It seems like only yesterday we were all down in San Diego for the amazing geek-fest that is SDCC. Well, it was actually almost a year ago and that means it’s almost Comic-Con time again!

That also means you’re going to be seeing news about the Con from us, and pretty much everyone else on the Internets. May as well get used to it.

Kicking things off today is the announcement from Dark Horse about their exclusive store at the Con.

Here’s all the info from the Dark Horse’s mouth (See what we did there?):

The largest and most highly anticipated pop culture event of the year is right around the corner, and Dark Horse is bringing you the latest and greatest in exclusive comics and products from Dark Horse Deluxe!

This year at the Dark Horse booth, a dedicated store will be open throughout the convention where fans can purchase these limited and highly collectible products.

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AD&D (aka Advanced Dungeons & Dragons) is here to stay and after almost forty years, it’s popularity has never been higher. Back in the day, we played a lot of adventure modules that came directly from original publisher TSR. Some of our favorites were the ones for beginners, like the “Slave Lords” series.

Now, we can get those modules again, this time in a brand new hardcover collection, complete with the original artwork. That’s right, Wizard of the Coast has got us covered:

Ranked the 20th greatest Dungeons & Dragons adventure of all time by Dungeon magazine in 2004, these four modules — A1: Slave Pits of the Undercity, A2: Secret of the Slavers Stockade, A3: Assault on the Aerie of the Slave Lords, and A4: In the Dungeons of the Slave Lords – are together again, complete with original black-and-white interior art.

Added to the collection is an all-new fifth adventure — A0: Danger at Darkshelf Quarry — that players can use to kick off an AD&D campaign that pits a group of adventurers against the evil Slave Lords! Module A0, designed for levels 1-3, sets the stage for events that unfold throughout the remainder of the “A” series.

The new collection is available today right here. Click through for full descriptions of the classic modules in the collection.

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People seem rather divided over the look of Apple’s new iOS 7. But love it or hate it, iOS 7 is here to stay. That’s great for iPhone and iPad users excited for the new OS, but what about people using Android smartphones?

Fortunately, Android users who do want the iOS 7 experience are in luck because an intrepid Android developer has decided to copy it and create a theme for Android called “jbOS 7.” The theme, who’s full name is “Jelly Bean OS 7,” is compatible with handsets running Android 4.0 and later.

Once installed, the theme mimics the look and feel of many aspects of the iOS 7 interface including the lock screen, home screens, some apps and the new app icons. The photo above gives you an idea of how that looks.

There’s also a handy video as well, which we’ve included after the break. For more on “jbOS 7″ or to get the files needed to install the theme, head on over to the developer’s website.

In truth, we’re not entirely sure why someone using Android would want to do this, but heck, who are we to judge? People do love to modify their Android devices. Maybe the iOS 7 theme will actually catch on?

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Welcome back boys and girls! Make sure to write me at kelly@theflickcast.com with your questions so we can use them on a future edition of For the Love of the Game. Here’s today’s question:

My girlfriend and I have been together for about nine months and things have gotten pretty serious for us. We are talking about moving in with each other after her apartment lease ends in July. The only thing I am worried about is she isn’t going to let me bring all of my stuff into the apartment. Even though it is going to be “ours”, I know she’s going to decorate it like it’s “hers”. So that means stuff like my XBox or the awesome Spider-Man statue I have or the Walking Dead hardcovers I have aren’t going to have a place to go. Any advice would be appreciated – Don’tWantToGiveUpMyStuff

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During a keynote presentation for Google I/O at San Francisco’s Moscone Center this morning, Google announced several new services and technologies including a new music service called Google Play Music “All Access” and a pure Android Samsung Galaxy S4 smartphone.

Google Play Music “All Access” gives users the ability to search through Google’s huge amount of songs and the ability to play them instantly. An all new UI allows you to swipe away songs if you don’t want them and the ability to make radio stations instantly based on one song.

The price of this new streaming service is $9.99 per month, but everyone gets a 30 free trial. If you are an early adopter and sign up before June however, your price is only $7.99 per month.

Google also announced they will sell a Samsung Galaxy S4 directly through Google Play with a stock Android experience, LTE support, connectivity on AT&T and T-Mobile. It will aos feature an unlocked bootloader, will receive updates promptly and offer the full “Nexus experience.”

The device will launch June 26 on Google Play for $649. Yeah, that’s a bit steep. Although, they’ll probably sell a ton of ‘em.

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Okay Star Trek: The Next Generation Fans, this one is for you. Without much in the way of introduction, let’s just say that not very many men can make something as ordinary as sitting down this artful and, yes, this manly.

So, thank you Commander Riker. We could all learn something from you. You are, indeed, a boss.

Click through to see exactly what we’re talking about.

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It’s difficult to put into words just how great this trailer is. However, as we get paid by the word around here, we should at least give it a try.

Well, to be sure, it’s amazing. So many great bits and so much pop culture and old-school sci-fi/action b-movie nostalgia all rolled into a slick package. And hey, the game, a stand-along expansion to Far Cry 3 itself, looks pretty fun too. It even stars famous sci-fi actor Michael Biehn, which is pretty cool.

If you haven’t seen this trailer for Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon, you should. In fact, click through immedietly and watch it. You won’t be sorry. Once you watch it, be sure to buy the game too. We need to support things like this.

Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon is available now for PS 3 via the Playstation Network and XBox 360 via XBox Live Arcade.

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As someone who made one or two commercials in the past, I can’t say all that much about the creative merits of this particular commercial except it didn’t really motivate me to buy an Audi. But that’s not really the purpose of this commercial anyway.

What’s the purpose then? Well, that’s debatable. However, to a Star Trek-loving geek like myself, I also say it’s pretty irrelevant. I just loved it because I get to see two great actors, who’ve played one of the most iconic characters in history, have a bit of fun. Plus, after today’s earlier sad news, I could use a bit of fun.

The two actors in question are Leonard Nimoy and Zachary Quinto who, of course, both played Spock in various incarnations of Star Trek. The commercial in question is “The Challenge” and in it Spock battles Spock to see who can get to the golf course first. The loser buys lunch. Who wins?

Well, I won’t spoil it for you except to say that the solution found by Spock is highly logical, pretty darn funny and a great twist.

Check out the commercial after the break.

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In celebration of Star Wars Day on May 4th, geek chic merchandise line Her Universe will be debuting six new Star Wars fashion pieces exclusively on Hottopic.com. Included in the release are several new tops and, for the first time, dresses featuring a galaxy far, far way. Featured characters include Boba Fett and Darth Vader as well as the Rebel trio, Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, and Princess Leia.

This is the second year that Hot Topic has teamed up with the fangirl line created by actress and entrepreneur Ashley Eckstein. Star Wars is in fact very dear to Eckstein’s heart; she was the voice of Ahsoka Tano on Star Wars: The Clone Wars.

“I am thrilled to be working with Hot Topic again to celebrate May the 4th Be With You,” said Ashley Eckstein. “I am also excited to debut a new design with one of our favorite guest designers, Denise Vasquez. Denise brought her unique ‘Day of the Dead’ inspired style to a new design featuring Boba Fett.”

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For things like movies, TV shows and games, it’s pretty easy to get excited about a certain product when you see a trailer or other prmo-type material. Movies, TV programs and games are tangible things we have a lot of experience with so we pretty much know what we’re getting into. Then there’s something like Google Glass.

This is a product so different and, at the moment, so scarce, it’s difficult to really know what to think about it. Is it the “next big thing” or is it jus another fad that will disappear as fast as it appeared? Time will tell.

What does help answer this question, at least a bit, is all the videos and more Google are putting out about Glass. In this latest one, a pretty comprehensive ‘How To”, Glass’ features and use are explained in detail.

The video shows you how to navigate the UI with the side touchpad, adjust the display for optimal viewing, and put the device to sleep to help conserve battery. It also gives a better look at the whole experience than what we’ve seen so far.

We’re still not convinced that Google Glass is the “next big thing” and/or a “must have.” However, it is nice to see more of what Google has in mind for the product. Who knows, if they keep this up, they might just convince us after all.

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This is probably one of the geekiest posts we’ve ever put up here, but that’s okay as we often love some hot tabletop gaming action. To make said hot tabletop action even hotter, you really need some cool terrain pieces to visually enhance your adventures.

Fortunately, the gang at Dwarven Forge has got you covered. If you haven’t checked out their Kickstarter campaign yet, you should. These things look great, are durable, modular and will lend that extra flair to all your tabletop gaming sessions. And really, who doesn’t want extra flair? I know we do.

This is what Kickstarter was made for. Take that money you were going to give to Zac Braff and instead, give it to something really cool with perks that will last a lifetime.

Plus, because their Kickstarter is sure to be funded, your donation could get you a veritable treasure trove of awesome gaming pieces. Something every geek needs in his or her bag of tricks.

So, what are you waiting for? You get to support an awesome Kickstarter campaign and get some amazing stuff for yourself. What could be better than that?

[Via Geek Dad]

If you’re a geek or gamer (or both), chances are you’ve played Dungeons & Dragons, or know someone who has. First introduced in 1974, D&D went on to become an international phenomenon selling over $1 Billion worth of books, 20-sided dice and related materials in over 30 countries.

To this day, many leaders in entertainment, and other industries, hail D&D as a major inspirations for their creativity and imagination. In short, it was quite a game. And to many, it still is. But where did it come from?

The common wisdom is D&D was invented by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, two friends who’s love of gaming led them to create the first rule books, and more, for what would become modern D&D and later, Advanced D&D. But is that the whole story?

Over at Geek Dad they’ve wondered the same thing and a statement about the discovery of a rare manuscript may just hold the key to unlocking the mystery of who really created the game. According to the statement by the Strong National Museum of Play, “A rare manuscript believed by some experts to be the earliest existing version of Dungeons & Dragons” is now on display at their Rochester, NY, museum.

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Last year on April Fool’s Day, Mimobot jokingly announced a Jar Jar Binks styled thumb drive in their line of Star Wars related storage accessories. Luckily, this was only a joke as it was revealed that they would not be taking it to the manufacturer. Everyone had a good laugh with sighs of relief.

But apparently there was some negative backlash over Jar Jar’s false Mimobot. And it wasn’t PTSD for those who contemplated bombing the Mimobot factory. It was from people who were actually disappointed that it wasn’t really happening.

It seems 500 people (which is our best guess since the Jar Jar Mimobot will only have 500 produced) made enough of a fuss to get Mimobot to create a thumb drive of the Gungan nightmare. After all, why would they risk making more Jar Jar Binks Mimobots than they believed they could realistically sell?

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Make sure to email me to get your question answered in a future installment of For the Love of the Game and check back every Friday for more relationship advice from me!

I’m dating this girl, but it always seems to be up and down. I never know if we’re dating or not, but I think I love her. I want to be exclusive, and even though she says she does too, everything changes so constantly that it’s hard to keep up. I never know when to text her, call her, or just leave her alone – HELP!
- LoveHerLikeWarcraft

Everyone has been there. That one relationship that your peers warn you against, your parents frown upon, and even you know better than to believe in. But for some strange reason, cause unknown to anyone with a modicum of functioning grey matter, you continue to chase the possibility – the idea of – “happily ever after”.

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We are introducing a new weekly column today. It isn’t going to be your normal geek column either. This one is coming from a girl. And not just any girl, a hot one.

Every Friday, come to The Flickcast for a brand new installment of “For the Love of the Game” where Kelly Smith will be guiding you in the ways of love and romance. But don’t take our word for it, listen to what Kelly herself has to say about it and make sure to write her with your questions and predicaments.

KELLY SMITH: Blogger. Undisputed, unofficial, self-proclaimed authority on anything amorous – a risque Dear, Abby.

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Happy Presidents Day Everyone! Or, those of you in the U.S. anyway. For the rest of you, happy Monday. You might find this interesting too.

In honor of the U.S.’s founding fathers (and those that have filled their shoes since) we are going to take a look at some of the most famous Presidential appearances in geek culture.

The Dead Presidents in Deadpool

With the most recent volume of Deadpool coming from Marvel’s “Marvel Now” campaign, Deadpool becomes an unofficial agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. to do the things that the agency needs done but cannot be officially affiliated with. In this first arc, Deadpool finds himself taking on the dead Presidents of the United States.

Not just one or two, but all of them. Teamed up with the ghost of Ben Franklin, the Merc with the Mouth chases down a wheel chair riding zombie FDR, dresses up as Marilyn Monroe for zombie JFK and goes head to head in a MMA ring against zombie Abe Lincoln to stop the dead Presidents under the leadership of zombie George Washington from taking back the USA.

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