Hello! A new page is up. I also added a vote button on the lower right corner (on the sidebar). By clicking the button, you’ll give Red: A Cyberpunk Fairytale a higher ranking position on http://www.topwebcomics.com

…you can also click the button below:)

Hello! The new page is up (if you enjoy, please feel free to spread the word) plus a lil’ blogging. While sketching out a new Red page, I had one of my DVDs, Strange Days , playing in the background for some inspiration.

It’s probably illegal to have made a movie this good. Seriously.

Like the best science fiction before it, Strange Days uses the genre to comment on the important issues of it’s day (such as the LA riots, racism, the police state) while speculating on exciting (yet dangerous) technology.

The film (while dated by the fact that we didn’t have VR memory headsets by the year 2000 or now. Oh well!) still remains one of best films of the 1990’s. Although genre fans are aware of it, I believe the flick remains a little underrated…..So if you haven’t watched Strange Days before…here is the trailer.

Strange Days (1995)
Directed by Kathryn Bigelow
Written by James Cameron and Jay Cocks

At the rate gamer technology advances, I can certainly imagine the ol’ control pad going the way of the dodo…but Microchip implants?

Here’s the quote from Sega’s Yu Suzuki

In Medicine, you have artificial heart devices, or people that have some sort of chips in their bodies, to be able to keep track of vital signs. So, it doesn’t have to be a scary thing, but you could put a sensor here (points to his arm). You know, a bit like in The Matrix.

It’s not really something only in the future, some people already have them, chips in their bodies. If for some that would be a bit too scary, then you could also do something more simple, like using wristbands or a pendant. So using devices like these for sensing would be good I think. I think that for arcades games I want something that’s a bit futuristic.

For the full story check out

http://kotaku.com/5102243/interested-in-microchip-implants-for-gaming-segas-yu-suzuki-is

More stuff to follow. . .stay tuned

Hey guys the new page is up. Hope u dig.

Blade Runner: Final Cut

Reviews are popping up everywhere for Blade Runner: Final Cut and the reviews are unanimous. The restoration job is a masterpiece. Of course with Ridley Scott overseeing the project, I wouldn’t expect any less. Makes me wish I had a High Def TV to enjoy the experience.

Devin Faraci on CHUD.com gives a 10 out of 10 for the restoration, but gives a 6 out of 10 for the movie. It’s a rather scathing review in certain parts. (Way too scathing IMO) He takes some issue with the set design and states, “too much of the movie’s design feels like it’s there to be cool.” He cites Deckard’s apartment as an example and it doesn’t look realistic that a person would live there. I understand his point, however when set design is that jaw dropping I can’t possibly complain.

SPOILER…He also takes issue with Deckard being a replicant and says that the rest of the film doesn’t support it. There have been many arguments both for and against Ridley’s decision to make Deckard a replicant (It was not the screenwriters’ original intention). Myself? I ultimately agree with Devin that the twist seemed shoehorned in and needlessly complicates the film.

Bryant being in on Deckard being a replicant, letting a replicant loose on the streets with a gun, and Deckard not being as strong as the other replicants are issues that contradict the fact that he is a replicant. I was hoping that the reported re-shoots were new scenes that make the twist more organic with the rest of the film. However, I read that they were mainly shot for added background flavors as well as removing an obvious body double for Joanna Cassidy. If you know anymore info please let me know.

Also, I’m not sure how Deckard being a replicant makes the film necessarily better… thematically speaking (as opposed to if he was simply human). Please feel free to share your thoughts by leaving a comment or two SPOLIERS END

Nevertheless, Blade Runner is still regarded as a sci-fi masterpiece. It’s on nearly every critics’ top lists for science fiction movies. It was in AFI’s list of the greatest American movies of all time. Why? It presented an uncompromising vision of the future that audiences have never seen before. In spawned (along with the novel Neuromancer) an entire new genre science fiction (cyberpunk). It’s a vision that continues to capture the imagination of audiences around the world. Including mine.

Heck….without it, this webcomic wouldn’t exist. That’s for sure

Rock on, Blade Runner!

I’ll even be here in 10 years for the Final, Final Cut!

-Dan

Hi, this is Daniel Velez, co-creator of Red:A Cyberpunk Fairytale. I’m here to welcome you back to our humble little comicbook of ours! As you some of you know, Sean and I took time off to work on our print comic series Area Zero. (Just to clarify, Area Zero is unrelated to the Red comic universe. They’re two separate creations.)

For more information on Area Zero, feel free to head over to http://www.areazeroworld.com

While Sean has been working hard providing pencils for Area Zero, I have taken over the lions share of duties in “Red land”, providing pencils, in addition to the dialogue and coloring (starting with today’s post. Enjoy!). It’s a big task, but the kids out there need their action fix, so what’s a fella to do?

Anyway, about the new format….This is a new blog based format that allows us to display our pages, as well as make blog posts. You guys also have the option to subscribe to our blog for free via RSS (That’s what the FAQ for my Wordpress account says. I didn’t know what RSS meant ’till about a week ago, but it always sounded very important and awesome. Yep!) It’s a way of keeping track of a large number of your favorite Web sites or blogs, without having to remember to check each site manually. If you would like to learn more about RSS, click on the tab entitled subscribe…then click on the link entitled “Learn more about syndication and FeedBurner…”

Sean and I have been asked about our opinions (don’t laugh..it’s true! Ok maybe laugh a lil’ bit) on art related things, entertainment, etc. I think a blog would be a fun way to discuss various topics like movies, comics, games, music or whatever…all while providing fresh new Red content.

Should be a blast. Please remember to leave comments! Hope you enjoy your stay!

Daniel Velez
dan@areazeroworld.com