Life In A Bungalo

Comic geeks rejoice. World Fantasy Award-winning writer Stephen King will appear as a Guest of Honor at New York Comic Con taking place February 23-25, 2007. King will join a special panel hosted by Joe Quesada, Editor In Chief of Marvel Entertainment on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2007 to discuss the new comic book series adapted from his magnum opus, The Dark Tower.

“We are absolutely ecstatic that Stephen King will be attending the February 2007 New York Comic Con,” stated Ruwan Jayatilleke, Director of Development, Marvel Publishing. “His appearance will be a huge thrill for Dark Tower enthusiasts, comic book fans, and convention-goers alike. Marvel is extremely grateful for this opportunity—and aims to make this convention a landmark event for all of graphic fiction storytelling.” Read more »

Shag’s latest print “Three Monkeys” comes out tomorrow at 12 pm Pacific. Limited to 250, the print will set you back $150. Looks like Shag is going to continue with the Tiki prints, too bad this one isn’t anywhere near as cool as “Elsa and the Raven” from the Jonathan LeVine show.

After releasing hardly any toys over the holidays, Kid Robot looks like its going to be breaking out the big guns in 2007 with a new series of mini-Labbits, a Mexican themed Dunny series, and at least two new 8″ Dunnys (both bigger versions of already released 3 inchers). Read more »

“Atomic Ranch”
by Michelle Gringeri-Brown, Jim Brown (Photographer)
Gibbs Smith

So right about now you are wondering if I’m nuts for reviewing a book about houses (okay, ranches) in a punk-rock Web zine, and you might have a point. However, “Atomic Ranch,” a quarterly magazine devoted to mid-century ranch homes, tops my guilty pleasures list, and the book by the same name is nothing short of awesome.

Just shy of 200 pages, “Atomic Ranch” takes you on a tour of dozens of Eichler and similar style ranches locate primarily on the left coast. The interiors range from tooty fruity pastel chaos to Tiki wonderlands, but the most important feature is the home owners’ drive to preserve the original design of the home. These ranches were never intended to be big money homes. Most are small by design, but the open-floor layouts littered with vintage ’50s boomerang tables, surf blue formica counter tops, and chairs with more lines than a ‘59 Caddie, can make a reader swoon.

The book focuses on a different home every three or four pages, and the graphic intensive chapters leave little room for copy, but for the most part, the pictures speak for themselves. I would have liked a little more insight as to why some of the homeowners did what they did to the homes, and maybe a little more info on the furniture, but all in all this is a really kick ass book that recalls the days of hotrods and pink flamingos.

For those that still think I’m nuts for reviewing this book, keep in mind, this site is called Life In A Bungalo for a reason. And yes, we know bungalow is spelled wrong.

Ever wonder if the Roomba is actually cool, or a just a geeky tech toy? What about  Kid Robot vinyl toys? Still trying to convince people that they are really works of art?
Looks like you’re not so crazy after all. Kid Robot and the Roomba vacuum robot are just two of the innovative designs being paid tribute to at the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum’s triennial, running now through July 29. The exhibit is a massive, three-floor celebration of the coolest things either on the market right now, or coming up in the near future. We’re talking flat-packed houses, battle-damaged furniture, the Apple iPod, even Nike’s Free running show–If it looks cool, it’s in this show.

Kid Robot took center stage with their Deph Dunny prominently featured in the triennial’s marketing material and a comprehensive display of the young company’s work on the second floor. Besides representation of classic 8″ Dunnys (such as Voodoo and El Dunny Loco) and some designs (an 8″ Obey Dunny), Kid Robot planted a gigantic six-foot tall chalkboard Munny in the middle of the showroom floor. People were encouraged to chalk the monster up. Too bad that meant potentially erasing works of art by Gary Baseman among others.

Other incredible designs include Albert Hubo, the first expressive walking humanoid; Creative Technology’s interactive digital army soldier who responds to actual questions, and the feral dog project (a collection of robot dogs designed by students). In addition, the museum is offering a set of Dunnys, “Ribeye and Cheeze,” designed by Planet Propaganda and selling for about $10.

Joe Ledbetter just released the latest edition of his Mutant Bunny micro-print series. The Mono Bunny is limited to 75 and is signed and numbered. The print is an archival giclee on heavy stock watercolor paper (around 5×7″ in size), and costs a meager $45.

“Without Reason” is a limited edition art book dedicated to the roots and lifestyle of street culture, capturing the works of graffiti artists, painters, designers, illustrators, photographers and tattoo artists from Australia, America, Canada and the UK.

The books line-up and includes names like Ricky Powell, Mike Giant, Travis Millard, UPSO, Brendan Monroe and many more, each featuring their style on a full page spread.

Now available online and in selected stores with only 1000 copies published. The book sells for just under $30. Read more »