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COLLEGE BASKETBALL POSTSEASON ROLLS ALONG

More tickets punched to national tournaments. 

NAIA

University of Antelope Valley PioneersCALIFORNIA PACIFIC CONFERENCE: CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The last teams standing in this tournament were the top seeds – the UNIVERSITY OF ANTELOPE VALLEY PIONEERS – and the 2nd seeded UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT MERCED GOLDEN BOBCATS. The Pioneers (should be the Antelopes) had doubled-up on the Golden Bobcats by Halftime, leading them 46-23. UAV stayed on top the rest of the way for an 84-66 victory led by Ronnie Rousseau III’s 25 points. * THE PIONEERS ARE CHAMPIONS OF THE CALIFORNIA PACIFIC CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT * 

college of idaho coyoteCASCADE COLLEGIATE CONFERENCE: CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – This title tilt pitted the top-seeded COLLEGE OF IDAHO COYOTES against the 3 seeds – the OREGON TECH HUSTLIN’ OWLS. The Coyotes were out in front 44-36 at the Half, then held on against the never-say-die Hustlin’ Owls to win it 82-77. Talon Pinckney led the way for the College of Idaho with 23 points. * THE COYOTES ARE CHAMPIONS OF THE CASCADE COLLEGIATE CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT *  Continue reading →

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THE STRANGER (1991-1995): TIME FOR ANOTHER SUCH PASTICHE OF DOCTOR WHO?

The StrangerTHE STRANGER – Given the current uproar over the disastrous Chibnall retcon, Balladeer’s Blog takes a look at the “brief shining moment” when Colin Baker was starring in what is often called a bootleg Doctor Who series. Less antagonistic interpretations call the BBV series a pastiche or a knowing “homage” to Doctor Who.  

When The Stranger series of stories first came out it was a few years after the original run of Doctor Who was over. For the many Colin Baker fans who felt he got robbed of an opportunity to shine as the Doctor for reasons beyond his control, these episodes were basically just barely-concealed stories featuring Colin’s regeneration of the timelord from Gallifrey. 

Consider:

*** Colin Baker went from playing an enigmatic traveler in time and space known only as the Doctor to playing an enigmatic traveler in time and space known only as the Stranger.     

Colin Baker*** The most popular companion of Baker’s Doctor was Peri Brown, played by Nicola Bryant. The Stranger’s companion was “Miss Brown,” played by Nicola Bryant.

*** The Doctor and his companions traveled in a time/space vehicle called the Tardis. The Stranger and his companions traveled in a never-seen vehicle coyly referred to as their “mode of transportation.” Continue reading →

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THE MASKED MAN: STORY THREE – THE BANK ROBBERY

Balladeer’s Blog continues its examination of B.C. Boyer’s neglected 1980s superhero the Masked Man. For Part One click HERE  

Eclipse Monthly 1ECLIPSE MONTHLY Vol 1 #1 (August 1983)

Title: The Bank Robbery

Villains: The Incognito Gang

Note: With so many other sites covering the way the BBC has decided that the Doctor “was born a poor black child” as Steve Martin once said, I am instead proceeding with this series of reviews.  

Synopsis: This 3rd Masked Man adventure was one of 5 features in the debut issue of Eclipse Monthly. B.C. Boyer’s massively underrated hero shared the gigantic magazine with the legendary Steve Ditko’s superhero called Static, Doug Wildey’s iconic gunslinger Rio and others.

The Masked Man (Dick Carstairs) wound up being the most popular character in the monthly publication and eventually graduated to his own solo series. As always, Boyer wrote AND drew the story.  

Masked Man faceThe Bank Robbery opens with a little boy named Delbert being scorned and bullied by a bunch of other boys his age. They look down their noses at Delbert until, in a desperate bid for acceptance, he tells them he “helped” the Masked Man stop a bank robbery the previous week.

We learn that the boy’s father is dead and his financially struggling mother picked him up after school the previous Friday and then took him to the bank to cash her paycheck. While she was at the counter doing just that, the six-man Incognito Gang entered, guns drawn, to rob the bank.

Each of the gang members wore colorful masks fitting for supervillains in a comic book, except for one, who wore a Groucho Marx mask. Boyer’s fun ability to blend action, dark urban danger and occasional laughs makes me wish he had written the script for the 2008 movie about Will Eisner’s hero The Spirit.      Continue reading →

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COLLEGE BASKETBALL: MORE TOURNAMENT RESULTS

NAIA

Southeastern University Fire NEWTHE SUN CONFERENCE: CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The top seeds – the SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY FIRE – took on the 3rd seeded SAINT THOMAS UNIVERSITY BOBCATS (should be the Tomcats). The Fire were on top 34-25 at Halftime only to see the Bobcats charge back, forcing Overtime with a 68-68 tie. In the extra session Southeastern U won the game 78-73. Riley Minx notched THIRTY-ONE points to lead the victors. * THE FIRE ARE CHAMPIONS OF THE SUN CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT * 

Mayville State Comets SQUARENORTH STAR ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION: CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The 2nd seeded MAYVILLE STATE COMETS faced the Cinderella 5 seeds – the WALDORF UNIVERSITY WARRIORS. By the Half the Comets had taken a 30-24 advantage but had to hold on tight from there against a furious Warriors rally. Mayville State won it 65-62 led by 22 points from Demitrius Martin. * THE COMETS ARE CHAMPIONS OF THE NSAA TOURNAMENT *

NJCAA

Sandhills College FlyersMID-ATLANTIC DISTRICT: CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The SANDHILLS COLLEGE FLYERS clashed with the ANNE ARUNDEL COLLEGE RIVERHAWKS. The Flyers led the Riverhawks 40-36 at the midpoint. The explosive 2nd Half ended with Sandhills College winning by a Century Club-level score of 108-92. Sayaun Dent tossed in 18 points to lead the Flyers. * THE FLYERS ARE CHAMPIONS OF THE MID-ATLANTIC DISTRICT TOURNAMENT * Continue reading →

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TO MARS WITH TESLA (1901): ANCIENT SCIENCE FICTION

To Mars With TeslaTO MARS WITH TESLA (1901) – Written by Weldon J Cobb, To Mars With Tesla (not to be confused with To Hell With Alexander Graham Bell) momentarily turned the”Edisonade” sub-genre of science fiction into a “Tesla-ade.”

Years ago Balladeer’s Blog reviewed Edison’s Conquest of Mars, an 1898 novel depicting the inventor Thomas Edison and several other real-life figures saving Earth from Martian aggression. This 1901 work presents Edison’s rival inventor Nikola Tesla in a tale involving the Red Planet.

NOTE: Do not confuse this novel with the 21st Century adaptation of it by another author.

To Mars With Tesla aka A Trip To Mars was originally serialized in the magazine New Golden Hours from March 30th, 1901 to May 18th, 1901. Nikola Tesla is attempting wireless communication with Mars to see if it bears intelligent life. Assisting him in this endeavor are Professors Weir and Combe as well as a youthful intern called “Young Edison.”

masc graveyard newThat intern sees most of the action and is supposedly a distant relative of Thomas Edison. Young Edison relays messages between his scientist bosses and this makes him a frequent target of the nefarious schemes of the villainous Heinrickson, a mad tycoon who has evil designs on the planet Mars.      

Secondary antagonists include the mad scientist Herschel de Vega, who is constructing a spaceship, and a pair of crooks named Zadir and Hazif, who impersonate Martians as part of their criminal scheme.    Continue reading →

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TEN WEBSITES THAT ARE NOT TO BE MISSED

Balladeer’s Blog takes a look at some sites you’ll kick yourself for not visiting on a daily basis. CLICK ON TITLES TO VISIT THE SITES.

INFOGALACTIC.COM

InfogalacticNature: Informational

Comment: Called “The planetary knowledge core,” Infogalactic.com proves you don’t ever need to use W-pedia OR the g-word. Well, you can use the g-word if you want search results that prioritize sites which PAY the g-barons to place them higher than sites that are actually more relevant to your search. And unlike W-pedia, Infogalactic.com doesn’t allow fools with an axe to grind to “edit” entries.

ETHAN VAN SCIVER’S C.A.P.S.

Ethan Van Sciver picNature: Irreverent takes on pop culture … and mummies

Comment: C.A.P.S. stands for Comic Artist Pro Secrets but don’t let that specificity fool you. Van Sciver is like a new King of All Media in the way that he irreverently addresses any and every pop culture topic that enters his crosshairs (And I think we all know how painful that can be). Called “Caesar” and “Uncle Ethan” by his fans, EVS’s YT channel makes for addictive viewing and/or listening. The jovial genius embodies the old clichés like “you know him, you love him, you can’t live without him.” Balladeer’s Blog’s regulars know that I know funny, and Ethan is hilarious! Continue reading →

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COLLEGE BASKETBALL POSTSEASON TOURNAMENTS CONTINUE

NAIA

NORTH STAR ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

Mayville State Comets SQUAREFIRST SEMIFINAL – The 2 seeds – the MAYVILLE STATE COMETS – squared off against the 3rd seeded VITERBO UNIVERSITY V-HAWKS. The Comets had taken a 41-29 advantage by Halftime, then kept the V-Hawks at arm’s length the rest of the way for a 75-62 triumph. Max Cooper led the way for Mayville State with his 20 points. 

Waldorf Warriors logoSECOND SEMIFINAL – In this game the 5th seeded WALDORF UNIVERSITY WARRIORS clashed with the top seeds – the BELLEVUE UNIVERSITY BRUINS. The Bruins held a 34-31 edge at the Half, but the Warriors came from behind to win the game 68-66. Demitrius Martin tossed in 27 points to lead Waldorf University in this Upset.

NJCAA

Herkimer Generals logo BIGREGION 303: FIRST SEMIFINAL – The 3 seeds – the HERKIMER COLLEGE GENERALS – took the court against the 2nd seeded ONONDAGA COLLEGE LAZERS. The Generals were all over the Lazers, leading 35-20 at the break on their way to a 68-48 smackdown victory. Shykell Brown’s 21 points led Herkimer College.  Continue reading →

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NCCAA COLLEGE BASKETBALL REGIONALS

The 2020 postseason continues in the divisions of college basketball covered here at Balladeer’s Blog.

NCCAA  

Johnson (TN) RoyalsMIDEAST REGION – The 2 seeds – the JOHNSON UNIVERSITY (FL) ROYALS – knocked off the 7th seeded BOYCE COLLEGE BULLDOGS 75-62 in this 1st Round game. (The 1 seed has a Bye in this round.)   ###   Meanwhile the (3) GREAT LAKES CHRISTIAN COLLEGE CRUSADERS edged the (6) WELCH COLLEGE FLAMES in a 72-71 Instant Classic   ###   And the (4) SIMMONS COLLEGE OF KENTUCKY FALCONS defeated the (5) CU-HARRODSBURG TIGERS 69-65.

Maranatha Baptist Logo bigNORTH REGION – The 5th seeded MARANATHA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY SABERCATS toppled the 4 seeds – Canada’s PROVIDENCE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE PILOTS by a score of 94-82   ###   The (6) TRINITY BIBLE COLLEGE LIONS kept the Upsets coming with a 108-103 Overtime win over the (3) CENTRAL CHRISTIAN COLLEGE OF THE BIBLE SAINTS   ###   And the (2) CALVARY UNIVERSITY WARRIORS crushed the (7) OAK HILLS CHRISTIAN COLLEGE WOLFPACK 87-49.   Continue reading →

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SON OF INDIANA JONES

Chris PrattWith the news that Steven Spielberg will no longer be directing the bizarre film project Indiana Jones 5, a few readers asked me for Balladeer’s Blog’s take.

In the past I’ve mentioned how foolish it is to think that Harrison Ford MUST play Indy in all the movies. James Bond and Tarzan are just two recurring heroes that have survived multiple casting changes over the years.

The obvious move long ago would have been to cast a younger actor – say, Chris Pratt – as Indiana Jones and detail some of his earlier adventures. I love the Roaring Twenties so I think it would have been great to see Dr Jones’ activities in that decade.

Since it would be before Raiders of the Lost Ark even Belloq (maybe Gary Oldman) could appear in a few installments. I can’t possibly be alone in wanting to see some of those “many stimulating encounters” that Belloq referred to having with Indy in Raiders.

Belloq was French, so do a story with Dr Jones searching for a lost relic in 1920s Vietnam. Belloq’s hoity-toity family could be among the French plantation owners there, helping to set up a clash with our hero. Or have the two vying with each other to recover ancient Russian artifacts from violent factions of Red and White Russians in the years after the Russian Civil War. Any number of things.

Mascot sword and pistolOne of the main things I hate about keeping Harrison Ford as Indy is the fact that Ford’s age requires the setting to be the 1950s or 1960s. Those decades are far too late for the “homage to 1930s pulp and serial heroes” charm of the original Indiana Jones trilogy.

Back in 2008, instead of the awful Kingdom of the Crystal Skulls, they could have made Son of Indiana Jones. Chris Pratt – or anyone else NOT named Shia Lebouf, who is shia venny talent – could have been the son of Indy and Marion, named Gemini Jones or Mercury Jones or something similar. Continue reading →

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THE MASKED MAN: STORY TWO – HIS CRIMELORD ARCHENEMY

Balladeer’s Blog continues its examination of B.C. Boyer’s neglected 1980s superhero the Masked Man. For Part One click HERE 

Eclipse 8ECLIPSE MAGAZINE Vol 1 #8 (January 1983)

Title: Frankie

Villain: Frankie the crimelord.

Synopsis: Once again the underrated B.C. Boyer writes and illustrates a tale that toys with narrative structure and with superhero themes in a way that puts the reader in mind of Will Eisner’s iconic creation The Spirit. Or in mind of the brilliant and innovative work of Ethan Van Sciver, Richard C Meyer and Jon Malin today. 

In this second story featuring the Masked Man (Dick Carstairs), his newspaper reporter friend Barney McAlister is still serving as the hero’s Doctor Watson – publicizing the figure’s adventures like Watson did with Sherlock Holmes. The masked crimefighter has been adding to his reputation by clobbering and corraling many of the city’s most violent criminals.

Masked Man pic 2Like an old west gunfighter, the Masked Man’s fame has motivated plenty of would-be tough guys in the criminal ranks to try making a name for themselves by killing him. Even a few random wackos try their hand at bumping off our hero, convinced that it will bring them notoriety and a fortune when they sell the book and movie rights to their story.   Continue reading →

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