The world of professional wrestling has a cast of characters not so different than comics. You have your heroes and villains, both fighting for domination, or a championship. Legendary comic artist Jill Thompson has been busy designing ring attire for WWE superstar, Daniel Bryan (aka former residential indie legend, Bryan Danielson). Blog@ talked to Thompson about the inspirations that went into the designs, as well discussed her love of the sport, and whether she’d ever step into the ring.

Blog@: Who approached who on designing Bryan’s ring gear?

Jill Thompson: Bryan approached me. I would have never thought to do it if he hadn’t contacted me. I ‘armchair design’ some gear during shows, you know…you see someone who could use some pizazz or some color….everyone ‘s got black trunks because they are a tough guy…which gets a bit boring for me as a viewer… However I’ve never sought out anyone to ask them if I could redesign their gear.

Blog@: Bryan has a history of pretty simplistic attire, Jill what was your artistic approach to his designs?

JT: He asked me to design something cool, but to continue to use his colors of maroon and white. He said “Make me look like a superhero.”  and, as far as superhero gear goes, I’m a fan of stuff that looks wearable. I like to make things that look fashionable and functional, based on real world clothing.  So, I took my cue from Bryan’s name, “The American Dragon”. I thought to myself, what’s an American Dragon? A mythic powerful beast? Yeah, but taken to another more symbolic level? It’s a Hot Rod. A Muscle Car. Something that has great power and is uniquely American that the rest of the world still looks at and goes, “Aww Yeah! That is awesome!”

And Bryan has a classic American guy look. Like a Paul Newman. He’d look just fine sitting behind the wheel of a ’67 mustang or something. White t-shirt and jeans kinda timeless American style. I wanted to mix all of those elements up with a little bit of Evel Knieval thrown in for good measure. The first gear I designed for him was the boxer style hoodie jacket with the white stripes and flames. Just like the hood of a Mustang. The Dragon logo is an homage to the Mustang grill ornament and the lettering style is based on the Ford Mustang logo. I added hot rod style flames into it because I love how those things look and I thought it added another subtle Dragon-y element to it. I also design with the idea that these jackets (not the trunks or kick pads) could be worn outside the ring. I want Bryan to look at it as something he  could wear as civilian clothing.

Yeah, I know it’s got his name on it…but it has to. I’ve also sent him a few tshirt designs based on his gear. I want fans to see his gear and think, “Damn, I want a jacket like that!” That first jacket, in my notes, I was suggesting a soft fabric, like a really light hoodie material, lined with a jersey knit t shirt type fabric with no cuffs on the sleeve. But the gear maker chose another material. Leather or something. Which looked cool as well…it’s odd. You picture something in your head, but you don’t really know if the type of fabric you see in your head exists. Or if the gear maker has access to a a huge variety of fabric. Not everyone lives in the Garment District of NYC. How do designers get textiles made? Thats what I need! Access to a textile factory! And all of the subsequent gear I’ve designed since then, I’ve based on that first concept as well, just tweaked it in different ways. I’m trying to keep his closet full of a wide variety of outfits!

Blog@: For those that might not know, you’re actually a really big wrestling fan. How long have you watched wrestling programs?

JT: I remember watching  boxing and wrestling once with my Grandpa. It was on a Sunday and it was on a black and white TV. I didn’t know the difference between boxing and wrestling because of the ring, y’know. But I remember sitting on his lap and him being so animated the chair tipped over with both of us in it. Then he took out his false teeth and laughed and scared me silly! And the funny thing is- that could have been three separate instances, but I remember them all as one now. The next time I watched in earnest was when Hulk Hogan was blown up all over the world in the ’80′s. And then I didn’t really watch again until one Saturday morning when Brian [Azzarello] found it on my TV and we watched together. So that was mid 1990′s. I remember the debut of Mankind very well. All of those promos leading up to his debut, with him in the cellar, and there were rats and stuff and he was rocking back and forth…and then pretty much every Monday night more or less since the mid 90′s.

And, before you ask– No. I was NOT into the NWO. Sorry, everyone. I hated them. They stood around and did nothing as far as I was concerned. I liked the Guerreros and Rey Mysterio and other guys in WCW. In fact, my heat with them was so real I made Brian turn the channel when they came on. And I think that’s right about when  Steve Austin ‘broke’ into Brian Pillman’s house and Pillman had a gun out to defend himself. The soap opera lover in me was kinda hooked on that but at the same time I would get pissed at all of those type of  gimmicks on one level saying…”Oh, that guy’s got a gun and we hear a shot and then we just cut back to the ring announcer? Oh, Please, that’s so fake! How can they even show that!?”  But I got lost in the story quickly and forgot my cynical ways.

Blog@: Using the current WWE Superstar roster, whose gear would you love to design? What about anybody else from the indie scene? Colt Cobana, maybe?

JT: I’m happy designing Bryan’s gear for as long as he wants me to. It’s a good mix. I don’t  have ideas for random guys on the roster. It just happened that comics and wrestling mixed together in the right way for us. I work well off of a mutual admiration type of relationship. He knew my work and was a fan of it and was a fan right back.  He had an established gimmick that he was going to keep. He knew what he liked and gave me some direction. It’s important that the character be there for me to create something. And I’m really lucky that he’s liked most everything I’ve designed for him. Its really thrilling to see my drawings come to life. This latest set of gear has really gotten some nice compliments.

There are some guys who have asked me to design something, but unfortunately I haven’t been able to come up with anything! I’m also not a great logo designer, so when someone wants their name all fancied up, I might do better to send them to a logo designer or graphic designer. Just so they will get the best job. I mean I can do a little of that, but, it’s not something I think about all the time and I have no idea how to do stuff on the computer in photoshop and the like and that seems very computer necessary. I did design a couple of ring robes for Christopher Daniels. He was looking for something when he was in ROH. Something that would compliment his existing gear. I like what I designed for him, but I think his character in TNA has gone in a different direction. I’ll get to something for Colt one day. We’ve talked about it. A singlet of some sort. He’s got definite ideas of what he likes. I haven’t clicked with the right thing yet for him. But you never know.

Blog@: Wrestlers usually portray characters that are larger than life, do you think there is a correlation between the entertainment aspect of wrestling and super hero comics?

JT: I think that’s an easy answer: of course there is. Visually, the way the characters and the wrestlers look. The physicality of it, the costuming, the promos… all portrayed in the wrestling ring, which is kind of like a comic panel, if you think about it. And the characters break outside its panel borders on a regular basis. The commentators are the captions. The promos are the dialogue or in some cases monologue. All that talking works better in wrestling than in comics, because the voice overs don’t interfere with you being able to see the actual wrestling, the way it would if it was word balloons.

Blog@: Jill do you think that there’s a hidden wrestling superstar within you?

JT: Hidden? You do not know me well, sir!  I’ve got an affinity for the theatrical! I love to entertain an audience though a story and I’ve always been fairly strong… But the cardio! Lord, that’s some intense cardio!

Blog@: Do you have any more designs for Bryan in mind? Maybe something specific for a future world champion?

JT: There are three that have been on TV and two more in the works. When they come to me, I illustrate them, write notes on them and then send them to Bryan. He let’s me know if he likes them and then he gets them made. There are a couple cool ones that could be made in time for Wrestlemania!

Once a week I sift through the millions of Etsy listings to find the best in geek chic for Blog@ readers. Last time I had a little something for everyone by showcasing an item for each member of the new Justice League but I’m going in a different direction this week. Princess Peach used to be relegated to the end of each Super Mario Bros. level but she’s come a long way since then, even starring in her own titles. Here’s a few fun items I found on the craft website.

Princess Peach is known for her trademark pink dress, bouncy hair and of course, her crown. Here’s an 8-Bit Princess Gold Mirror Laser Cut Necklace from user neighborhoodstory. It’s almost big enough to wear on your head and sells for $12.

The famous Princess has had a starring role in video games but none quite like this. It’s a piece of art titled “Princess Peach escapes the Castle” by user ArtbyMcKenzie. The piece was created for a Nintendo-themed art show and is being sold for $315.

Need to light some torches to see your way in that grubby castle? Why not use this Princess Peach Perler Bead Lighter Case/Sleeve on your favorite lighter and scare all the ghosts away? From user J3S13, $5.

Princesses Peach and Daisy are looking absolutely fabu in this print from user the Gorgonist, except here, they are Princes! Also check out the Mario Monster Girls, both $7 each.

And just because I can’t resist a puppster in a costume, here is a PRINCESS PEACH NINTENDO Dress Dog Costume. User YoungUrbanPuppy has will make it custom to fit your pup for $24.50. And yes, Mario, Luigi, Daisy and Bowzer costumes are also available should you wish to inflict them on your best friend.

As always, bear in mind, since Etsy is a craft website and not a commercial, mass-market dealer, items are almost always one-of-a-kind or in very limited availability. When you see something you like, buy it. It may not be there the next time you surf round. (Yes, it’s a very dangerous site for your wallet.) Also, since most items are created individually, many sellers are willing to customize something specifically to suit your needs. Just ask!

Once a week I sift through the millions of Etsy listings to find the best in geek chic for Blog@ readers. As a special treat for the start of a brand-new era at DC Comics and the release of Justice League #1, I’ve found one item for each new member of the team. Or at least the members on the cover.

First up, Superman! You’d definitely stand out toting around this Superman Comic Bag. User RebelDowntown created this with comic fabric as the exterior and lined it with red silk on the interior. $35.

l’m kinda in love with this Flash Handmade Felt Bird. “Member of the Justice Flock,” writers user TweetandTweed, “the Flash Bird (a.k.a. The Scarlet Speedster) has superspeed, which allows him to run and move extremely fast, use superhuman reflexes and seemingly violate laws of physics.” Also $35.

The last place you expect to find a Green Lantern is in the kitchen but if they were taking a break from intergalactic law enforcement to cook, I’d like to think they’d be wearing this Green Lantern Apron from user Jordandene. $50.

Who needs a utility belt when you can wear a regular belt? This brown leather and hemp Batman logo belt buckle is $30 from user GettingWeddy.

Ahh Aquaman. There wasn’t too much on Etsy for him but I thought this Recycled Comic ID holder was pretty cute. Just $4 from user Japip, with a different image on the opposite side.

On the other hand, there’s an abundance of Wonder Woman stuff on the crafting website. This Wonder Woman tissue box caught my eye as something different. From user buckaroosmercantile for $14.95.

Pickings were rather slim when it came to the newest member of the new Justice League, Cyborg. I found this Cyborg Mini Plushie from user snowtigra for $5 and this Smallville-era Cyborg t-shirt from JamesLinckeCreations for $17. Hopefully we’ll see a lot more items once the new series gets going.

As always, bear in mind, since Etsy is a craft website and not a commercial, mass-market dealer, items are almost always one-of-a-kind or in very limited availability. When you see something you like, buy it. It may not be there the next time you surf round. (Yes, it’s a very dangerous site for your wallet.) Also, since most items are created individually, many sellers are willing to customize something specifically to suit your needs. Just ask!

You all know I had some strong thoughts over DC’s decision to take Barbara Gordon out of the chair and return her to Batgirl duty. Well, it’s long past due Babs had a chance to speak for herself. Here are her semi-sensored thoughts on the DC relaunch…

That’s comedy gold right there.

Barbara Gordon is really Teal Sherer. You may know her better as Venom, the vicious video game vixen from Felicia Day’s web series The Guild. Sherer, like Oracle, is a paraplegic, having broken her spine in a car accident when she was fourteen. So as you can imagine, just like I do, she has a very strong connection to the DC comics character and also like the character and myself, Sherer doesn’t let her disability get in her way. Or stop her from making hilarious videos.

Check out the trailer for Sherer’s “My Gimpy Life,” which premiered at the ITV Festival earlier this month.

Once a week I sift through the millions of Etsy listings to find the best in geek chic for Blog@ readers. I showcased some fancy Catwoman art last week in honor of the reveal of Anne Hathaway in The Dark Knight Rises. This week the remake of Fright Night hits theaters and instead of using this as an excuse to search for David Tennant related items on Etsy, I chose to stick with the film’s theme of hunting vampires.

You won’t see the Boys and Girl Scouts of America handing out this merit badge. And that’s exactly why you need it. User StoriedThreads will help you inform everyone of your accomplishment with this Vampire Hunter Patch. Measures three inches and runs $7.  (more…)

Once a week I sift through the millions of Etsy listings to find the best in geek chic for Blog@ readers. Last week it was geeky jewelry by starbrightsilver, this week, it’s the cat’s meow. I’m talking of course about Catwoman. She’s been buzzing the last week thanks to the reveal of Anne Hathaway’s costume in The Dark Knight Rises so I thought I’d take a look around Etsy and see what Selina was up to. Catwoman has inspired a lot of people through the years and Etsy sellers were no different. I decided to focus squarely on art inspired by the character this time around.

The current Catwoman costume gets some love from user TimmyK. Titled “The CatWoman,” you can get this print for $12. He’s got some other great Gotham characters in his store too.

Lots of people have played Catwoman through the years but this lady is a favorite of a lot of fans. The Julie Newmar as Catwoman print is by user LauraGuzzo and sells for just $5. This artist also contributed a fantastic piece for Wonder Woman Day last year which she’s also selling as a print.

You probably know that Adam Hughes took a lot of inspiration from actress Audrey Hepburn while illustrating Catwoman through the years, well he’s not the only one. User Nude Squid (who admits inspiration from Hughes) created this Audrey Hepburn styled Catwoman print selling for $40.

User SilviaHKitty15 titles this one simply, “Catwoman,” but it’s of course a rendition of the animated Selina Kyle. This one is the actual original painting and is going for $75.

And finally, my favorite of the bunch, “Toxic Love.” By user ToxicAppleStudios, the print comes on gator board, ready to hang. $41.

As always, bear in mind, since Etsy is a craft website and not a commercial, mass-market dealer, items are almost always one-of-a-kind or in very limited availability. When you see something you like, buy it. It may not be there the next time you surf round. (Yes, it’s a very dangerous site for your wallet.) Also, since most items are created individually, many sellers are willing to customize something specifically to suit your needs. Just ask!

The Boy Wizard overtook the Dark Knight over the weekend to become the highest grossing weekend film opening of all time with $168.8 million dollars in ticket sales in the North America alone. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 made a whopping $476 million worldwide.

Deathly Hallows Part 2′s $168.8 million easily overtook the previous record holder, 2008′s The Dark Knight’s $158.4 million, over the weekend. It also beat Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides from earlier this year which at the time held the biggest debut at the international box office when it made $262 million.

Warner Bros. Pictures President of Domestic Distribution, Dan Fellman said in a statement, “These numbers are amazing, but they are only part of the story. It is impossible to quantify how thrilled and grateful we all are that both critics and audiences — especially loyal Harry Potter fans — continue to support the film. This is the culmination of an extraordinary decade, and a reflection of the hard work and dedication of many, many people on both sides of the camera, beginning with the brilliant J.K. Rowling, as well as producer David Heyman. We applaud them all.”

President of International Distribution, Veronika Kwan-Rubinek said, “Harry Potter is truly a cultural phenomenon the world over. Whether in German, French, Japanese, Russian, or any language, international audiences have embraced the Harry Potter films over the years, with the powerful finale punctuating just how special the property is.”

The fellow Warner Bros. franchises shared the screen over the weekend as well. The first teaser for The Dark Knight Rises played before Deathly Hallows Part 2.

Once a week I sift through the millions of Etsy listings to find the best in geek chic for Blog@ readers. Last week I gave you a Grab Bag assortment of geeky items from the crafting website but this week is something closer to my heart – Harry Potter. J.K. Rowling’s über-successful book series has already come to a close but this week sees the final installment of the film franchise. And boy am I bringing tissues with me to the theater. Even though the end will be sad, Harry Potter will remain awesome in my eyes forever. Here is a special extended edition of Etsy Made Me Do It. Accio crafts!

One of the biggest parts of going to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry is getting sorted into one of the four Houses. User TheTrendySparrow lets you choose for yourself! (Something Harry was able to do) Here is a Slytherin Keepsake Trinket box measuring 6 1/4″ x 3″ x 3 1/2″ with Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff also available for $17 each. A larger Gryffindor box is also for sale for $27 or a Golden Snitch box for $22.

The crazy words Rowling created for her magical spells have become imbedded in my brain. Why not wear them? These Harry Potter Custom Word or Charm Necklace Silver or Gold are certainly one way to do it! User chloe24k will send you one of your choice for $24.

Although each House has their own crest, Hogwarts itself has one that combines all four. You can show your school pride with this Harry Potter Antiqued Looking Crest Wall Art Print. User pixturethis created a collage of 8.5″ x 11″ prints, 9 of them making a minimum size of 25.5″ x 33″ wall hanging overall. The collection comes framed, $45.

The films have spawned countless amounts of fan art through the years but some of my favorites have been fan-made posters. These Vintage Harry Potter Movie Poster Collection are some of the best I’ve seen. But then again, I’m a sucker for the minimalist approach. The posters are 11×17 and user balancedpersonality has a set of 7 for $90. He also has them each sold separately in his shop for $15.  (more…)

Once a week I sift through the millions of Etsy listings to find the best in geek chic for Blog@ readers. With the arrival of a new Transformers film last week I decided I’d see what Etsy had to offer in the way of Autobots and Decepticons. This week I thought I’d mix it up. When I do my searches for the column I tend to come across a lot of other really neat items that don’t fit into that week’s theme. But I do bookmark them for later and instead of waiting to bunch them together with other similar items, I’m going to show you a few of them now. I’ll probably wind up doing this now and again because honestly, there’s way too many cool things on Etsy.

It’s safe to say I can never get enough Doctor Who, so when I came across this Empty Child Mini-Print I exploded with glee. User myarmcanfly will sell you this 3.5×5 inch print for $4. I almost did an artist highlight on this seller but I recently did a very large Doctor Who-centric post and didn’t want to overdo it. That being said, please do check out the other Doctor Who prints this user has to offer. Particularly the Ood.

I’m almost purely paying lip service to myself (The Nerdy Bird) with this one. It’s a set of Superhero Wine Charms where the superheroes are made to look like birds. User spiffycool has The Punisher, Superman, The Joker, Batman, The Hulk, Spider-Man and Harlequinn in the set for $39.95. If you don’t drink wine or don’t have use for all of them, spiffycool can make any of them into a pendant, keychain, bookmark or tie tack. Nerdy Bird Fact: I have the Batman-bird charm as a necklace.

And well, if you ARE a wine drinker or a drinker of liquids of any type, might I suggest picking up a set of 4 Mario Themed Coasters to rest them on? User toasterovens has a wide selection of Mario imagery to choose from and they come in a Nintendo controller shaped holder to keep them in when not in use. Though it it were me, I’d keep these out all the time. $25.

There are a lot of fun geek aprons out there these days but these Made to Order Totally 80s Half-Aprons really caught my eye. It says 80s but as user razorbloom points out, she has 70s and 90s options available for you as well. For $53 you can choose from X-Men, Ghostbusters, Roger Rabbit, ALF and loads more.

And now for something I can’t figure out if I think is genius or way too awkward. It’s a Spider-Man Wrist Clutch made from a pair of boys underwear. User…wait for it…crotchtalk…has this one made fully lined with recycled white cotton fabric, sturdy nylon wrist strap and zipper closure for $20.

As always, bear in mind, since Etsy is a craft website and not a commercial, mass-market dealer, items are almost always one-of-a-kind or in very limited availability. When you see something you like, buy it. It may not be there the next time you surf round. (Yes, it’s a very dangerous site for your wallet.) Also, since most items are created individually, many sellers are willing to customize something specifically to suit your needs. Just ask!

You may have already seen the Captain America: The First Avenger food and beverages at Dunkin Donuts across the nation but it turns out the company is going one step farther than the run of the mill movie promotions. Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins are teaming with Marvel and Facebook for a contest celebrating the U.S. military.

With all the wacky promotional tie-ins we see these days, this one seems like a breath of fresh air. It’s called “America’s Super Soldiers.” From the press release:

Beginning today through July 15, 2011, fans can visit Dunkin’ Donuts’ or Baskin-Robbins’ official Facebook pages to nominate a veteran or active serviceperson, answering short questions about why their Super-Soldier is making a difference in their hometown and/or the communities in which they serve. The grand prize winning Super-Soldier, as selected by Dunkin’ Donuts, Baskin-Robbins and a representative from the USO, will win a cash prize of $5,000, a new high-definition television, a new Blu-Ray DVD player and a selection of DVD movies in which Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins products are featured.  And as a thank you, the nominator of the grand prize winner will also win a $1,000 cash prize and a $100 Dunkin’ Donuts Card.  Please visit the [Facebook app page] for official rules.

“Dunkin’ Brands is thrilled to partner with Marvel Studios to bring the excitement of Captain America: The First Avenger to our guests, and we are particularly proud that our America’s Super-Soldiers contest provides an opportunity to continue our tradition of recognizing both U.S. veterans and active servicemen and women who give selflessly,” said John Costello, Chief Global Marketing and Innovation Officer at Dunkin’ Brands. “We hope everyone will help us recognize these real-life heroes whose commitment to our local communities makes such a difference to so many people,” he said. The chain is also holding an instant win game and sweepstakes to win a trip to a Marvel film premiere in 2012 on their official website.

Besides putting a charitable spin on what is normally a pure promotional tool, I think it’s fantastic they actually have the USO involved in this too. Of course, if you don’t know of anyone to nominate you can still get a huge sugar rush with a Captain America Coollata in a First Avenger Tri-Cup, a Captain America Donut or a Stars & Stripes donut at participating locations.

With Oracle gone from the DCU, it was only a matter of time before the Birds of Prey put their headquarters in the Gotham Clocktower up for sale. Did you know it actually resided in Brooklyn, New York?

Located at 1 Main Street in Brooklyn, the building overlooks the Manhattan Bridge and the New York Harbor. I’m not making this up. There actually is a Clocktower building. In fact, I was just telling Gail Simone about it last week. I see the building while driving into Brooklyn to see my boyfriend and every time I thought, “Man, I gotta look up that building so I can write about its amazing likeness to the Birds of Prey headquarters.” The last time I drove by, I even thought how cool it would be if the clock part of the building was an actual apartment. Sure enough, this listing popped up on Yahoo news.

The actual Clocktower portion of the building holds a triplex penthouse apartment. In 2009, the asking price for the whole shebang? $25 million. Well a few months ago it went back on the market (I can’t believe there weren’t any takers!) for a mere $23.5 million. Turns out, the wealthy Gothamites, I mean, Brooklynites, weren’t biting on the 7,000-square-foot abode. So they decided to try something else.

The gigantic apartment is now for rent instead. For $50,000 a month. Well in THAT case! *reaches into pocket*

Currently, the Clocktower apartment sits atop Brooklyn’s most-expensive real estate list. The website Brownstoner writes, “According to StreetEasy, second-place honors go to 11 Cranberry, which can be had for $22,000 a month.” More details from the New York Times, “The main floor of the sleek modern apartment is dominated by four working clocks housed in four 14-foot-high round windows, which provide nearly unobstructed views (except for the clock faces) out to the four points of the compass.

“The 3,000-square-foot main floor has an open living room, dining room and kitchen with 16-foot-high ceilings,” writes the NYT, “There are three bedrooms on the 2,300-square-foot second floor (watch your head as you walk along the exterior walls), and on the floor above that, a 988-square-foot open loft with a 15-foot ceiling. Finally, up a narrow staircase at the very top of the building is a tiny windswept crow’s nest.”

There’s no name listed on the building, just a company. But that’s classic Oracle. I’m sure the real ownership runs through several dummy companies anyway. And just for the record, there’s an elevator in the apartment.

If you like hearing a grown woman cry, follow me on Twitter. I’m weeping over this. And buying a lottery ticket.

Once a week I sift through the millions of Etsy listings to find the best in geek chic for Blog@ readers. Last week I showcased some items from the X-Men. This week, in honor of the big announcements Nintendo is making at E3 I decided to look for some fashionable Nintendo related items. And yes, I’m sticking to our roots this time around. Nintendo, especially classic, does seem to encourage a lot of crafting…

So, I pretty much need this NES Zapper Desktop Lamp immediately. Partly because it reminds me of the Leg Lamp from A Christmas Story but mostly because it’s nostalgic-awesomeness AND useful! User Recycled Retro Gear can send you one for just $28 bucks in grey or orange.

This may look like just a regular, old Nintendo console but you’d be wrong. It’s a NESputer. That’s right. A computer housed in an old console. Made by user slothfish, for $850 it includes: 1.6ghz Dual-core Atom CPU, 2 GB DDR3 RAM, 750 GB Hard Drive, Nvidia ION graphics (9400gt), WiFi 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth wireless connectivity, HDMI out so you can plug right into your HDTV and 8 USB ports (6 in back, 2 connected to the front controller ports). If I hadn’t just bought a new computer…If you just need a hardrive though, check out this 500gb one from user 8bitmemory for $99.99 housed in an old Legend of Zelda cartridge.

When they say geek chic, this is what they mean. Try on this Gameboy Tube Dress from user HereandThereVintage for $60. Or, if you prefer to be a little more covered up, this other Gameboy dress from user LifeIsRandom for $40

Need a much COOLER place to charge your i-whatever? Check out this Rock Dock – Nintendo Joystick – iPhone/iPod/iTouch Dock from user GeekUnique for $44.99. Or, if you need more room on your desk, go for the Nintendo Controller version for $33.99.

Oh man, oh man. Something else I need to furnish my house, a NES Controller Rug. Dimensions are 28.5 x 13 inches and user WTCrafts will send you one to step all over for $63.

As always, bear in mind, since Etsy is a craft website and not a commercial, mass-market dealer, items are almost always one-of-a-kind or in very limited availability. When you see something you like, buy it. It may not be there the next time you surf round. (Yes, it’s a very dangerous site for your wallet.) Also, since most items are created individually, many sellers are willing to customize something specifically to suit your needs. Just ask!

Once a week I sift through the millions of Etsy listings to find the best in geek chic for Blog@ readers. And this time I’m going literal. Last week I put your brains to work with science! This week it’s all about letting your geek flag fly. Why? Because someone on Facebook told me tomorrow is Geek Pride Day.

Made up holiday? Absolutely! And also, according to Wikipedia, *ahem* “It shares the same day as three other science-fiction fan ‘holidays’ – Towel Day, for fans of the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy Trilogy by Douglas Adams, Star Wars Day, and the Glorious 25 May, for fans of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld.” And yes, I know May 4 is considered Star Wars Day too, May 25 is the day the original film hit theaters. Regardless, wanna let the world know what’s what? Try some of these on for size.

Geek Bookends for any type of literature you enjoy. Especially if it’s comic books. This set from user KnobCreekMetalArts run for $19.99 and are made from solid steel.

Geek isn’t the only label to wear proudly, nerd and dork are also terms to be employed. I should know, I go by The Nerdy Bird. Anyway, this Nerd/Dork cup and saucer set are reworked English Meaken coffee cups. From user trixiedelicious for $40.

If you prefer to let people know who you are all through the day, why not try this Laser Cut Geek Necklace from user Morphologica. Also check out the Dork variation as well. Both are $29.50 and are available in several colors.

I thought this Nerd Necklace was cute and simple. Made from sterling silver, user Underoakstudios says it’s, “Better than a pocket protector and knowing knowing Data’s “Ode to Spot” by heart for establishing nerd street cred.” $40

And last but not least, for a little Geek Contemplation comes this work of wooden art. User banished made this from 3/4″ solid maple and it measures 1 5/8″ x 4 3/16″. Yours for $12, or, if you prefer, the larger Nerd sign by WilliamDohman for $42 made from recycled plywood.

As always, bear in mind, since Etsy is a craft website and not a commercial, mass-market dealer, items are almost always one-of-a-kind or in very limited availability. When you see something you like, buy it. It may not be there the next time you surf round. (Yes, it’s a very dangerous site for your wallet.) Also, since most items are created individually, many sellers are willing to customize something specifically to suit your needs. Just ask!

Last week’s Etsy Made Me Do It focused on the Mighty Blonde One, Thor. Once a week I sift through the millions of Etsy listings to find the best in geek chic for Blog@ readers. This week I decided to showcase one Etsy user whose crafts I found particularly delightful. His username is spandexsplinters and I give you his wooden superheroes and villains.

“The Joker. Batman’s long time arch enemy. Not sure if he runs in fear or from The Joker’s Halitosis,” writes spandexsplinters. This Sinister Hand Carved Wooden Joker is 5.5 x 1 inch, carved out of basswood and finished with acrylic paints. $25. (more…)

Once a week I sift through the millions of Etsy listings to find the best in geek chic for Blog@ readers. Last week I showcased some snazzy geek glassware to wet your whistle, this week it’s all about the Mighty Blonde One. Marvel’s Thor hits theaters in the U.S. this Friday so in honor of the Thunder God I’ve found some items on Etsy worthy of his (or your) usage.

If you have no interest in owning a Flaming Thor Helmet there’s something wrong with you. Sure, you could potentially burn your house down but you’d look wicked awesome doing it. User MegaPlow has created this piece, complete with stand, for $400. Although he states in the listing, “I can not suggest you wear it, I recommend you never wear it, as its dangerous!” Verily.

Need a place to store a card? Try this Thor Recycled Comic ID, Bus or Metro Pass, Library Card Holder from user Japip. The comics are posted on black paper then covered in vinyl and sewn together to create this item which sells for $4.

Just imagine all the information you could fit in Thor’s head. Approximately 4GB thanks to this Thor USB Flash Drive! User Monstoes created this and several other cool USBs from vending machine toys. Sells for $29.95

Even Thor needs to wear a suit sometimes, right? When he does, I’d like to think he wears Mighty Thor’s Hammer Mjollnir Cufflinks. User TheCrossings has these made from pewter and hand paints them. $35.

I’m not sure it would be entirely fair for Thor to play golf but that doesn’t mean you can’t play golf WITH Thor. Hence, the Thor Golf Club Cover. “Sized to fit clubs from the number 1 wood to your tiny putter, made out of acrylic fiber to prevent damage and it is machine washable,” says user TraceyKnits. This one is just $29 with many other superhero and geeky characters available.

As always, bear in mind, since Etsy is a craft website and not a commercial, mass-market dealer, items are almost always one-of-a-kind or in very limited availability. When you see something you like, buy it. It may not be there the next time you surf round. (Yes, it’s a very dangerous site for your wallet.) Also, since most items are created individually, many sellers are willing to customize something specifically to suit your needs. Just ask!

In a very cool graphic showcase, one YouTube user has taken a slew of Batman’s symbol designs through the years and morphed them from one to the next. Beware: U2′s “Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me” from Batman Forever plays in the background.

User Antupainamku includes the details of each symbol which for some are film or television credits while others are specific comic book cover or interior designs. The first comes via Detective Comics 1942, “Batman with Robin, The Boy Wonder,” the last comes from “Superman & Batman vs Alien & Predator” from DC and Dark Horse in 2007. It’s far from complete of course but definitely cool to see a good chunk of them put together.

But in a good way. No, really. I don’t have a face anymore. That’s how amazing this is. Watch.

Waiting for July 15th is going to be brutal.

No, not the ones your wear on your face, the kind you drink out of. Once a week I sift through the millions of Etsy listings to find the best in geek chic for Blog@ readers. Last week I did a special extended edition of the column to celebrate the Season 6 premiere of Doctor Who and emptied your wallets in the process. I’ll try to go a little easier on this week. Sort of. Not really. There’s been lots of neat promotional glasses through the years (the Star Wars Burger King ones come to mind) but I’ve found some really cool, handmade geek glassware on Etsy I think you’d enjoy drinking your favorite beverage out of.

No matter which seat you sit in on the bridge, I’ve got a Star Trek Wine Glass for you. For $60 user ImpulsiveCreativity will give you a set of handpainted glasses. You’re choice of either these wine glasses shown or red or white wine, martini, champagne, pilsner, stemless, shot, tumbler or juice glasses. Also check out this Frosted Trekkie hiball glass from user JackGlass for something more subdued, $17.99.

What orc, troll or tauren wouldn’t want to drink out of a World of WarCraft Horde Mug? The famous political symbol from the MMORPG is etched on the 20 oz. glass by user harleyquinn86, $15.

Sure, they weren’t made to be geeky but these Vintage Zombie Glasses would be perfect for your Walking Dead premiere party this fall, don’t you think? Especially if you serve, as user beautifulandhorrible suggests, actual zombie drink recipes in them. The set of 5 for $45.

What could be more appropriate than this Iron Man Tumbler? If it had Tony Stark passed out on the other side perhaps? Either way, user aradiadiane says, “You can show your love for Iron Man by using one of these 16 oz. glasses instead of drinking straight from the bottle.” $15

Such a cool idea! A set of 4 Piranha Plant Short Champagne Glasses. User CrossP has handpainted this set for $35 and promises they don’t bite. S/he also has several other Mario themed glasses. Another favorite of mine? The Mario Mega, Bee, Boo, and Mini Mushroom Glasses for $55.

As always, bear in mind, since Etsy is a craft website and not a commercial, mass-market dealer, items are almost always one-of-a-kind or in very limited availability. When you see something you like, buy it. It may not be there the next time you surf round. (Yes, it’s a very dangerous site for your wallet.) Also, since most items are created individually, many sellers are willing to customize something specifically to suit your needs. Just ask!

The sixth season of the longest running sci-fi show on television is premiering Saturday on BBC America (concurrent with the UK!). I’m speaking of course about Doctor Who. Once a week I sift through the millions of Etsy listings to find the best in geek chic for Blog@ readers. And I’ve been waiting patiently to do this one. Last week I found some wacky Portal related objects on the crafting site but this time around, it’s all about the Doctor. And his companions. And his enemies. And the TARDIS. Yes, it’s a special extended edition of Etsy Made Me Do It. (I apologize to your wallets in advance.)

Without further ado…ALLONS-Y!

There’s been a lot of Doctor Who novelization over the last 47 years, not to mention a good number of DVD releases. Well how would you like to hold them up in style with these Doctor Who bookends? They’re pretty epic if you ask me. User TheophilusSaxe made them out of hard engineering-grade plaster with a resin TARDIS and felt bottom. Just $49.99. Or, if you’d prefer just to stare at something awesome that serves no other purpose, check out his Doctor Who dioramas: Ice Box, Knock knock who’s there, and Boxed Lunch, $19.99 each. (more…)

Once a week I sift through the millions of Etsy listings to find the best in geek chic for Blog@ readers. Last time, I welcomed our new robot overlords, this week…I can’t wait to play against them. I’m talking about the video game Portal. The sequel is just days away from jumping into my XBOX and I can’t wait to play it. It’s for this reason I found some of the best Aperture Science had to offer on Etsy.

Who are you? What is that? Oh, What’s that? What’s THAT? What is THAT? That, my friends, is a stuffed Talking Curiosity Sphere. One of the best parts of Portal was the insane voiceovers from these guys, now user Penguinotic can send you one for $45. No promises it will talk to you. Or, if you’d prefer something smaller, there’s the Portal Pendant Bundle from sweetgeek which includes 4 spheres, two turrets and a cake. $21.

The Enrichment Center reminds you that the Weighted Companion Cube will never threaten to stab you and, in fact, cannot speak. Unlike the Curiosity Spheres, the Companion Cubes were your trusty companion throughout Portal. Even when you had to incinerate them. There are lots of Companion Cube products on Etsy but I found this Aperture Weighted Companion Cube keychain/zipper pull from user geekoutlet for $12 to be quite swell.

Aperture Science knows your safety is their first priority. Why else would they post these signs to warn you what’s ahead? The Aperture Lab Warning Signs are 3″ x 3″ and can be stuck on your laptop or just about anywhere else you need warning. From user lovesickrobotdesigns, $13 for the batch. Or, if you’d like just one, check out the Portal Safety Sign Laptop Decal from GlueJunkie for $9.

What would Portal be without portals? A person stuck in a room. So it’s a good thing Aperture Science invented them. Now, you can wear one around your neck with this Portal necklace from user AngelElements for $14.20. But wait! It’s reversible! Flip the necklace over and your exit portal is ready and waiting.

Cake, and grief counseling, will be available at the end of the testing period. I beat Portal and all I got was this lousy t-shirt? Well you may not have gotten any cake when you finally finished the game but you can warn others with this Cake Is A Lie t-shirt from user TheAardvark for $20. Bring your own snacks next time.

As always, bear in mind, since Etsy is a craft website and not a commercial, mass-market dealer, items are almost always one-of-a-kind or in very limited availability. When you see something you like, buy it. It may not be there the next time you surf round. (Yes, it’s a very dangerous site for your wallet.) Also, since most items are created individually, many sellers are willing to customize something specifically to suit your needs. Just ask!