorcycle and is severely wounded. Snake heals her and leads her through the jungle to a plane which they had planned to escape in. The Boss is waiting to challenge one last time before they escape.

The Boss explains to him how she was twice exposed to radiation and how she and her comrades were betrayed by United States at the Bay of Pigs. And how she and the Sorrow had a child in 1944, which was immediately taken away from her by the Philosophers. She said that all she ever wanted was to make the world whole again. The Boss tells Snake that if he can beat her in a certain allotted time, he will have time to escape before MiGs bomb the entire area. After a long and emotional battle Snake is able to defeat the Boss using weapons, camouflage and CQC. After he defeated the Boss, she gives him the microfilm which contains the Philosopher’s Legacy and her gun known as the Patriot. Snake then shoots her completing his mission. The Boss was also known as The Joy so upon defeating her, Snake knows all the emotions of battle making him the most complete soldier who ever lived.

Upon escaping the area, he is confronted one last time by Ocelot who boards the plane that Snake is piloting along with Eva. Ocelot gives Snake an SAA and they have a Western style duel but no one is killed because Ocelot loaded the guns with blanks. Ocelot reveals his name to be Adamska. Ocelot jumps out of the plane into the water as Snake and Eva escape.

After landing in Alaska, Snake and Eva spend one last night together in which they make love. The next morning, Snake awakens to find Eva gone and an audio recording she left him. She explains that she is actually a Chinese spy sent to steal the Legacy for her country and the true nature of the Boss’s mission. Her entire defection was a ruse set up by the United States Government to steal the Philosopher’s legacy from Russia. And that the only reason she didn’t succeed is because of Volgin’s launching of American made nuclear warhead at Sokolov’s research facility. The Boss’s final mission was to die at the hands of Snake so as to absolve the U.S. of any wrong doing. She accepted her mission and carried it out to perfection.

Snake is then awarded the title of Big Boss by President Lyndon Johnson but immediately leaves the room knowing what they had done to the Boss. He visits the Boss’s grave at Arlington which reads “In Memory of a Patriot, Who Saved the World”. He salutes her grave and sheds a tear. Big Boss would never be the same following Operation: Snake Eater and killing his mentor. The mission would influence his decisions far along down the road.

Following the mission a conversation between Ocelot and the director of the CIA takes place in which Ocelot reveals that he is actually Adam and that the film that Eva stole is a fake and the Legacy is now safe with America. It is implied that Ocelot is actually the son of the Boss and the Sorrow.


Big Boss retired from FOX Unit after Operation: Snake Eater and worked alongside various special forces units during the Vietnam War. During this time, he encountered a child soldier named Frank Jaeger. Then in 1970, 6 years after Operation: Snake Eater, he was once again called upon to save the world.

On November 2, 1970, Big Boss was captured by members of FOX after the unit had turned rogue. Big Boss was tortured by a man named Lieutenant Cunningham who informed him that half of the Philosopher’s Legacy was missing and that Big Boss was believed to have stolen the other half. When left alone in his cell, Big Boss is contacted from another cell by Roy Campbell, who is the last surviving member of a Green Beret unit that was sent to investigate the base where he and Big Boss were being held. Campbell explains that they are at a Soviet missile base that had been taken over by FOX. Big Boss also tells Campbell that he still prefers to be called Snake.

Snake escapes the cell and heads to a communications base where he attempts to contact his former commander, Major Zero. Snake is instead greeted by Sigint and Para-Medic who inform that Zero has been taken into custody on suspicion of inciting the FOX revolt and stealing a secret weapon from the U.S. military.

Snake is once again able to defeat the various FOX members and the weapon which is code named Metal Gear RAXA. Among the FOX members, he fights Python whom was originally though to have been killed many years earlier. Python informed Snake that his sole purpose for being kept alive was to defeat Snake if he ever betrayed the U.S. Snake was able to defeat Python and the leader of the rebellion known as Gene.

Gene is the product of the Successor Project. Which was designed to create the perfect battlefield commander. He was modeled after the Boss and thus considered himself and Snake to be brothers. Snake defeats Gene and Gene gives Snake the funds which he had planned to use to build him army. Big Boss then joined The Patriots with Zero and Ocelot and two years later in 1972, the Les Enfants Terribles project was executed.

Little is known at this point about Big Boss’s next endeavor in 1974 in Costa Rica. What is known is that he founded his Militaires Sans Frontieres or Military Without Borders. And during this time, he finally accepts the title of Big Boss. The Militaires Sans Frontieres would later become Outer Heaven.

In the 1980’s, Big Boss would create Outer Heaven in Africa which was his idea of a soldier’s paradise. Though this was unknown to everyone except members of Outer Heaven, so the U.S. thought that Big Boss was still totally loyal to them and to his commanding of FOXHOUND. FOXHOUND was created to replace FOX after the incident with GENE in Central America.

In 1995, Big Boss commanded Solid Snake, FOXHOUND’s most inexperienced soldier on a mission to Outer Heaven to rescue Gray Fox and to find out about Metal Gear. Big Boss sent Snake in because he expected him to be no match for Outer Heaven’s army and placed many traps for Snake. Solid Snake is later revealed to be one of 3 clones made of Big Boss during the Les Enfants Terribles project and beats the odds that Big Boss stacks against him every time. After realizing that Snake has ruined his plans, Big Boss confronts him in the Metal Gear hanger. Snake defeats Big Boss but does not die and vows that they will meet again.

Big Boss fulfills this promise 4 years later in Zanzibar Land and tries once again to create his Outer Heaven. This time, he was joined by Gray Fox aka Frank Jaeger. Snake is once again able to defeat Big Boss and is presumed to be dead.

The next few decades would be centered around those trying to fulfill Big Boss’s dream and Snake fighting to save the world from them. And in 2014, it is revealed that Big Boss did not die after the events of Zanzibar Land and was being kept in a coma. There is a fight for Big Boss between a faction who want to use his genetic coding to destroy the Patriots and Solid Snake who wishes to stop it. Snake is able to defeat his enemies and just as he is about to commit suicide on the supposed grave of Big Boss, he is stopped. After a speech where Big Boss explains everything to Snake that has happened, they make their peace and Big Boss finally dies.

Through nearly 80 years, Big Boss has influenced the course of World History. He is a deeply conflicted character who both saved the world and brought it to the brink of destruction. This is why he is greatest character in the history of video games. He was the catalyst of probably the most in-depth and complex story ever told in any type of media.

Posted by Nerd Boy Wonder 7 October Permalink

Joe Madureira Chats with NK and NFamousgamers.com

I don’t exactly remember if it was a call or IM from Flitz that day of E3 but I do remember what was said. I could have sworn Flitz had just changed his pants three times as he got the chance to interview one of his favorite comic creators, Joe Madureira. Those unfamiliar with the name have to be born with half a brain or have been beaten to half a brain. Joe “Mad” Madureira is known for his work during the 90’s on Uncanny X-Men and Age of Apocalypse. The comic creator turned game developer has taken his art skills and applied them to the upcoming action title Darksiders.

Darksiders is loosely based off the Book of Revelation and the events surrounding the apocalypse. As one of the four horsemen, War, you travel the wrecked Earth as you find out that you are on the losing side of the end all be all battle of Good versus Evil. As War you are not on either side fighting for Heaven or Hell but instead much like the comic character Spawn you are stuck in the middle of the conflict bringing your own sense of cosmic judgment on both angels and demons. The game is enjoyable from hands on playing at Comic Con. If Kratos got Zelda pregnant, the child would be this game. Mixing the brutal combat elements that would be familiar to fans of God of War and the puzzle solving nature of the Zelda series Darksiders mixes together a concoction that would satisfy any gamer.

Flitz with the help of Zach Starr of NFamousgamers talk to “Joe Mad” about the differences between comics and games, his role throughout development, and his work on Marvel Comics’ The Ultimates 3. Want to see more from Joe Madureira? Run down to your local comic shop and pick up The Ultimates 3. The art alone makes it a pick up!

Posted by Nerd Boy Wonder 7 September Permalink

Mystery Team Review

These days the internet is giving birth to some of the biggest names in just about everything. Every other day it seems like we find the next “big thing” on YouTube or any other forum you can upload your video or song. However, every so often there is one group that can make an ever lasting impression.

The folk’s over at Derrick Comedy were able to make that impression on me from the second my friend Matt showed me some of their sketches. Ever since then I have constantly checked their site to see what they are up to. Then about a year ago I heard that they were going to film a movie and honestly couldn’t wait to see it. I was lucky enough to catch a screening of Mystery Team during our visit to San Diego Comic Con and all I have to say is WOW.

Mystery Team follows childhood friends Jason (Donald Glover) teams master of disguise, Duncan (D.C. Pierson) the “boy genius”, and Charlie (Dominic Dierkes) the strongest kid in town, as they take on the biggest case of their young careers as neighborhood detectives. From murder, battles with strippers, gun fights with a drug dealer, and a final showdown with the master mind of the sinister plot, there is not second within this film you are not entertained and or laughing.

Now you should know that before being asked by a young girl to figure out who murdered her parents, the biggest cases the Mystery Team has to solve were things like who stuck their finger in Mrs. Kimmel pie. So you can guess that the Mystery Team wasn’t taken that seriously with their peers especially since they are seniors in High School and still playing detective. However, this one young girl has a feeling that they can solve the case and bring closer to her and her older sister.

As the film progresses we witness the team goes through all their “leads” on the playground, which leads them to nothing. Finally it seems like the Mystery Team catches lucky break after lucky break as they work their way to solving this mystery once and for all. Of course, those breaks wouldn’t come without hysterical circumstances and life treating danger.

You can tell that the guys and girl over at Derrick Comedy put their heart, souls, and hard earned money into making this film (they literally did).

Mystery Team is well crafted and in its self sketch comedy gold. You don’t get the feeling that this is one long sketch, even though you feel like this film could be broken up into sketches. If that were the case it wouldn’t have worked and probably not have been as funny as it was. Some people might get the feeling that it is a cheap comedy, but if you pay attention to the dialog you well see just how well crafted it is and how each character is worked into the script.

As I sit here trying to figure out my favorite part of the movie I can’t because it was just that great.

If you have the chance to catch Mystery Team at one of its mean upcoming screenings I suggest you do so because your cheeks will hurt from laughing so much. Or you can wait until Mystery Team hits theaters nation wide this October.

4 out of 5 poop and pee filled stripper toilets

Posted by Nerd Boy Wonder 4 September Permalink

‘9’ Movie Review

When watching the trailer for the film ‘9‘, the average gaming nerd would say something along the lines of  “WTF, The Sackboys from Little Big Planet are getting a movie!”. That statement couldn’t be any more wrong. Little big planet is cute and fun, ‘9’ is scary and can be at times quite disturbing; not saying that’s a bad thing. Yes, they both consist of the ‘stitchpunk’ style characters, but they couldn’t be more different. ‘9‘, takes place in a post-apocalyptic world. As many fear to this day, man has been the cause of his own demise by way of his own titanic inventions.


The average movie go’er needs to keep in mind that this stuffed potato sack adventure has a PG-13 rating attached to it. With the screen play by Pamela Pettler (Monster House); the mind of Tim Burton (Nightmare Before Christmas); and director of the original 11-minute short film [‘9‘] Shane Aker at the reins, viewers needs to be prepared for a dark mind bending ride.


‘9’ is a dangerously imaginative action adventure that will grab you by the throat and refuse to let go until you appreciate what it’s world has to offer. Very creative yet menacing entities wander this existence. Accompanying the larger creatures are smaller more human-like beings. The beings harbor a series of numbers instead of names. Through their clever utilization of items and tools around them, they survive. From the awakening of “#9”, the film sets a slow burn. He is innocent, knowing so much and not understanding any of it. Within a short amount of time he encounters “#2” (Martin Landau), a very inspired and venturesome soul, and so the adventure begins. Every character has some sort of redeeming value which makes them relatable or lovable -  some more than others. The Fabrication Machine (the main antagonist), has no voice at all, it is through it’s frightening creations that it gets it’s point across; The red-eyed crafter’s essence isn’t just limited to just that of it’s conceptions, there are moments where the mute machine can almost seem human as well. The personality of a very evil human, but a human none the less.


Each voice actor fit perfectly with their number named counter part. As sexy as Jennifer Connelly is, there was nothing sexy or sensual about her animated persona, #7. It is actually fairly easy to forget that character is supposed to be female in the first place.  #5, voiced by John C. Reilly, is a fair conveyance of another angle of innocence. Lately, more commonly seen in more comedic roles, John’s presence here is softer and a more human side all of us could use more of in our everyday lives. #1, is the old fashioned fuddy-duddy driven by fear, played by Christopher Plummer. He is what we very often see in the world today. He means the best for those younger than him, and he may even have a point; But at times what people think is best, is just slowing the inevitable. Then there is Elijah Wood as the voice of #9. To be honest there isn’t much to Elijah’s performance, at the same time the role didn’t call for much. With each character filling a very unique state of being, #9’s was conveyed more through his actions than his words. Only briefly did #9 have to go through the motions of explaining why he must embark on his life threatening adventure - but any of us could have figured out that he made the poo, and it was his job to scoop it into the doggy bag. Taking away nothing from Elijah as an actor, his attachment to the role of nine could possibly be thought of as nothing more than a name.



All in all, ‘9’ is a griping film. It can hold you to a point where it can be emotionally draining. It slows down when necessary, but not for so long that you are anticipating the next big move. Some of the more clever disheartening foes, like the Seemstress, will make a lesser man shit bricks. You will come to appreciate the level of detail that has gone into all the creations of the film. For you older individuals, who have forgotten what it meant to be a child and have an active imagination, ‘9’ just might re-spark that section of your jaded-by-life experienced brain. By the middle of the movie you may notice you can’t take your eyes off of the screen. You start to care about the stitchpunk characters. They begin to have souls and stand-out individual personalities, while existing in an era that is all too believable. There are plenty humanistic undertones, with a tinge of political ones that are relevant to this day. The soundtrack is seamless and very fitting, as the themes were done by Danny Elfman, and the score by Deborah Lurie.  There are aspects of the film that feel slightly forced, and horror film cliché, but those are easy to look past. It will be very easy for a nerd to watch the film and say, “I could totally see this a 3D-platformer video game”. This film is by no means a feel good movie, and nothing about that is a bad thing. By then end some may even feel the urge to cry, whether is be out of joy or sadness; some may feel excited and driven, while others may leave confused and wanting more. Like the films pace, the impact of ‘9’ is a slow burn, imprinted on to your frontal lobe. it has very many aspects a cult classic is made of. Some of you might want to get your numbered zip-up potato sack costumes ready for Halloween, because ‘9’ could be sticking around for a while.

Posted by Nerd Boy Wonder 4 September Permalink

The Level Cap: Interview with Sean Becker

With The Guild Season 3 premiering exclusively on Xbox Live today, I thought it would be cool to give the community a little treat! Exclusively on Xbox Live, you can download episode one here. Those who are waiting for MSN Video have to wait until September. Last night on Twitter, I asked Sean Becker for a quick little text interview. He accepted my quest for him and gave some great answers. Below in a quick and easy format, you can read through the interview. Thanks for all the questions sent in by the community on short notice and I hope you guys enjoy reading what Sean had to say.

1. When and how did you first hear about The Guild?

-I first knew of the Guild from my friend Kim Evey, who is a producer on “The Guild” and Greg Benson, Director of Season 1. I had previously worked with Greg and Kim on Gorgeous Tiny Chicken Machine Show and Comedy Gumbo, which were two shows for Sony’s online division, Crackle.com.

2. Other than The Guild, what have been your favorite projects that you have worked previously

-Comedy Gumbo, which is a web show that I co-created with my producing partner, Payman Benz through our company, Awkward Pictures. It’s a sketch show for those who don’t have time to watch a sketch show. Season one is now available online and we just finished shooting Season 2, which will be released this December.

[caption id=”” align=”aligncenter” width=”500” caption=”Part of the cast with @AndrewSeely and @AlexandraMokh”][/caption]

3. Do you have any other things you are working that don’t deal with The Guild currently?

-See reply to answer to question two. I’ve also done some recent freelance editing work with Second City Entertainment.

4. If you have one, what would you consider your gateway to nerdom if you consider yourself a nerd?

-Being a part of the “The Guild” definitely helps. I am an avid comic-book collector and am now starting to get back into console gaming. I don’t play any MMO games, but just installed World of Warcraft onto my laptop. I’ve been too busy working on “The Guild” and “Comedy Gumbo” to pursue that any further yet.

5. Back to talking about The Guild: Season Two of The Guild had different sponsors, are there any new ones this year? If so, who?

-Its the same sponsors as last year with the main sponsor being Microsoft.

6. From Season One to Season Two, the production equipment increased not only by volume but by quality as well. Is there going to be any increase with equipment moving into Season Three?

-We’re working with basically the same equipment as season 2 so the show will stay consistent. We do get to work with plenty of new locations to keep things interesting.

7. With the success of different YouTubers, Dr. Horrible’s Sing-A-Long Blog and The Guild; do you think the future of the film industry could have a large impact online?

-I think its a possibility, but it’s still a far way off. With the popularity of websites like Hulu, it seems that online audiences are expanding their attention span for longer form content. The online format for original content seem most effective because the creators keep the episodes short.

[caption id=”” align=”aligncenter” width=”500” caption=”@SeanBecker with Robert Welkner (@pennyman)”][/caption]

8. The end of Season Two was very unexpected, but with new characters coming into the story I have been wondering: will Riley and Wade return to Season Three?

-Riley will be there while Wade is off playing Henchman #2 in another movie.

9. How soon will we see Wil Wheaton and his guild during Season Three, if you can answer?

-Soon!

10. Out of curiosity, is there anything that you have not teased yet that you want to get out there? Anything that won’t spoil the story, but something that fans of the series will know what you are talking about.

-Everyone dies in the end. I guess that’s a pretty big spoiler. Forget I said anything!

11. Ever since the first episode was released to the Internet, people have been speculating what MMO the characters have been playing throughout the episodes. With Blizz-Con wrapping up over the weekend, The Guild had its own panel. Is it perhaps that The Guild is based off of World of Warcraft?

-The game is never actually addressed in the show. All we know for now is that it is a WoW-like game that they play.

-BONUS JOKE ANSWER - It’s actually based on Q-bert!

12. During productions, there are always random things that happen that ends in a funny moment. Is there anything that has popped up during film that was most memorable for Season Three?

-Killer scarab. that’s all I’ll say for now. You’ll have to refer to the gag reel which will be released in a few weeks.

13. Felicia Day has been writing the scripts for The Guild since the beginning of the series. With this being your second season on the series, is there anything that you want to apply or write into The Guild that you have yet to do?

-Not really, that’s all up to Felicia. Being a huge fan of these characters, I’m always excited to get the new scripts from her and see we’re the show is going. I’m along for the ride.

14. In Season One, Zaboo and Clara had family members that they interacted with. In Season Two, all the Guildies talked to each other and meet new people that they were surrounded around. Is there a possibility that friends that have been talked about in season two will become a part of the cast? Is there?

-Is there? I’ll have to look back at the script.

15. With The Guild getting more popular, has there been any discussions about extending the length of the episodes? If so, what time spawn were you thinking of each episode?

-The beauty of having a show online is that you have full control on how long it needs to be on an episode to episode basis. For us we write, shoot, and edit depending on what fits the story best. Right now, our episodes range from five to nine minutes. It seems like a fitting episode length for this show and its audience. I do not know of any plans to extend the episode length in future seasons.

Check out The Guild website to check out even more fun stuff from the show.

Posted by Nerd Boy Wonder 25 August Permalink

District 9 Review

District 9 hits theaters just a week after the popcorn fest G.I. Joe and offers something totally different. The sci-fi film takes the concept of aliens, turns it on its head, and presents us with a realistic and xenophobic take on the idea.



“D9” presents itself as a collection of documentary interviews, news reports, security tapings, and traditional storytelling to show a progressive character study of an unassuming, weak paper pusher Wikus van der Merwe, who works for a private security firm that deals with the aliens that have taken refuge in Johannesburg, South Africa. Wikus becomes an unlikely protagonist transforms from a man for personal survival due to his own ignorance to turn and exemplify the best of human nature in the face of failure. Throughout the film, Wikus is a pawn in the bigger social structure and he challenges his own identity and structure. MNU, the private security firm, plays the stereotypical role of an evil government organization, but within human reason. Still the villain, MNU exemplifies the xenophobic fear, thirst for power, and human survival that was common amongst explorers during the age of discovery. The film starts off slow and revs up towards the end. Exchanging character development for full on action may seem like typical Hollywood crap, but for District 9 the only logical resolution and climax for the film is the action.


The “Prawns” are alien but not exactly how we picture alien. Horrific stereotypes are out the window. Only in appearance are the Prawn alien, but even then the super jumbo shrimp are human. Survival of life coupled with the pressure of not being wanted and wanting to go home creates an internal struggle that should resonate with audiences. Humanity’s ignorance and fear makes the Prawns actions justifiable and completely reactionary. Only through the Prawn named Christopher and his child you will come to understand the struggle as well as being a social outcast.



Should you go watch this? Yes, then buy the DVD when it comes out. This movie will be a classic and don’t be surprised if other films start to mimic it. District 9 blends a thinking man’s sci-fi with enough action to satisfy fans of simple popcorn flicks. For those that want to know more about D9, check out the short film which the film is based on, titled Alive In Joburg, below.

Posted by Nerd Boy Wonder 15 August Permalink

Motion Comics: An Oxymoronic Term

Motion Comics are defined as a hybrid between animation and comics. Adapted motion comics take the panels from the adapted text and animate certain sections or sequences. Motion Comics us a variety of techniques to combine the effects of these two mediums and in the end they create absolute crap. Motion Comics, besides being an oxymoronic term, are just bad. This article is dedicated to showing examples of comics and motion comics to show you what I specifically mean.

Lets start with what exactly these terms mean. As recounted by Scott McCloud in Understanding Comics, comics are juxtaposed pictorial and other images in deliberate sequence. A comic is different from animation and film in the sense that its sequential in time, but not spatially side by side for the viewer. While a motion comic takes those sequences and arranges them in time instead of space. While this might seem like metaphysical nonsense, there is a huge difference.

When one reads a book, that is maximum viewer involvement. In a book, you must supply a lot, your imagination must really be a worked muscle for books to be enjoyable. While words are in fact given to you, how it comes together in your mind is what makes it such an immersive experience. Art, static art in museums, is about what the intrepretation is. While the image is given to you, there is no context for that image. Again your imagination MUST supply a lot of what is going on. On the most immersive form of fictional enteratainment is a movie. For those wondering, a videogame does not allow you to be a passive observer. A movie allows you to sit and have words and images thrown at you, and your mind processes it. While your imagination is not overtaxed, your brain DOES process things intellcutally. What the meaning of something is, your imagination at work but not so much as in a novel.

Which comes to comics and motion comics. Comics give you an image and the words to a story, so it would seem that it would be closer to a movie then a novel in terms of imagination. A casual observer, even an experienced person would think that. You have to look closer at the true art of sequential telling. The space between the panels, called the gutter, is where the magic of comics happens. In that space, is our imagination as we, the audience, connect the dots of the story.

In motion comics, that sense of closure is completely erased. Our imagination is now being handled by a director. Unlike a movie where the camera is used to great effect to bring a reader in, the static images of motion comics keep the reader at a distance. In their own embarressment of the word balloon and sound FX, motion comics have turned comic books into 19th century puppet theater. The images dance around like marionettes, teasing the audience into caring about the performance, but never giving any substance to their flash.

Motion Comics are seen as the future to comic books. We have seen classic stories told in motion format to a variety of reactions. You dont say something is the future of the medium„ when it eradicates what makes that medium work best. Motion Comics take the soul out of the comic book and put it into some cold, unfeeling homoculi that stumbles around and tries to pretend its a new thing. Motion Comics needs a name for itself, and it needs to become its own medium. If they could somehow do that and stop using old comics and raping them of their gravitas, maybe I could accept them. Until then, they are an abobmination to comic books, comic bok creators and comic book fans. All flash and non substance.

Posted by Nerd Boy Wonder 11 August Permalink

Are Social Networking Sites the Death or Rebirth of Journalism

Over the last few weeks, social networking sites have been featured in the news frequently due to their impact on the culture. It first became apparent to the news media with reports from the Mumbai terrorist attacks, but the real boom has been with Iran. But its not just political news that is affecting us, but any kind of news. Gamers just had their big convention event with E3 this year, and twitter and facebook were a big part of it. Now with San Diego Comic Con, we are probably going to be seeing even more people using social networking sites to get their news rather than the traditional online sites. The question that arised from the events in Iran, or the deaths of popular entertainment icons, is whether social networks are a good thing or a bad thing for journalism and for the people that read and absorb news.

The events in Iran, which I am using as an example due to the high amount of publicity it garnered, showed that perhaps the so called “traditional journalists” were falling behind in the times. Due to the fact that media has been banned in Iran, it was only through the efforts of the citizenry that any news other then from the government was allowed to break through. It wasnt until much later, after Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and others social networking sites broke the news, that traditional media started reporting. They started reporting with the disclaimer that these were not journalistic reports, but reports from the ground and from the citizens.

So what is considered journalism? According to The Elements of Journalism by Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel there are ten elements. The first is that Journalism is the obligation to the truth, that its first loyality is to the citizens, the essence of journalism is the dicipline of verification, its practitioners must maintain an independence from the stories they cover, it must serve as an independent monitor of power, must provide a forum for public criticism and comprimise, it must stive to make the significant interesting and relevent, it must keep the news comprehensive and proportional, its practitioners must be allowed to excercise their personal conscience and lastly added was it has the rights and responsibility of citizens.


Why do I bring up these elements? Because the news we received has only some of these elements. I can understand traditional journalists becoming aggravated due to the fact that these news stories are missing probably the most important job of a journalist next to actually reporting what they see. Independence from the topic at hand and the idea of verification. Now, with Iran there is no way to verify what is going on with the citizen journalists, anymore then at comic con when a fan has a chat with a comic creator and posts on his blog the “interview”.

But these sort of reporters are not unheard of, they are the new eyewitnesses to the news world. They are the deputy newsman that we turn to when there is no other outlet. The fact that major news networks have a disclaimer that these news reports are from the citizens both serves as a warning that there is some sort of bias by them, but also shows that they have their journalistic heart in the right place. Putting things up for public criticism, making the significant interesting, and most importantly: they are getting the news out there to the people that need to hear it.

Traditional Journalists have always used eyewitnesses and deputy journalists. There is no reason this tradition can no longer continue into theWeb 2.0 phase of our existence. Rather then just sending photographs, we send videos. Rather then interviews we see tweets. What is missing from the deputies is the ability to analyze and fact check. This is why the deputy journalists must work together with the traditional sheriff to both get the information out there quickly, accurately, and most of all with the heart of the people, but the restraint of an observer.

Posted by Nerd Boy Wonder 1 July Permalink