The Next Level: Second encore of 'Idol' seems a bit pitchy, dog Fri, Jan 2, 2009 | Add a comment "American Idol” returns to video games for a second "Encore,” but the way the franchise is going, it won’t continue to receive gamers’ votes. The first...

Word Balloons: Best comic books of 2008 were super Thu, Jan 1, 2009 | Add a comment Periodical comic books are still staples of comic-book stores and the origination point for many great storylines. While Marvel and DC Comics dominate the sales charts for comic books, they...

Matthew Prices's Best Movies of 2008: Superheroes find a place among 2008’s best Thu, Jan 1, 2009 | Add a comment Superhero films came to the fore in 2008. In summer, it seemed each week brought another superpowered or comic book-based tale. Other of the year’s top films featured washed-up wrestlers,...

This year’s games sport innovation Thu, Dec 25, 2008 | Add a comment Several sequels were among the best video games of 2008, but innovation also came into play, both with new peripherals, new properties, and new adaptations of well-known franchises. The following...

Graphic novels step up quality Thu, Dec 25, 2008 | Add a comment Graphic novels continue to be one of the few categories in bookstores experiencing growth. As such, there’s a near explosion of quality work coming out in the longer format. This week, Word...

Collections keep newspaper comics alive Fri, Dec 19, 2008 | Add a comment Comic strip fans had much to choose from in 2008. Several classic strips have been reprinted in new formats, many for the first time. While all the news for the future of the newspaper comic strip...

Parents should be aware of ratings Thu, Dec 18, 2008 | Add a comment Parents should pay attention to video game ratings, says a vice president of a major video game retail chain. Jason Cochran is vice president of stores for the western half of the United States for...

Oklahoman comic book author stays true to his roots Fri, Dec 12, 2008 | Add a comment Writer Ryan Foley has the power to influence characters’ lives — including He-Man — all from his home in rural Oklahoma. His first published comic book was "Masters of the...

Video games could prove to be recession-proof Thu, Dec 11, 2008 | Add a comment Conventional wisdom indicates that even in tough economic times, entertainment continues to sell, as people need a break from the dreariness of their everyday lives. GamePro’s...

Word Balloons: New ‘Punisher’ series takes readers back to beginning Fri, Dec 5, 2008 | Add a comment The grim anti-hero the Punisher has sold a lot of comic books since his debut in the February 1974 issue of "The Amazing Spider-Man.” The Punisher is also known as Frank Castle, a former...

The Next Level: Comic book superheroes turn page on ‘Kombat’ Fri, Dec 5, 2008 | Add a comment DC Comics superheroes do battle with the denizens of Mortal Kombat in "Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe.” The Midway game is available for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. "Mortal...

Multitude of options available for gamers this holiday season Fri, Nov 28, 2008 | Add a comment With three popular consoles to choose from, as well as multiple portable and PC options, there are a lot of different games available for holiday shoppers. This holiday season has created an...

Plenty of gifts available to please a comics fan Fri, Nov 28, 2008 | Add a comment From dark knights to lords of dreams, comic book-related gifts are in abundance this holiday season. The following are a few possibilities for the comic book fan in your life....

The Next Level: Baseball Boss pitches to iPhone Fri, Nov 21, 2008 | Add a comment The Web-based baseball simulation "Baseball Boss” is now formatted to work with the iPhone. Jeff Petry, head of marketing for Challenge Games, answered some questions about the game. Q:...

Word Balloons: Sgt. Rock tells story about Texas soldiers Fri, Nov 21, 2008 | Add a comment ARLINGTON, Texas — Writer-artist Billy Tucci hopes his newest comic book can be "a bridge across generations.” "Sgt. Rock: The Lost Battalion” features DC Comics’...

Word Balloons: Economy fuels DC Comics’ story focus Fri, Nov 14, 2008 | Add a comment ARLINGTON, Texas — The economic downturn will force comic book companies to focus even more on great stories, story editor Ian Sattler said at the DC Nation panel at Wizard World Texas last...

The Next Level: 'Guitar Hero: World Tour' expands gamer's role Thu, Nov 13, 2008 | Add a comment "Guitar Hero: World Tour” takes the next step for the franchise, as, following in the footsteps of "Rock Band,” the game now allows gamers to play all the parts of a rock...

Word Balloons: Wizard World Texas starts today Thu, Nov 13, 2008 | Add a comment The largest comic-book convention in the Southwest starts today, and fans can meet comic-book writers and artists as well as genre stars. The guest of honor at Wizard World Texas is artist John...

The Next Level: Wii fights light up with saber Thu, Nov 13, 2008 | Add a comment If you’re enjoying "Star Wars: The Force Unleashed” for the Wii, but find you just haven’t been able to slash enough, a new product is coming to your rescue: Dual Glow Sabers...

The Next Level: SpongeBob SquarePants squares off against 'Globs' Thu, Nov 13, 2008 | Add a comment For a guy who lives in a pineapple under the sea, SpongeBob SquarePants is pretty ubiquitous on land. He’s out in another recently released video game, "SpongeBob SquarePants featuring...