Fame Monster Squad

I want to see Her Gaga-ness in Detroit so bad, but I missed out on tickets because I'm a maroon. I should take a cue from Zack and Screech and just spend the night in the mall next time.

Speaking of which, you've got to hear this totally 80s disco remix of Bad Romance like NOW- if you're into that sort of thing. If there was a gay nightclub circa 1985 in my dreams, the DJ would put this record on right after Rene & Angela's "I'll Be Good", and I would nearly spill my drink trying to make my way to the light-up dance floor before all the good lookin' ladies were taken.

Lady Gaga - Bad Romance (Grum Remix)

Only in New York!

"Hollywood vs. New York: Four decades of celluloid New York annihilation distilled into one musical montage."

Not only is this montage of movie destruction more fun than a barrel of exploding monkeys, I think the genius of it was setting the whole thing to Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue". See if you can guess which featured movie is my favorite!

(from Goodie Bag, by way of chrisroberson.net)

2086 Futurelympic Games Sketch

I've been thinking that it would be really fun to design some imaginary pictograms for the 2086 Futurelympics- like Otl Aicher's legendary designs for the 1972 Munich Games, and Nikolai Belkow's smoother updates for the 1980 Olympics in Moscow- so I'm gonna give it a try! You might even be able to tell what sports I had in mind with these cruddy sketches, if you squint really hard.

Can you think of any sci-fi movie sports that need to be represented or made up for the occasion? I definitely think Mecha-Basketball is in order. All the action and excitement of the NBA, mixed with the total radness of Robot Jox.

More Human Than Human - Limited Edition Art Print and Glow in the Dark T-shirt Available Now at Nakatomi!

Ahh, yes! Christmastime is in the air, and you know what that means. Jingle bells and merriment abound, a thousand little lights bring their magical glow to every snow-covered neighborhood street, and Spacesick's totally electrifying "I Can Read Movies" art inspired by the movie Blade Runner is available as part of the second annual Nakatomi Invitational!

That's right! This is the first time EVER that art from the "I Can Read Movies" Series has been made available anywhere. And the T-shirt and art print are limited to 100 each, so get em while their hot!

Get the Glow in the Dark T-shirt for $20, the Print for $30, or BOTH for $40 right here!

50,000? You got 50,000 on Double Dragon?

This moldy old book has seen better days, but boy what an awesome movie! I couldn't tell you how many times I watched my copy of The Wizard as a kid... on Betamax... taped off TV... but knowing that number could help scientists explain why I am the way that I am. Such a great cast! And as far as hour and a half long toy commercials go, I don't know if it can get much better than this.

See the full "I Can Read Movies" Series gallery here

"I know what you were gonna do, and you can just forget about it. There is no way! I am NOT kissing a boy."

"A girl maybe?"

A Question for Book Lovers

I have a lot of vintage books- some in better shape than others- and I'm curious about what folks do with their older dust jackets. Like do you keep brittle, less-than-mint jackets on the books, or store them separately? I was reticent to ask, since I don't want the news that I know how to read to get out. So shh.

ps - Har har har! Tweed book jacket, he says! What an hilarious intellectual joke. I just so happen to be tossing around some interesting concepts for foldable school textbook covers, actually. And when they come out, we're all going back to school, just for fun!

When Dinosaurs Ripped the Earth sketch

Wiggity wack sketch for the Threadless Throwback challenge. Maybe paleontologists are digging up and dusting off this guy's bones. Or maybe some crazy museum curator set him up this way. Or maybe he should just be playing an electric guitar while big-tittied bikini-clad beach babes hang onto his rad skateboard for dear life. Or maybe I should forget about it and get back to doing real work. You never can tell with these things.

But I think we should all probably listen to Meat Loaf sing the gnarly Thrashin theme song in the meantime. Gleam that cube, Rexy!

Koko's Kitten (Christmas 2010)

Imaginary movie poster for the book I bought the other day. It's just for an open call. I've been sitting here nudging text all afternoon, but if I keep going I'll drive myself crazy. Does the layout look alright to you? I'm gonna polish it up one more time tomorrow, and then that's IT. Thanks for helping if you can, guys!

G.E.O.D.E.

G.E.O.D.E. is a state-of-the-art 1970s Exploro-Bot enlisted to help noted adventurer Professor Wellington and his team on their journey.

You guys gotta read Elio's awesome new comic here and participate by drawing your own adventurer to add to the team! It's a blast!

Koko's Kitten (1985, Hardcover)

Last week I was reminiscing about reading this book back in grade school, and I just HAD to have it. I loved the story of Koko and her kitten All Ball so much. I was so excited to find it in the mail today that I read the whole damn thing- like an IDIOT- even though I knew it had a truly sad ending. Anyway I'm just happy to have something I remember so fondly. "That chimp's alright! High five."

Also this is the original seller's photo from ebay because I don't have a camera right now.

Saved by the Bell Quiz: Question #23

I'm having trouble with this one. Can I copy off your paper?

Sometimes you feel like a nut! Sometimes you don't.

Almond Joy's got nuts, see, and Mounds doesn't. I tried my hand at a fun last minute candy-themed piece for an Uppercase Magazine call my friend Kate told me about, and it's makin me HUNGRY for coconut.

I'm an Almond Joy man, in case you were wondering. In fact, I think anybody who would actually prefer a plain old Mounds is nuts.



And the text is the awesome Ed Interlock from House Industries, which I modified a bit for my logos. I'm not crazy talented enough to dream up something so beautiful on my own (yet). The characters I fudged around, for better or worse:

Nes Game Demo, Now With Moving Platforms!

Finally, an update! I know you still care, five months later. *crickets* I just don't get the free time to tinker around with my NES game anymore. Anyway, we've got moving platforms now! Isn't that exciting?! :D They looked easy enough to implement in the tutorial, but I've muddled up my code so much by this point that I had to start from the ground up. And the math was driving me CRAZY. It's a wonder I have a working demo to show you at all. But enough about me, how was YOUR day?

Let me know what you think needs improvement, even if it's been said before. Every little bit helps. Thanks, guys! And have fun. :D

New in this update:
- Moving platforms (Yes!)
- New enemy: Slugalug
- New music: Skyway
- Spikes
- 2 way doors
- Zonked out animation
- Began improving my equations and making sense of 1500 lines of my Total Amateur Hour code

Things I want to work on:
- Improve enemy collision detection
- Stop that annoying jump when there's only 1 space to move
- Finally pick a name for the character I've had for almost 2 years. I'm thinking something like Zubby. Or Zib. Any Arabic slang term for penis will probably be fine.

Slugalug Sprite and other NES Baddie Sketches

Workin on some new bad guys for my NES game, and tryin to keep it simple. Pew pew! Splat! There's an update coming soon, so get your Power Gloves ready.

Japanese Dig Dug Commercial for the Famicom (1985)

I'm glad somebody uploaded this amazing Japanese commercial for Dig Dug (which is one of my favorite arcade games ever (as you can see from my avatar (I know you care))), because it is the most wonderful thing to happen to my eyes and ears all week. I mean listen to that music! It's magical. :D

There's even an additional 30 second version, and one for Dig Dug II from the same campaign- which of course fills my heart with even greater happiness.

Captain Ecto's Phantom Funship up for voting at Threadless!

"Ahoy, mateys! Climb aboard Captain Ecto's Phantom Funship, if ye dare. Set sail for spooktacular fun and adventure! But heed this ghostly warning, or face certain doom: No pizza or drinks in the play area, please. It's *company policy*... OooOOooOOOooo!"

Wowzers! These ghosts with the most made it from sketch to finished design in only 5 days, and it couldn't have happened without all the quick advice and support I got from you guys along the way. Thank you! :D

Vote here if you're a Threadlesser!

Yarrr! it's Captain Ecto's Phantom Funship! Help me pick the colors, landlubbers

Ahoy mateys! Thank you to everyone for the support so far! I think I'm almost done.

I gotta tell ya, I really like the idea of keeping this 2 colors, and printing it on silver, slate, or sand. But what are your thoughts? I'd love to hear em. I'm all ears, and I'm not afraid to change things up. Thanks, guys! :D

Captain Ecto's Phantom Funship (In Progress)

Ahoy hoy! It's finally coming together, I think. Crits always welcome!

In the meantime, let's have a drink.

Paper Toy Robobot Sketch

I've always wanted to design a paper toy, but I never had the GUTS to go for it. So I'm just gonna jump right in. I have no freaking clue what I'm doing, so I'll have to rely on already existing models and trial and error to show me the way. *tips over* Naturally this guy is lovingly inspired by memories of everyone's favorite learning robot, Alphie II, and I'm sure he'll evolve even more as I play around with the design. ROBO BOOGIE!

Anybody have any cool models to share? I know that Matt Hawkins is the baddest mama jama in the paper toys game, but that's about it.

Totes T-Shirt at Vintage Vantage

John Keddie from Vintage Vantage came to me months and months ago with this redonkulous idea after seeing the totem in my Ernest Goes to Camp "I Can Read Movies" cover, and it finally debuted this week. I love how it turned out! It's perfect. Strong enough for a man, but gentle enough for a woman. John's vintage treatment and speech bubble took it to a whole new level.

On sale now for $14 in Mens and Womens, but not Raccoons for some reason. Hmm.

Practice Your Texting

A fun little design now up for voting at Threadless. Don't forget to sharpen your pencils!

Dangerous Accessories

I don't know what I'm thinking. Maybe I'm thinking I'd like this to become something cool. Yeah! And I think maybe I'll work on it some more as soon as I get back from 1992.

Game Buddy "Cardboard Edition" Package Design for Attract Mode

I mentioned last week that I had designed some unique box art for Adam Robezzoli's brand spankin' new video game culture shop Attract Mode, but this is the first chance I've had to see the design out in the wild. He had this idea to hand print his mailing boxes to make them look like an old handheld gaming system, and I think they turned out FANTASTIC! :D I'm floored! And I can't wait to put in an order so I can get one of my very own.

(Photo snagged from the lovely friend of Spacesick Offworld, which was in turn snagged from the just as lovely Bryan Lee O'Malley's flickr)

Sea Podling Treequarium

The colors are temporary, whilst I figure out what is actually going on here. Though I like that minty color.

Glug glug!

Naptime in the Podling Nursery

A zany idea for a Threadless design which I clearly haven't thought up a good name for yet.

Nakatomi Invitational Season 2 Now Available!

Holy hell! Look at that incredible list of names! Kevin Tong, Guy Burwell, Jeff Kleinsmith, Nick Derington, Jim Mahfood, Jay Ryan, Craig "Fucking" McCracken, and... Spacesick? That's gotta be a typo.

No, it's true! I was one of 8 peeps invited to be a part of this year's Nakatomi Invitational at the completely awesome Nakatomi, Inc. I'm so honored and excited it's SICK. You may ask, "Mitch, how in Crom's name were you lucky enough to even be mentioned in the same SENTENCE as these talented people?", and all I can say is "Hey, screw you too, buddy."

Read all about it here!

This year's theme is Robots, and each month a new limited edition T-shirt/poster combo will be released. Now dig THIS: you have the option of getting yourself the T-shirt for $20, the poster for $30, or BOTH for just $40. That's awesome! And each of the artists' prints and shirts are limited to just 100 each, so you know you're getting something special.

Kevin Tong's amazing design became available today, as well as the option to go for the whole shebang at once and purchase one of the extremely limited Series 2 Subscriptions for $300- only 10 of which will be sold. If you're a bad enough dude or dudette to afford something that epic, I suggest you drop your NES controller right now and hop to it before they all sell out!

P.S. - I'm not reading any of that

Danger! Keep Out of Reach of Children for sale at Threadless!

Dangerous! In addition to being available in totally awesome Guys and Girly sizes, it also comes in Baby size tees, Onesies, and Threadless Hoodsies- for those of you crazy kids who've experienced the wonderful life-changing miracle of unprotected sex recently.

Available right here!

Attract Mode Shop Open for Business!

My buddy Adam's video game culture shop Attract Mode launched today! Check it out, geekazoids! :D I had the honor of designing the special gaming-themed packaging for the boxes, which I will show you just as soon as I get my first order. Pew pew! Zoom!

+1000 bonus points to anyone who knows what "attract mode" is in reference to

Computers: Those Amazing Machines (1985)

Brian Cook blogged about this AWESOME retrotastic book he picked up last week, and I just had to have one of my own. Within minutes, one was already on its way. I'm sick in the head like that.

It's the COOLEST! :D Take a peek inside here on Brian's flickr!

"Infamous Mishaps Throughout History" Reprinted at Threadless!

Good news for accident-prone tourists everywhere: The adorable Infamous Mishaps Throughout History collaboration between Mitch Ansara (me), and Aled Lewis (not me) has just been reprinted at Threadless.com in Guys, Girls, and Kids Tee sizes!

The Wish List (A Handy Conversion Chart)

I'm super tired, so I can't tell if this has potential right now. I guess I'll just have to take another look at it when I wake up tomorrow. I mean today. I mean zzzzz.

*closes eyes real tight and wishes for a Super Nintendo (and more wishes)*

S.T.E.L.L.A.R! Available Now at Tilteed!

Available here at the low price of $12 for an extended-limited time while they move shop. Totally awesome! :D So go snag yourself some of this space age goodness while the gettin's good!

Plus, as an added bonus, Patrick over there managed to get a rare interview out of me after totally calling me out on my a-hole interview avoiding ways. It's sure to make all of the hottest Fall must-read lists!

Cynthia Myers for Schlitz Beer - Miss December 1968

This is awesome! My favorite Playmate (and fellow Toledo, Ohio native) Cynthia Myers is the new retro spokesmodel for Schlitz beer. Maybe that's enough to get me to drink one.

Go advertising! Go 60s! Go breasts!

"Perfect" available at TeeFury for 24 hours!

But that was 2 days ago. The release date slipped my mind because I'm a total asshole.

If you have a time machine though, I recommend going back and getting yourself a copy for $9! You can't beat those prices!

Here/Then

Kinds of Robots We'll Have in the Future

"Old Glory covers anyone over the age of 50 against robot attack, regardless of health!"

"And when they grab you with those metal claws, you can't break free... because they're made of metal, and robots are strong."

Tamigotcha!

Possible ting for a ting. Don't let it die!

Shakira, She Wolf of the SS

So it looks like this is my new favorite song and video and I've listened to it about 10 times on repeat since first discovering it and I don't care what any of you think.

My only problem now is deciding when to watch the English version and when to heat things up even more with the Spanish version. Wolf Fever: catch it! Awrooo!

Can you connect the dots and help Mr. Raccoon fly his hot air balloon?

I know you can!

Being that this is for Threadless' "Loves Childhood" competition (Sponsored by BabyCenter® and Threadless Kids), I wanted to try a new approach. Do you think it works? There's still more drawing to do, so I'm gonna go for it.

Also- totally crazy how my random number of dots turned out to equal 50! Bam!

That Daring Young Chap and His Highflying Dirigibubbler 2

Had some time to add to the original sketch today. I hope he still looks just as cute!

From before: "In my wondrous vision, this chap is peddling a flying bicycle that spits out all sorts of bubbles which get caught in an air balloon-like net overhead and keep the magnificent contraption afloat. Don't you dare judge me."

Kind of Bloop: An 8-Bit Tribute to Miles Davis

Pixel art by SnackAdmiral.

Andy from Waxy.org noticed my completely random Miles Davis post the other day, and informed me about his ambitious chiptune project "Kind of Bloop"- which drops soon. Listen to what the man says:

"What would the pioneers of jazz sound like on a Nintendo Entertainment System? Coltrane on a C-64? Mingus on Amiga? For years, I've wondered what "chiptune jazz" would sound like, but there are only a tiny handful of jazz covers ever made.

To satisfy my curiosity - and commemorate the 50th anniversary of Miles Davis's "Kind of Blue" - I've asked five brilliant chiptune musicians to collaborate and reinvent the entire album in the 8-bit sound."

And because of the way song licensing works, I think today is the last day to snag yourself a copy!

Learn more here.

Daring Chap

And what is this daring chap up to today? Perhaps we'll find out.

Miles Davis - Blue in Green (1959)

I'm feeling particularly classy today.

Refined, even.

*turns up the volume*

I think I'd like to watch a laid back porno built entirely around the smooth, smoky sounds of classic jazz.

*mixes another Manhattan*

Oh there it went.

Button-O-Matic's New "Currency" Series

These shiny 24-karat gold works of art are part of Button-O-Matic's new "Currency" series, curated by the incomparable Dustin "Upso" Hostetler, and will soon be available in thirty vending machines across the country. Check here for a vending machine location near/very far away from you!

It blows my mind how everyone scampered off with the same theme and then came back with something completely unique to their personality! And how amazing do these suckers look as a set? :D See if you can guess which buttons belong to which artists!

Spacesick
Tim Biskup
Damien Correll
Jennifer Daniel
Nicholas Gazin
Ginette Lapalme
Travis Millard
STEAK MTN
Luke Ramsey
Geoffrey Todd Smith

Organ Rejection Shirt

How charming! Available here for a limited time! $15 US

Practice Your Texting

Laughter!

Organ Rejection for Sale at Woot!

Hot diggity! My super secret Woot shirt just went up today as part of Ape Lad's specially curated 2 year anniversary celebration. It's displayed majestically on the front page for 24 hours, but will still be available through a special link after that.

Either way, get your credit cards ready! Even if they did make fun of my fuckin kidney, and spelled my name Micth.

Available here!

Plus my friend Aled's got the highest selling shirt over there right now, so check it out if you like Back to the Future and Doctor Whom!

Fairytale Ending

And what's this lovely lady's story? Prince Charming isn't talking! I don't think he's doing much of anything right now, actually.

Rockin' Range & Happily Ever After NES Tunes

I realized today that it's been exactly 2 months since I last made any progress on my beloved NES game. Yikes! So while I'm working on a playable level for you guys to test and jump around in and basically beat up in any way you can imagine (yay!), here's a couple of light game tunes I just started on.

One I imagine as a nice fun level theme, and the other as sugary sweet story music or something. *sips cherry coke*

Businesswoman on a Windy Day

She's an 80s woman on the go, too busy breaking the glass ceiling and power walking to lunch to get her lines finished.

It must be the secret of her success!

S.T.E.L.L.A.R! up for voting at Tilteed

Speaking of astronauts! I have an out of this world design up for voting at a new site called Tilteed. Support it if you like it! Thank you! :D

Check it out here! Zoooom!

The Girls

Just some smilin boobs. Nothing to see here.