Katharine Trendacosta

Star Trek Writer’s Defense of Diversity in Sci-Fi Is Damn Near Perfect

When a reader wrote in to say that a recent plotline in David Mack’s Star Trek books — one where a Vulcan had an affair with a Klingon spy, and they both happened to be women — meant that they wouldn’t be reading his books anymore, they didn’t expect a response. But they got one.…

“Blank Is My Middle Name” Is Over 100 Years Old

This trope has moved from being a badass boast to being a joke fairly recently, considering that it peaked in the 80s and can be traced to 1902. Esoteric is our other middle name. Watching this supercut made me wonder who popularized this trope. Thankfully,Stephen Chrisomalis at Glossographia had already done the legwork for me.…

What Are the Chances of Kick-Ass 3 Coming to the Big Screen?

Mark Millar seems to think there’s a chance. But the numbers from Kick-Ass 2 make it seem unlikely. Which is an opinion shared by the stars of the films. Speaking with Comic Book Resources about finishing the comic book series Kick-Ass 3, the question was naturally asked if there was a film adaptation on the…

With This Look, Facial Recognition Software Won’t Be an Issue

But you’ll still be pretty distinct looking. These three photos are the work of Julien Palast‘s “Mr. Beast” series. And if a textured face doesn’t float your boat, take a look at Mr. Lune: Another excellent series by Palast is “SkinDeep,” which is both a technicolor beauty and, if you think about what it would…

Your Daily Happy: Two Red Pandas Playing

Sometimes, watching two animals in a slow, playful tussle is just what we need. And, just to forestall the debate, the red panda is not closely related to the more famous giant panda. It used to be classified as part of the bear and raccoon families, but now it has a family name all its…

Outlander set a ratings record for Starz and, defying stereotype, the audience was 45% male. 720,000 watched the premiere on Saturday, reaching 2.3 million over the weekend. Add in 1.4 million from online and VOD airings and the total audience is 3.7 million. [TV Line]

Which Female Hero ISN’T Going to Be Dead In Ant-Man?

Rumor has it a familiar face will show up in Batman v. Superman as a part of Bruce Wayne’s past. Plus another Wonder Woman rumor. We know a few details about Steven Spielberg’s The BFG and how it differs from the Roald Dahl book. Steven Moffat quashes rumors about a Doctor Who villain’s return. Spoilers…

A Very Special Witches of East End: Don’t Make Supercocaine With Magic

That’s evil 70s Dash, snorting the magically fortified cocaine he sells. With epic facial hair. What more do you need? Whatever it is, this episode has it. I’m basically just Stefon from Saturday Night Live right now. “This episode of Witches of East End had everything: girls kissing, casual murder, potions as allegorical drugs, actual…

Doctors Removed a Tooth Growing Into a Man’s Nose

No, this isn’t a case of a kid sticking a tooth into his nose and getting it stuck. This is a tooth that grew up into a guy’s nose. Basically, he was close to being a human Narwhal. You’re welcome for the nightmares. After a 22-year-old found himself suffering from nose bleeds in his left…

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2 is coming. After surprising everyone by unseating Guardians of the Galaxy with a $65 million opening weekend, Paramount’s already planning the sequel. Josh Appelbaum and Andre Nemec, who penned the first, will return to write the second and executive produce. [The Hollywood Reporter]

These Game of Thrones House Sigils Are the Cutest

In these, artist Jonathan Cantero personifying the houses in very specific ways. Below, he does adorable versions of House sigils, with a very angry Martell sun. Beware that they might constitute spoilers. Cantero has a bunch of art like this on his blog, so do check them out. [via xombieDIRGE]

Outlander Leaves Us Wanting More. Like Now. Right Now.

Outlander, Starz’s adaptation of the Diana Gabaldon book series from Ronald D. Moore, premiered last night and it was very good. It’s rare that a pilot fires on all cylinders: look, character, plot, and tone. Also sex and violence, because this is cable. Spoilers now… I don’t think anyone watching Outlander was unaware that it…

Who’s Flying The Millennium Falcon In Star Wars Episode VII?

Plus important beard speculation for Luke Skywalker! The Hunger Games continues its viral world building through a website for the rebels. The barest of details for this year’s Doctor Who Christmas special. Plus, Kyle MacLachlan’s Agent of SHIELD character revealed! Spoilers now! Top image: Hunger Games: Catching Fire Star Wars The latest rumors claim that…

Just How Many LEGO Movies Is Warner Bros. Making?

The rumor is at least two more, not including the already-announced LEGO Movie 2 and the LEGO Ninjago spinoff. Between this and the nineother Warner Bros./DC epics hitting between 2016 and 2020, it looks like the company is leaning hard on its franchises. The studio has staked out release dates for two animated films: May…

10 Alternates That Should Have Replaced Their Originals Permanently

Science fiction loves itself some doppelgangers: Clones, alternate universes, robot replacements, possession… It’s hard to come up with anything that hasn’t resulted in new versions of familiar characters. Sometimes, they’re a little too interesting, and they leave us wanting more. Here are the ten that should have stayed. Now, as we’re discussing replacements and what…

Take the Staircase Down to the Clouds to Fetch a Pail of Water

When the wells go dry and the only source of clean water is in the sky, there’s one solution. A daily trek up and down a single staircase to get what’s needed. This is “down to the clouds and collect sky from a well” by Tiesei, an Escher-like work that flips sky and ground, leaving…

Star Wars Undergoes a Calendar Crisis

Much like the introduction of the Gregorian calendar to replace the Julian calendar, so has a series of tweets from Leland Chee, the keeper of the holocron, turned the Star Wars universe on its head. For those not content to place the whole of the universe in some nebulous “long time ago,” there was a…

The Latest Batman V. Superman Rumor Has A Surprising Wonder Woman Twist

Now we know when we’ll learn the truth about Peter Quill’s father. Peter Mayhew makes bold claims about Star Wars: Episode VII. The premiere of Agents of SHIELD will bring back a old foe. And 12 Monkeys, The Flash, and Bitten all add new characters and cast. Spoilers now! Top image: Batman v. Superman: Dawn…

Snake Insistently Plays Dead, Is a Giant Ham About It

Playing dead is a common defensive move among animals. But the hognose snake is insistent about it. At the end of the video, they try to flip the snake the right way around, and it almost instantly ripples its body so that it’s on its back. As if it’s saying, “I’m DEAD, okay? Leave me…

With the Sequel Annouced, Sharknado Is Officially an Annual Tradition

This is it, everyone. Sharknado 3 has been officially announced as coming to our screens in July of 2015, making it three years in a row. We’re going to run out of coastal cities before they run out of films. I look forward to the explanation of how sharks get to Chicago. Sharknado 2 was…