WDW Pirates of the Caribbean Gift Shop

The Pirates of the Caribbean remains one of my favorite attractions at either Disneyland or the Magic Kingdom. Almost as impressive as the ride is the attention to detail that goes into the theming of the gift shop at the end of the ride in Magic Kingdom. 

Here are some photos of many of the design and decorative elements to be found in the gift shop. These were taken when I was able to do so without anyone else in the gift shop except for the cast member manning the register. Now I only wish that more of the merchandise to be had here was based on the attraction and not on the series of movies which the attraction spawned. 

Click any image to make it larger. 

     

Cryptids in the Magic Kingdom

Cryptozoology, the study of hidden animals, ie; the search for animals not yet proven to exist, such as bigfoot, is not something typically associated with Disney. This summer's Winnie the Pooh will feature the animated short, The Ballad of Nessie about how the Loch Ness monster came to live in Loch Ness. Previously, Nessie could be found in Man, Monsters and Mystery, a fake documentary set out to prove whether or not the Loch Ness monster is real, also starring an animated lake monster set into real backgrounds. This segment was originally featured on The Wonderful World of Disney and can be found as an extra on the Pete's Dragon DVD. In 1971, the Wide World of Disney featured the two-part episode, "The Strange Monster of Strawberry Cove" based on the story "The Strange Sea Monster of Strawberry Lake" a Mad Scientist's Club tale by Bertrand R. Brinley about a group of smart kids who construct a hoax sea monster. I really hope this shows up on DVD some time as it was a favorite of mine when it was shown on tv. 

Beyond that, there wasn't a whole lot of cryptozoology to be found in Disney Entertainment. Imagine my surprise at how much cryptozoology could be found at Walt Disney World. Given that we are talking about animals, even though they have not been proven to exist, most of the cryptids were found in Disney's Animal Kingdom including three very visible, very live, very real, former Cryptids; the okapi, komodo dragon, and gorilla. Like the sasquatch, these three animals (along with the giant squid and giant panda, among others) were believed to be the fanciful creations of local folklore. 

The most famous cryptid to be found in Disney's Animal Kingdom is the yeti. Once you enter the part of the park representing Asia, the yeti dominates in signs and decor. There are themed structures, shrines, statues, stores, and even exhibits from a non-existent yeti museum (very difficult to photograph as they line the congested queue to the Expedition Everest thrill ride which also features a gigantic yeti represented in projected 2-D animation, and sadly in a blink and you'll miss it audio-animatronic representation towards the ride's final drop.

It was great to see so much yeti material in one place, both folkloric, scientific, and utterly fantastic. It was also great to see cryptozoologist,  Loren Coleman's book on oilman and cryptozoology expedition funder, Tom Slick not only on sale in the gift shop, but part of the yeti museum display. Sadly, most of the other yeti souvenirs on sale were of a cute and/or cartoony nature, so no realistic or folkloric art  inspired yeti statue came home with us.


At the Norway pavillion in EPCOT' s World Showcase there were some examples of sea serpents to be found. Norse mythology has provided us with two famous sea monster's, the Kraken, and the Midgard Serpent, which circle's the world. The viking dragon ships also evoke the appearance of a sea monster and no doubt that's what inspired the two representations below. Non-cryptid folkloric creatures such as trolls, were the centerpiece of the Maelstrom boat ride in Norway.

The following images come from a previous visit, but can still be seen in Walt Disney World. 

Above is the sea monster seen in the nightly Electric Water Pageant, a water parade of barges carrying fanciful aquatic animals composed of lights. This can be seen on the Seven Seas Lagoon at the base of the Magic Kingdom, or from resorts, such as the Polynesian lining the lagoon.

The above sea serpent made of Lego bricks can easily be found in Downtown Disney. It is pretty enormous and impressive to see. 

If there are other cryptids in Walt Disney World, like their real world counterparts, they remain hidden, at least to me. If you know of any more please let me know what they are, and where to find them. 

       

From the Archives 9

   

It's been a while since I've visited the archives here, hopefully I'll get this feature back on track on a regular schedule here. Here's a little something from 1994. This comes from DC Direct Currents #75 with a June 1994 cover date. This was a free publication that was available in comic book stores before the internet. It showcased all of the titles published by DC for a given month. This information is now available on DC's website.  

This particular issue ran a two page feature promoting the titles in Milestone Media's "second wave," introducing these three titles to potential new readers. The three titles were Xombi, Kobalt (both of which I wrote), and Shadow Cabinet (which I did not). All the Milestone Books that month featured a cover by John Byrne. 

Xombi #5

DC Comics has posted Frazer Irving's  gorgeous cover to XOMBI #5 as well as a bunch of accolades for issue #1. Visit here to see more.

Drunken Severed Head Now At Famous Monsters

Famous Monsters was a magazine that shaped more than one generation of horror and science fiction aficionados, myself included. Some say that it began to go down hill when it began to focus less on monster movies and more on Star Wars ( a movie which killed off the long running monster craze years once and for all). Others say it was when it reluctantly began to include the same movies being covered by young upstart, Fangoria. Then there were the >shudder< Ray Ferry years which we will ignore ever happened.

Famous Monsters is back once again, in a new incarnation for a new era. Whether you like it, or not, will depend on how beholden you are to the original pun-filled run edited by Forry Ackerman. The new Famous Monsters, I think wisely, moves away from the juvenile flavor of the original, while still capturing its spirit in bringing to readers a wide range of subject matter and introducing them to many of the people behind the scenes of their favorite genre movies, past and present.

Defying all sensibility, Famous Monsters has embraced the low brow comedic stylings of Max, the Drunken Severed Head once again risking the wrath of readers the world over.

I jest at Max's expense, because Max expects it of me. In all honesty, Max is a dear friend of mine and an astute observer of people and horror movies alike. He's a very likable, but not lickable, head and I think that he will lend the new incarnation of Famous Monsters a singular personality, charm, and sense of humor that will remind longtime fans of the playful nature of the classic Famous Monsters.

So, go on and visit the Drunken Severed Head in its his new home. Tell him I sent you. He may even let you in for a visit.

Now I'm hoping that the Captain Company will offer up some swanky Drunken Severed Head merchandise, just please, I beg you, not this poster.

Ask Me Anything #8

It's the first Monday of the month which means it's time for "Ask Me Anything," where you can in fact ask me anything. Anything at all.  Head down to the comment section and post your question. I'll either post my answer in the comment section as well, or answer it in a special post all its own sometime later in the month.

Please take the time to view the previous questions so that we don't wind up with a lot of repetition. You can see the previous questions by visiting Ask Me Anything  #1, #2 ,  #3, #4, #5, #6 and #7.  Answers not found following the questions can be found in the archives section for each associated month.

Now ask away.

My Favorite Short Stories

Sean Cloran asked me to recommend some short stories which I think are great.

My all time favorite short story is "The Monkey's Paw" by W.W. Jacobs. Working off of the old "be careful what you wish for premise" this eerie story remains the pinnacle example of what one should expect when making wishes. It was also inspiration for Stephen King's Pet Sematary.

My second favorite short story is "The Lady, or the Tiger" by Frank Stockton. It's appeal to me lies less in the body of the story and almost entirely on the open ending, where what happens is left for the reader to decide. I don't think the answer really matters. Some people find this sort of ending (such as with the movie "Inception" aggravating. Unfortunately, among those people have been some of my editors.

I'd also highly recommend the collection 20th Century Ghosts by Joe Hill. There are two stories in this volume in  particular (one about flying and one about cardboard boxes) that are among the best short stories I've read in some time and well worth the purchase of the book just for themselves.

Magic for Beginners, Pretty Monsters: Stories, Stranger Things Happen: Stories, all by Kelly Link are absolute gems. She's my favorite short story writer and has never disappointed me. I highly recommend her strange, sometimes funny, almost always unsettling, stories to anyone looking for quality reading.

Stephen Millhauser is another favorite short story writer of mine. I recommend The Barnum Museum  as a great starting point and moving on to any of his other works from there.

I also heartily recommend anything by George Saunders, including In Persuasion Nation, CivilWarLand in Bad Decline and Pastoralia.

Aimee Bender has two collections that I really liked, The Girl in the Flammable Skirt: Stories and Willful Creatures.

Finally I'd like to recommend the short stories of Kevin Brockmeier, especially the collection, The View from the Seventh Layer. His writing style may be too precise for some, but there's an almost self conscious quirkiness to them that I enjoyed.

Almost all of these in some way could be considered dark fantasy, but all have a penetrating ability to find the magic that lies just hidden in our own world and to expose it for good or ill.



                 

Cool Stuff at WonderCon

I won't be in attendance at WonderCon this coming weekend, but if you're going to be there, here are some programs you should attend that will be well worth your time.


My good friend, Steve Kriozere will be moderating a one-on-one Q&A with legendary Bob Layton who, along with David Micheline, is responsible for my favorite run on Iron Man. Here are the details...

Friday, April 1

3:00-4:00 Iron Man Legend: Bob Layton— Celebrating his 35th year in the comic industry, WonderCon special guestBob Layton discusses his long association with Marvel's Iron Man franchise and making the transition to working in Hollywood. Bob will preview upcoming projects, including his latest Iron Man mini series, Iron Man Forever and several new film projects. Join moderator/TV writer/producer Steve Kriozere (NCIS) for this one-on-one interview with the co-creator of some of Marvel's most memorable Iron Man stories and join in on the Q&A session! Room 236
Categories:  Animation | Comic Books | Movies | Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances

Steve will also be presenting his hot new tv series for Cinemax, Femmes Fatales. I believe something about my own involvement with that show will also be announced there. 

Saturday, April 2

6:30-7:30 Femme Fatales Revealed— Get a first look at Femme Fatales, the new television series, inspired by the bestselling magazine. Coming to Cinemax this May, the show is a sexy new crime thriller in the tradition of Pulp Fiction and The Twilight Zone. Be the first to see exclusive footage from the hot new show. Meet the cast and creators, including Mark A. Altman (Castle), Steve Kriozere (NCIS), and some of the mysterious femme fatales who are featured in this seductive new anthology television series. There will be surprise guests and free giveaways.Room 103
Categories:  Television

Also on Saturday, my good friend, Matt Wayne will be participating in what will surely be a highly entertaining panel on TV animation writing. This takes place in the same room as the Femmes Fatales panel, and just before it, so be sure to stick around afterwards. 

5:30-6:30 Writing for TV Animation— Animation writers Matt Wayne (Superhero Squad),Nicole Dubuc (My Friends Tigger and Pooh), Steve Melching (Star Wars: Clone Wars), Aaron Ehasz (Avatar: The Last Airbender), Eugene Son (Ben 10: Ultimate Alien), and Andrew Robinson (Spectacular Spider-Man) offer a pulse-pounding, no-holds-barred (okay, there are two holds that are barred, but that's it) round table talk on the ins and outs of script-writing for animated series in today's television market. They'll disucss how to break in, how to stay in; the differences between genres; how it's the same as but different from live action; and more. Probably much more. Room 103
Categories:  Animation | Television

Matt will also be participating in the tribute to Dwayne McDuffie which will no doubt be touching and heartfelt and hopefully even a bit humorous. Dwayne was one of my closest friends for over twenty-five years and is the person responsible my career in comics by introducing me to people when he was an assistant editor at Marvel, and by later offering me the opportunity to write Xombi, Kobalt, and Hardware at Milestone Media. 

Nighttime Programs

7:00-8:00 Tribute to Dwayne McDuffie— Comics and animation writer Dwayne McDuffie passed away on February 21. He left an indelible mark on both the comics and animation industries. In comics, he co-founded Milestone Media and created one of its signature characters, Static, which he later adapted into a popular Kids' WB animated series, Static Shock. He also wrote Justice League of America and Fantastic Four, along with numerous other titles. In animation, in addition to Static Shock, he wrote for Justice Leagueand Ben-10, and scripted two of WB Animation's DC Universe DVD movies, Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths and All-Star Superman, which was released the day after his death. Friends and co-workers Eddie Berganza (executive editor, DC Comics), Bruce Timm (WB Animation producer), Alan Burnett (animation writer), moderator Gary Miereanu (WB Animation PR), and others pay tribute to Dwayne in this panel. Room 254/256
Categories:  Animation | Comic Books | Nighttime Programming |Television

Xombi Interview for Sci Fi Pulse

Last week kind of got away from me and I neglected to post a link to an interview that Wayne Hall conducted with me for SciFi Pulse. net. We discuss Xombi's origins and where the series will be heading in the future. You can read the interview by clicking here.

Another Xombi related item I neglected to mention was the concluding overview of the original Xombi series that Ken did over at Sequential Ink. Ken had been covering the series one story arc at a time, and finishes with a look at "Hidden Cities" which ran in issues #17-21 and leads into the current series. For you new readers whose only exposure to Xombi has been with the first issue of the new series, this is an excellent means for you to get a sense of the original series.

Click on any of the following links to read Ken's corresponding coverage.

Silent Cathedrals (issues 1-6)
School of Anguish (issues 7-11 + issue 0)
Issues 12-16
Hidden Cities (issues 17-21)

Appearance This Weekend

This Sunday I'll be appearing at the Southcoast Toy and Comic Show in Fairhaven, MA. If you live in southeastern Massachusetts or Rhode Island stop buy. This will be a great opportunity to get your copy of Xombi #1 signed. I'll bring along some of my other work for purchase including issues of The X-Files, Scooby-Doo, and others, possibly even issues of the scarce original run of Xombi. I will even have some of my collages on hand as well.

Information on the Southcoast Toy and Comic Show, including other guests and location,  can be found on their website.

I hope to see you there.