Sorry Cheney, but you are still a part of the Executive Branch

Recently, two news items caught my eye. One, reported by Julie Steenhuysen of Reuters in Chicago, said that scientists with the University of California have found that if you put a name or face on your feelings, it will help mute the ill effects of the emotions. In other words, talking about bad feelings helps you feel better. Obvious, maybe, but I bring this story up to make a point.
The other story that I found recently was from a report by the Oversight and Government Reform Committee of the U.S. Congress. This is available on the Web at http://oversight.house.gov/story.asp?ID=1371. In the report, the committee states that Vice President Dick Cheney has claimed his office is not “an entity within the executive branch.”
According to the committee, Cheney made this statement in a letter to committee chairman Henry A. Waxman, who represents the 30th District of California, after Waxman questioned why Cheney has exempted his office from a government-wide procedure that is established to safeguard classified information.
The order allows the National Archives to store all classified documents from all branches of government. It’s a standard procedure and allows the government to safeguard its most important documents. But, Cheney would seemingly rather have his files disappear after he is out of office. Does this mean he has something to hide?
I don’t know. But, I can say one thing. The fact that the Vice President of the United States is hiding information from the National Archives and breaching a security measure that all branches of government are legally required to adhere to, well, that just makes me confused and angry.
There, those scientists are right. Now, I feel a little better.

Wizard World Philly '07 coverage!

It was a weekend filled with superheroes and celebrities, where sorcerers, magic and mayhem could be found, and imaginations ran wild.
Welcome to Wizard World ’07.
This event is held only once a year in the City of Brotherly Love. And, it invaded the Philadelphia Convention Center during the weekend of June 15 to 17. The event, named for Wizard magazine, which focuses its coverage on all things “geek,” is a weekend full of comics, art, collectibles and celebrities.
Wizard World is a special kind of convention, one not aimed toward a specific crowd. Traditional comic book conventions attract mostly collectors and dealers who are looking for rare items, and “Star Trek” or “Star Wars” conventions bring fans of one space drama or the other, but Wizard World offers more than similar conventions ever could.
At the event, comic creators and artists joined movie and TV stars in the “Artist Alley” and signing areas, while throughout the convention center, fans could scrounge through the thousands of comic bins and dealer tables, play card and board games, watch martial arts demonstrations from the International Fighting League or even see light-saber battles between members of the New York Jedi.
“I’ve been attending this event for about five years now,” said award-winning cartoonist Brad Guigar. “Wizard World started as a general comic convention, and it has grown to this. It’s all good because the more people they bring into to tent, the more books I can sell.”
Guigar, a Philadelphia native and graphic designer for the Philadelphia Daily News, was on hand to promote his comic strip “Evil Inc.,” a comic about a corporation run by supervillains. His strip appears daily in the “People Paper.”
Guigar also writes a weekly “Phables” feature for the Daily News where he features stories of the lives of Philadelphians. For “Phables,” Guigar recently won a “Best Local Column” award from the Philadelphia Society of Professional Journalists, and this year the column has been nominated for a Will Eisner award for “Best Digital Comic.”
“I started doing a comic called ‘Greystone Inn,’ and it evolved into ‘Evil Inc.’ I was doing it on the side. The Daily News didn’t even know I was doing it,” he said. “Now, along with the day job [at the Philadelphia Daily News], I work on it six days a week, but who needs sleep?”
For more information on Guigar’s work, visit his Web site at www.evil-comic.com.
Along with local artists like Guigar, celebrities like Hayden Panettiere of NBC’s TV show “Heroes” and Lou Ferrigno, who played The Hulk in a TV show named for the muscle-bound superhero, were also available throughout the weekend to meet fans.
But, in what might be the most noteworthy achievement of the event, fans dressed as their favorite superheroes or villains were applauded for their costumes, and prizes were awarded for the best getups. No one was left out or ostracized. People weren’t poked fun at for their devotion to the things they enjoy.
Instead, in this reporter’s experience, everyone at the show was very welcoming. I believe that, to many, having the ability to revel harmlessly in their own favorite fantasies, even if only for a few hours, is what makes something like Wizard World so unique.

The weekend of June 15 to 17, head to the city for ‘Wizard World Philly 2007’!

For fans of technology, comic books and all things “nerd,” sometimes the East Coast can be a lonely place. When you live on this side of America, it can be hard to find others interested in the same things as you. Out in California, there are comic book, video game and all kinds of conventions on a steady basis. Los Angeles hosts not only the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), which is the biggest video game convention of the year, but the city is also host to special events like the recent May 24 “Star Wars” 30th anniversary celebration.
But, what about us on the East Coast? We love all things tech, comic, game and sci-fi as much as anyone. Where’s the love for the East Coast?
Thankfully, Wizard Entertainment hasn’t forgotten about this side of the states. The company will be hosting “Wizard World Philly 2007” from June 15 through 17 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center at 1101 Arch St. in Philadelphia, just for fans like you and me.
I was lucky enough to be able to attend last year’s “Wizard World Philly,” and it did not disappoint. There were exhibitors and collectible dealers from all over the world.
Everywhere I went, there were comics to read and collectibles to examine, artists to meet and fun games to play. This year’s show should prove to be even more eventful.
Comic book creator guests like “Ultimate Spider-man” writer Brian Michael Bendis or artist and Marvel Comics’ editor-in-chief Joe Quesada will be available for autographs, as will TV superstars like Hayden Panettiere of ABC’s “Heroes.” Even Lou Ferrigno (who played the Hulk in the “Incredible Hulk” TV show from the ’80s) will be available to talk and sign autographs for fans.
Not only that, but during Wizard World, there is a section of the convention center designated as “Artist’s Alley.” It is here that fans can meet many of their favorite comic book artists as well as talk to the artists, young and old, about their craft or purchase some hand-drawn artwork.
But, Wizard World is more than just autographs and famous people. During the weekend, there will be a number of events taking place that fans of any genre will want to take part in.
Throughout the weekend, the New York Jedi, a group of light-saber toting martial artists will be holding classes in light-saber fighting techniques, and the Jedi will hold a light-saber dueling tournament for members of the group. Where else can you see live light-saber duels?
But, if you’re the type of person who would rather duel on a table top instead of with a light-saber prop, Wizard World has something for you, as well. There will be Heroclix (a superhero-based board game) and Magic: the Gathering (a card-based battle game) tournaments open to all attendees.
Also, a new event for Wizard World will be artist “jam” sessions. In these sessions, artists who are at an event in Charlotte, N.C. will FedEx artwork to the convention in Philadelphia, where artists will add their own personal touches to the artwork. The final pieces will then be auctioned off by the Hero Initiative. The Hero Initiative is a non-profit organization that helps comic-book creators meet financial needs in case of emergency or medical costs as creators age. The group collected an impressive list of artists to “jam” together this year, and the auction should be an exciting event.
For video game fans, Sony Playstation will have a booth this year at Wizard World. Gamers can play demos and see footage of upcoming games. Also, if you bring your Sony PSP, you could receive a free memory stick. Demonstrators will be on hand to teach PSP gamers how to use their system to access games and information on the Internet.
Overall, this year’s event is shaping up to be something special. When you live on the East Coast, very rarely do you get to attend a convention with this many famous guests, fun events and exciting collectibles. Tickets are available on the days of the show, but all advance ticket orders will receive “Fantastic Four #546” featuring a sketch cover by the great artist Michael Turner, and a copy of “Fathom: Kiani #2,” featuring an exclusive cover also by Michael Turner. If you buy tickets the day of the event, you don’t get the books.
For more information on other special guests and show times, and to purchase tickets in advance, visit the Web site at http://wizarduniverse.com/conventions/philadelphia.cfm.
This is an event that comes around only once a year. So, if you’re interested in comic books, this is the place to be this weekend. But if not, try something new and bring the kids. They will love it, and with all the amazing events and items under one roof, you might become a comic fan yourself.

‘Conan: Book of Thoth’ isn’t nearly as entertaining as Busiek’s other ‘Conan’ books

Last week, I wrote about comic book author Kurt Busiek’s, “Astro City.”
I believe it’s an intelligent and entertaining comic.
And in my opinion, you’re really missing out if you haven’t read it.
Also, a few weeks ago, in a review of Dynamite Entertainment’s, “Red Sonja,” I brought up Busiek’s work once again. Specifically, I discussed his work on Dark Horse Comics’ “Conan” title, but I soon realized I haven’t yet reviewed any of the Conan books.
Well, I will rectify that mistake right now.
Concerning Busiek’s work on Conan, Busiek revels in Conan creator, Robert E. Howard’s world. Busiek shows his ability to write stories in the sword-and-sorcery genre that are as compelling as anything he had written before.
I decided to take a look at the book “Conan: Book of Thoth,” in which Busiek attempts to invent an origin story for one of Conan’s oldest enemies, Thoth-Amon.
Conan has encountered the evil wizard Thoth-Amon very early in his literary life. In fact, Thoth-Amon was introduced in Howard’s short story, “The Phoenix on the Sword.” Published in 1932, it was one of the very first Conan stories.
With “Conan: Book of Thoth,” Busiek — with help from writer Len Wein and artist Kelley Jones — tells the origin of Thoth-Amon, 75 years after the initial appearance of the character. It’s an interesting idea, but I couldn’t help but feel disappointed in this book.
The story starts off simply enough. Thoth is a poor boy who begs and steals to make money for himself and his family. He has an abusive father and a young sister who he promises to save from their harsh lives. This is a good starting point. It sets up Thoth as a boy who may commit petty crimes to get by, but desires more for himself and his sister.
However, soon after, the sister is all but forgotten. Thieves rob Thoth, and just as the robbery ends and he feels defeated by the world, Thoth’s only friend, Amon, arrives bragging that he had been invited to be an acolyte at the “Temple of Ibis.”
Seeing an opportunity to gain power, Thoth does the most evil thing he has done so far in his young life — he murders Amon and assumes his identity. For years, Thoth (pretending to be Amon) studies the peaceful magic of the god Ibis until he finds a forbidden scroll from which he learns of the evil god Set.
To make a long story short, Thoth seeks out the power of the evil god. I assumed that once he found this power, the story would end or readers would be treated to a tale of Thoth-Amon wielding his newly found powers against the mighty Conan. But no, Conan never even appears in this book. Instead Thoth, who doesn’t change his name to Thoth-Amon until late in the story, returns to the temple and creates a shrine to Set in the — get this — basement of the Temple of Ibis.
For years, none of the peaceful acolytes noticed Thoth’s sacrificial altar in the basement of a peace-loving god’s temple? I guess not, because Thoth keeps the altar and uses the power of Set to kill a few of the acolytes whom Thoth feels treated him badly.
After he gets these schoolyard rivalries out of his system, Thoth starts to turn the villagers’ worship of Ibis to Set. This takes place while the leaders of the Temple of Ibis promote Thoth to the head of their church.
If this sounds convoluted and slightly contrived, it is. A lot of things happen “just because” in order to get Thoth-Amon to place that he was in Howard’s original stories.
As the book nears its conclusion, Thoth-Amon unleashes an ancient evil that even he is unable to control, and then he and a priest of Ibis must destroy what is summoned.
The whole story feels forced, and when the story is over, there are too many loose ends. At the end of the tale, mention is made of the fate of the wizard’s family and sister. He is told that they died after he burned a wheat field to starve those who didn’t believe in Set. But this is done as an after-thought. It is as if Busiek forgot the characters and threw in the explanation at the last minute. Also, much of the origin of Thoth-Amon is similar to the origin of “Infidel,” one of Busiek’s own characters from “Astro City.”
In the end, I can’t recommend this book to anyone other than die-hard fans of the Conan books. You learn a great deal about the evil wizard Thoth-Amon. But while his rise to power is interesting, once he gains control of the Temple of Ibis halfway through the book, the story stagnates.
I say, pick up any of the collected trades: “Conan: The Frost Giant’s Daughter and other stories,” “Conan: The God In The Bowl And Other Stories,” or my favorite of the three, “Conan: The Tower Of The Elephant And Other Stories.” Unless you are trying to collect them all, leave “Conan: Book of Thoth” on the shelf. There are better comic books worth your time and money.
Hayden Mitman can be contacted with all your video game or comic book comments at hmitman@phillynews.com.

Get to Citizens Bank Park — food voted best in the U.S.

The Phillies stadium, Citizens Bank Ballpark in Philadelphia, has the best food of any stadium in the country. Now, although I wholeheartedly agree, I can’t take credit for giving Citizens Bank Park that honor. Instead, the park was recently awarded “Best Ballpark Food” by the Food Network during the channel’s inaugural “Food Network Awards” held last April.
Now, I knew the food at the park was phenomenal, but an award like that is something special. This means the Philadelphia park beat out parks like Fenway in Boston (famous for the “Fenway Sausages”), San Diego’s Petco Park and its famed shrimp tacos and even the over-rated “Dodger Dog” served at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. But, is it really a surprise to anyone who has been to Citizen’s Bank Park that it has the best food? Not only does the park have Rick’s Cheesesteaks and Chickie and Pete’s Famous Crab Fries, but also Bull’s Barbeque, named after former Phillie Greg “The Bull” Luzinski (who is always available at the booth to sign autographs!) and Harry the K’s, named after legendary Philly sportscaster Harry Kalas, that have some of the best food I’ve ever eaten. Bull’s Barbeque offers pretty much any type of barbeque you could want: beef, pork, chicken, turkey, and includes coleslaw and baked beans for one relatively reasonable price. It’s great.
Add in the fact that fans can watch Phillies pitcher get warmed up in the two-tiered bullpen and the outfield Hall of Fame along Ashburn Alley, and I think most people would enjoy that park even if there wasn’t a game being played.
But recently, I realized how few people have gone to the new stadium. For instance, I attend many games with my dad. He’s a huge Phillies fan, and every chance we get, we attend games. But, I was talking to my mom recently, and she’s never even been to the park. Granted she’s not much of a baseball fan, but like I said, there is so much to see and do at the park, I know she would enjoy it. So, she’s going to a game soon with me and my dad. Another friend of mine, one who can recite Phillies statistics like they were the Pledge of Allegiance, has not been to the park all year. I’m shocked.
The Phillies are looking good this year. First baseman, and last year’s champion of the All-Star Game Home Run Derby, Ryan Howard has just returned to the line-up after he suffered an injury, and as usual shortstop Jimmy Rollins and second baseman Chase Utley are both playing well. Center fielder Aaron Rowand (remembered mostly for a hard-fought catch last year that broke his nose) has been on a hitting streak, and he doesn’t look to be letting up any time soon.
So, what more reason can I give? Any Phillies fan should love to go to the park. There is no substitute for sitting in the sun on a cool spring day at the ballpark and hearing the crack of the bat. Even if you aren’t a huge fan of the team, take the kids. They will have a blast at the Philly Phanatic playground. And you just might find something that you enjoy. Soon, you might just find yourself returning to the park to join in a “Go Phillies” chant and to do the wave with the rest of the fans.

Here's a look at some awesome games coming out soon!

Summertime is a difficult time of the year for video game fans, and not just because the weather is warmer and people are telling us to “go outside and get some sun.” While it might seem like nagging moms, wives or girlfriends are pushing some gamers to abandon the consoles and hit the outdoors, the reality is that game publishers introduce most of the new titles in the winter around the holidays when people are more likely to buy them. So, what happens in the summer months is that shipments of new titles dry up like a slug in the bottom of a a salt shaker, meaning there are no new games to be easily found for any system.
But, every year, a few interesting titles trickle into stores during the summer months, and this year will be no different. This week, I’m going to highlight a few choice titles for each system, and hopefully, gamers will be able to find something to get them through the sunny-but-stale summer months.
Many of the upcoming summer games will be “multi-platform,” meaning they will be available on a few different game consoles. I’m sticking mostly to console-specific titles for this column, but one special “multi-platform” game will be listed at the end. So, if you read through this listing and don’t see a game that you hoped to play on your system, just read on to the “multi-platform” listing, okay?
Sony PS3
Sony’s Playstation 3 has been struggling to find buyers because it is an expensive piece of equipment and it doesn’t have many games, but there are a few titles coming but this summer that can change that. “Ninja Gaiden Sigma” by Tecmo Games will be released soon. This game is a remake of the stellar “Ninja Gaiden” released on the Xbox a few years ago. The “Sigma” version will have new levels, enemies and even a new playable character, but will a remix of an old game be enough to get gamers to buy the PS3? I doubt it, but “Ninja Gaiden” for the Xbox was one of my favorite games of all time, so this new version should be good.
Many of the PS3’s other upcoming titles will be “multi-platform.”
Xbox 360
Microsoft’s big box has steadily been outselling PS3s, and with the upcoming titles, it is easy to see that developers are working hard to keep Xbox 360 owners happy.
“Shadowrun,” which should be on the shelves by the time you read this, is also a remake of an older game. But, in Shadowrun’s case, the game is an old pen-and-paper style role playing game. The Xbox 360 version turns the game into an online shooter where gun-toting technology lovers fight against spiritual tribes of magic-users. It’s an all out battle of science versus magic, and it looks like it will be a blast.
Also, for racing fans, Microsoft will be releasing “Forza Motorsport 2” in the coming weeks. This game is a perfect title for fans of realistic racing, as all the cars in the game are real cars, and the vehicles are tuned as they would be in real-world conditions. The races take place on real-world courses, as well.
For fans of role-playing games, Microsoft will be releasing “Mass Effect” this summer. This is a futuristic science-fiction game that enables the player to play the game a number of different ways. For example, the main character’s job can be selected, so if players choose to be soldiers, they will encounter a lot of run-and-gun action while attacking aliens. But, on the other hand, if they choose to be an engineer, the players will need to approach tasks differently and puzzle solving will be required instead of a skilled trigger-finger. With a wealth of jobs to choose from, this could be one of Microsoft’s biggest games all year.
Nintendo Wii
We can’t forget Nintendo as we look toward the future. The inexpensive yet incredibly hard to find Wii has been winning the console wars since the holiday season, and in the coming months, gamers will get their fill of motion-sensitive action.
There will be two survival/horror games coming out, and they both look incredible. “Resident Evil 4” by Capcom Games will be a remake of an older game, but with special controls and features for the Wii, and “Manhunt 2” by Rockstar Games will put the player in the role of a mental patient who must escape a psychiatric hospital where everyone is a murderer. It might not be a good game for kids, but older gamers will enjoy all the scares in “Manhunt 2.”
Multi-platform
I’m running out of room, but I have to talk about the game that will be (along with Halo 3) the biggest game of the year: “Grand Theft Auto IV.” Developer Rockstar Games has kept a tight lid on information about this title. But, I know that the main character will be a Russian immigrant in America. In a recently released video, the character is shown driving around the newly designed Liberty City. It looks awesome, and all I saw was a guy sitting in a car!
So, get back in the house this summer — there are some great games coming home in upcoming months.