Dead Set
Hardcover | Kindle Edition
Written by Richard Kadrey
Harper Voyager
Release Date: October 29, 2013
Cover Price: $22.99

As much as I love the Sandman Slim books from Richard Kadrey and all the gritty noir elements of each of those novels, Dead Set is a welcome departure showcasing a much different, but ultimately still engaging and fascinating, side of Kadrey’s writing. The style, tone, and diction are hugely different from the Sandman Slim books, so if you’re expecting more of the same, then you’re better off re-reading those volumes because Dead Set is a unique dark fantasy tale that offers a rich reading experience.

Our female protagonist is an angst-ridden teen, but you’re not going to find any comparisons to Bella Swan here. Zoe has every reason to be morose–her beloved father passed away recently, leaving her with a mom struggling both emotionally and financially to be the glue that holds them together. She’s not doing much better at school either, although she does befriend a fellow outsider at one point, even if her circle of friends turns out not to be the best.

Because we here at Geeks of Doom are just absolutely mad about Doctor Who – and also because it’s one slow news day – I present to you a short film written and directed by none other than the newest actor to take up the mantle of the avuncular Time Lord from Gallifrey, Peter Capaldi.

Capaldi made Franz Kafka’s It’s a Wonderful Life in 1995 with the cooperation of the BBC. The 22-minute feature was the actor’s first time calling the shots on his own film and later shared that year’s Academy Award for Best Live-Action Short Film with Peggy Rajski’s Trevor. You can watch it here below.

Three #3
Written by Kieron Gillen
Illustrated by Ryan Kelly
Colored by Jordie Bellaire
Lettered by Clayton Cowles
Cover by Ryan Kelly and Jordie Bellaire
Image Comics
Release Date: December 11, 2013
Cover Price: $2.99

In Three #3, events quickly begin to take shape. Three slaves are on the run; 300 from a failing nation are on the hunt; and an outcast seeks revenge. Writer Kieron Gillen, illustrator Ryan Kelly, and colorist Jordie Bellaire return with a new installment of this action-induced, ancient political thriller.

Helot slaves Klaros, Damar, and Terpander are on the run after their fatal encounter with a Spartan Ephor and his military envoy. Wondering whom Klaros really is – considering his excellent fighting skills and tracking knowledge – Damar and Terpander see it in their best interest to continue following his lead. On their trail is Spartan King Kleomenes II who begrudgingly leads an expedition of 300 Spartan soldiers. Meanwhile, sent back to Sparta for his cowardly act of running from the slaughter, Arimnestos is furious with his new-found title of “Trembler” and acts quickly and alone to restore his good name.

Assault on Precinct 13
Blu-ray
Directed by John Carpenter
Written by John Carpenter
Starring Austin Stoker, Darwin Joston, Laurie Zimmer, Martin West, Tony Burton, Charles Cyphers, Nancy Loomis
Scream! Factory
Release Date: November 19th, 2013

In 1976, having recently come off his feature-length debut of Dark Star, fledgling writer and director John Carpenter was given a small budget and carte blanche by a group of investors for him to make his next movie. That film would become Assault on Precinct 13. Originally titled The Anderson Alamo, the film was setup to be a modern western, based heavily on Rio Bravo, in which the outnumbered and outgunned barricaded heroes must face off against an unwavering enemy.

It is Bishop’s first day as Lieutenant in the LAPD, and for his first assignment he is sent to a police station in a rough part of south Los Angeles called Anderson to oversee its last night of operation before it is closed down in the morning. Meanwhile a bus transporting prisoners, including convicted killer Wilson on his way to death row, makes an unscheduled stop at the station when one of the prisoners gets sick.

What should be an inconvenient, but otherwise uneventful, delay for the bus transport becomes a night of sheer Hell as a local gang makes siege on the station as they attempt to get to someone inside. As the night wears on, cop and convict must join forces and defend themselves from the unending onslaught if they are to survive to see daylight. Everyone fights. Not everyone will survive.

As 2013 closes, we look back at the talented individuals we lost this year.

The following seven featured individuals contributed to The Walt Disney Company in various capacities, from film and television work (like Annette Funicello), to altering the landscape of Disney history (thanks to you, Diane Disney Miller). We pay our respects and reflect back on these individuals who shaped Disney, many of whom passed away far too young.