Once Upon a Geek

I bought a DC Comics Snuggie?!?!  First off, it’s not really a “Snuggie”, it’s a “Comfy Throw”.  What does that mean?  That means it’s a body-length blanket with sleeves made of fleece material; similar in design to a bathrobe that is worn backwards.  Yeah, I know.  That’s the definition of a “Snuggie”.  This is DC Comics’ off-brand version of a Snuggie.

I picked it up at F.Y.E. in Tampa for $10 (originally priced at $20).  The dimensions are 48″ x 71″.  Upon seeing the box (and after finishing rolling her eyes), my wife stated that no woman would be caught dead in that thing, and the only reason a woman is wearing one on the box is because it will help sell the product to geeks.  Y’know what, I think she’s exactly correct!

When I bought it, I never really thought I’d wear it.  However, my Comicatorium (a.k.a. Shag’s Sanctum Sanctorum) is about 10 degrees colder than the rest of the house.  So on cold winter nights this thing could actually come in handy!  In fact, I’m wearing it as I type right now.  It’s currently 32 degrees outside and freakin’ cold in the Comicatorium, but I’m all mosty-toasty in my DC Comics Snuggie.

Here is a sample of the pattern featuring: Superman, Batman, Aquaman, Green Lantern, Shazam, Justice League of America, and the Super Powers logo.

Finally, proof positive that I have no sense of shame.

I finally got around to visiting the comic shop this past weekend after nearly a month away.  Awaiting me were my Blackest Night Green Lantern rings!  I’m probably the millionth geek to relive this moment, but here it is anyway… my tribute to Green Lantern #49 (1994).

Here are some sweatpants I picked up back in 1995.  I really like the novelty of having “Property of Starfleet Academy Athletic Department” printed on them.  Most people don’t even notice what is printed on the sweatpants because so many schools print “Property of … Athletic Department” on their clothes.   Also, if you enjoy Starfleet Academy stuff, then dig up back issues of Marvel’s Star Trek Starfleet Academy comic book series from 1996-1998.  It was very enjoyable!

Here is a close up of the logo.

I’m such a dorky Trekker.

Here is a cute outfit my daughter wore when she was still itty-bity.  I was so proud to show her off in this!  Well… at least until that other little girl at her daycare, Lena Luthor, got a kryptonite baby-rattle. What a spoiled brat that kid was!

I went to a family-friendly party the night before Halloween.  We knew the majority of families through my ten year old step-son’s Cub Scout troop.  I didn’t have a costume prepared, so I cobbled together something from around the house.  Here is the result: Lord Vader getting ready for night-night…

I’m holding a security blanket (a Star Wars blanket) and a stuffed animal (a Clone Trooper beanie-baby).  While those were nice touches, I really think the fuzzy pink slippers are what sell it.

Maybe it’s just a parent thing, but the whole “night-night” concept is a frequent topic of discussion.  Regardless, my fellow suburbia parents (norms, muggles, mundanes, or whatever you want to call them) didn’t really get my sense of humor.

Today we are presenting the latest collection of geek related t-shirts from my closet.  This time around I’ve included some baseball caps and even one pair of new boxers.  For past entries featuring geek apparel, please click here.  These shirts are all fairly recent acquisitions.  Please note nearly all of these were gifts.  My wife has put a strict moratorium on buying myself anymore geek t-shirts as the closet is already bursting at the seams.  Happily my friends are under no such ban. 

This t-shirt and ball cap combination was a gift from Serv.  Notice how the colors on the Superman symbol are reversed.  I find that striking.  In fact, this hat has become my favorite to wear lately.  The shirt came pre-faded.

This Red Lantern t-shirt was another gift from Serv, this time for my birthday.  Can’t you feel it?  The shirt just radiates rage.  Rage!  RAGE!

Neat mega-print Batman shirt from Lore (the irredeemable brother) for my birthday.  I really like the Bronze Age styling of the image.

Hilarious Star Trek t-shirt from Lore (the irredeemable brother).  This gag still makes me laugh!

Neat Superman hat I’ve had for a while.  I picked it up at Wal-Mart of all places.  I really like the bold colors and that the hat is fitted.  Where there would normally be an adjustable strap on the back, it’s just solid fabric with the stitched Superman symbol shown in the insert.

This Ghostbusters shirt is actually billed as a “T-shirt Costume”.  I picked this up at Target last Halloween.  The slime glows in the dark also.  I’ve been slimed!

A birthday gift from my boss.  This shirt is hilarious!  I tried to make the image big enough for you to read all the various powers.  I think my favorites are, “Communicate with Fruit” and “Summon a Lamp… Once”.  LOL!

This Scooby-Doo t-shirt is another birthday gift from Lore (the irredeemable brother).  I really like the coloring on this shirt. The mystery machine is faded and everyone in the foreground is really solidly colored.  Just looks sharp.

A friend gave me this Star Wars ball cap about 15 years ago.  It’s served me well, even in the years before Star Wars was cool again.

I picked up this Unique Geek t-shirt prior to DragonCon to help promote the website.  The insert shows the back of the t-shirt.

Okay, I don’t normally post pictures of underwear, but this is an exception.  I already featured these boxers on FIRESTORM FAN, but thought they were worth mentioning here also.  I just picked these up last week from K-Mart.  While there are tons of DC Comics boxers on the market, these are astonishing because they include both Firestorm and Doctor Fate.  Seriously?!?!?  Firestorm and Doctor Fate?!?!?  Two of my favorite characters that have proven time and again they can’t support their own monthly comic books?!?!?  Two characters that almost no one in the general public would recognize?!?!?  You betcha!  The other characters (Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Robin, and even Green Arrow) aren’t surprising to see on apparel as they are fairly well known.  I just never imagined they’d make Firestorm or Doctor Fate boxers.  I’m thankful they have!  I will say it’s a bit awkward where they’ve placed Firestorm.  He’s right on the flap. Kinda creepy.

Assuming all is well with air travel, I should be in Atlanta this morning!!! Me and 30,000 of my closest friends all weekend long! Dragon*Con is the largest multi-media, popular culture convention focusing on science fiction and fantasy, gaming, comics, literature, art, music, and film in the US.  It’s the 6th largest convention in the city of Atlanta, has over 500 guests (actors, authors, artists, bands, etc),  and offers over 2,750 hours of panels, seminars, demonstrations, and workshops. Check out the DragonCon website for details on the event!

Below are a few snapshots from Dragon*Con 2008.  I typically take about 400 pictures each event.  While these aren’t really the best quality shots, they do give you an idea of some the diverse things going on.

Click here to view all my Dragon*Con photos on Flickr.  Also, for some of my favorite Dragon*Con shots click here and click here.  Finally, you can read about my 2008 Dragon*Con exploits by clicking here, here, here and here.

Shag and Captain America.  Check out my t-shirt.  Eat that, Steve Rogers!

Shag and Iron Man.  Again with the t-shirt backing up Tony Stark’s Civil War position.

Gareth David Lloyd & James Marsters from the Torchwood panel

Comic writer Peter David

Comic writer Mike Baron

The Convention Vixens

You never know who you’ll run into at Dragon*Con.  Race and Serv with Axl Rose.  … yeah, right.

The Unique Geek Board of Directors dinner

Iron Man!

Adam West and the Batmobile in the parade

Speed Racer’s Mach 5 in the parade

This Marvel vs. DC shot shows you just a tiny fraction of comic book costumes to be found at Dragon*Con

Talk with you sometime next week.  Assuming I recover.  

I saw someone wearing this cool Superman hat in the Atlanta airport this weekend.  It took all my self-control not to steal it from him.

Looks like most online retailers are sold out, but here is the description of the hat from SuperheroStuff.com:

Superman Comic Strip Distressed Baseball Cap

The cap is a “superfaded black” cap with a distressed screen printed image of Superman from Action Comics #23. A historic comic of Superman saving Lois in front of the Daily Planet, way back when Superman used to jump instead of fly. That’s right, he used to jump from place to place before the comic guys started having him actually fly. An amazing cap with embroidered “The Last Son of Krypton” on the right side of the bill in black embroidery. The cap and bill itself is distressed with that worn and torn look.

Show your support for ONCE UPON A GEEK by ordering one of these super-cool t-shirts through Zazzle! Get ‘em now before the runways of Paris are crowded with these tops.

Three designs are displayed below, but you’re not limited to what is shown here.  You’re able to modify the type, size, and color of these shirts.  Additionally, if you’d like the messaging different, just let me know and I can create new products easily.

While you’re exploring Zazzle, be sure to check out these other fine products from our good friends over at THE UNIQUE GEEK!  This is just a few of the many different designs available from THE UNIQUE GEEK.

They even did a shirt featuring a caricature of yours truly.

As always, your support is appreciated!

I was given this awesomely-retro t-shirt by my brother, Lore, the same weekend the recent Star Trek movie premiered.  I’ve been meaning to post it for weeks, but just hadn’t gotten around to it.  I love the classic 1982-ness of the shirt.  The pre-faded appearance makes it look like it could have actually come from 1982.

The shirt is produced by the trendy Junk Food clothing company and is printed on a 100% cotton tee which has been treated with a vintage wash for extra softness.  It’s got a great feel to it.  I’m diggin’ this shirt.  You can order your own from Amazon.com.

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Just a reminder: There’s still time to enter to win a copy of The Wolverine Files hardcover! Click here for details.  Contest ends Wednesday, August 5th.