Best of
Robots

2011

Silently and Very Fast


Catherynne M. Valente - 2011
    Valente takes on the folklore of artificial intelligence in this brand new, original novella of technology, identity, and an uncertain mechanized future.Neva is dreaming. But she is not alone. A mysterious machine entity called Elefsis haunts her and the members of her family, back through the generations to her great-great-grandmother—a gifted computer programmer who changed the world. Together Neva and Elefsis navigate their history and their future, an uneasy, unwilling symbiote.But what they discover in their dreamworld might change them forever . . .

The Art of Epic Mickey


Austin Grossman - 2011
    It will be written by Epic Mickey co-writer Austin Grossman and will feature a forward by Game Director and New York Times contributor, Warren Spector. The book will journey through the beautifully dark and twisted world known as Cartoon Wasteland touching on the creative process behind developing this once-in-a-lifetime vision. It will include, sketches, concept art, final frames, and stills from the actual game, plus, never-before-used art with quotes from the team that envisioned this epic tale. The physical world of the game is born directly from Disneyland, and accordingly, the book will spotlight the artistic influence that Disneyland, with its iconic qualities and rides, had on the creators of Epic Mickey.

Mega Man 1: Let the Games Begin


Ian Flynn - 2011
    Light wanted to build a better tomorrow with his new Robot Masters, but the evil Dr. Wily reprogrammed them to take over the world! Now it's up to one little robot to save us all -- Mega Man! Don't miss the first heroic adventures of Rock, a simple helper robot who takes up the fight for the greater good! This volume contains Rock's transformation into Mega Man, his first battles with the Robot Masters, and his titanic clash with Dr. Wily! "Mega Man Vol. 1" collects issues 1-4 of the "Mega Man" comic book.

Lords of Kobol - Book One: Apotheosis


Edward T. Yeatts III - 2011
    Zeus, Hera, Apollo, Athena, Ares ... the gods provided and the people worshipped. But who or what were they?Humanity has reached the pinnacle of their civilization, thanks to the Lords. Once they've reached the top, what is next? After three millennia, are there some subjects eager to be free of the Pantheon's rule? Are the Olympian overseers weary? Are there others who deny the gods' divinity in the first place?Partake in the fruits of Utopia and observe Kobol at its peak. See Pythia encounter divine inspiration. Watch as the Thirteenth Tribe is born. Gaze upon the seeds being sown for mankind's eventual departure from paradise ...Fans of "Battlestar Galactica" and "Caprica" can't miss the first book in a trilogy detailing the ancient history of the shows we love. There is a Plan and questions will be answered.

Ralph Masiello's Robot Drawing Book


Ralph Masiello - 2011
    Step-by-step diagrams show young artists how to use simple shapes and lines to create basic robots.Challenge steps and a visit to the "spare part warehouse" encourage kids to customize their designs with dials, switches, and antennae. Bonus challenge steps show how to add claws, armor, and other fantastic features.

But I Can't Do Anything Else! the Art of Rob Schrab


Rob Schrab - 2011
    Fans rejoiced...but demanded to know what had taken him so long? The answer lies within these pages. This is a collection of concept sketches from his many sci-fi, horror, and animation projects in TV/Film that never saw the light of day. Some were abandoned, some are coming soon, but all are here to enjoy.

The Distinctly Essential Dresden Codak Primer


Arryn Diaz - 2011
    It’s quite a thing to see, and Aaron sincerely hopes you cats like it!

Atomic Robo #1


Jeff Powell - 2011
    Atomic Robo is secretly hired by the U.S. Army to infiltrate the hidden Himalayan mountain base of Baron Heinrich Von Helsingard before he perfects a superweapon for the Nazis.

Shimmer Magazine 14


Beth WodzinskiAri Goelman - 2011
    Al Balaskovits, and “Gödel Apparition Fugue,” by Craig DeLancey.“…Whimsical, beautifully written and presented, and with thoughtful stories.”–Not if You Were the Last Short Story.“Unfailingly well written, which gives hope for the future of the genre. … Read this issue of Shimmer to get a look at the future giants of the field.”–Tangent Online

The Robot Alphabet


Amanda Baehr Fuller - 2011
    

Switch


Ceres_Libera - 2011
    McCoy MD/PhD … If Leonard McCoy's life could get any fucking weirder, it would be … Jesus, he didn't even want to think what that could possibly mean, because it's already been too fucking weird to make any kind of rational sense. A Starfleet Academy story, set in the ST:XI universe.

Ratchet and Clank


T.J. Fixman - 2011
    Nefarious defeated and the universe safe, galactic heroes Ratchet and Clank return to the Solana galaxy for some well-earned rest and relaxation. But when entire planets begin disappearing from the universe without a trace, Galactic President Qwark calls them back into action to solve the mystery. As the rest of the universe erupts in panic, the duo must embark on an epic adventure that will pit them against their most capable adversary to date: a Markazian planet thief named Artemis Zogg!

Clink


Kelly DiPucchio - 2011
    But that was many years ago.Now kids want snazzier robots who do things like play baseball and bake cookies. So day after day, Clink sits on a shelf and sadly watches as his friends leave with their new owners. He almost gives up on ever finding a home—until the day Clink spies a boy who just might be able to be the right one for him. . . .From #1 New York Times bestselling author Kelly DiPucchio and new talent Matthew Myers comes a funny and heartwarming story that lovers of Corduroy will adore.

How The West Was Weird: Campfire Tales


Russ Anderson Jr.Matthew P. Mayo - 2011
    

Skankenstein


David Fumarola - 2011
    Tired of merely designing the perfect outfit, she sets out to design the perfect person. But by the time she realizes beauty is only skin deep, she’s already unleashed her monster on the world. Now it’s a race against time to stop the vile creature from destroying her life, and she has to do it in the most evil place of all – high school.After ditching her horrifying creation in L.A., all Victoria wants is the perfect senior year, but it becomes impossible when the dreaded beast shows up in her own backyard. Armed with a new body, a new attitude and a new name, M turns the school hierarchy on its head. But when M suffers the embarrassment of a lifetime and sets her sights on revenge, our queen bee finds herself pitted in a cat fight to the death where kid sisters, boyfriends and tiaras are all fair game. It’s a twist on Frankenstein unlike any before, with an ending so explosive it’ll leave your bowels quaking.

Cool Tech


Clive Gifford - 2011
    Marvel at the technology that keeps you connected, from the ships installing lines deep in the ocean, the robots locating wire breaks, the satellites beaming signals across the earth, the teams retrieving and splicing lines together, to the servers directing and feeding internet traffic around the world. Plus, take a look back at the history of the internet, exploring the people and inventions that led to its creation and tour a virtual museum to see how the technology has progressed over the years changing the lives of ordinary people everywhere.

A Town Called Suckhole


David W. Barbee - 2011
    Far into the future, in the nuclear bowels of post-apocalyptic Dixie, there is a town. A town of derelict mobile homes, ancient junk, and mutant wildlife. A town of slack jawed rednecks who bask in the splendors of moonshine and mud boggin'. A town dedicated to the bloody and demented legacy of the Old South. A TOWN CALLED SUCKHOLE But all is not well for the last remnant of hillbilly society. Suckhole's annual "Hell-Yeah Heritage Jamboree" is suddenly threatened by a string of gruesome murders. The town's sheriff, an illiterate yokel with a cleft pallet, is at his extremely limited wit's end, and he knows there is only one man smart enough to solve the mystery: Dexter Spikes, a monstrous missing link between swamp and man brought to life by natural evolution. He lives in the swamps alone, shunned by the simple townsfolk of Suckhole who don't believe in the wicked sciencery of his existence. If Dexter takes the sheriff's case, he'll have to face the undead culprits behind the murders, who are determined to bring about the next apocalypse. If he refuses the job, the town will be doomed to a vicious slaughter. "A Town Called Suckhole is the finest post-apocalyptic southern gothic mudpunk buddy-cop blow-out ever put to print. Which is to say this mutant motherfucker of a debut novel lands with serious world-inventing swagger and marks David W Barbee as a go-to Bizarro writer for outrageously over-the-top action, big laughs and surprising heart." -JEREMY ROBERT JOHNSON, author of We Live Inside You and Angel Dust Apocalypse "With the manic intensity of a tent revival on fire and the stupefying mendacity of a snake oil peddler on peyote, Barbee builds a rich, grimy world so steeped in rampaging Confederate id that for long stretches, I could not see it clearly through my red, blinding rage at not having written it, myself." -CODY GOODFELLOW, author of Perfect Union

Rust Vol. 1: Visitor in the Field


Royden Lepp - 2011
    Life on the Taylor family farm was difficult enough before Jet Jones crashes into the barn, chased by a giant decommissioned war robot! Oldest son Roman Taylor struggles to keep his family’s small farm afloat as the area heals from a devastating world war. While the rest of his family may not trust the mysterious boy with the jetpack, Roman believes the secrets of Jet’s past may be the key to their survival.