Our friends at the OhNo!Doom Gallery will have not one but two awesome shows opening this Saturday, September 4th! Long time associate of Nerd City, Max Bare will, along with his sister, Zoe, feature a bunch of sibling-themed collaborative pieces for the Bare Squared show. Ohio’s Amanda Spayd will also be showing her creepy, yet lovably awesome work in Bedtime Stories: The Art of Amanda Louise Spayd.

The opening reception is from 6-10 pm and the shows will run until September 25th. OhNo!Doom is located at 1800 N. Milwaukee in Chicago.

For more info on the Bares, Max’s official blog is here and Zoe’s site is here.

To check out more work by Amanda Spayd, her official site is here.

Finally, for all of the latest from OhNo!Doom, check out their site here.

Major Nelson has some new hardware news and that is in regards to the newly designed Xbox 360 controller. One big complaint of 360 users has been that the D-Pad doesn’t feel correct. Compared to the Wii, PS3 and other systems, the 360 D-Pad has never been popped up but more of a smooth style on a disc, I guess that’s how I’d explain it. But this November 9th, Microsoft will be launching the new controller that has an extended D-Pad that will be similar to how the D-Pad feels on other controllers. What is interesting about this new controller though is that you can still keep the D-Pad in it’s original smooth state if you’d like as you control how the D-Pad sticks up by turning the D-Pad on the controller. This new controller should definitly appeal more to fighting game fans that don’t use a joystick and just to the general market as well. The downside for 360 owners is that you can only buy this new controller in the bundled charge kit for $65, but considering it is better to have a charge kit than buying tons of batteries it’s not that big of a deal. Once again this new controller will be available in stores on November 9th.

20 awesomest monkeys!  Monkey peeing in his own mouth?  Check.  Monkey playing Pac-Man?  Check?  However, this list lacks perhaps the most infamous monkey of all:  this feller.  (heavy)

From the “What did I just watch?” dept.: the I’m Still Here trailer.  (youtube)

7 scientific reasons a zombie outbreak would fail quickly.  You know, because zombie outbreaks are a possibility.  Let’s keep it sensible, people.  (cracked)

Minimalist superhero silhouette posters.  You say minimalist, I hear “lazy”.  (comicsalliance)

5 things to consider before starting your career as a super villain.  I’d say picking a really weak, effeminate superhero to be the adversary of would be a pretty good idea.  Like the brother from The Wonder Twins.  (uproxx)

Here is the trailer for the new movie Monsters, and it looks fucking awesome — even though it’s not a sequel to Monster as I was hoping it would be.  (youtube)

5 classic sitcoms that seem to always be on T.V.  It’s really pretty crazy when you think of how many episodes there are of these multi-camera sitcoms, which are all basically presented in one location during their entire run.  I mean, Cheers was always set in the bar; The Cosby Show was always set in their house.  Madness!  Madness, I say!  (unrealitymag)

You saw Scott Pilgrim, right?  Did you like it?  Here are some fake promotional posters based around the character of Lucas Lee.  What’s sad is these movies actually exist in some form.  (iwatchstuff)

Even more from the “What did I just watch?” dept.: a Vitamin Water commercial starring Gary Busey.  Isn’t filming Busey being Busey considered a form of ridicule/condescension/patronization?  (youtube)

Red velvet cake fried chicken, because we’re fat and don’t give a fuck about what we eat.  Isn’t that right, America?  (urbandaddy)

Here’s that list of “homemade sex toys for men” you requested, Mr. Spencer.  (ranker)

Everything you ever wanted to know about Ed the Head, Iron Maiden’s ever present mascot.  Not to be confused with Evil Ernie, who I always thought could be a distant relative in the world of non-existent but still scary, half-dead demon dudes.  (gunaxin)

Announced/Confirmed at the San Diego Comic Con is DCs Young Justice animated series and Marvels Anime series. Young Justice will include the familiar cast of Robin, Superboy, Aqualad (the new one), Ms Martian and many other familiar titans from the DC universe. The series will follow the team as they deal with being the next group of heroes to replace the JLA while fighting the fantastic villains from the DC universe. No start date has been given for the Cartoon Network series

Next we have the announcement of the highly anticipated Marvel Anime series that is set to debut on G4. There will be four new series (Iron Man, Wolverine, X-men and Blade) that will debut and are supposed to have no relation to the previous rumored anime movies. No launch date yet for these series but we’ll get them in 2011.

I don’t know why I why I haven’t reported on this sooner as it’s been a game on my radar for quite some time, but either way I want to present to you today Disneys Epic Mickey. This upcoming Wii game created by Warren Spector, create of the Thief, Deus EX and System Shock, will be a platformer/RPG detailing Mickeys quest through the Cartoon Wasteland as he looks to restore order and color to this long forgotten land. The game will have Mickey traveling between multiple worlds and locations from many of Disneys movies and stories, where Mickey will use his paint brush or paint thinner to solve puzzles and fight enemies along the way while also having the ability to create weapons/objects through sketches to help defeat certain enemies. Disney has usually put out great “non kiddie” games featuring Mickey, see the Kingdom Hearts games, so I’m hoping Epic Mickey will follow suit. This Wii exclusive game is set to be out this holiday season.

If you love Tron, have a spare $35,000 lying around, and the patience to keep correcting people, “Again, it’s not a motorcycle; it’s a lightcycle!“, then seize this rare opportunity to own one!  (ebay)

An Idiot Abroad is the new Gervais/Merchant show starring Karl Pilkington as he travels the globe, visiting the seven wonders of the world.  Looks kinda like Travel Sick.  This is going to be good stuff.  (youtube)

5 most terrifying internet communities.  They seemed to have missed the Nerd City message board.  (gunaxin)

Remember Wu-Tang Clan?  And how they like kung-fu?  Well, WTC member RZA is starring in a couple soon-to-be-released kung-fu flicks, one being produced by Eli Roth.  So good on them.  Here’s a trailer for the one sans Roth.  (youtube)

Here you go, idiots.  Salmon-flavored vodka.  You realize at some point corporations gave up caring about consumers and just started fucking with them, right?  (yahoo)

Furthering the diabetes epidemic by equating food with happiness, this ice cream dispenser will give you free ice cream the more you smile at it.  Still no cure for cancer, however.  (youtube)

If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to be like “Macho Man” Randy Savage (and we know you have), here’s everything you need to know.  The secret?  Lots of Slim Jim’s.  (uproxx)

7 weird but true origins of popular cultural franchises.  And these are actually pretty surprising.  (cracked)

Conan the Barbarian: The Musical.  Simply put – awesome.  (youtube)

20 best Superman panels.  It’s good to see Superman hates nazis just as much as I do.  (comicsalliance)

A look at what’s ploppin’ on the internets!

Let’s kick this off the right way: white peoples rappin’ about rape.  (cracked)

First trailer of Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows.  If you’re into that sorta thing.  (filmdrunk)

Speaking of trailers, how about The Social Network?  (comingsoon)

Jeph Loeb is bringing Marvel to T.V.  In other news, his name is spelled Jeph.  (iwatchstuff)

The women of DC Comics.  I love a tough broad.  (ugo)

13 songs that would make awesome comics.  This is super cool.  (comicsalliance)

Nic Cage’s 9 most batshit performances.  So wait, he’s only done 9 movies?  (toplessrobot)

Don’t know what to get that obese, beach-loving relative?  How about flip-flops that look like a brisket sandwich?  (etsy)

Never one to miss out on exploiting a cherished memory we had from the 80’s so that some 14-year-old asshole can look cool and have no idea why, Urban Outfitters presents us with the Truffle Shuffle tee.  (urbanoutfitters)

A male birth control pill?!  Unprotected sex, here I come/cum!  (telegraph)

Next time someone wants to play paper/scissors/rock, suggest that they play monkey/pirate/robot/ninja/zombie instead.  Also, never hang out with that person again, as they suggested playing paper/scissors/rock in the first place.  (albotas)

Steve Carell confirms he’s leaving The Office.  However, the show will continue jumping the shark in his absence.  (eonline)

6 slacker behaviors that are good for us.  You hear that, parents/teachers/ex-girlfriends??  Now get off my back!  (cracked)

What exactly is doodle-porn?  Well, I can’t really explain it.  But as Oscar Wilde once said, “Doodle-porn is meant to be loved, not understood.”  (doodleporn)

Have you ever played Mafia Wars on Facebook?  You’re an idiot.  You know who else is an idiot?  The people making the new Mafia Wars movie.  You know who the biggest idiots of all are?  The people who will inevitably see the Mafia Wars movie.  Idiots.  (pajiba)

10 best rockstar film performances.  Call me a sucker, but I loved Mark Wahlberg in The Happening.  (screenjunkies)

Oderus Urungus, lead singer of GWAR, lists his favorite war films.  Why, you ask?  Do you want him vomiting blood everywhere??  For the love of all that is holy, just let him talk about war films.  (ranker)

Horrible Bosses is a movie, and this is an article about it.  Probably.  (hollywoodreporter)

Darth Vader does a penalty kick.  I always imagined him more of a jai alai type.  (collegehumor)

Do you know anyone that still wears a watch?  If so, this 80’s cassette tape watch would make a great gift.  Also, remind them that it’s 2010 and that watches are sooo 1980s.  (theawesomer)

Look, I used to love Johnny Depp.  Moreso than the next person.  But I’ll be the first to say, someone’s gotta take him out quick before he makes anymore bullshit.  The equation “one bad movie for every good movie” ain’t workin’ anymore, Depp.  I don’t care if Verbinski is directing or not.  (iwatchstuff)

AT-AT Day Afternoon.  Almost as compelling as Dog Day Afternoon. Almost.  (youtube)

50 gimmicky uses for the iPad.  Maybe so, but I’d like to have patented one of those gimmicks.  Has anyone thought of an iPad app that ends racism? Fuck, I’m ’bout to be rich! (geekosystem)

And for our little kiddie Nerd City fans, I present you with the Sneaker Coloring Book.  Also for our talented graffiti friends.  (laurenceking)

Over the past month there have been rumblings about Sony offering up a pay service similar to Xbox Live for the PS3 and at E3 that was officially confirmed. Sony briefly spoke about Playstation Plus and what it would offer to gamers, and just as a FYI what is currently free on the PS3 for online gaming will remain free. The
Playstation Plus is a new service that will enhance your PS3 online activities without impacting your free services. Signing up for the $49.99 yearly service, or $17.99 for 3months access, will net you many quality programs from Sony, which would actually make paying for this beneficial. First off Sony will give Playstation Plus subscribers the ability to download full PS Mini, PS1 and PSN games for free each month, with the titles changing monthly, and will allow you to keep these games even if you cancel your Plus service. Next you will have the ability to join exclusive Beta access for certain upcoming games along with being able to download full game demos that allow you to play up to a full hour instead of the normal level or so. One of the biggest selling points for this service, if you purchase a lot of items from the PSN store, is the 20-50% discount on DLC, Movies, Games and other downloadable software from the PSN store. Finally the Plus service will enable your system to “turn on” and go out and download new firmware upgrades and game patches automatically overnight, eliminating the multiple downloads you may incur if you don’t use your PS3 often.

Even though this is a pay service like Xbox Live, I feel that Sony is providing you more for your money. Yes Xbox Live is still the best overall online experience when it comes to finding friends and tracking accomplishments, but if I have to pay for a service I’d rather get free stuff from the company and discounts on future products along with beta access.

Sonys Playstation Plus is set to be available on June 29th.

Without an official announcement from Microsoft, the new Kinect system looks to be launching for $150. This of course is according to many sites that will allow you to pre-order the device including Microsofts own store, Amazon and Gamestop. All of which have the consistent price of $150 and the release date of November 4th. So if you are interested in Kinect motion gaming, I’d suggest heading to any of the above links and pre-ordering to guarantee getting it on launch day.

Last week I informed you of the official Marvel Vs Capcom 3 Facebook page which contained the official videos from E3. For those of you not interested in heading over there, here are two official videos from Capcom showing off in game fighting between the currently announced Marvel and Capcom characters along with the extended E3 trailer which confirms Dormammu, who will probably be the main villain in the game.