Wagner Free Institute, Photo lovingly stolen from Visit Philly

Ever wonder how Philadelphia’s historic buildings manage to endure time and the elements? Or how people in the historic preservation field manage to help save these structures? I mean, we are one of America’s oldest cities. Just how does Independence Hall stay standing?

The answer… is SCIENCE.

Well, some of it is science. A lot of it also has to do with history and design. And at the Wagner Free Institute’s event next Wednesday, attendees will “learn more about the intriguing field of architectural conservation, a profession that blends science, history and design in order to understand why buildings deteriorate and what can be done to save them.”

The lecture will service as an introduction to historic preservation, and will be illustrated with examples from a wide array of projects, from buildings such as Frank Lloyd Wright’s landmark Beth Sholom Synagogue in Elkins Park, PA to the Music Building at the University of Pennsylvania.

Outside the Historic Building

According to a press release from the Wagner, “the speakers will discuss various aspects of the investigative process, including archival research, conditions assessments, materials analysis, non-destructive testing, and treatment development.”

The Wagner will also discuss their own building, a National Historic Landmark, erected during the Civil War. They’ll discuss the issues with preserving the building and keeping their collections intact.

For more information, visit the Wagner’s official website. Go get your learn on.

Behind the Scenes Look @ the Wagner
Wednesday, March 16th, 5:30pm

Wagner Free Institute of Science
1700 West Montgomery Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19121
215-763-6529
www.wagnerfreeinstitute.org

Michael Avon Oeming and Brian Michael Bendis make quite the departure from their super-hero noir on-going Powers with Marvel Icon’s upcoming release of graphic novel Takio.

Takio follows the story of 2 girls, adopted tween Taki and her 7-year old sister Olivia, as they struggle with the irritations of an over-protective single mother and school. Taki’s best friend Kelly Sue is dealing with her own issues that include a mad scientist type Dad and a recently estranged mother.

The great thing about this book? The fact that it is all ages and the perfect way to introduce your kid, niece/nephew or little sister/brother to the world of comic book geekdom! Takio is adorable, cute, affordable ($10!) and a highly enjoyable read. The hardcover graphic novel hit stores last week, and I chatted up Nick Filardi, Philly local and colorist of Takio.

What kind of color palette did you use for Takio? Did you switch up anything with your normal coloring style?

The goal of the book was to create a children’s book that would still appeal to adults. So we wanted to keep it bright and fun. I kind of craft all my color palettes on the fly. It lets me be flexible when it comes to what works or doesn’t work for each moment.

So although I didn’t stick to a set palette I tried to keep the light fun cartoonish feeling in each of the pages even when things got more serious and confrontational. When I color, I naturally go for a high saturation so this was particularly fun.

Did Mike Oeming advise you on the direction he wanted you go regarding colors or did he leave those decisions to you?

When Mike and I tackle a project he usually gives me notes, not so much as to specific colors, but the overall style. We work on a lot of stuff together, and he colors a little bit himself. I try to be aware of what he is working on so that I can anticipate the styles that appeal to him at the moment. In this case he had wanted to do a book with a similar look to Takio for a long time and was just waiting for a right fit. A lot of what he was coloring himself had that kind of loose but angular background style popularized in The Umbrella Academy.

A lot of where Mike and I started hashing out the look came from the backgrounds in that book. However, this is a kid’s book so although we wanted that look we still had to keep it bright. By peppering in some off-register line art and coloring all the lines in the background it made it cartoonish and fun for kids but also made a visual style that will engage adults because it is something that isn’t exactly like anything they’ve seen before.

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Photo via Equality Forum

The Philadelphia-area Foodspotting community is getting together for another fantastic event! You know about Foodspotting, right? It’s a service that allows you to share photos of individual dishes. Out and about in Philly and craving something, anything? Fire up the Foodspotting app and check out the dishes that have been “spotted” near you.

Philadelphia-area Spotters have been getting together to check out the Philly food scene and taste some delicious eats. The group has checked out the fried chicken and waffles at Adsum and sampled the dim sum at Joy Tsin Lau. Up next, they’re paying a visit to Northern Liberties’ PYT for a sampling of the Hall of Fame burgers on Wednesday, March 16th.

You might have just rushed to the PYT menu to see what kind of burgers we’re talking about. And perhaps you’ve realized that there are currently 5, count ’em 5, Hall of Fame burgers.

“Sarah,” you cry out, “Sarah, how can we be expected to sample 5 monster burgers? I have school/work/comic books to read the next day, I can’t be suffering from a 24 hour burger coma!

Relax! Tommy Up has offered to make mini-versions, including a veggie burger option. Try them all! I’m most excited about the Pistachio Crusted Lamb Burger (delicious to eat, fun to say) and the Fat Boy Monster.

To join the fun, check out the Foodspotting Meetup page. See you there!

Foodspotting at PYT
Wednesday, March 16th
www.meetup.com/Foodspotting/Philadelphia-PA/71847/

PYT @ the Piazza
1050 North Hancock Street (19123)
(215) 964-9009
www.pytphilly.com

This week we look at the future of Batman in Batman Beyond, begin reading the last act of Marvel’s cosmic line with Annihilators and check in to see what The Darkness is up to. All in the Comic Roundup!

The Darkness #90
By Phil Hester and Sheldon Mitchell

Soon The Darkness will be the fourth Image title to reach the magical milestone of 100 issues, and with good reason. The Darkness has always been a consistently good comic book. Sure, it has had its ups and downs, but for the most part when you bought an issue of The Darkness you knew you were in for a treat. Issue #90 is no exception.

After wrapping up the Sovereign storyline, you would think Hester would take a break and catch his breath. But he keeps the rollercoaster going and launches right into the third and final act of his run on the book. Jackie is looking to find his place in the world and instead has hit men looking to kill him and The Darkness deciding it may want a new host.

Hester writes a tight, fast paced script that serves as a great opening chapter. Plus we get the return of Mitchell on pencils, which is very welcome since his work on the book always reminded me of Marc Silvestri. Together they produce a comic that may be light on action, but enjoyable none the less.

As The Darkness begins its march toward #100 and Hester’s finale as writer, you would be advised to jump on the bandwagon now. The last thing you want is to be late to the party and not know what the hell is going on.

Final Grade: B+

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Guest Post by Sarah Solomon

Are you tired of grammatically incorrect sexting instead of being properly wooed? Waking up at the crack of dawn to go to the gym when a corset could just as easily hide those love handles? Generally weary of the improprieties of the modern world? Well count yourself among the many who would rather spend their time frolicking amongst sheep and dreaming of Mr. Darcy’s proposal and the Pemberley estate that comes with it.

Behold, your cheat sheet to proper life skills from Regency England. The Jane Austen Handbook by Margaret C. Sullivan is a must-read for not only Jane Austen fans, but those interested in the social graces of the period. It is not dull at all, but lively and witty while still extremely educational. It was also interesting to see what things have changed, versus what is inherent regardless of time period.

For example, the section on how to “indicate interest in a gentleman without seeming forward.” Sullivan suggests, “offer to perform little services for him. Mending his pen might be one step from mending his stockings.” This is akin to the modern day version of “picking up sushi instead of McDonalds so he can finally have a shot at losing the moobs (man boobs).”

Other things like learning how to properly prepare for a ball such as learning the, “steps, formations, and figures” is irrelevant for our stereotypical Saturday nights, unless you plan on really teaching someone “how to dougie” or have memorized most of N’Syncs ubiquitous love ballad “bye bye bye” and plan on teaching most of the hipsters in attendance at the bar.

In all seriousness, the little hand book is a quaint way to pass the time and actually learn something as you gaze out into the slushy streets of Philadelphia and yearn for the rolling hills of Regency England. And I’ve got a copy to giveaway! Leave a comment about your favorite Jane Austen book / movie / mini-series-featuring-dreamboat-Colin-Firth, and we’ll pick one of you at random. Good luck!

J.G. Jones Posing at Comic Con

Looking for a chance to meet some titans of the comic book industry, but don’t feel like dealing with the massive lines and pay-for-signature booths at Comic Con in June? West Philadelphia’s Locust Moon Comics is dishing out that opportunity a little over a week from now, bringing J.G. Jones and John Arcudi to the small shop on Friday, March 18th.

Unfamiliar with those names? Shame on you.

Jones is the Eisner Award nominated co-creator of Wanted, the awesome comic book turned into a kind-of awesome film adapted into a so-so but still entertaining video game. His art has made him one of the most sought-after artists in the comic book industry. Recently, he’s been working on Grant Morrison’s Final Crisis, and is starting work on a five issue miniseries about Doc Savage.

Arcudi is the writer of the hit graphic novel A God Somewhere, and is renowned for his work on Doom Patrol, Thunderbolts, and more. His original title, A God Somewhere, has been described by Hellboy creator Mike Mignola as “the most human take on the superhero story I have ever seen.” That’s a serious compliment coming from a legend.

Both comic creators will be at the shop 7pm to 10pm on March 18th. Bring your favorite book, get it signed, and please, try not to be too fanboyish.

J.G. Jones & John Arcudi @ Locust Moon Comics
Friday, March 18th, 7pm – 10pm

Locust Moon Comics
4040 Locust Street (19104)
(215) 921-8530

Our friends over at Cinedelphia are throwing another great event with TV Carnage Live! at the The Ibrahim Theater this Friday, March 11th at 7pm. This will be the Philadelphia stop for the “Let’s Work It Out International Tour” and will be a night of strange video oddities that you will never forget.

If you have seen any of the TV Carnage DVDs you know it really harkens back to the days before YouTube, to a simpler time when people would trade VHS tapes of various odd clips to share them with one another. TV Carnage is a lot like that, just edited better. Together, the strange clips form an almost hypnotic narrative that will transfix you, guaranteed.

You can get tickets for the event here for only $8! We also have a TV Carnage DVD to give away. Leave a comment about your favorite weird Internet video, and we’ll select one of you at random to score a copy. Good luck!

What gets your heart pumping and your bookshelves clean?

No, not a combination elliptical machine/Swiffer. A combination dance party/book drive! APIARY’s teaming up with local organization Books Through Bars, which collects quality reading materials for incarcerated people. Use your intellectual clutter to help men and women educate themselves, and enjoy a night of readings and music at the Tritone Bar.

We’ll be joined by Cave Canem prize-winning poet Iain Haley Pollock, Bryn Mawr professor Enrique Sarcerio Gari, storyteller Vernyce Dannells, funky spoken word/bandleader Te’V Smith, etc. Local rockers The Mighty Paradocs will help resolve any issues you might have about sweating in public with their insane live show. We’re calling the night “Embrace of Love and Resistance” (poetry nerd alert: Whitman reference), because you can only change the world with love (and big boxes of your old paperbacks).

Embrace of Love and Resistance
Wednesday, March 9th, 8-12
Tritone Bar, 1508 South St
$5-10 or paperback books in good condition

What makes you feel wise and simultaneously returns you to childhood?

No, not Benjamin Button-itis: A film about children’s books at the Rosenbach Museum! After that sentence you either have completely stopped reading or are licking your geeky chops in delight, so onwards we go: it’s a documentary about the cultural impact of children’s books, those brightly colored and haunting worlds on paper that are probably responsible for making you nerdy enough to be reading this in the first place.

The documentary, Library of the Early Mind: A Grown-up Look at Art in Children’s Literature, examines the dark and complex aspects of children’s books. R.L. Stine makes an appearance! And there’s an intellectual discussion with the director and some children’s book experts after the screening, if you haven’t already left to borrow all of Goosebumps from the library.

Scope out the trailer, here.

Library of the Early Mind
Saturday, March 12, 2011 – 1:00pm – 3:30pm
RSVP to rsvp@rosenbach.org or (215) 732-1600ext. 123

Rosenbach Museum & Library
2008-2010 Delancey Place (19103)

Oh the joys of voiding human interaction where possible.

Eric and I were treated to such joys a few weeks ago. For a solid week we got to indulge in deliciousness of local eateries delivered to our respective doorsteps via Delivery.com. For me, it was a pleasant step away from creating my deli-Frankenstein’s monster of meat and cheese. Taking turns, we sampled hoagies from J & J Pizza from South Philly, pita sandwiches from Center City West’s prized Pita Pit and pizza from 13th Street Pizza.

Pickings vary depending on your neighborhood and that local establishment’s willingness to deliver to far off destinations. Large chain joints that depend on delivery for sporting events (please see Wings to Go), of course deliver to just about anywhere, while smaller Mom & Pop spots (like Rittenhouse Square’s The Spot, a favorite of Eric’s), only cater to certain locations nearby. Which is fine! That’s on the restaurants, not Delivery.com.

It was a real treat, enhanced by wonderful specials available to new customers ordering through Delivery.com. My first order from J&J Pizza dished out a hearty discount, while Eric’s at 13th Street gave him 20% off his entire order… and he bought pizza pies for his entire office. What could be better? POINTS! And not just the brownie points Eric accrued buying lunch for his boss.

25 points are earned each time you spend a dollar with any restaurant on the website. These points can be used on a variety of crisp coolness, from Snuggies (you heard me), to USB drives, to video game consoles and MP3 players. Awesome, huh? Better yet, the points can also be used toward a charitable donation to City Harvest, the world’s first and New York City’s only food rescue organization, connects good food that would otherwise go to waste with people struggling with hunger.

All in all, the experience with Delivery.com was fabulous, and we’d like to share the wealth. Delivery.com has supplied us with two gift cards for $25 to dish out to our lucky readers. To enter, visit Delivery.com and pick a restaurant in your neck of the woods that you’d like to get delivery from. Leave your answers in the replies.

We’ll select one of you at random next week, and you’ll score $25 worth of delivery from Delivery.com and Geekadelphia. Enjoy, and thanks to Delivery.com for feeding us / sponsoring this fun giveaway.

At the end of month, the Wagner Free Institute of Science is hosting another fantastic free lecture, inviting guests to swing by and learn about ants… with celebrated National Geographic photographer Dr. Mark Moffett.

Did you know that ants practiced agriculture long before humans, domesticating other animals and growing crops specific to their needs? That ants engage in terrorism and warfare, sometimes taking conquered armies as slaves? That there are trillions of ants on earth that collectively weigh as much as all human beings?

Moffett will discuss all of these parallels between ant colonies and human societies on Saturday, March 26th. According to a press release from Wagner, “Moffett’s talk will explore what humans can learn from ants when it comes to finding food, disposing of waste and raising offspring. It is sure to be filled with entertaining stories of adventure and discovery presented alongside captivating photographs.”

The guy has traveled the world learn about these bugs, from the Amazon to Borneo. He’s even written a book, appropriately named Adventures Among Ants.

To learn more about the lecture and the Wagner Institute, visit the Wagner’s official website.

Adventures Among Ants
Saturday, March 26th, Noon – 4pm: FREE

Wagner Free Institute of Science
1700 West Montgomery Avenue (19121)
(215) 763-6529
www.wagnerfreeinstitute.org

Every few months, I find myself happily posting about The Guild dropping another season on DVD. Back in June, Season 3 hit stores and online retail outlets, and now Season 4 is finally available.

But like I’ve said in other posts about the series retail discs… why bother purchasing a show that’s available for free online? Really, it all boils down to the bonus materials. And like the previous retail releases of The Guild, this one has plenty.

This DVD comes with the Game On music video, the making of said video, the hilarious Cheesybeard’s commercial, and a wonderful audio commentary with the cast and crew. There’s even a PDF file of the script and, as always, a great behind-the-scenes gag reel.

Wil Wheaton is back in Season 4, and more hilarious than ever.

So surprise, surprise… I highly recommend picking up a copy of Season 4 of the Guild. Great special features and an excellent transfer to DVD, make this worth picking up.

Now… want to score a copy? Just leave a comment about your favorite character from The Guild. I’ll pick one of you at random next week. Good luck!

The Guild: Season 4 on DVD [Amazon]

Over the last few months we have seen a number of comics hit big, milestone issues. Spawn hit #200 while Iron Man #500 hit the stands last month. And in June, the granddaddy of all comic books, Action Comics, will turn 900.

This got me thinking; anniversary issues used to be really big deals. They used to signify the end or beginning of a shift in the direction of a book, or were used as an opportunity to get some top notch creative people together to tell a great story.

Unfortunately, most of the time they are over hyped, lackluster disappointments that leave us feeling let down. But every now and then they manage to get it right. So what are the best anniversary issues ever? Read on to see my top 10 anniversary comics of all-time.

10. Superman #75

Yes, the story itself was a bit lacking, but you could not escape this comic when it came out in 1992. The media was all over it (and this was before the whole social network thing) and people were lined up outside comic shops to get a copy. When was the last time that happened? It was a comic that lived up to the hype and got everyone excited about Superman again, which is what the best anniversary issues do.

9. Flash #350

When the Flash series ended with #350, in a lot of ways it was also the end of DC Comics as people knew it. Crisis on Infinite Earths was just beginning, Superman and Wonder Woman were heading toward total reboots and the next year would see the redefining of Batman with The Dark Knight Returns. This tale of Barry Allen closed the book on the character and that style of DC storytelling. When they say they don’t make comics like they used to, they are talking about books like Flash #350.

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