For the Pet that Has Everything: Samurai Armor

People love their pets. Some more than others. Some, perhaps, to an unhealthy degree. But we can all agree that Samurai armor is a fashionable way to protect your fuzzy friends, thanks to the mad geniuses at Bored Panda.

“A Japanese company called Samurai Age just created something the world desperately needed – samurai armor for cats and dogs. Pets are already like loyal samurais that go by our side and protect us, so surely they deserve armor that would ignite their warrior spirits.

Samurai Age offers standardized armor sized for cats and small dogs, but they also make custom designs that accommodate your little four-legged samurai’s individual needs. It looks like the company will also sell pet fashion sets made after armor worn by the legendary Japanese samurais. For instance, the red armor on a Shibu Inu in one of the pics below is actually modeled after the armor worn by Sengoku hero Sanada Yukimura – how cool is that?

Depending on the size, you can get an armor for your pet for somewhere between 4,040 yen ($125) to 16,416 yen ($146), so what are you waiting for?

May we just warn you that, with cats, you might need some extra armor to defend yourself from being scratched. Other than that, we’re sure your samurai fur babies will be glad to serve.”

One Japanese company just created something the world desperately needed…

Samurai armor for cats and dogs!

Samurai Age offers standardized armor sized for cats and small dogs

But they can also accommodate your little four-legged samurai’s individual needs

You can get an armor for your pet for somewhere between $125 to $146

The company will also sell sets made after armor worn by the legendary Japanese samurais

For example, Sengoku hero Sanada Yukimura

What are you waiting for? Your pet will be honored to serve

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Amazing Balloon Animals

Thanks to Masayoshi Matsumoto and the mad geniuses at Bored Panda, we are shown how balloon animals can be taken to the next level.

“Everyone would love Japanese artist Masayoshi Matsumoto at their birthday party. This remarkable balloon artist has already made a name for himself but now he’s back with even more incredibly intricate animal and insect sculptures.

“I started making these seven years ago, I was really inspired by wildlife pictures and wanted to see if I could create realistic animals of my own,” Matsumoto told Metro. His pieces take the self-taught artist a minimum of two hours to complete and more complex project last up to six.

All of his work becomes even more stunning when you realize that Matsumoto doesn’t use markers, stickers or any other supplementary material. Ever. His multi-colored animal kingdom is made purely out of blowing and twisting balloons.”

#1 Phoenix

#2 House Fly

#3 Chameleon

#4 Caterpillar

#5 Snake

#6 Jumping Spider

#7 Octopus

#8 Frog

#9 Jellyfish

#10 Siamang

The Power of Googly Eyes and Imagination

Thanks to Vanyu Krastev and the mad geniuses at Bored Panda, we are shown the compelling power of googly eyes!

“Well the trend has now reached Bulgaria thanks to a street artist called Vanyu Krastev, and as you can see from his “eye-catching” work, he certainly has an “eye” for the perfect eyebomb! From trees and lamp posts to trash cans and sidewalk stains, Krastev is proving that even the most mundane things can be made more interesting with two googly eyes and a little bit of imagination!”

Classical Paintings Given a Fantasy Flair

Thanks to Lothlenan and the mad geniuses at Bored Panda. “Classical art is beautiful to look at, but some of us have a hard time relating to it. A digital artist on Tumblr named Lothlenan is changing that by turning some of fine art’s most timeless pieces into geeky fantasy settings. So far, they’ve revamped 7 tableaux, inspired by fandoms like Sailor Moon, Adventure Time, and The Legend of Zelda. It’s amazing how century-old paintings take on such a modern feel when combined with elements of Anime!

If you’re a geek extraordinaire and can’t even deal with how flipping cool these paintings are, you’re in luck – Lothlenon currently operates a Redbubble store where they sell stunning prints of each design. Who wouldn’t want an impressionist Totoro-à-la-Monet on their wall?”

#1 “Woman With A Parasol” By Claude Monet

#2 “The Accolade” By Edmund Leighton

#3 The Scream (of Nature) By Edvard Munch

#4 “A Portrait Of Louis Xiv” By Hyacinthe Rigaud

#5 “The Swing” By Jean-Honore Fragonard

#6 “Lovers On A Swing” By Pierre Auguste

#7 “Self Portrait With Her Daughter” By Madame Le Brun

CAP’N REX & HIS CLEVER CREW original art giveaway!

WIN AN ORIGINAL DINOSAUR PAINTING!

Enter for a free chance to win an original signed painting by Benjamin Schipper, illustrator of the picture book, CAP’N REX & HIS CLEVER CREW, by Sterling Publishing. The painting of Kyle the Ankylosaurus pirate is roughly 8.5″ square, and was created with Holbien Acryla gouache and Prismacolor pencils on Arches Cold-pressed illustration board. It’s suitable for framing and mounting in any dinosaur pirate-loving kid’s room.

HOW TO ENTER

The winner will be chosen at random from all qualifying entries received by August 31, 2017. To submit an entry:

1. Take a photo of your child holding a copy of CAP’N REX & HIS CLEVER CREW. The cuter, the better!

2a. Tweet the photo with the caption: @HenryLHerz My kid loves CAP’N REX & HIS CLEVER CREW!

or

2b. Post the photo on Facebook with the caption: @Henry.Herz My kid loves CAP’N REX & HIS CLEVER CREW!

Your entry grants Henry Herz the right to republish the photo on Twitter, Facebook, and this website. The winner will be announced on this web page and social media within one week of the deadline. The winner will asked for a postal address to which the painting will be mailed. ONLY U.S. ADDRESSES, PLEASE. Henry Herz is not responsible for damage that occurs during postal delivery.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Captain Rex and his dinosaur pirates sail the seven seas in search of buried treasure. But whenever they hit an obstacle—like a giant shark or pea-soup fog—the crew members are quick to say they can’t overcome. To this, Captain Rex always glares with teeth bared and says, “CAN’T YE?” And, somehow, the crew always comes up with a clever solution. This delightful story highlights the value of one’s creativity and determination in tough situations. It will encourage kids everywhere to think and say, “I can!”

• “Is there room for one more piratical dinosaur tale on the seven seas? There be! As Capt. Rex and his dinosaur pirates three search for buried treasure, they are beset by toothy megalodons, thick fog, and volcanoes. However, each time his crew declares they cannot do something, the captain glares with teeth bared and murmurs, “Can’t ye?” That kind of motivation can’t be denied, and the dinos go out of their way to think of clever solutions to their seemingly insurmountable obstacles. At last the treasure is uncovered, but when the captain fails to share, it takes a carefully placed “CAN’T YE?” from his crew to convince him of what’s right. With his emphasis on invention over brute force, Herz eloquently models positive attitudes for young readers. Less chompy than the text, Schipper’s art repeatedly softens the storyline. For example, rather than glare with teeth bared as the text suggests, the illustrations portray Rex smiling knowledgeably as his crew puzzles through their problems. The dinosaurs may be extinct but let’s hope dinosaur pirates keep on sailing for arr-ternity.”
  Kirkus Reviews
• “Arrr, if ye be lookin’ for a rollicking read about pirate treasure and persistence, REX marks the spot.”
  Molly Idle, Caldecott Honoree author/illustrator of TEA REX
• “A darling book about problem solving and utilizing arrr! gifts. And the gorgeous illustrations are a treasure. Pure gold!”
  Sherri Duskey Rinker, NY Times bestselling author of MIGHTY, MIGHTY CONSTRUCTION SITE
• “This story will certainly thrill the pirate in your house. Through humor and ingenuity we learn that anything is possible!”
  Barney Saltzberg, NY Times bestselling author/illustrator of BEAUTIFUL OOPS!
• “Gorgeous illustrations paired with a satisfying story. CAP’N REX is tons and tons of dino fun!”
  Fred Koehler, author/illustrator of SUPER JUMBO
• “Pirates, dinosaurs, a voyage to a volcano? Well, shiver me timbers! There be surprise and rollicking adventure within these gorgeous pages. CAP’N REX gives readers a taste of pirate etiquette in this see-worthy treasure.”
  Pat Cummings, Coretta Scott King Award winning author/illustrator of MY MAMA NEEDS ME
• “Cap’n Rex and his jaunty crew take us on a jolly journey, fraught with perilous adventures. Sticking together and using their wits to overcome obstacles at every treacherous turn, these dino heroes are destined to rake in their fabulous bounty. Gorgeous textures and sumptuous-shaped illustrations help make this book a delight for any young pirate.”
  Joe Cepeda, Pura Belpre Honoree author/illustrator of I, FREDDY
• “A clever yarn about overcoming obstacles that will have little buccaneers chanting “Can’t ye!” even after the last page has been turned.”
  Corey Rosen Schwartz, author of NINJA RED RIDING HOOD

Are These Signs Really Necessary?

I’ve noticed the proliferation of signs that seem redundant. There’s a reason survival of the fittest works, but these signs undermine that. Thanks, Cap’n Obvious and an overly litigious society! And thanks to Bored Panda for the photos.

“Sometimes you come across a sign that states something so obvious, you wonder why the heck somebody decided to put it up in the first place. But then you wonder if maybe, just maybe, somebody did something so stupid once that someone else put a sign up to dissuade other people from doing something equally ridiculous.”

 

Photos from San Diego Comic-Con 2017

Here, in no particular order, are photos from San Diego Comic-Con 2017

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Only D&D fans will get that pun.

A classic Comic-Con mashup. Elvis Boba Fett!

Cabbage merchant: An obscure, but lovable character from Avatar: The Last Airbender

A huge dragon you could ride. Stuffed animal sold separately.

D.VA’s mech video game character from Overwatch

A flying (thanks to magnetic repulsion) Iron Man and friends.

NY Times bestselling fantasy author Gail Carriger

Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy from Batman

NY Times bestselling fantasy author Ilona Andrews

Life-sized Iron Man model

Pint-sized General Grievous and Boba Fett

The eloquent First Second editorial director Mark Seigel

NY Times bestselling fantasy author Mary Pearson

Megaman video game character

My fantasy novel panel with Seanan McGuire, Robin Hobb, Gail Carriger & Mary Pearson

The authors of my panel packed the room!

Authors Todd McCaffrey, the Winner twins, and Seanan McGuire

The world’s largest Pikachu (from Pokemon)

Two fun posters. “Gandalf Airlines. Fly you fools! Our planes are never late. Nor are they early.
They arrive precisely when they mean to. You shall not need a boarding pass!” and
BatPug: “I am the night… but mostly I just piddle on stuff”)

Three princesses, or perhaps two princes and a Mother of Dragons

NY Times bestselling fantasy author Robin Hobb

Even the animals get in on the cosplay action. Ye scurvy dog!

Does this Skyrim helmet make me look fat?

Super Saiyan Blue from Dragon Ball Z

Some fun toothy artwork I bought.

Fantasy/sci-fi authors Bryan Thomas Schmidt, Jonathan Maberry, Seanan McGuire and Scott Sigler.

And, of course, Wonder Woman.