Madame Tussauds Orlando Reveals Jason Momoa as Aquaman!

Be the FIRST to see Jason Momoa as Aquaman when his interactive wax figure debuts at Madame Tussauds Orlando on December 4!

Joining an unprecedented league of DC Super Heroes, Aquaman will soon take his rightful place in the action-packed experience – Justice League: A Call for Heroes, only at Madame Tussauds Orlando.

Fans will be the FIRST to see Jason Momoa as Aquaman up close when the epic new figure debuts on December 4. Designed in collaboration with Warner Bros. Consumer Products on behalf of DC Entertainment, the figure captures every detail from the title character in the feature film Aquaman, which hits theatres on December 21, and is outfitted in the all-new suit designed for the movie. In the experience, Aquaman's commanding presence will rise above the streets of Metropolis where fans must unite with an all-star cast of DC Super Heroes to save the world. 

"There is nowhere else in the world where fans can not only see a striking wax figure of Jason Momoa as Aquaman before the film hits theatres, but also take a SELFIE with the A-lister and actually join him in battle with the Justice League to save the world," said Madame Tussauds Orlando General Manager James Paulding. "It's the adventure of a lifetime that ONLY Madame Tussauds can deliver!" 

Justice League: A Call for Heroes debuted this summer to rave reviews, offering an unrivaled and immersive experience for fans of the iconic DC Super Heroes. Part of a seismic shift within the Madame Tussauds brand, the experience features special effects that include a series of hands-on, interactive missions and a larger-than-life-set where fans can become the stars of their favorite stories. 

The attraction also marked the first-time-ever that super fans could get up close and personal with some of their favorite DC Super Heroes including Gal Gadot's Wonder Woman, Henry Cavill's Superman and Ben Affleck's Batman, as they fight to save the world from Lex Luthor's evil corporation, LexCorp. 

⏩ For tickets and more information, please visit madametussauds.com/orlando.

"Aquaman" - Movie Poster (Via Jason Momoa News)

About Aquaman:
From Warner Bros. Pictures and director James Wan comes an action-packed adventure that spans the vast, visually breathtaking underwater world of the seven seas, Aquaman, starring Jason Momoa in the title role.  

The film reveals the origin story of half-human, half-Atlantean Arthur Curry and takes him on the journey of his lifetime—one that will not only force him to face who he really is, but to discover if he is worthy of who he was born to be…a king.

The film also stars Amber Heard, Oscar nominee Willem Dafoe, Patrick Wilson, Dolph Lundgren, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, and Oscar winner Nicole Kidman.  Wan directs from a screenplay by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick and Will Beall, story by Geoff Johns & James Wan and Will Beall, based on characters created by Paul Norris and Mort Weisinger for DC.  

The film is produced by Peter Safran and Rob Cowan, with Deborah Snyder, Zack Snyder, Jon Berg, Geoff Johns and Walter Hamada serving as executive producers.

Aquaman is set to hit theaters on December 21, 2018, in 3D and 2D and IMAX, and will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures.  Aquaman is rated PG-13 for sequences of sci-fi violence and action, and for some language.

SOURCE: Madame Tussauds Orlando

Aquaman - The Trailer:

Related Stories:

• Madame Tussauds Orlando Announces New Justice League Experience
• Royal Canadian Mint Launches Justice League Coin Collection at 2017 Central Canada Comic Con

Satirical Christmas Stories Featuring President Trump Launched On Kickstarter

"The Christmas Hoax" (Trump's 24 Days of Christmas)

President Trump is one of the most controversial people in the world right now. No matter what he says or does, someone has something to say about it. As a result of this controversy, a new collection of Christmas stories has been published by We Just What, Inc.

"Trump's 24 Days of Christmas" is a collection of 24 children's stories written from the point-of-view of United States President, Donald Trump. As such, the stories have a political angle, though it's only visible to adults as well as older children who have learned about politics.

The book is rated PG - Partisan Guidance Suggested! The 24 stories take a fun look at the news stories we have been bombarded with over the last 2 years. However, the stories are never judgmental. The stories can be read to children by parents or parents can choose to let the children read the stories out loud.

"This is a great tradition to start," comments the author of the books, Amin El-Gazzar. "Children can read a different story each night leading up to Christmas morning. And parents can start a fun conversation with their kids about the craziness going on all around us."

The stories are entertaining, with tales of what's going on at the North Pole. The character lineup throughout the stories includes Santa (as President Trump) and Mrs. Claus (as the First Lady), his head elf (Layla – as Kellyanne Conway), the reindeer, some penguins, and plenty of elves who have a lot of responsibilities in order to get ready for Christmas Eve when Santa takes to the sky in his sleigh to deliver presents.

"Pledge allegiance to the flag of the North Pole..." (Trump's 24 Days of Christmas)

The book will be just as popular with adults as it will be for kids. "I'd highly recommend any adult to get their hands on the book just to place on the coffee table. It's definitely going to be a conversation starter," comments Amin El-Gazzar.

Trump's 24 Days of Christmas

A Kickstarter page has been created to help get the necessary funding. Whether you love or hate President Trump - anyone will enjoy reading the book and they can choose to fund the project for any amount. 

By choosing to fund the Kickstarter, it also enables people to reserve their copy of the book to ensure that they have it in their hands by December 1, 2018.

For those who are interested in the Kickstarter, the launch is happening now. Visit theKickstarter page at 24DaysOfChristmas.com. The goal is to get all of the funds in place as early as possible so that the book is live in time for the Christmas season.

SOURCE: We Just What, Inc

Kiss: This Is The "End Of The Road" World Tour

Kiss: End Of The Road World Tour

After an epic and storied 45 year career that launched an era of rock n roll legends, KISS announced that they will launch their final tour ever in 2019, appropriately named END OF THE ROAD. The initial announcement was made a month ago on NBC's America's Got Talent which sent the internet into overdrive with fans hoping their city would get one final KISS show. 

The band announced today the first set of dates and cities in North America, produced by Live Nation. International markets were also announced simultaneously today. (Tour itinerary detailed below.)

KISS Meet & Greet Experiences will be available beginning Tuesday, October 30th at 10am local time through kissonline.com. KISS Army fan club presales will begin Wednesday October 31st at 10 am local time also through kissonline.com. 

Citi is the official presale credit card for the End of the Road World Tour. As such, Citi cardmembers will have access to purchase U.S. presale tickets beginning Wednesday, October 31 at 12:00pm local time until Thursday, November 1 at 10:00pm local time through Citi's Private Pass program. 

⏩ For complete presale details visit citiprivatepass.com. Tickets to the general public will go on sale starting Friday, November 2 at 10am local time at LiveNation.com.

Known for their trademark larger-than-life blistering performances, KISS has proven for decades why they are hands down the most iconic live show in rock n roll. 

The Rock & Roll Hall of Famers who have sold more than 100 million albums worldwide have said this tour is devoted to the millions of KISS Army fans.

KISS (photo credit Jen Rosenstein)

"All that we have built and all that we have conquered over the past four decades could never have happened without the millions of people worldwide who've filled clubs, arenas and stadiums over those years. This will be the ultimate celebration for those who've seen us and a last chance for those who haven't. KISS Army, we're saying goodbye on our final tour with our biggest show yet and we'll go out the same way we came in... Unapologetic and Unstoppable," said KISS. 

KISS: End Of The Road World Tour - Trailer:

Tour Itinerary:

Date	City	Venue
January 31, 2019	Vancouver, BC, Canada	Rogers Arena
February 1, 2019	Portland, OR	Moda Center
February 2, 2019	Tacoma, WA	Tacoma Dome
February 4, 2019	Spokane, WA	Spokane Arena
February 7, 2019	San Diego, CA	Viejas Arena
February 8, 2019	Fresno, CA	Save Mart Center
February 9, 2019	Sacramento, CA	Golden 1 Center
February 12, 2019	Anaheim, CA	Honda Center
February 13, 2019	Glendale, AZ	Gila River Arena
February 15, 2019	Las Vegas, NV	T-Mobile Arena
February 16, 2019	Los Angeles, CA	The Forum
February 19, 2019	Corpus Christi, TX	American Bank Center
February 20, 2019	Dallas, TX	American Airlines Center
February 22, 2019	New Orleans, LA	Smoothie King Center
February 23, 2019	Memphis, TN	FedEx Forum
February 26, 2019	Oklahoma City, OK	Chesapeake Energy Arena
February 27, 2019	Kansas City, MO	Sprint Center
March 1, 2019	Milwaukee, WI	Fiserv Forum
March 2, 2019	Chicago, IL	United Center
March 4, 2019	Minneapolis, MN	Target Center
March 6, 2019	Sioux Falls, SD	Denny Sanford PREMIER Center
March 7, 2019	Omaha, NE	CHI Health Center Omaha
March 9, 2019	Grand Rapids, MI	Van Andel Arena
March 10, 2019	Moline, IL	TaxSlayer Center
March 12, 2019	Louisville, KY	KFC Yum! Center
March 13, 2019	Detroit, MI	Little Caesars Arena
March 16, 2019	Columbus, OH	Nationwide Arena
March 17, 2019	Cleveland, OH	Quicken Loans Arena
March 19, 2019	Montreal, QC, Canada	Bell Centre
March 20, 2019	Toronto, ON, Canada	Scotiabank Arena
March 22, 2019	Long Island, NY	NYCB LIVE's Nassau Coliseum
March 23, 2019	Uncasville, CT	Mohegan Sun Arena
March 26, 2019	Boston, MA	TD Garden
March 27, 2019	New York, NY	Madison Square Garden
March 29, 2019	Philadelphia, PA	Wells Fargo Center
March 30, 2019	Pittsburgh, PA	PPG Paints Arena
April 2, 2019	Quebec City, QC, Canada	Videotron Centre
April 3, 2019	Ottawa, ON, Canada	Canadian Tire Centre
April 6, 2019	Raleigh, NC	PNC Arena
April 7, 2019	Atlanta, GA	State Farm Arena
April 9, 2019	Nashville, TN	Bridgestone Arena
April 11, 2019	Tampa, FL	Amalie Arena
April 12, 2019	Jacksonville, FL	Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena
April 13, 2019	Birmingham, AL	BJCC

KISS (photo credit Jen Rosenstein)

SOURCE: Live Nation

Older Than Dracula: In Search Of The English Vampire

The Premature Burial. Antoine Wiertz (1854)

The story of Count Dracula as many of us know it was created by Bram Stoker, an Irishman, in 1897. But most of the action takes place in England, from the moment the Transylvanian vampire arrives on a shipwrecked vessel in Whitby, North Yorkshire, with plans to make his lair in the spookily named Carfax estate, west of the river in London.

But Dracula wasn’t the first vampire in English literature, let alone the first to stalk England. The vampire first made its way into English literature in John Polidori’s 1819 short story “The Vampyre”. Polidori’s vampire, Lord Ruthven, is inspired by a thinly disguised portrait of the predatory English poet, Lord Byron, in Lady Caroline Lamb’s novel Glenarvon (1816). So the first fictional vampire was actually a satanic English Lord.

It is nearly 200 years since this Romantic/Byronic archetype for a vampire emerged – but what do we know about English belief in vampires outside of fiction? New research at the University of Hertfordshire has uncovered and reappraised a number of vampire myths – and they are not all confined to the realms of fiction.

The Croglin Vampire reputedly first appeared in Cumberland to a Miss Fisher in the 1750s. Its story is retold by Dr Augustus Hare, a clergyman, in his Memorials of a Quiet Life in 1871. According to this legend, the vampire scratches at the window before disappearing into an ancient vault. The vault is later discovered to be full of coffins that have been broken open and their contents, horribly mangled and distorted, are scattered over the floor. One coffin only remains intact, but the lid has been loosened. There, shrivelled and mummified – but quite intact – lies the Croglin Vampire.

Elsewhere in Cumbria, the natives of Renwick, were once known as “bats” due to the monstrous creature that is said to have flown out of the foundations of a rebuilt church there in 1733. The existence of vampire bats, which sucked blood wouldn’t be confirmed until 1832, when Charles Darwin sketched one feeding off a horse on his voyage to South America in The Beagle. The creature in Renwick has been referred to as a “cockatrice” – a mythical creature with a serpent’s head and tail and the feet and wings of a cockerel – by Cumbrian County History. But it’s the myth of the vampire bat that has prevailed in the surrounding villages and is recorded in conversations in local archives and journals

What picture emerges then in this history of the English vampire? The Croglin Vampire has never been verified – but it has an afterlife in the 20th century, appearing as The British Vampire in 1977 in an anthology of horror by Daniel Farson, who turns out to be Stoker’s great-grandnephew.

The Nightmare. John Henry Fuseli (1781)

Nightmare in Buckinghamshire

But there is one case that has no connection to fiction, the little-known Buckinghamshire Vampire, recorded by William of Newburgh in the 12th century. Historical records show that St Hugh, the Bishop of Lincoln, was called upon to deal with the terrifying revenant and learned to his astonishment, after contacting other theologians, that similar attacks had happened elsewhere in England.

St Hugh was told that no peace would be had until the corpse was dug up and burned, but it was decided that an absolution – a declaration of forgiveness, by the church, absolving one from sin – would be a more seemly way to disable the vampire. When the tomb was opened the body was found to have not decomposed. The absolution was laid inside on the corpse’s chest by the Archdeacon and the vampire was never again seen wandering from his grave.

The Buckinghamshire revenant did not have a “vampire” burial – but such practices are evidence of a longstanding belief in vampires in Britain. Astonishingly, the medieval remains of the what are thought to be the first English vampires have been found in the Yorkshire village of Wharram Percy. The bones of over 100 “vampire” corpses have now been uncovered buried deep in village pits. The bones were excavated more than half a century ago and date back to before the 14th century. They were at first thought to be the result of cannibalism during a famine or a massacre in the village but on further inspection in 2017 the burned and broken skeletons were linked instead to deliberate mutilations perpetrated to prevent the dead returning to harm the living – beliefs common in folklore at the time.

‘Vampire graves’ have been found at the abandoned village of Wharram Percy in Yorkshire. Paul Allison via Alchemipedia, (CC BY)

Vile bodies
The inhabitants of Wharram Percy showed widespread belief in the undead returning as revenants or reanimated corpses and so fought back against the risk of vampire attacks by deliberately mutilating their own dead, burning bones and dismembering corpses, including those of women, children and teenagers, in an attempt to stave off what they believed could be a plague of vampires. This once flourishing village was completely deserted in the aftermath.

Just recently at an ancient Roman site in Italy the severed skull of a ten-year-old child was discovered with a large rock inserted in the mouth to prevent biting and bloodsucking. Then skull belongs to a suspected 15th-century revenant which they are calling locally the “Vampire of Lugano”.

There has been a wealth of other stories from the UK and other parts of Western Europe – but, despite this, thanks to the Dracula legend, most people still assume such practises and beliefs belong to remote parts of Eastern Europe. But our research is continuing to examine “vampire burials” in the UK and is making connections to local myths and their legacy in English literature, many years before the Byronic fiend Count Dracula arrived in Yorkshire carrying his own supply of Transylvanian soil.

About Today's Contributor:
Sam George, Senior Lecturer in Literature, University of Hertfordshire

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license.