Last Words - Mandalorian Mercs and Spiralmind

The last two interviews produced by Mike Cervantes for Augmented Reality feature the charitable local cosplay group the Mandalorian Mercs and the local comic book company Phi-3 Comics, creators of Spiralmind.

The End of Augmented Reality

At the time of this writing, it has been one week since EP-CON 2012 closed its doors. My three days of the convention, despite the tiring efforts it took to film a majority of it for public release, it was enjoyable. we got to engage in what has become my favorite convention activity: videography, and despite obvious issues with the convention in terms of schedule, we weren't terribly put out, and managed to complete the task put before us on the convention floor with duty and conviction.

Since the convention ended, however, an enormous amount of controversies have sprung up regarding the convention. I don’t intend to go into details about what happened. They have already been well and accurately publicized.

These circumstances come as a lethal blow to the publishers of Augmented Reality, all of them long time supporters of EP-CON and associated events. Therefore, we’ve come to the decision that Augmented Reality Online Magazine will no longer be operating. We do not want to associate ourselves with these sorts of circumstances, and we don’t want to make the statement that we celebrate El Paso fandom when grievous errors like such are being made on behalf of the convention, its organizers, and all associated parties, including ourselves.

The members of Augmented Reality have all agreed to part ways and make attempts to continue to report in their own. In the next few months you’ll still see the members of this blog continue to involve themselves in their own personal fandoms. Many elements of the blog will also continue to exist on the web, but will be attributed solely to the individuals responsible for them. What will follow after this statement will be the remaining videos we filmed during EP-Con 2012 and for our own personal projects. These final videos will be uploaded periodically until they’re complete.

On behalf of all the staff of Augmented Reality, we’d like to say thank you to the El Paso fan community. If you hadn’t supported us, we wouldn’t have existed at all. Thanks to those of you who truly appreciated our work. Thanks to those of you who came up to us at a convention to tell us you appreciated us, found our publications to be entertaining, and used it for the purpose it was made: to understand and celebrate the unique environment we have in El Paso.

Someday, the clouds will part, and we’ll all have our time in the sun.

So Says The Captain - Early EP-CON

The Captain is at the El Paso convention Center on Friday morning, and he's WAY too early for EP-CON 2012. But hey, there's gotta be someone out there to interview, like "Dog Tacos" author Terry McChesney, The staff of Spaced Out Creations and Dos & Tattoos, Cara Nicole the "AZ Powergirl," and Valeria Contreras of "Jaime's Jungle."

So Says The Captain - Instant Game Gratification

The Captain takes a moment to discuss video game economics. How many games do you own, and out of those games, how many do you actually play? Let The Captain engage you in a little game of thought.

SUPAH HERO TIME!! UCHUU KITAAAA!!!!!!

IZOUKE!!!

Episode 48 of Kamen Rider Fourze came out this last weekend, bringing end to one of the most amazing and memorable Kamen Rider series I have ever had the pleasure of watching, and that's something coming from me. 

I mean, when I first heard the rumors and saw the suit and saw the switches and even when I saw how Gentarou was supposed to look, I flat out hated it. I had for some reason always hated the whole pompadour style, especially in animes, and when I saw our protagonist was going to sport one, I immediately had a hate for the character. At first the design looked horrendous. I took one look at that rocket helmet and I groaned out loud. I had no intentions of watching it nor did I think it would amount to anything great.... HOLY #@$ WAS I WRONG. This has GOT to be one of the best written and best casted shows I have seen since Kamen Rider Double and Shinkenger, my two all time favorites. I'm going a little more in depth here than I usually will, so please bear with me while I have my fangasm.

So Fourze premiered back in 2011, airing alongside of Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger, until that show ended and it aired the remainder of it's episodes along with the current sentai, Go-Busters. The show revolves around the students of Amanogawa High School, namely Gentarou Kisaragi, a transfer student who looks like a “bad boy” but has a heart of gold.

Upon first arriving, he encounters Kengo Utahoshi, who very rudely tells a girl off who gave him a love letter. Kengo immediately despises Gentarou and simply ignores him as he goes to retrieve the love letter which Kengo threw away. Kengo then meets up with his classmate Yuki, and we briefly learn about “Zodiarts” which are students that have been turning into monsters with the aid of “Switches”. To Kengo's dismay, we learn that Gentarou has been assigned to his homeroom.

Gentarou's main goal to become friends with everyone in the Amanogawa High, and trust me, he genuinely wants to be friends with everyone.

We also learn that apparently Gentarou and Yuki were close friends when they were children. Later on, Gentarou roams around the cafeteria, and we see two other side characters, JK, a “hip” guy who serves as an informant and Tomoko, an odd goth who keeps to herself.

As Gentarou greets everyone, he makes the horrible mistake of sitting at the “cool kids” table and people start murmering. Enter Miu, the “Queen” and Shun, the “King” of Amanogawa. They immediately insult Gentarou and when he begins to fight back, Shun has the football team grab Yuki and threaten to hurt her unless he listens to them. Reluctantly, he goes outside and begins getting beaten up by Shun, This ends, however when they are attacked by a Zodiart.

The entire football team runs, leaving Gentarou to fight the Orion Zodiart, who doesn't take even a scratch from Gentarou's beating.

When all seems lost, Kengo appears, manning the Power Dizer, a robotic suit that puts immense strain on him. We also find out that this is also due to the fact that Kengo has an odd sickness that cause him to cringe in pain every so often.

Shortly after the fight, we see Kengo and Yuki entering through a locker, which through cosmic power, serves as a gateway to the Rabbit Hutch, a base on the moon which apparently was left to Kengo by his father, along with the Power Dizer, Fourze Driver and plans for several Switches. Yuki reminds him that he is too weak to handle the Fourze system, and just then, they hear a familiar voice.

Gentarou had followed them to the Rabbit Hutch and heard the whole story.

He volunteers to fight as Fourze, and before Kengo can argue, he is struck by another wave of pain, and Gentarou leaves with the belt.

Gentarou immediately encounters the Orion Zodiart and Yuki instructs him on how to transform into Fourze.

We see Fourze fighting the Orion Zodiart, displaying a number of switches including Rocket, Launcher, Chainsaw and Radar, each which provide Fourze with distinct and awesome weapons on his hands or legs.

Fourze then performs a Limit Break, or final attack, and a pretty awesome one at that, and defeats the Zodiart. 

Kengo appears, manning the Power Dizer and grabs Gentarou, with intentions to hurt him.

The rest of the show is an explosion of awesomeness, with UNFORGETTABLE characters, a beautiful storyline, unbelievable twists and explosive action. Even the suit grew on me and remains one of my all time favorite suit design for Riders. This series took me by surprise and it now holds a deep place in my heart. It has great morals, great episodes, it's just great! Sadly, it finished the past Sunday. But this isn't it! I will write a full overview of the characters soon, for all Fourze fans who have already watched the series. If you haven't watched it GET TO IT! Now, all that's left is to look forward to Kamen Rider Wizard.

[Anime of the Week] Sword Art Online (8/26-9/1/2012)

Image copyright goes out to A1 Pictures.

SAO screamed ".hack//" to me when I first started watching this what turned out to be wonderful anime. While this anime does share similar elements with .hack// (people getting stuck in an mmo world with only a drastic means of escape); so far the anime has proven to be different enough to not only be enjoyable but seen as its series. Unlike .hack//, this one is based on a series of light novels rather than a video game series.

Type: light novel
Rating:Teen

Synopsis:In the near future, a Virtual Reality Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (VRMMORPG) called Sword Art Online has been released where players control their avatars with their bodies using a piece of technology called Nerve Gear. One day, players discover they cannot log out, as the game creator is holding them captive unless they reach the 100th floor of the game's tower and defeat the final boss. However, if they die in the game, they die in real life. Their struggle for survival starts now...

[previous AOWs]

EP-con 2012: Anime Theater Schedule

The El Pas Comic Con is only 2 weeks away! With that Augmented Reality is proud to present our readers with a first view of the Anime Theater Schedule for this years EP-Con.
(you can click the image for full size)

[Anime of the Week] .hack//Beyond the World (8/19-25/2012)

Image copyright goes out to CC2 Sai

I've always been a pretty hard core .hack fan so seeing a movie that takes place more so outside of the game world seemed, and turned out to be a pretty good concept. This isn't your run of the mill .hack due to the movie taking place more so outside of the game, but we still have some familiar parts such as the return of Aura and Kite. The best part is this movie was released as a hybrid bluray with a VERSES fighting game taking place in the .hack universe but we'll probably never seen a NA release as the PSP game never came here :(

 

Type: game
Rating:Teen

Synopsis:In 2024 almost every teenager plays the online game The World. FMDs (Face Mounted Display) can now connect to your phone and you can play online even on the go. Technology has evolved to incorporate more connectivity via the internet, and even tests are now done on a touch-screen computer. However for 17 years old Sora this matters little. She comes from a strict home and has never played any computer game. That is until she reluctantly tried The World and learns the joys of adventuring in a virtual world with friends. But not all is well in The World: a malicious virus has been spreading around the net and will soon cause a new network crisis. Aura, the omnipotent goddess of The World has devised a plan to stop the virus, and although Sora might not know it yet that plan requires her cooperation.

 

[previous AOWs]

Aspect Ratio - Drink 'n' Draw 2012

Join Ruben Rascon III as he interviews the artists behind this year's Drink N' Draw at the North Shore Cafe, and listen in on a few special announcements for this year's Ep-Con.

So Says The Captain - George Liquor

The Captain Returneth with a new name for his show, and a discussion about a cartoon character you may not have realized you knew anything about. Watch and be educated!

To support John Kricfalusi's Kickstarter campaign visit: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1056985656/john-ks-cans-without-labels

Music by Shonen Neko Takaya, visit his YouTube at:
http://www.youtube.com/user/ShonenNekoTakaya

OH NO YU(GI-OH) DIDN'T!

Hey guys John Browning here! You really didn't think we were gonna stop at SummerCon did you? C'mocn you should know me better by now!

For those unfamiliar with Yu-Gi-Oh! The Blood of Razel, it was a fan film I directed and starred in along with some of the lovely people here at Augmented Reality. We premiered it at SummerCon and people actually were interested! So Without a further ado, I present the official trailer kicking off the countdown to the online premiere of Yu-Gi-Oh! The Blood of Razel!

John the Magician!

Name: John Browning

Blog Nick Name: The Black-Winged Magician

About the Nick Name: In all reality, I just though it would sound cool. When Augmented Reality decided to take me in, I saw Akia and Ruben (AKA SonicMan) and I thought they had dope nicknames and I thought it'd be cool if I made one of my own. At the time, I was just getting back into anime and the main object of my attraction was Yu-Gi-Oh!. I was surrounded by cards and one of the first rare cards I had managed to get at that time was Black-Winged Dragon. I also ADORE the Dark Magician so I mixed 'em both together and BAM!

Role: Director, founder of ShaDa Productions and Tokusatsu expert.

Specialties: Major Toku otaku. Let's just say I'm a white scarf and a few years away from being Akagi.

Add John on the web:

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Hello my milleniums! If you have no idea why I call y'all that, then you really have no idea who I am! Allow me to edumacate you. I'm John Browning, an up and coming director here. I'm pretty much a newbie still, but I'm learning about the scene. I started directing back in early 2011 with Kamen Rider DX, a fan-made Kamen Rider series. Lot of blood sweat and tears were put in but to no avail. I came up with the Blood of Razel concept around Jan., hit up Robo Gato for a little help and six months later here we are! At first, my basic game plan was to just reach out to Anime conventions, but since the wrap up of my first film, my plans are getting bigger and bigger by the minute! Along with Mike Cervantes, Ruben Rascon and MAS I have started a small production group called ShaDa Productions, otherwise known as Shadow Days Productions. Our mission is to make crazy and whacky films! If you're interested, hit us up at shadaproductions@yahoo.com! Or contact our Facebook.

Other than workin' on films, I'm also the local Toku expert here at Augmented Reality. I write articles called Supah Hero Time! I review tokusatsu shows and if you don't know what those are you can (sustained bleep) because even they are ashamed of you!... Just kidding ^.^ just check out my first Supah Hero Time here for a brief description! 

+Favorites+

Super Sentai: Samurai Sentai Shinkenger and JyuKen Sentai Gekiranger

Kamen Rider: W(Double) and Fourze

Anime: Fullmetal Alchemist (both the original and Brotherhood)

Manga: Rosario+Vampire

Other Show: Awkard

Movies: Watchmen and SuckerPunch

Book: Chance Fortune and the Outlaws

Food: Fried Rice and good ol' Chinese buffet noodles.

Game System: PS2 and Xbox 360

Games: Bayonetta, Kingdom Hearts 2, and Dead Space

Brandon // "Mr Fluffy Snorlax"

Name:Brandon Dominguez
Blog Nick Name: Mr Fluffy Snorlax
About the Nick Name: Well "Fluffy" was back when I would flip out over anything furry; cats, stuffed animals, even clothing; "Snorlax" is more of a coma joke that goes well with me sleeping a lot, "Mr" I have no idea but I like the sound of it.
Role:Critic
Specialties: I get the team snacks, gourmet style

I've never worked on sites and I have no idea if I'll be good at it. I just need something to do when I'm awake I follow any big things going on. And my interests very from My Little Pony, to High School of The Dead.

+Favorites+
Cartoon: Adventure Time
Anime: Trigun and Gurren Lagann
Manga:Scott Pilgrim, Hellsing, Black Butler, and D.N.Angel
Drama:Versus
Movie: All Batmans
Book:World War Z
Food: All food
Game System:PS3 and Wii
Game: Shooter, RPG, hack and slashes

The Captain's Couch - EPCON 2012

The Captain, Mike Cervantes, paid a visit to Wal-Mart as well, but he don't get to stand next to some fancy bat-vehicle. No, he's gotta stand out by some girly bikes. Well, the Captain's gonna make the best of it and bring around a list of local talent to TELL you why you need to be at this year's El Paso Comic Convention.

For more info visit: http://www.ep-con.com/

Poemic this weekend!

Tonight, and Sunday, August 3rd and 4th at 7pm each night, Join us at Poemic, at the Urban Art Gallery, 820 N. Mesa. There will be poetry, art, and exhibitions from local comic and fan groups all across El Paso. Augmented Reality will be there to film and also to take donations to go to the Giving First Fund to support victims of the Colorado shooting. It's sure to be an awesome night for fans of the printed panel!

The Captain's Couch - Introduction

Mike Cervantes comes back from a long hiatus to....well, it's kind of hard to say. Just listen to the video and make up your own mind about it.

Copyright 2012 Augmented Reality Productions.

Blood N' Gore at Lips Lounge This Sunday

Bloody Bloody Gross N' Blood! This Sunday, July 29th at Lips Lounge, Frank N' Con will be showing an extra bloody double feature movie night. Bear witness to legendary director Peter Jackson's first two films "Bad Taste" and "Brain Dead." See the premiere of local shock flick "Vieja Te Mata" and listen to live bands  "Wrath and Gore" and "Chains of Rage." Also, we here at Augmented Reality are going to be on site selling fan art and taking donations for the "Giving First" fund to support victims of the Colorado theater shooting. It's sure to be a nught of horror, heavy metal, and heart, so come on down!

Tortuga Lounge's Monday Night Fight Club

Head on down to Tortuga Lounge, 126 Shadow Mountain, every Monday night beginning at 8 for Tortuga's Monday Night Fight Club. We've advertised this event before, but now it's official, every Monday night will feature a new tournament with weekly prize giveaways! There will be a $5 entry fee for each tournament, 21 and over only, please. Also, be sure to bring some extra quarters so you can take advantage of $3 Shock Top pints and other great drink specials!

Alicia // "Akia-chan"

Name: Alicia Bracken

Blog Nick Name: Akia Tomiyo aka Akia-chan

About the Nick Name: In middle school one of my friends was taking an introduction to various languages class. One of the languages was Japanese. She was learning the basic alphabet and wanted to write out my name but since there is no L in the Japanese alphabet she used the letters for "A" and "Ki". The Tomiyo part I really have no idea... I just remember that sounding like a cool last name.

Role: Editor-in-chief

Specialties: All things "otaku" such as manga, anime, dramas and the like.

Add Akia on the web:

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Hi interwbz, as you can see I am Akia and I'm here to bring you coverage on all things otaku while helping out the Augmented Reality crew with convention coverage, original films and anything else we can come up with. I've been blogging since early 2008 when I was part of Itadakimasu! Studios (a website dedicated to being otaku through podcasts, a webzine and original videos), then later joined up with NewTypeZone (which was being hosted on a forum with plans to eventually expand to being a webzine as well). In early 2009 I even started my own blog, Reader//Watcher[girl], which I used that format to help co-find Augmented Reality which is a mash up of my blogging/vlogging (I used to do a vlog series on YouTube called "An Akia Vlog") format with The Captain M Show. I hope you'll stick around as long as we are here to make content!

I've also staffed and volunteered at many conventions including but not limited to WinterCon, SummerCon, The El Paso Comic Con and Fellow Anime Lovers Convention. I much prefer being one of the hands that put a convention together in El Paso rather than just attending. Helping out is a lot of fun and a real magical experience. I can't say I've ever had a bad experience <3 Also being part of AugReal has defiantly gotten me into the door at a lot of convention and events.

+Favorites+

Cartoon: Adventure Time & Regular Show

Anime: My Sister Can't Be This Cute & The World God Only Knows

Manga: Elfen Lied

Drama: 1 Litre of Tears

Movie: The Girl Who Lept Through Time

Book: Uglies series

Food: (good) fried Okra

Game System: anything Sony

Game: Trauma Center, Pheonix Wright, Katawa Shoujo

[Manga of the Week] Blank Slate // Otomen (7/22-28/2012)

Image copyright goes to Aya Kanno and Hakusensha.

Normally I would only pick one manga title for this feature but due to the fact both of these titles are drawn by the same artist and are equally good I decided to feature both.So I guess this is technically a special edition of AOW buuuuuuuuuuuut I won't label it as one XD

Blank Slate

# of volumnes:2

Rating: Older Teen

Synopsis:

Zen, a man with no memory from before being found by a band of thieves on the verge of death, and no interest in his forgotten past, wanders a war-torn country while wanted by the new government for committing unspeaking acts of evil. Not because he seeks to commit acts of evil, but simply that he does whatever, wherever, whenever, and to whomever he wants, and if a few rules or law-abiding citizens happen to be in the way then he destroys them without a moments hesitation or regret. After a chance encounter with the daughter of the army’s general, and the surviving family member of a terrorist organization, he comes to suspect someone is controlling him … a prospect he cannot accept. This drives Zen to set off with the doctor who just patched him up, a physician willing to treat any patient, to rediscover his lost past and eliminate those controlling him. All for the sake of returning to his life of complete freedom.

# of volumnes:14+

Rating: Teen

Synopsis:

Smart, tall and handsome Asuka Masamune, chairman of the kendō team with accomplished judō and karate skills, is considered as "THE man of men" of Ginyuri Academy. However he has a big secret (or secrets): he excels at cooking, sewing, household chores and loves sweets, pink, shōjo manga and stuffed animals/plushies and is afraid of darkness. None of the above sounds "manly" in any way, and he tries hard to hide his hobbies in order to preserve his image, until he meets an extrovert girl named Ryō Miyakozuka who has just transferred to Ginyuri Academy.

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