In this special Mother’s Day edition of the podcast, we talk zombies with Plague Nation author Dana Fredsti… because nothing says Mother’s Day quite like zombies.  Ok, so it doesn’t make much sense to us either, but we had a great time talking with Dana about her novel regardless of holiday.  Enjoy!

Next month’s reading, chosen at random, is Ready Player One! by Ernest Cline, otherwise known as He Who Wrote Fanboys.

The SciFiFX crew takes the show on the road and sets up fortifications in front of Comic Book Craze in Garland, TX.  We attempt to discuss Iron Man 3 without spoilers, speak with a handful of authors who are at the event, and get ambushed by SHIELD Director Nick Fury as he tries to keep a lid on dimension hopping and other security leaks.  We don’t know if it’s good radio, but we had a blast recording it.

Authors at the event:

J.A. Dalley – The Zochtil, Starwarden

E.C. Wolfe – Yellow

Todd Boddy – Blue Moon Chronicles: The Exit

Also, lest anyone forget…

Some people only dream of meeting their heroes.  Award-winning author Max Allan Collins has been handed the torch by his.  We here at SciFiFX are honored and privileged to bring his tales to your ears.  We discuss everything from his work with Mickey Spillane – including the upcoming Mike Hammer novel Complex 90 -  to Batman to Dick Tracy to Nate Heller and beyond.  Big thanks to Mr. Collins and to our friends at Titan Books for making this happen.

While you’re geeking out with us, you can find more about his work at his homepage and buy some of it at his Amazon page.

This week we discuss Heroes and Antiheroes, and Heroes that kill.  Do heroes kill or does that make them an antihero?  Listen in and give us your thoughts, leave us a voice mail at 313-437-2434.

This Month’s DVD commentary is one of our all time favorites, Back to the Future! We had a blast recording this, and hope you enjoy the commentary.

This week we discuss how real technology is getting closer to Star Trek Replicator technology.  We now have the capability to print just about any 3 dimensional object you can imagine out of plastic.  and the printers are getting cheaper all the time.  They are constantly developing new materials the printers can use as well.  We even have the ability to print buildings now.  With the 3Doodler you can draw in 3 dimensions in the air.

On top of that scientists are hard at work to print things like skin, ears, and organs for transplant and are making huge strides all the time.

This technology also opens all kinds of legal and moral questions though.  Listen in as we ramble on about 3-D printers, and let us know what your thoughts are on the subject.  E-mail in your thoughts to podcast@scififx.com or leave us a voice mail at 313-437-2434

It’s a pen that operates like a 3D printer, but lets you free form draw in the air!
http://mashable.com/2013/02/19/3d-printing-pen/

A 3D printer that uses sand to print buildings.
http://www.d-shape.com/cose.htm

3D printing Guns.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/26/3d-printed-gun-movement_n_2957695.html

3-D printing of organs.
http://www.designboom.com/technology/3d-printed-organs-from-regenerative-living-cells/

Makerbot’s Thingiverse, a collection of 3-D patterns that are free to download
http://www.thingiverse.com/

This week is the 4th installment in our SciFiFX Book Club.  Last month we all read, or listened to 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, by Jules Verne, originally published in 1870.

We lucked out again this time, as Jules Verne is one of the greatest and most influential Science Fiction/Fantasy writers ever.  Also 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, is one of the most loved Science Fiction/Action Adventure stories ever told.

So if’ you haven’t read the book, well why haven’t you?  Read it or listen to the audio book before listening to our podcast, or maybe our podcast can help to get you interested in this great book!

Our book for next month is Neuromancer, by William Gibson!

In the beginning, the four of us sat down in front of microphones and unleashed ourselves upon an unsuspecting world with the misbegotten notion that somebody out there might actually want to hear what we have to say.  Ego, much?  You betcha.

100 episodes later, we came to the conclusion that a number of our newer listeners, and perhaps both of our long timers, might be wondering just who we are and what pods we hatched from.  Sure, you could probably figure it out if you listen to all of our past shows, but in the interest of patting ourselves on the back gaining some new perspective as we reach this milestone, we thought we’d offer a reintroduction of sorts to all of you out there, wherever you might be.

For this 100th episode, we just sit back and geek out about the kinds of things that brought us into the worlds of science fiction, fantasy, and horror and chart some of the misadventures we’ve had along our paths of discovery.  If it helps, think of it as a jumping-on point as we charge ahead towards another 100 episodes.

Our Audbile.com recommendation for this week is The Zochtil by friend of the show James A. Dalley!

When season 5 of Star Wars: The Clone Wars first geared up, the teasers asked “Who will fall?”  As it turns out, the answer is “everyone,” as Darth Mickey executed a far bigger master plan than anyone could foresee.  Mere hours before the announcement, we recorded our season 5 discussion and expressed our support for the “Save The Clone Wars” campaign.  As you might imagine, we have a few things to say on the matter in the wake of recent developments.

This week, we talk shop on season 5 of Star Wars: The Clone Wars.  Because of the story threads being presented – and because we just can’t stay focused – our discussion goes all over the Saga’s timeline.  And because we’d like to hear from our listeners, we’d again like to remind everyone that you can join in the discussion by leaving us a voicemail at (313) 437-2434 or email at podcast@scififx.com.

We also urge our listeners once more to voice your suppport for The Clone Wars by sending letters and postcards to Bob Iger at Disney.  The contact information can be found at our “Save The Clone Wars!” page.  We remind everyone to keep it respectful, and to understand that even if there’s no actual threat of cancellation, it can never hurt to voice your support.

Our Audible recommendation this week is the novelization for Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, written by Matthew Stover and performed by fan favorite Jonathan Davis.

Save The Clone Wars!

This week we have the third installment in our SciFiFX Book Club.  Last month we all read, or rather listened to the unabridged audio book of The War of the Worlds, by H.G. Wells.

This is one of the most influential Science Fiction stories of all time.  There have been countless adaptations and sequels written to The War of the Worlds.  Some of which include a radio drama by Orson Welles, a musical version by Jeff Wayne, a TV series, and numerous movies; the latest of which was produced by Steven Spielberg and stared Tom Cruise.

Listen in as we extol the virtues of this wonderful book, and a few of our dislikes of it.

Even Time Lords like The War of the Worlds!

At long last is the much anticipated (at least by us) Stargate DVD Commentary.  I have loved this movie since I first saw it in the theater, and it just seems to get better with every viewing.  This is the movie that inspired 10 great seasons of Stargate SG-1, five wonderful seasons of Stargate Atlantis, and 2 seasons of Stargate Universe.  There have also been Stargate books, comic books, action figures, video games, a cartoon series (Stargate Infinity), and even a series of audio plays by Big Finish.

If you haven’t already jumped through the gate we invite you to do so, you won’t regret it.

This week we have the second edition of the SciFiFX Book Club.  Last month we all read Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card.  This is the first book in the ever expanding Ender Universe.  Tune in to find out our likes and dislikes of this Science Fiction classic.  Also at the end of this podcast we allow our randomizer to choose our book for this month.

Ender’s Game Cover Blurb:

In order to develop a secure defense against a hostile alien race’s next attack, government agencies breed child geniuses and train them as soldiers. A brilliant young boy, Andrew “Ender” Wiggin lives with his kind but distant parents, his sadistic brother Peter, and the person he loves more than anyone else, his sister Valentine. Peter and Valentine were candidates for the soldier-training program but didn’t make the cut–young Ender is the Wiggin drafted to the orbiting Battle School for rigorous military training.

 

Ender’s skills make him a leader in school and respected in the Battle Room, where children play at mock battles in zero gravity. Yet growing up in an artificial community of young soldiers, Ender suffers greatly from isolation, rivalry from his peers, pressure from the adult teachers, and an unsettling fear of the alien invaders. His psychological battles include loneliness, fear that he is becoming like the cruel brother he remembers, and fanning the flames of devotion to his beloved sister.

For those of you  that have read Ender’s Game.  We would love to hear you opinions on it.  either reply to the post here, e-mail us at podcast@scififx.com, or leave use a voice mail at 313-437-2434.

This week the Twitter-Sphere and Inter-Webs were all a buzz with the announcement that J.J. Abrams was confirmed as the director of Star Wars Episode VII.  We give our thoughts on Mr. Abrams being the director of both Star Trek and Star Wars movies.

http://www.scififx.com/2013/01/confirmed-j-j-abrams-to-direct-star-wars-ep-vii/

We also discuss a patent Sony filed for at the beginning of this year for technology that would lock down a game you purchase on disc to your Play Station Network account, so it would only ever work for you.  This tech would, if it was ever put to use, effectively destroy the PS4 or the used video game market.

http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/01/03/report-new-sony-patent-blocks-second-hand-games

I know we promised this would be a Stargate DVD commentary, but when we got ready to start we found that the Ultimate Stargate DVD only has Spanish subtitles, and my Special Edition Stargate DVD has no subtitles whatsoever, so we panicked and did a commentary on Justice League: Crisis On Two Earths.  We had a lot of fun with this one and hope you enjoy it.

This week we discuss the things we are looking forward to in 2013.  We discuss what events, books, TV shows, and movies we are most interested in attending, reading, listening too, and seeing in 2013.  Of course our usual staples of Doctor Who, Star Wars, Star Trek, and Supernatural are on the list, but tune in to see what may be on the horizon that you where not aware of.  I myself learned that a Lego Batman Movie is in the works, and I look forward to that!  you can find the trailer for the Lego Batman movie here.

Going forward in this new year we would like to take a moment to ask you to help out someone who may be less fortunate than yourself.  This week we would like to bring your attention to Kawasaki’s Disease, and the Kawasaki Disease Foundation.  They are a non-profit organization that helps children suffering from this terrible condition. Learn more at http://www.kdfoundation.org/

This week is our first SciFiFX Book Club podcast.  Last month we all read book 1 of The Dresden Files: Storm Front.  Listen in to find out what we liked and or disliked about the Jim Butcher’s first Dresden book.  Also at the end of this podcast we allow our randomizer to choose our book for this month.

Storm Front Cover Blurb:

Harry Dresden is the best at what he does. Well, technically, he’s the only at what he does. So when the Chicago P.D. has a case that transcends mortal creativity or capability, they come to him for answers. For the “everyday” world is actually full of strange and magical things — and most of them don’t play well with humans. That’s where Harry comes in. Takes a wizard to catch a — well, whatever.

 

There’s just one problem. Business, to put it mildly, stinks. So when the police bring him in to consult on a grisly double murder committed with black magic, Harry’s seeing dollar signs. But where there’s black magic, there’s a black mage behind it. And now that mage knows Harry’s name. And that’s when things start to get… interesting.

 

Magic. It can get a guy killed.

For those of you  that have read The Dresden Files: Storm Front.  We would love to hear you opinions on it.  either reply to the post here, e-mail us at podcast@scififx.com, or leave use a voice mail at 313-437-2434.

This week we give our review of the Doctor Who Christmas Special: The Snowmen.  We also say farewell to 2012 with our Year In Review.  We remember those we lost in 2012.  We also discuss many of the Events, Movies, TV shows, and books that came out in 2012, as well as a few special things that we discovered during the year.  In the next podcast we will be looking at what will be coming out in 2013

We at SciFiFX would like, to wish everyone a happy new year!

This week we scratch the surface on Alternate Timelines, and Parallel Universes.  This is a topic so vast that I am sure someone has dedicated a weekly or monthly podcast to it.  We just hit the highlights of some of our favorite examples, including but not limited to Fringe, Doctor Who, Star Trek, Star Wars, Stargate, Futurama, Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Family Guy, and of course Sliders.  If you have any favorites that we didn’t mention let us know at podcast@scififx.com or leave a voicemail at 313-437-2434.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fiction_employing_parallel_universes

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_alternate_history_fiction

That’s right we all went to see The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, and now you can listen to our thoughts on it.  Be warned there are some minor spoilers involved, but the book was published in 1937, so we weren’t too concerned about spoilers.  We hope you enjoy the podcast, oh and go see the movie!

This week we discuss the current state of Film Restoration, and some of the “improvments” that are being done to films when they are being restored.  We go into some of the changes that we have seen so far in DVD/Blu-Ray re-mastering of films/shows; including Star Wars, Star Trek, James Bond, and of course Doctor Who.

Some of the articles we reference can be found here:
With 35mm Film Dead, Will Classic Movies Ever Look the Same Again?

Request Denied: Lucas Refuses to Co-Operate with Government Film Preservation Organizations

The Greatest Speech Against the Special Edition was from George Lucas

The Doctor Who Restoration Team

In Big Dog’s Fireside Chat, he asks that if you can afford to, please donate a toy or some cash to Toys for Tots, to help a less fortunate child have a Happy Christmas.

He also recommends Her Universe for those of you looking to buy a geeky gift for your significant other.

This week we discuss NaNoWriMo, or the National Novel Writing Month.  Basically NaNoWriMo is an annual challenge that you can enroll yourself in where you are supposed to write a 50,000 word novel over the course of the month of November.

As 3 of the 4 of us entered the competition, we thought that we would dedicate a podcast to discussing the joys and difficulties of the NaNoWriMo challenge and of writing a novel in general.  The great news is that all 3 of our illustrious hosts to enter completed the challenge with time to spare I might add.  Matt, Troy, and Big Dog all entered and surpassed the 50,000 word challenge.  In fact Big Dog’s novel is still in the process of being written, but is now over 65,000 words; he just has more story left to tell.

So if you have a story idea, next year give it a try whether it be about Doctor Who, Star Wars, Star Trek, Stargate, Highlander, Vampires, Zombies, Cyborgs, or any combination.  Get that story out and into the world.

Also we have decided to start the SciFiFX Book Club.  At the beginning of each month we will randomly select a book from our database and the next month we will discuss our thoughts on that book.  So listen to the end of the podcast to find out what the book we will be discussing in January 2013 will be.

In Big Dog’s Fireside Chat, he asks that if you can afford to please donate a toy or some cash to Toys for Tots, to help a less fortunate child have a Happy Christmas.

He also recommends Her Universe for those of you looking to buy a geeky gift for your significant other.

This week saw the 49^th Anniversary of Doctor Who, so that’s all we talked about on this podcast.  This is a celebration of our favorite Doctors, companions, episodes, and Big Finish audios.

“The Doctor, wonderful chap. All of them.” – Brigadier Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart

Today is the 20th Anniversary of “The Death of Superman” story arc.  So we discuss “The Death of Superman,” “The Reign of the Supermen,” and the fallout of this in the DC Universe.