Throwback Thursday: Great Stuff From Our Past Years Lists

2008: Haruka Ayase - The Hottest Women of the Year!

One of the highest grossing films in Japan that year was "Cyborg She" (My Girlfriend Is A Cyborg), so it is no surprise that the film's lead actress, Haruka Ayase, would be a sought after commodity. Haruka found working on the film to be a challenge due to the language barrier between her and Korean movie director, Jae-Yong Kwak. "Mr Kwak taught me acting through gestures and facial emotions." Ayase also took a very playful approach to her robot character, "“Because I don’t have an opportunity to punch men, I enjoyed doing it during production.” I'm sure there are a lot of men out there that are happy that she got to live that fantasy out on the set.

Now male fans worldwide will want their very own Haruka Ayase cyborg. I guess it's time to trade in my "Lucy Liu Bot" for a new model!

See: Top Ten Hottest Women Of 2008

2008: Murphy As The Riddler? Weisz As Catwoman? Labeouf As Robin? Here We Go Again!

You know that Batman sequel that Christopher Nolan has been denying for months, well now it reportedly has a cast and a title. According to sources close to Nolan, the film will be titled, "Gotham" and will feature Rachel Weisz as Catwoman, Eddie Murphy as The Riddler and Shia Labeouf as Batman's trusted sidekick Robin.

As recently as October Nolan was making public statements that he wasn't sure that he even wanted to make a third Batman movie, worrying that he couldn't pull off a decent film.

Things reportedly changed in the Nolan camp, and changed in a hurry.

Weisz is the latest of the names to associated with the Catwoman character. For months it was believed that Angelina Jolie was the front-runner for the part. At one time even Cher's name was reported to be on the short-list. Weisz, however, now seems to be a lock.

It is interesting to note that Christopher Nolan didn't want to do a third film because third films generally "suck" (Those are his words), yet by bringing in three new characters, he seems to be following the same formula for disaster. Fans often refer to the adding too many elements into one films as the "Too Many Villains Syndrome." What generally happens here is that too many new characters get put into one film, limiting their character development, which bogs down the films plot. Examples of this are, "Spider-man 3", "Batman Forever" and "Batman & Robin." Fans generally point out that the best superhero films almost always feature one villain.

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See: The Most Talked About Stories Of 2008

2009: Allison Scagliotti

Just like last year's top cutie, Haruka Ayase, this years favorite, Allison Scagliotti, is more of a down to Earth, girl-next-door type.

I guess that this just goes to prove that what guys are 'really' looking for is a girl they can take home to mom.

Am I right guys?.....guys?.....guess I lost a few there.


Anyway, "Warehouse 13" is huge hit for the SyFy Channel and the fact that Scagliotti is on the show, certainly helped the actress capture our number one.

On "Warehouse 13" Scagliotti plays Claudia Donovan, a young, hip, brilliant techno-wiz, who manages to successfully breach the Warehouse's complex security system in order to track down Artie (Rubinek). With a natural aptitude for science and technology, Donovan's talents enable her to manipulate and activate many of the objects contained in the Warehouse to help the Team.

See: The Top Ten Hottest Women Of 2009

2010: GHOST ADVENTURES - Zak Bagans, Nick Grof And Aaron Goodwin At Comic Con 2010

Like I mentioned in my previous article, my experience at Comic Con was a little 'different' than that of the 'typical' fan. Instead of lusting after the 'trendy' movies and shows, my family and I were excited about a lot of things that weren't so mainstream.

One of these was the television series, "Ghost Adventures", and my wife April, son Christopher and I were really looking forward to meeting the shows stars Zak Bagans, Nick Grof and Aaron Goodwin at an autograph signing later in the afternoon.

As luck would have it, the very same people, Zak, Nick and Aaron,that we so strongly wanted to see, arrived at the convention at the exact same time that we did. Amazingly, they were just milling around in the area adjacent to the check-in and autograph areas. To our delite, we were able to snap a few photos and talk to Aaron for a few seconds. My wife was very happy to have told him that 'he was the shit!'

To our surprise, no one else even recognised them.

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See: The Top Monster / Sci Fi Stories Of 2010

2010: The First Look At Roger Corman's 'Dinoshark'

Isn't it wonderful that giant mutant monsters are popular again. After J.J. Abrams unleashed his giant monster movie, "Cloverfield", in theaters two years ago, there has been a non-stop parade of independent features where the motto, "bigger is better", has really been taken seriously.

Last year, The Asylum, made a huge media splash with their film "Mega Shark vs Giant Octopus". The film featured former 80s pop sensation, Debbie Gibson, playing second fiddle to a titanic shark and an equally gigantic octopus. Likewise, films of the same vein like, "Dinocroc vs. Supergator", "Megaconda," and even The Asylum's follow-up to "Mega Shark", called "Megapiranha", were all rushed into production by the end of 2009.

Now it seems that the king of B movie monsters, Roger Corman, was feeling a little left-out by all of this, so he has developed his own giant monster film for the SyFy Channel called, "Dinoshark."

Lets see....Megaconda....Dinocrock.....Mega Shark........Dinoshark. Makes perfect sense in the grand scheme of things, doesn't it?

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2010: Alessandra Torresani

Alessandra Torresani (born Alessandra Olivia Toreson; May 29, 1987) is an American actress. She is credited as Alessandra Toreson for her work prior to 2007.

Torresani's television debut was at age nine when she hosted the "Kids' WB Club" for San Francisco's KBWB (Channel 20). She co-starred in the Disney Channel Original Movie Going to the Mat. Her other television credits include Even Stevens, JAG, ER, The War at Home, Malcolm In The Middle, Arrested Development, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, and CSI among others.

In May 2008, Torresani was cast as Zoe Graystone in Syfy's pilot for Caprica, a prequel spin-off of Battlestar Galactica, which debuted in January 2010.

In 2009 she was cast to play Lita Ford in the biopic The Runaways about the all-girl punk band of the same name. However, the role was later given to Scout Taylor-Compton.

See: The Top Ten Hottest Women Of 2010

2012: Dynamite Baby, Grindhouse Dynamite!

Grindhouse is an American term for a theater that mainly shows exploitation films. Named after the defunct burlesque theaters located on 42nd Street in New York City where 'bump n' grind' or striptease was featured.

Grindhouse films characteristically contain large amounts of sex, violence or bizarre subject matter. One genre of film featured were "roughies" or sexploitation, a mix of sex, violence and sadism. Quality varied, but low budget production values and poor print quality were common. Critical opinions varied regarding typical grindhouse fare, but many films acquired cult following and critical praise. Double, triple, and "all night" bills on a single admission charge often encouraged patrons to spend a long time in the theater. The environment was faithfully captured at the time by the magazine ‘Sleazoid Express’.

By the 1980s, home video and cable threatened to make grindhouse obsolete. By the end of the decade, these theaters had vanished from Los Angeles's Broadway and Hollywood Boulevard, New York City's Times Square and San Francisco's Market Street. By the mid-1990s, these particular theaters had all but disappeared from the United States and very few are in existence today.

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2012: Classic Tales Of Cryptozoology: Does The Creature Really Walk Among Us?

For centuries people from all corners of the globe have claimed to have seen all kinds of creatures ranging from dinosaurs to werewolves and if you are inclined to believe so, a real life "Gill-Man".

Way back in the summer of 1972 two young men claimed that they were chased from the beach at Thetis Lake, British Columbia, Canada by the "Creature From The Black Lagoon" or at least something that looked very much like it.

Was it a case of mistaken identity or overactive imaginations run wild after an afternoon of watching monster movies?

At the time the local police believed the two youths and began a search for the monster. Four days later the story seemed to be validated when two fishermen spotted the monster on the opposite side of the lake. Of course the search didn't turn up any man-fish at the time yet reports of the aptly named "Thetis Lake Monster" continued on for two more decades.

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See: The Top Ten Most Popular Stories Of 2012!

The Top Ten Hottest Vintage Comic Books Of 2015!

Compiled By View Obscura Comics 

10. Justice League of America #72, June 1969 Issue - DC Comics

Price $30.00 USD - Order Here

Script by Denny O'Neil, pencils by Dick Dillin, inks by Sid Greene.

The Justice League have just finished a prototype statue commemorating their departed comrade the Martian Manhunter, and their discussion on how to improve on the design is interrupted by the sudden arrival of the Red Tornado arriving from Earth-Two. However, before he can tell the Justice League why he has come from Earth-One, the alarm goes off and the Justice League goes off into action telling the Red Tornado not to budge until they come back. They end up in Midway City where they are met by Hawkgirl who takes the JLA to the museum to see that Hawkman has been turned into salt, as well as everyone in the area. They have the police cordon off the entire part of town and Green Lantern erects a cover over the city to prevent the salt statues from being dissolved by rain.

Batman spots a man fleeing the scene and goes after him, his attempt at apprehending the man is interrupted by a gang known as the Gruesome Ghouls . Their leader is interested in knowing that the man Batman is after was responsible for everyone in the city being transformed into salt wants the man for himself and they try to jump Batman. The Caped Crusader is saved from a pile on when the Flash intervenes. Batman takes the man he was after and brings him to Justice League headquarters. There, the man introduces himself as Marmaduke Mantick, who was a collected of ancient parchments. He explains that one night he followed the instructions for an ancient spell and summoned a Chthonic demon. The Demon told him to go to Midway City and touch the Philosophers Stone that they had on display there. When Mantick went there he found himself drawn to the stone and broke into the display case to take it. He would be opposed by Hawkman and during the struggle Chthonic demons would appear and they changed everyone but Mantick into salt statues. Finishing his story, Mantick tells the heroes that the Philosophers Stone can be used only once every thirteen days. As such the Justice League decides to keep Marmaduke under constant watch as the cordon of Midway City continues.

Later, Hawkgirl is captured by the Gruesome Ghouls who send a letter to the Justice League demanding that they turn over Mantick to them in exchange for Hawkgirl. The Justice League sends Superman disguised as Mantick to the meeting place and allows himself to be "captured" before revealing his true identity and making short work of the crooks, freeing Hawkgirl, and turning the gang over to the police. The Justice League then spends the rest of the thirteen days resuming their normal civilian lives.

9. Star Wars #2, September 1977 Issue - Marvel Comics

Price: $25.00 Order Here

Screenplay by George Lucas. Adapted by Roy Thomas. Art by Howard Chaykin and Steve Leialoha.

Princess Leia is in the hands of the evil Empire and the sinister Darth Vader. Now it falls on farm boy Luke Skywalker to seize his destiny and rescue her, and save the galaxy. But he can't do it alone. Luckily he'll get some help from old Ben Kenobi, once a great Jedi Knight known as Obi-Wan, Han Solo, a cocky ace pilot and all around scoundrel, Chewbacca, the hulking wookie and loyal co-pilot to Han, and the droids who hold the key to the Empire's defeat, C-3PO and R2-D2.

8. Star Wars #3, September 1977 Issue - Second Printing - Marvel Comics

Price $7.00 Order Here

Screenplay by George Lucas. Adapted by Roy Thomas. Art by Howard Chaykin and Steve Leialoha.

The evil Galactic Empire tests its ultimate weapon on Princess Leia's homeworld with devastating results. Meanwhile, Ben Kenobi begins Luke Skywalker's training in the ways of the force. However things take a turn for the worse when the Millennium Falcon is captured within the unrelenting grasp of the Death Star's tractor-beam. Now, it's up to this small motley band of heroes to mount a daring rescue attempt of the Princess from within the very bowels of the Empire's most powerful weapon.

7. Justice League of America #73, August 1969 Issue - DC Comics

Price $20.00 USD - Order Here

Script by Denny O'Neil, pencils by Dick Dillin, inks by Sid Greene.

The Council of Living Stars, a group of sentient star-suns, banishes one of its number, a psychopath named Aquarius, greatly reducing his powers. Set loose to wander the semi-sentient Aquarius would find himself drawn to Earth-Two.

Meanwhile, on Earth-One, the Justice League of America has time to finally listen to why the Red Tornado has travelled to Earth-One. He explains to them the events which have recently unfolded on Earth-Two: One night Ted Knighter would observe the arrival of Aquarius through his telescope. Finding the star mass suspicious he would change into his identity of Star Man and go to investigate. The creature would be drawn to Star Man's Star Rod and would take it from the hero using it to incapacitate him. As it would happen, Dinah Drake and her husband Larry Lance would be coming by to bring Ted a meal when suddenly Star Man would fall in front of them, prompting Dinah to change into the Black Canary. Before she can do anything Larry suddenly goes mad for a brief moment and tries to attack her. Realizing that this is a bigger problem than she can handle she calls in members of the Justice Society to come to her aid. Answering her call are Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Dr. Fate, and Dr. Mid-Nite.

A long the way each hero has to fight off a difference menace created by Aquarius: Green Lantern battles an animated florescent light, Dr. Mid-Night has to deal with a temperamental child suddenly gifted with super-human strength, and Dr. Fate has to fight a flaming raincloud. Green Lantern, Dr. Fate and Dr. Mid-Night arrive on the scene just in time to witness Aquarius use the Star Rod to restore his original strength and personality and they are shocked to find that he is a psycho path who wishes to create disorder all over the globe before destroying the universe. At this moment Superman, Wonder Woman and Red Tornado showed up on the scene. When Superman tries to stop Aquarius, the Man of Steel is knocked out by a blast of magic from the star rod.

6. Superman #226 - May 1970 Issue - DC Comics

Price $22.00 USD - Order Here

Script by Leo Dorfman, pencils by Curt Swan, inks by George Roussos.

Superman is affected by Red Kryptonite while watching the movie King Kong. As a result, he grows to giant-size, has his intellect dulled for a time, is incapable of speech, and goes on a rampage duplicating that of King Kong in the movie. Later, when the effect wears off, Superman transports Titano from the past to help protect his secret identity from Jimmy’s and Lois’s suspicions.

Clark Kent gets an interview with scientist Dr. Carl Cathcart, who dies during the session and passes on the key formula of his last invention to him. As a result, Kent is guarded round the clock by American agents, which makes it difficult for him to perform super-deeds, and is later captured by enemy agents who wish to pry from him the secret of the formula.

5. Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen (1954) #155, January 1973 Issue - DC Comics - Grade NM

Price $25.00 USD - Order Here

Script by Leo Dorfman, pencils by Kurt Schaffenberger, inks by Vince Colletta.

Jimmy Olsen tries to help Terry Dean and a bunch of underprivileged kids keep a storefront university going in the face of a crooked housing commissioner trying to shut it down.

4. Detective Comics (1937-) #449 - July 1975 Issue - DC Comics

Price: $5.00 USD - Order Here

Script by Elliot S! Maggin, pencils by Ernie Chan, inks by Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez.

Commissioner Gordon summons Batman to help him solve a problem involving four slaughterhouses each losing a herd of cattle. The Commissioner got an anonymous tip about a fifth attempt to occur that night involving a cattle boat. Batman spots the normally unused Refugee Island Ferry in transit and presumes it to be part of the smuggling. Batman boards the boat and is confronted by Tad Wolfe who is about to shoot Batman when his gun misfires. Batman catches him, bringing him to a police station where Tad's brother, Zach, refuses to post bail. That night Batman dreams of an encounter with a New Mexico medicine chief he met during his training to become Batman. The dream ends with a clicking noise and the imagery forming a gun. Batman poses as 'Slicker' and gathers information about Zachary Wolfe . He redresses as Batman and confronts Zachary in his warehouse. Zachary orders all his truck drivers to immediately stop and empty their trucks which allows all the stolen cattle to run free. Batman and the police help corral the cattle. Batman realizes the dream was his subconscious pointing out to him that Tad Wolfe had purposefully misfired by placing his wedding band in front of the gun's hammer. Batman deduces Tad was the anonymous informant.

3. Superman (1939 1st Series) #219 - August 1969 Issue - DC Comics

Price $15.00 USD - Order Here

Script by Cary Bates, pencils by Curt Swan, inks by Jack Abel.

An alien race has to model itself after Clark Kent, and conducts an operation on Earth to make the mild-mannered Kent appear brave, and Superman a coward.

Sunspot activity causes a heat wave in Metropolis and a hole in the Phantom Zone, enabling the villainous Vor-Kil, a klurkor-fighting criminal, to escape. Superman lures him back into the Zone with the help of Jimmy Olsen.

2. Batman (1940) #136 - December 1960 Issue - DC Comics - Grade VG/F

Price $100.00 USD - Order Here

Script by Bill Finger, pencils by Sheldon Moldoff, inks by Charles Paris.

The Joker, listening in on a television lecture by Batman, hears the caped crusader mention that ancient science believed in four elements--earth, fire, air, and water--but modern science has rejected this belief, and modern science has made it impossible for criminals to escape the law for long. The Joker, incensed, challenges Batman by mail to a duel of wits, as he commits crimes based on the ancient elements. He sends as a clue to his first crime a bottle of air. Under analysis, it proves to have traces of burned kerosene, leading Batman to believe the Joker intends to rob a plane of its airmail. This proves to be the case, as the Joker scoops up mail at the airport with a giant vacuum cleaner, then reverses the suction to blow the approaching Batman and Robin into the air. They cling to the lines from a passing blimp and are safe, but the Joker makes a clean getaway. Subsequently, the Joker capitalizes on an earthquake to loot an amusement park and later traps Batman and Robin in a ring of fire shot from the mouth of a huge Joker-faced sky-sled. He taunts them with the information that he is to steal the Linden Necklace next, worn by Jenny Linden in her musical comedy-performance of The Arabian Nights. The performance takes place on a floating stage, suiting the Joker's crime-pattern. With an acrobatic stunt, Robin is able to flip over the fire-ring and drive the Batmobile through to convey Batman out of harms way. Then they arrive on the floating stage in time to thwart the jewel robbery and to trap the Joker in a huge genie-bottle prop. Batman remarks that the Joker forgot a fifth element--the element of surprise.

1. Star Wars #4, October 1977 Issue - Marvel Comics

Price: $25.00 USD - Order Here

Screenplay by George Lucas. Adapted by Roy Thomas. Art by Howard Chaykin and Steve Leialoha.

While Luke, Han, Leia, and the rest try desperately to escape the confines of the Death Star, Ben Kenobi stands face-to-face with the deadliest Sith Lord the Dark Side has ever produced, Darth Vader! As the two bitter enemies duel to a stalemate with lightsabres, the old jedi soon realizes that for Luke, and the galaxy for that matter, to go on, he may have to make the ultimate sacrifice.

The Top Ten Comic Books And Graphic Novels Of 2015!

Sponsored By View Obscura Comics!

10. Avengers #44 



Earth’s Mightiest Heroes face extinction.

As Secret Wars and the final incursion loom, our heroes stand shoulder to shoulder for their cataclysmic end. Marvel is pleased to present your look at superstar artist Jim Cheung’s FINAL ISSUE VARIANT to AVENGERS #44 – the last, epic issue!

Before the highly-anticipated Secret Wars begins in May, close out Jonathan Hickman’s sprawling Avengers saga in style with this stunning variant rendered by one of the top artists in the industry! What changes await Earth’s Mightiest in the pages of Secret Wars? You’ll have to wait till May to find out.

9. Wonder Woman #38 



Art by: Richard Friend, David Finch
Cover by: Richard Friend, David Finch
Variant cover by: Rachel Dodson, , Richard Friend, David Finch
Written by: Meredith Finch

With her people against her, Wonder Woman has left Paradise Island more uncertain of her intentions than ever before! And with only the mantle of God of War to turn to, she’s challenged to give that up!

8. Harley Quinn #15 



Harley was certain she could have it all: She could be the world’s best landlord, protect Coney Island from the scum of the Earth, woo Mason Macabre, work her day job as a psychiatrist, volunteer at the puppy shelter…but that’s a whole lot of spinning plates, and eventually they’re bound to start breaking! What happens when a psychopath cracks up? Is it possible for Harley to go even more insane?!

Art by: Chad Hardin
Cover by: Amanda Conner
Variant cover by: Marco D'Alfonso, Amanda Conner
Written by: Jimmy Palmiotti, Amanda Conner

7. BATMAN: GOTHIC DELUXE EDITION



In this epic from BATMAN: LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT #6-10, published here for the first time in hardcover, the Dark Knight Detective must defeat an immortal killer while dealing with a terrifying horror from Bruce Wayne’s youth. While plagued by nightmares about his childhood, Batman investigates the murders of crime bosses in Gotham City. But what will he do when he discovers that the macabre killer is actually the headmaster who tormented Bruce Wayne as a boy?

6. Godzilla: Rulers of Earth #21

The Trilopods arrive, and no monster is safe! As the Cryog Emperor unleashes an all-out assault on the planet, Lucy and Woods face their own dangers and their only hope for the future may lie in the monsters from the past.

5. ALTERED STATES: RED SONJA #1



Cover A Main: Billy Tan
Writer: Brandon Jerwa
Art: Juanan Ramirez
Genre: Fantasy, Action/Adventure
Publication Date: March 2015
Format: Comic Book
Page Count: 32 pages
UPC: 725130228543 01011
ON SALE DATE: March 11

Welcome to Altered States... Dynamite Entertainment's parallel reality in the vein of DC's Elseworlds and Marvel's What If! Sonja Majeure is a young woman with a great job, procuring reliquary items for the Metropolitan Museum in New York City. Her latest exhibit features the sword of a long-lost warrior, a spell book, and the preserved remains of a sorcerer purported to be one of the most sinister beings to ever walk the Earth. When the ancient evil is awakened, Sonja will find that New York City has changed into a Hyborian wasteland... and Sonja herself will inherit the mantle of her namesake, the She-Devil with a Sword!

4. HARLEY QUINN VALENTINE’S DAY SPECIAL #1

Love is in the air in New York City! The planet’s richest bachelor, Bruce Wayne, is in town for a charity auction – and the highest bidder gets a date with Mr. Tall, Dark, and Brooding! Good thing Harley Quinn just came into some money (please, whatever you do, don’t ask how). But can Bruce really spend a night with Harley without her learning how he spends his nights?

3. Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope OGN



Lucasfilm Ltd. and Marvel Entertainment have already taken the industry by storm with blockbuster new stories set in the Star Wars universe. This May, we’re proud to return you to the story that started it all as the first original comic adaptation of the greatest space-fantasy film of all time is reborn as the STAR WARS™: EPISODE IV A NEW HOPE OGN!

Weeks before George Lucas’ first Star Wars film hit theaters – Marvel gave eager fans their very first look at Luke Skywalker, boldly asking “Will he save the galaxy, or destroy it?” Now, 30 years later, you may know the answer, but that doesn’t spoil the excitement of reliving this now classic adaptation like you’ve never seen before – including scenes that never made it to the silver screen!

Completely remastered for the modern age with new coloring by Chris Sotomayor, Roy Thomas and Howard Chaykin’s iconic story debuts this May in an oversized hardcover format with a new cover by famed artist Adi Granov! Now is your chance to relive the original Marvel Comics adaptation that started it all.

2. Invincible Iron Man #1



The Marvel Universe is reforged and recharged as All-New, All-Different Marvel kicks off in full force! New titles, new characters, and new creators explode on to the scene as only Marvel could bring you. Leading the charge for this movement is the blockbuster new title INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #1 – from the explosive creative team of Brian Michael Bendis and David Marquez!

Exploding out of the pages of Secret Wars comes a fresh new take on the Armored Avenger in a gigantic new series! New armor, new villains, a new supporting cast and a new purpose as Tony Stark bursts across the landscape of the Marvel Universe. And a shocker of a last page that will have the entire comic industry talking! Plus, questions will be answered – what really happened at the end of SECRET WARS #8? Who are Tony Stark’s biological parents? The quest begins here!

Strap in and suit up, True Believer. The marquee comic launch of the fall is coming as Bendis and Marquez armor up to bring you a new Iron Man for a new Marvel Universe.

1. VAMPIRELLA #10



Cover A Main: Mike Mayhew
UPC: 725130216830 10011
Cover B Variant: Jenny Frison
UPC: 725130216830 10021
Writer: Nancy A. Collins
Art: Patrick Berkenkotter
Genre: Horror, Fantasy
Publication Date: March 2015
Format: Comic Book
Page Count: 32 pages

When the murder plague erupts in a major American city, Vampirella, Tristan, and Madame Evily work to contain the epidemic before it can spread to the rest of the country. But as Vampirella closes in on the third and final member of the Accursed conspiracy responsible for creating and spreading the deadly disease, the unexpected return of an important figure from her past leads to a shocking personal revelation.

The Hottest Rock And Country Artists / Albums Of 2015!

10. Grace Potter: Midnight

Grace Potter is a member of The Nocturnals (Grace Potter & The Nocturnals) with Scott Tournet (guitar/slide guitar), Matthew Burr (drums/percussion), and Bryan Dondero (upright/electric bass). Potter's dynamic vocal ability has drawn comparisons to legends Bonnie Raitt, Aretha Franklin and Janis Joplin. Her unique style behind the Hammond B-3 and piano is also gaining widespread recognition.

9. New Order: Music Complete

New Order are an alternative rock/electronic dance band which formed in 1980 in Salford, England, United Kingdom by the three remaining members of Joy Division. The band's classic lineup consists of Bernard Sumner (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Peter Hook (bass, electronic percussion), Gillian Gilbert (keyboards, guitar) and Stephen Morris (drums, keyboards). The group effectively disbanded in 1993 but reformed in 1998. Gilbert left in 2001 to look after her and Morris' children and was replaced by guitarist/keyboardist Phil Cunningham. Hook left acrimoniously in 2007 and declared the band to be defunct. Initially, Sumner, Cunningham and Morris denied the band had split up, but in 2009, following the release of the trio's Bad Lieutenant album, they admitted that that they could not continue on without Hook and officially disbanded. However, the band reformed in 2011 for a pair of charity dates without Hook, with Gilbert returning to the fold and Tom Chapman replacing Hook on bass.

Pioneers of dance music in the 1980s and one of the first bands to effectively and popularly synthesize keyboard- and guitar-based music, New Order's members hailed from Salford and Macclesfield, England out of the ashes of Joy Division, are noted as being one of the first bands to bridge the gap between Post-Punk and Dancefloor. They were Factory Records' highest selling artist. They also funded Factory's famous Manchester club, The Haçienda. The band partnered with Quincy Jones's American label Qwest, recorded with legendary hip-hop producer Arthur Baker (on 1983's single "Confusion" and 1984's "Thieves Like Us"), and they embraced Ibizan club culture on the album, Technique.

8. Butterfly Boucher: Happy Birthday Flutterby

Butterfly Boucher (pronounced 'bow-cher' with a hard "ch" sound, unlike the French pronunciation) is an Adelaide, Australian singer/songwriter.

Boucher, born June 2, 1979, is the middle child of seven daughters. The name "Butterfly" was a suggestion from a friend of the family. Her mother didn't initially like the name but kept seeing butterflies in pictures, on clothing, etc. before the birth. In later years, Butterfly's sister had a band, The Mercy Bell, in which Butterfly played bass guitar. In 2004 and 2005, Boucher toured the U.S. and Canada, opening for Sarah McLachlan and Barenaked Ladies.

Butterfly currently resides in the United States. She released her first track of the album, "I Can't Make Me," in the UK first. It did poorly. However, when she released that track along with "Another White Dash," her U.S. success was assured.

7. The Bamboos: Fever in the Road

The Bamboos are masters of super-heavy, raw and upfront drum-break driven grooves. Led by Guitarist Lance Ferguson (Equatorial Records/Lanu/No Comply), other members include Ben Grayson (Hammond Organ), Danny Farrugia (Drums), Yuri Pavlinov (Bass), Anton Delecca (Sax/Flute) and Ross Irwin (Trumpet). The Bamboos formed in 2001 and released the 7” single ‘Eel Oil/Blackfoot’, earning them international acclaim from the likes of Snowboy, Mr Scruff, Jazzanova, Patrick Forge and Russ Dewbury. Their next release ‘Tighten Up/Voodoo Doll’ was picked up by Kenny Dope (Masters At Work) and Keb Darge (Legendary Deep Funk) for their U.S-based imprint Kay-Dee Records. Making their home at Tru Thoughts records (home to Quantic and Alice Russell) in 2005, The Bamboos debut album ‘Step it Up’ looks set to bolster their reputation as heavy players in the global Funk scene. In 2004 and 2005 The Bamboos toured Australia and New Zealand alongside Quantic and Alice Russell to universal acclaim. The Bamboos live shows have evolved into non-stop mixtape-style throwdowns that draw the links between Hip Hop, Funk and old-school Breaks. The Bamboos have supported international artists including: Keb Darge (UK) Moloko (UK) Mathew Herbert (UK) Dynamo productions (UK) Derrick Carter (USA) Patrick Forge (UK) Snowboy (UK) Jazzanova (GERM) Chris Lum (UK) Alice Russell (UK) Quantic (UK) Nextmen (UK) Russ Dewbury (UK) Steinski (USA) Guru (USA)

6. She & Him: Classics

She & Him is an American indie folk band consisting of Zooey Deschanel (vocals, keyboards) and M. Ward (guitar, production). The pair first met in 2006 for a movie soundtrack project for the film 'The Go-Getter' in which they recorded a version of Richard and Linda Thompson’s "When I Get To The Border”. Their first studio album, Volume One, was released in March of 2008 on Merge Records. Their second studio album, Volume Two, was released March 23, 2010, just over two years since the release of Volume One. Their third studio album, Volume 3, was released May 7, 2013.

According to Merge, at their initial studio session the two “were immediately struck by one another’s talents and found an instant rapport". During a conversation about their shared love of old records, Zooey let slip that she wrote her own songs, which she recorded alone at home on her computer. Somewhat shy about sharing these musical morsels, she was eventually persuaded to send them to M. Ward. He was instantly impressed, and they soon reconvened at his studio in Portland to begin work. Recorded over a period of several months, between acting work (She) and touring commitments (Him), the pair found time to bring Zooey’s fledgling songs to gorgeous fruition.

5. Houndmouth: Little Neon Limelight

Houndmouth is a collaborative folk rock four-member band, formed in 2011 from the lowland plains and farmlands of Indiana, USA. The band's lyrics emphasize their foolhardiness, and their soulful harmonies carry far. Houndmouth consists of Matt Myers (guitar, vocals), Katie Toupin (keyboard, vocals), Zak Appleby (bass, vocals) and Shane Cody(drums, vocals). Folk duo Katie Toupin and Matt Myers (formerly of the Saint James Hotel) joined up with Shane Cody (Riffraff Revival) and Zak Appleby to create a colossal electric sound with bouncy half-time beats, punchy guitar riffs, and a bit of facial hair. They performed at SXSW in 2012 to promote their self-titled EP, and then were signed up by Rough Trade Records. The band have appeared on several major television shows, including Letterman and Conan.

First Album - From the Hills Below the City (2013) - Houndmouth's first studio album "From the Hills Below the City" was release on June 3, 2013.

Second Album - Little Neon Limelight (2015) - The band's second studio album, "Little Neon Limelight" was released on March 17, 2015

4. Diane Birch: Speak a Little Louder

Diane Birch (born January 24, 1983) is an American singer, songwriter, and musician. Her debut album "Bible Belt" was released in 2009 to positive reviews by critics.

With a childhood spent on the move, as the daughter of a preacher, living between Zimbabwe, South Africa and Australia, before her parents finally settled in Portland, Oregon when she was in her early teens, Diane Birch absorbed a unique and very cosmopolitan perspective on life that shines through her music and makes a simple categorization of it impossible.

Trained as a classical pianist using Suzuki methodology (playing by ear at a young age following Suzuki's theory of language acquisition, where a child learns to speak before learning to read), Diane rapidly moved away from any confines of tradition, cultivating a very individual style and composing her own material. With an obvious abundance of talent and a passion for performing, it wasn't long before she realized that if she wanted to pursue a career in music she would probably be better served in Los Angeles, where both the film and record industries could be explored.

3. Marina and the Diamonds: Froot

Marina Lambrini Diamandis (Greek: Μαρίνα-Λαμπρινή Διαμάντη; born 10 October, 1985) is a Greek-Welsh singer, who performs under the stage name of Marina and the Diamonds, which is based on the English translation of her surname.

Marina was born on the 10th October 1985 in Abergavenny, Wales. She began creating and producing her own music in 2005. In 2007, she released her debut EP, Mermaid vs. Sailor. She released her first single (a double A-side, Obsessions/Mowgli's Road) through Neon Gold Records on the 14th February 2009, closely followed by The Crown Jewels EP in June 2009. Now signed to 679 Recordings, her first single with the label was "Mowgli's Road", released in November 2009. In January 2010 she reached number two on the BBC Sound of 2010 poll list. This was followed by the release of her debut full-length studio album, The Family Jewels on the 22nd February 2010, and her debut American release, The American Jewels EP on the 25th May 2010.

Diamandis' musical style ranges from keyboard-based ballads to more up-tempo new wave-style songs with full band backing. She has cited a wide range of influences such as Daniel Johnston, Blondie, Patti Smith, Nirvana, PJ Harvey, Elliott Smith, Dolly Parton, Britney Spears and Madonna.

2. Madi Diaz: Phantom

With a staggering voice and a gift for poignant melodies and innovative arrangements, Madi Diaz is folding her roots, pop and indie influences into her own paper airplane.

Diaz was raised and home-schooled in Pennsylvania's rural Lancaster county, the daughter of a musician (her father Eric Svalgard plays keyboards in the noted Frank Zappa cover band Project/Object) and a schoolteacher, Nancy Diaz. Encouraged by her parents, Madi began commuting to Philadelphia in 2002 to attend The Paul Green School of Rock Music, where her father would also volunteer (today Eric runs the Wilmington, DE branch of the school, where Madi's brother Max is also an instructor).

Her somewhat contentious relationship with Green himself would be captured for audiences to see in the 2005 documentary film Rock School. Even at that young age, Madi had forceful ideas about her music, an instinct that has served her well in avoiding lazy categorization.

1. Striking Matches: Nothing But Silence

Made up of Sarah Zimmermann and Justin Davis, Striking Matches came to Nashville simply to play music. Sarah, a Philadelphia native and Justin, from Atlanta, met when a professor at Belmont University paired them at random to play for a classroom full of guitar majors. The pair has been writing and performing ever since. Their influences range from Jerry Reed to the Beatles, John Mayer to Patsy Cline, and back again.

It becomes more obvious every day that they were born to play music together. Striking Matches’ debut self-titled EP was produced by Luke Wooten (Dierks Bentley, Dustin Lynch) with all four tracks co-written by the band. The EP released October 2012 was named among iTunes “Best of 2012″ and enabled the duo to score features with NPR and The Wall Street Journal. In December 2012, Striking Matches made their debut on the Grand Ole Opry where they have subsequently played more than twenty times.

Striking Matches has shared the stage with John Hiatt, Vince Gill, Hunter Hayes, Martina McBride, Matt Nathanson, The Fray, Billy Currington, Kip Moore, Ashley Monroe and many more. They were named a CMT Listen Up artist in September 2013 and became the first artist signed to the newly launched I.R.S. Records Nashville.

A Virtual Cornucopia Of Christmas Knowledge

A Christian holiday honoring the birth of Jesus Christ, Christmas evolved over two millennia into a worldwide religious and secular celebration, incorporating many pre-Christian, pagan traditions into the festivities along the way. Today, Christmas is a time for family and friends to get together and exchange gifts.

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Luke 2:1-7 - Source

As many people would have traveled to Bethlehem for the census, all the houses, or certainly upper levels were full. Many people think that Jesus was probably born in September or October during Sukkot, the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles, rather than during December. During the festival, Jews live outside in temporary shelters (the word 'tabernacle' come from a latin word meaning 'booth' or 'hut').

So Joseph and Mary probably had to sleep with the animals on the low level (where it’s common to have a manger cut into a wall where you put the animal food) or possibly (but unlikely) out in a stable, cave or even a covered market stall that sold animals (these stalls could be rented during tabernacles).

It was the custom in those times to wrap a new born baby very tightly in long bandages called swaddling clothes. The arms and legs of the baby were also wrapped, so they couldn't move. This was done because they thought it helped the baby to grow strong, straight limbs! And as no proper crib was available, the new baby boy was placed in a manger, or feeding trough.

This must have been an amazing scene, but was exactly how the angels had described things to the shepherds up on the hills surrounding Bethlehem!

The birth of Jesus probably didn't happen in the year 0AD but slightly earlier, in about 5, 6 or 7BC. The dates that we use now were set by Monks and religious leaders in the Middle Ages and before. It's also quite likely that Jesus was actually born in the autumn (during Tabernacles), not in the winter! It can get very cold in the winter in Israel and it is thought that the census would have most likely taken place during the spring or autumn, at a when many pilgrims, from all over the country, came to visit Jerusalem (which is about six miles from Bethlehem). Also during the winter, it's less likely that the shepherds would have been keeping sheep out on the hills (as those hills can get quite a lot of snow during winter sometimes!). - Source

The Christmas Truce

Just after midnight on Christmas morning, the majority of German troops engaged in World War I cease firing their guns and artillery and commence to sing Christmas carols. At certain points along the eastern and western fronts, the soldiers of Russia, France, and Britain even heard brass bands joining the Germans in their joyous singing.

At the first light of dawn, many of the German soldiers emerged from their trenches and approached the Allied lines across no-man’s-land, calling out “Merry Christmas” in their enemies’ native tongues. At first, the Allied soldiers feared it was a trick, but seeing the Germans unarmed they climbed out of their trenches and shook hands with the enemy soldiers. The men exchanged presents of cigarettes and plum puddings and sang carols and songs. There was even a documented case of soldiers from opposing sides playing a good-natured game of soccer.

The so-called Christmas Truce of 1914 came only five months after the outbreak of war in Europe and was one of the last examples of the outdated notion of chivalry between enemies in warfare. In 1915, the bloody conflict of World War I erupted in all its technological fury, and the concept of another Christmas Truce became unthinkable. - Source

The word for Christmas in late Old English is Cristes Maesse, the Mass of Christ, first found in 1038, and Cristes-messe, in 1131. In Dutch it is Kerstmis, in Latin Dies Natalis, whence comes the French Noël, and Italian Il natale; in German Weihnachtsfest, from the preceeding sacred vigil. The term Yule is of disputed origin. It is unconnected with any word meaning "wheel". The name in Anglo-Saxon was geol, feast: geola, the name of a month (cf. Icelandic iol a feast in December).

Christmas was not among the earliest festivals of the Church. Irenaeus and Tertullian omit it from their lists of feasts; Origen, glancing perhaps at the discreditable imperial Natalitia, asserts (in Lev. Hom. viii in Migne, P.G., XII, 495) that in the Scriptures sinners alone, not saints, celebrate their birthday; Arnobius (VII, 32 in P.L., V, 1264) can still ridicule the "birthdays" of the gods.

"Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas." - Calvin Coolidge

"Christmas, my child, is love in action. Every time we love, every time we give, it's Christmas." - Dale Evans

"The two most joyous times of the year are Christmas morning and the end of school." - Alice Cooper

"The thing about Christmas is that it almost doesn't matter what mood you're in or what kind of a year you've had - it's a fresh start." - Kelly Clarkson

"Happy, happy Christmas, that can win us back to the delusions of our childhood days, recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth, and transport the traveler back to his own fireside and quiet home!" - Charles Dickens

"I stopped believing in Santa Claus when I was six. Mother took me to see him in a department store and he asked for my autograph." - Shirley Temple

"Faith is salted and peppered through everything at Christmas. And I love at least one night by the Christmas tree to sing and feel the quiet holiness of that time that's set apart to celebrate love, friendship, and God's gift of the Christ child." - Amy Grant

"I don't think Christmas is necessarily about things. It's about being good to one another, it's about the Christian ethic, it's about kindness." - Carrie Fisher

"At Christmas, I am always struck by how the spirit of togetherness lies also at the heart of the Christmas story. A young mother and a dutiful father with their baby were joined by poor shepherds and visitors from afar. They came with their gifts to worship the Christ child." - Queen Elizabeth II

"I remember a great America where we made everything. There was a time when the only thing you got from Japan was a really bad cheap transistor radio that some aunt gave you for Christmas." - Cher

"On Christmas morning, before we could open our Christmas presents, we would go to this stranger's home and bring them presents. I remember helping clean the house up and putting up a tree. My father believed that you have a responsibility to look after everyone else." - George Clooney

"I throw a Christmas party at my house. It's not really a Christmas party, because I don't want to call it a Christmas party. But let's just say I put a lot of Christmas trees around the house, so it smells good." - Bill Murray

"I just want to express how truly happy I am today. All the birthday messages from all of you really touched my heart. It just proves how blessed I really am. Even though I didn't get a chance to thank each of you personally I want to take this time to let you know how much I love and appreciate each and every one of you. Thank you for bringing a smile to my heart today. Bless you all." - Ken Hulsey (Intergalactic Knucklehead)

1776 - Washington crosses the Delaware

During the American Revolution, Patriot General George Washington crosses the Delaware River with 5,400 troops, hoping to surprise a Hessian force celebrating Christmas at their winter quarters in Trenton, New Jersey. The unconventional attack came after several months of substantial defeats for Washington’s army that had resulted in the loss of New York City and other strategic points in the region.

At about 11 p.m. on Christmas, Washington’s army commenced its crossing of the half-frozen river at three locations. The 2,400 soldiers led by Washington successfully braved the icy and freezing river and reached the New Jersey side of the Delaware just before dawn. The other two divisions, made up of some 3,000 men and crucial artillery, failed to reach the meeting point at the appointed time. - Source

1941 - Bing Crosby introduces “White Christmas” to the world

“White Christmas,” written by the formidable composer and lyricist Irving Berlin receives its world premiere on this day in 1941 on Bing Crosby’s weekly NBC radio program, The Kraft Music Hall. It went on to become one of the most commercially successful singles of all time, and the top-selling single ever until being surpassed by Elton John’s “Candle in the Wind 1997.”

“White Christmas” took its first steps toward becoming a bedrock standard in the American songbook when Crosby first performed it publicly on Christmas Day, 1941. The song’s success couldn’t have surprised Berlin, who despite having already written such songs as “Alexander’s Ragtime Band,” “Cheek To Cheek” and “God Bless America,” had raced into his Manhattan office in January 1940 and asked his musical secretary to transcribe “The best song I ever wrote…the best song anybody ever wrote.” It was nearly two years later, however, that Crosby finally premiered the song on live radio, and a year after that that Crosby’s recording of “White Christmas” became a smash pop hit. - Source

Although most Christians celebrate December 25 as the birthday of Jesus Christ, few in the first two Christian centuries claimed any knowledge of the exact day or year in which he was born. The oldest existing record of a Christmas celebration is found in a Roman almanac that tells of a Christ’s Nativity festival led by the church of Rome in 336 A.D. The precise reason why Christmas came to be celebrated on December 25 remains obscure, but most researchers believe that Christmas originated as a Christian substitute for pagan celebrations of the winter solstice.

To early Christians (and to many Christians today), the most important holiday on the Christian calendar was Easter, which commemorates the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. However, as Christianity began to take hold in the Roman world, in the early fourth century, church leaders had to contend with a popular Roman pagan holiday commemorating the “birthday of the unconquered sun” (natalis solis invicti)–the Roman name for the winter solstice. - Source