This is a really fascinating project, and I hope you guys will take a second to consider giving to this Kickstarter project.

Donovan is an 8 year old boy with Aspergers Syndrome, ADHD, and Bipolar disorder. Star Wars has been an instrumental part of his therapy, dealing with his meltdowns. He refers to it as “The Dark Side” and the Jedi in the movies have taught him how difficult the struggle can be to deal with it.

Dealing with people who don’t understand his affliction had been difficult so, as a form of therapy, him, his mother, and his aids, are writing a book about how Star Wars has been helping him deal with his problems.

From the Kickstarter:

The book is called “Donovan and the Dark Side” because Donovan has used his love for Star Wars as a tool to help him with his disabilities. His Bipolar Disorder gives him sudden bursts of anger that he tries to fight. He learned from “Star Wars” about a Jedi’s need to fight their anger and stay away from “the Dark Side”. Donovan calls the anger within him “the Dark Side” and reminds himself of the Star Wars philosophy as he fights his anger with different techniques he’ll share in the book. One symptom of his Aspergers Syndrome is his difficulty understanding other people’s boundaries, so he tries to imagine himself as an X-Wing and respecting the “force fields” of other spaceships (or people) around him. The book will contain more examples of childlike ways to look at and deal with living with his disabilities.

I got to talk briefly to Joshua Lapin-Bertone, Donovan’s Mentor/Aid/Nanny, about the genesis of the project. “There were a few different factors. When Donovan was first diagnosed with Aspergers (we’ve known about Bipolar Disorder for years) last year his family and I wanted to figure out a way to better help him understand everything. We came up with the idea of doing a book and that evolved into Donovan participating as well. It’s sort of a therapy. The thing about it which appeals greatly to his mother is that it would help other people understand him since he deals with harsh judgement everyday (he was once called an “animal” by a neighbor).”

They want to put this out as an eBook and a printed novel early next year and are looking to put together money to publish it. It’s always great to see Star Wars used in this way and I’m always happy to spread the word for projects like this.

You can go ahead and pledge some money over at their kickstarter.

Art.Com has released a series of prints and posters featuring original artwork from Tintin’s years as a pop culture icon.

Their pieces are always top quality and I have a couple hanging in my house. They’re always great to have on your wall.

Big Shiny Robot! has graciously been given the opportunity to giveaway a $50 code to pick out a piece for yourself.

The contest will be open until December 18.

To enter, all you need to do is shoot us an email at editor (at) bigshinyrobot.com. Make the subject “TINTIN” For an extra chance to win, post on your Facebook wall asking all of your friends to like our Facebook page. Or you can ask your followers on twitter to follow us @BigShinyRobot. Or both.

Just be sure to mention in your email that you’ve done it.

If you can’t wait, go ahead and start shopping at Art.Com now.

Good luck.

*Promotion applies to order total before shipping, taxes, and duties. This offer cannot be applied to previous or pending purchases. This offer cannot be combined with any other offers, discounts, coupons or promotions, except that free shipping offers may be combined with already marked-down items. One coupon per order. This offer cannot be applied to the purchase of gift certificates. No discounts may be applied to the purchase price of any Thomas Kinkade Limited Editions. We reserve the right to cancel any order due to unauthorized, altered, or ineligible use of discount. We respect your privacy and will not share your email address with third parties for their marketing purposes.

I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not the biggest fan of the Men In Black series.

It just didn’t do much for me.

This movie looks like some sort of MIB mish-mash with Back to the Future or something. But is there even a coherent story in there? The production has been shut down at least once because they just started shooting without a script. What the hell kind of way to make a big summer blockbuster is that?

It just smacks of arrogance.

I dunno. Am I being too hard on Men In Black?

The man who created The Joker and the Boy Wonder has passed away.

Jerry Robinson’s contribution to the world of comics isn’t easily measured. Those two characters are two of the most iconic in the world and continue to remain as popular today as they were when they were created. Seriously. Try to imagine the Batman franchise, or the DC Comics Universe as a whole, without The Joker and Dick Grayson. It would not be a pretty sight.

He was also instrumental in getting Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster credited at the beginning of every Superman comic, a champion of artist’s rights throughout his storied career.

Mr. Robinson was 89. According to published reports, he died on Wednesday at a hospice in Staten Island.

I saw him at Comic-Con last year (or the year before?), scooting around in a motorized wheelchair and he seemed alert and involved. It’s sad to see someone this important go, but at 89, perhaps it was his time.

DC Comics sent us reactions of his passing from important figures in their organization:

“Jerry Robinson illustrated some of the defining images of pop culture’s greatest icons. As an artist myself, it’s impossible not to feel humbled by his body of work. Everyone who loves comics owes Jerry a debt of gratitude for the rich legacy that he leaves behind.”—Jim Lee, DC Entertainment Co-Publisher and artist of BATMAN: HUSH

“Jerry Robinson was one of the greats. He continued to be a vibrant, creative force well into his nineties, with ideas and thoughts that continue to inspire. Jerry was a great advocate for creators. It was my pleasure to meet and work with him. He will be missed.”—Dan DiDio, Co-Publisher, DC Entertainment

“It’s impossible to work at DC Entertainment­ without feeling the impact of Jerry Robinson’s contributions to the industry. His influence continues to resonate today.”—Bob Harras, DC Entertainment Editor-in-Chief

“Jerry Robinson was an innovator, a pioneer in storytelling. His artwork was always astonishing, but his contributions to the Dark Knight mythology go far beyond art. The streets of Gotham City are a little lonelier today…Jerry will truly be missed.”—Mike Marts, BATMAN editor

The Daily Show pretty much made my day by providing us with the below footage of Herman Cain. Upon announcing that he was suspending his run for president, Cain quoted Pokemon the Movie 2000:

“I believe these words…came from the Pokemon movie…Life can be a challenge. Life can seem impossible. It’s never easy when there’s so much on the line.” – Herman Cain quoting Pokemon the Movie 2000.

Now, I am really not all that into American politics, but I’m pretty sure this is about the geekiest reference ever made in a political resignation speech. I’m pleased that this will undoubtedly explode across the internet to become a fantastic meme. I’ve already spotted a few around the internet titled “Fear the Shellder of Knowledge.”

Correction: Cain actually quotes Pokemon the Movie 2000, and not Pokemon: the First Movie – thanks 90’s Kid!

This originally appeared on Huffington Post.

The usual gang of idiots over at MAD Magazine annually is releasing their list of the stupidest people, events, and things of the year next week and we have an advanced look.

Over the last few years, MAD has given Huffington Post readers an exclusive look at some of the things on the list, and this year is no exception. (Here’s a MAD look at John Boehner, MAD’s Dumbest Person of 2008, and their 2008 Election Coverage.)

If you ask me, their political commentary is often as spot-on and relevant as The Daily Show and SNL and it makes me proud to bring their idiotic visions of politics to the readers of The Huffington Post.

Their number one pick couldn’t hit the nail more on the head. And that it was able to mash up two of my favorite things (making fun of politicians and The Walking Dead) made me very happy.

This issue hits newsstands on 12/20.

I came across this fantastic video (via Geek Mom) of artist Bashir Sultani creating an image of Yoda out of nothing but table salt.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwyR0sSIODc&feature=player_embedded

The artist has his own YouTube channel where you can also see videos of him creating Batman, Avatar, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Elder Scrolls v Skyrim:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHkJt2ZAwyI&feature=channel_video_title

Again, absolutely incredible.  Check it out!

The geek girls here at Big Shiny Robot decided to get together and start a podcast, and we’re happy to present our very first two-part test episodes to see what you think! Consider it a preview of things to come in 2012 – the Big Shiny Girlcast will release once per month and include four of your favorite Big Shiny Robot geek girl writers – Bizarrobot (Erin), Miss Mecha (Jessie), Scarlett RoBotica (Kelly), and Wonderbot (Carly).

In the podcast, we’ll be bringing you geek news and chatting about video games, comics, movies, anime, sci fi, tech and more! And, of course, we’ll feature some geek girl news that you might not be getting from your other podcasts.

Since these are test episodes, please bear with us as we had a few audio issues in Part Two and are still working out how we want to run each episode. Part One features Miss Mecha and Scarlett RoBotica chatting about Miyazaki’s next film, Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, Black Friday and our review of The Muppets. Part Two features all four of us chatting about conventions, the fail-tastic Wonder Woman Pilot, and TONS more! (Part one was recorded on Sunday, November 27th. Part two was recorded in September.)

To get the episode, you can subscribe to “Big Shiny Robot’s Big Shiny Podcast”  iTunes feed and download the episode “Big Shiny Girlcast – December 11” for free. Most importantly from all this, we’d like you to let us know what you think! Listen to both parts and let us know what you think works and what you think doesn’t work so great. We had a blast recording these and hope you like em!

Please leave constructive comments or criticism right underneath this post. Thanks for listening!

Charlie Chaplin is one of my absolute favorite filmmakers. His mastery of emotion through cinematic storytelling is second-to-none. Few realize that he made as many powerful talking pictures as he did, though none more as impacting as The Great Dictator. Released in 1940, it’s about a Jewish barber mistaken for an Adolf Hitler-like dictator. At the end, he gives one of the most rousing speeches in film history, and perhaps the most patriotic since -lFCsYOPs”>Jimmy Stewart’s filibuster in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.

Someone has taken the great time and care to mash up Chaplin’s rousing speech with footage of Darth Vader and The Clone Wars and it is absolutely brilliant.

After you’ve listened to the Darth Vader version, be sure to watch the Chaplin version. It’s no less rousing, but not as appropriate for this forum on its own. The speech itself gets me teary-eyed. Coupling that with the tragedy of Darth Vader sent me over the edge. Well played, sirs.

Swashbuckling pirates, drug smugglers, bungling detectives, an intrepid reporter, and a loyal canine companion . . . The Adventures of Tintin Season One has it all!

I was not familiar with Tintin, based on Belgian artist Hergé’s classic comic books, until I learned that Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson were working together to make a film based on the series.  And though the movie won’t be released in theaters until December 21, everyone can become acquainted with Tintin and his dog Snowy by watching the The Adventures of Tintin DVD set.  Tintin travels the globe as he uncovers secrets and solves mysteries,  accompanied by surly sea captain Captain Haddock and the bungling detective twins Thomson & Thompson.

This is a two-DVD set that contains seven episodes, including two that inspired the  upcoming feature film:  The Secret of the Unicorn and Red Rackham’s Treasure. In addition to the new movie and the animated series, Tintin and his friends have appeared in a BBC radio series and stage plays.  The graphic novels have been translated in 80 languages and have been published in over 50 countries.  A quick glance at Amazon reveals that the graphic novels can be purchased online, including a collector’s set that combines 23 issues.

But the real question is, should you buy the DVD set?  Yes!  I heartily recommend it.  From the moment I saw the fast-paced opening title sequence, I knew I would love it.  You can view the “Adventure Montage” below:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOSBHIwzpB4

I also think the voices are perfect for the characters, the animation is lovely, and the stories are captivating.  Often, animated series are directed at children, but Tintin most certainly is not.  While kids may enjoy it, I think it’s mostly for adults who can appreciate the well-written dialogue and suspenseful plots.  Tintin often gets involved in dangerous cases, and waiting to see how he’ll get out of the next scrape keeps you glued to your seat.

He reminds me a little bit of Nancy Drew in that he seems to naturally stumble into these mysteries and tends to put all of the pieces together before the so-called professionals even realize what has happened.  He’s also very friendly, genuine, and smart, which makes him a very easy character to like.

The supporting cast is equally great.  Captain Haddock isn’t quite as sharp as Tintin, but he’s very spirited and entertaining to watch.  And though the visual gags with the detective twins could likely get old after watching too many episodes, I love their accents.  A little reminiscent of Mr. Banks in Mary Poppins, perhaps.

This is easily one of the best animated series I’ve seen in a long time, and I’m now even more eager to see the film.