The Cold Blooded News:

My thoughts on animated sci-fi epic, “World on Tomorrow”, by Don Hertzfeldt.

I wanted to talk about an awesome piece of science fiction I saw as part of the 2015 Academy Award-nominated animated shorts, called “World of Tomorrow”. Written, directed, produced, animated, and edited by Don Hertzfeldt, a man of many talents and a strange sense of humor, if you’ve watched some of his other features like “It’s Such a Beautiful Day”. Hertzfeldt has produced an imaginative vision of the future that is equal parts wondrous and terrifying, with a twisted sense of humor, but also some very emotionally resonant moments. Don’t be fooled by the childlike simplicity of the draws, this movie is packed with themes and concepts.

The Plot

The story revolves around a young girl named Emily, who receives a call from a woman claiming not only to be from the future, but a 3rd generation clone of the girl herself! The clone begins to relate to Emily, her “prime” about the future, where technology has allowed humans to obtain near immortality through cloning, or for the lower class, uploading their minds to computers for an accelerated, formless eternity. People also have the ability to re-watch any point in history on their view screens, which is how the clone is able to speak with Emily. As interesting as this sounds, more recent history consists mainly of of people sitting infront of view screens watching over people, a wink towards our own TV culture. Listening to the clone’s robotic, monotone voice, it seems the advancements have done more harm then good for future humanity.

Just when you think this might be nothing more than a prank call, the Emilly clone uses time travel to transport her progenitor to the future. Emily prime finds herself in the “Outernet” a physical manifestation of cyberspace. The Clone then takes Emily on journey through her memories, where we see a colony on the moon and aliens worlds, and more of strange culture that has evolved with these technologies. The clone also reveals the ultimate fate of humanity, and has a request of her prime. (more…)

Update/ The Cold Blooded News:

On the Droc Facebook Page I’ll be sharing fun articles I find, like the “Lizard Man” of South Carolina.

For more Cold Blooded News, like articles related to reptiles, science fiction, and fun pop culture items, head over to the Droc Facebook page. I decided to make the distinction that the Facebook page is where all re-post fun and interesting articles. While the Cold Blodded News section here on the site will be for articles I’ve written myself, providing my thoughts on the topic. This way the two pages will have unique features, but when I do post an article here, I’ll be sure to link to it on the Facebook page as well.

In addition to reptilian-related news stories, I’ll also be posting works in progress of my illustrations, as well what I hope to be a weekly sketch to help flush out more of the Droc universe. Hopefully together these features will help keep the content flowing on the Facebook page.

I may occasionally post a few “Best of” Selections from the Cold Blooded News here on the main site, for posterity. For example, one recent stand out article, was the siting of the Lizard Man in South Carolina.

“Yep. That is the story comin’ outta da South Carolina town of Bishopville. The urban legend Lizard Man is on the prowl again after a woman attending church services took a photo of it and sent it into the ABC News 4 newsroom.”

Read Article »

The Cold Blooded News

An alligator, estimated to be about 13 feet long, has taken up residency at the Myakka Pines Golf Club. It’s been sited taking leisurely strolls from pond to pond while taking in the course, and freaking out the golfers.

The size of the creature has prompted a debate among social media users. Non-believers have accused the pictures of being photoshoped to a man in a costume.

To their point, 13 feet is definitely on the upper end of the size alligators can reach. And as someone who works in Photoshop, it’s definitely possible to manipulate a picture in that way. There’s also no shortage of pranksters looking to get their 2 minutes of fame.

On the other hand, we’re talking about Florida, and alligators are no strangers to golf courses.

Just crossing my fingers there aren’t any incidents. I would hate to see any harm come to the golfers or the animal.

The Cold Blooded News:

Titanboa, the 50 foot long, monster snake isn’t from some SyFy Channel movie. It’s Real!

A while back I saw a documentary on Titanboa, which I know sounds like the title of a bad SyFy channel original, but was in fact an actual giant prehistoric snake that was recent discovered!

Now the Academy of Science, Philadelphia, will be hosting a special exhibit on the super snake. Definitely check it out if you are in the area.

The Cold Blooded News

Sharks and crocodiles are predators in their own right, but who would win a fight if the two creatures came up against each other?

The answer is a crocodile – at least if this photo is anything to go by.

Andrew Paice, 43, managed to capture the moment this 5.5 metre crocodile named Brutus latched onto a bull shark in the Northern Territory before it swam off into the mangroves to devour its prey.

See original story here.

Reminds me of B-movie Epic “Mega Shark vs Crocosaurus”, where a Kaiju-sized megalodon squares off against and equally enormous prehistoric crocodile.

The Cold Blooded News

NASA’s rover Curiosity has taken a photo of what at least one person takes to be a real iguana on Mars, basking in the glow of the red planet. The UFO Sightings Daily blog reported the discovery, noting that the “rock iguana” is so similar to an actual iguana that it cannot be discounted. I would like to believe that this is a cousin of the the Reptilia Droc 🙂

mars iguana

Martian Iguana. Photo by NASA/UFO Sightings Daily

“To say it’s just a rock would be very closed minded to the evidence at hand,” Scott C. Waring, the blog’s founder, told the Huffington Post. “Not only does it have a body, but look closely and you will see its lower neck skin, its mouth line, nostril hole and even an open eye with a large brow over it.”

Though scientists say that there is no hard evidence that a Martian Iguana once searched the red planet for fruits and veggies, some scientists say that an ancient “gray Mars” had conditions that were once favorable for life.

For those who are interested in going on a herping expedition to the Red Planet, Mars One is currently conducting a global search for candidates for the first human mission to Mars in 2023.

Full story here.

The Cold Blooded News

As I mentioned in my last post, I will be occasionally posting news articles that are outside of the Reptilia Droc, but still pertain to reptiles, science fiction, or comics. I may be doing a little more or that on my facebook page in the future, as I am wary of Facebook’s new “we own anything you post” rule, and am having second thoughts about posting my artwork there in the future.

But I digress. Today I wanted to share the experience at  New York Comic Con this past weekend. It was a lot of fun, and a lot of exercise working my way around the absolutely enormous convention center. It was my first time, and a huge leap to the relatively modest Philadelphia Wizard World that I’m used. I’ve never been to San Diego Comic Con, so this biggest event I have as a frame of reference.

I didn’t get to too many pannels as the crowds to get in we’re pretty thick, and I was only there Saturday, this trip being sort of a test run. But I enjoyed walking around the show room, and seeing all the wild cosplays.

Looking forward to going back next year. Hopefully within the next year or 2 the Droc will be ready and I can get a spot in Artist Alley.

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The Cold Blooded News

Here’s a few photos from my recent trip to Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland, located in Allenwood Pa (http://reptiland.com/).

A fun, modest-sized zoo focusing primarily on modern day reptiles, along with animatronic dinosaurs, and a Butterfly garden for variety. I like to visit this park periodically anyway, to show my support of reptiles. But this visit was specifically to see the park’s recent addition, Island Giants, the Komodo Dragon display.

Enjoy the picture’s, and I highly recommend stopping if your in the area.

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The Cold Blooded News

Reptilia Droc soldier in the Philippines!
No not really, but this giant crocodile could pass for one. My Dad sent me a news story about a 21 foot crocodile captured alive in the Philippines.

Residents look at a 21-feet (6.4 metres) saltwater crocodile, which is suspected of having attacked several people, after it was caught in Nueva Era in Bunawan town, Agusan del Sur, southern Philippines September 4, 2011. The crocodile captured on Sunday evening weighing one ton, and is the largest crocodile caught in the country to date, according to the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center. Picture taken September 4, 2011. … more

Just thought I’d add some regular reptile news. Pretty rare to see a croc that big these days. Really happy they decide to capture him alive.

Story update:

Sadly I learned this incredible creature died a short time after capture. It sounds like a combination of the animal not being able to adjust to captivity, with severely inadequate housing conditions.

It’s a real shame. While alligators and crocodiles are populations are bouncing back in many parts of the world, there aren’t many of these truly huge specimens left in the wild. The larger Crocs are a prime target for hunting, and are usually put down when captured in populated area.

Rest in peace big guy.

The Reptilia Droc series combines my interest in reptiles and science fiction. In that spirit I’m creating a new section of my blog where I’ll be occasionally sharing stories involving reptiles in science fiction, real-life reptiles and dinosaurs, and conventions I’ve attended.

For example, here’s some awesome artwork by Manthos Lappas.

If you find any reptile stories I don’t have on the site yet, feel free to message me here or on my Facebook page.