Each and every week we scour the Internet for nothing but the best in nerdy art. We leave no digital stone unturned, we poke and prod every nook and cranny of the Interwebz. Why? Because we love you, and we love to bring you weekly feed of nerd art.

On with the dump!

Above: Aww, a sad Doctor swinging on a swing, but an amazing painting by artist James Hance. The painter, who previously did work on the Winnie the Pooh/Star Wars paintings has done a series of incredible paints featuring Doctor Who‘s  9th, 10th and 11th doctors. Curse you for making us feel emotion, James. [Nerd Apporved]

Hit the jump for Portal 2, Game of Thrones and Vanity Fair. (more…)

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We’re two episodes in to Game of Thrones‘ third season and the intrigue is already building. Adding to that intrigue is the swell of new characters already poppin’ up in Westeros and beyond. In a new video from HBO the cast and crew discuss all those new faces and what we can expect from their interactions with existing characters. Slight spoilers ahead if you want to know nothing about what’s coming this season.

“We’re still casting more than we’re killing.” Ha! Too funny, Dan. Anyway, Season 3 has a lot of great, new characters to look forward to. We’ve already met Olenna Tyrell (Dianna Rigg), that BAMF featured above, and I cannot wait to see her go toe to toe with Tywin (Charles Dance). I’m also excited for the Reeds (Thomas Sangster, Ellie Kendrick), their arrival will really allow Bran’s (Isaac Hempstead-Wright) storyline to start developing. Which of all these newcomers are you most excited to meet?

Sadly, even with so many new cast members being added all the time not every character makes it from page to screen. Strong Belwas, a former arena fighter and bona fide ass kicker was a definite fan favorite among book readers, but George R.R. Martin has recently confirmed via his blog the character will not be appearing in the show. With Barristan Selmy (Ian McElhinney) already back with Daenerys (Emilia Clarke) – originally in the novels he disguised himself as Arstan Whitebeard and his companion was Belwas – the plot line has been simplified and Belwas had to go. It’s a shame because Belwas is so much fun and becomes a great asset to Dany, but in a way I’m okay with this decision. Whoever they would have cast probably couldn’t live up to what I imagined, anyway.

Game of Thrones airs Sunday nights on HBO at 9pm EST. We’ve been posting advance reviews for each episode – “Valar Doharis” & “Dark Wings, Dark Words” – so come back sooner than later to read a spoiler-free review of what’s coming in episode three, “Walk of Punishment.”

Sources: Bleeding Cool, io9

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You couldn’t swing a battle ax without hitting some Game of Thrones news these days. Hmm, might have something to do with the show’s return this Sunday, or we all secretly -  or not so secretly – wished we lived in a land of direwolves and dragons. Speaking of, have you ever wanted your own direwolf? Duh! Of course you have, who hasn’t!? Your dream might just become reality if you look into the American Alsatian Breeders Association’s Dire Wolf Project. Breed founder Lois Schwarz says the purpose of the project is to bring the look of the now extinct dire wolf – okay, so they’re not exactly the direwolves of Westeros – into a domesticated dog breed. Since no genetic material of the long gone dire wolf exists they’re using American Alsatians because of their shaggy, wolf-like appearance, large size – they can reach 130 lbs! – and calm, friendly demeanor. Go check out Wired’s report – including adorable puppy pictures! – for more info.

And also from Wired, what are the chances The Wall that protects the southern realms from wights and white walkers could actually exist? As it is in the books as well as the television series? Not very likely. Wired spoke with engineer Mary Albert of the Ice Drilling Program Office at Dartmouth College who said,

Even at very cold temperatures, large ice masses deform under their own weight. And over long time scales, ice flows, so it would not hold its original shape for thousands of years.

Hmm, not looking very good for the 700+ ft structure. Assuming it even was possible to construct a wall of ice on this massive scale physicist Martin Truffer of the University of Alaska Fairbanks adds,

You would need a slope of at least 1 to 20 to stop significant deformation. So to keep it 700 feet high, I would estimate that wall to be about 40 times that in width.

There’d be no way anyone could break through that wall! Or, come anywhere near it since it would occupy such a large chunk of the north. Thankfully, in George R.R. Martin‘s world we can just chalk up The Wall’s existence and integrity to magic. Aw yeah, magic.

Hit the jump to read what showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss have to say about looking forward to Season 4 – damn! Season 3 hasn’t even aired, yet! – plus Daenerys’ new reality show, and Jon Snow’s rap about the Night’s Watch.

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Season 3 is coming – this weekend! It’s been nine months since we last saw the struggle between the noble families of Westeros as they fight for control of the Iron Throne, and things are looking quite grim for the people beyond The Wall. In preparation, we’ve picked some of our favourite pieces of Games of Thrones fanart from around the net just for you, so until Sunday rolls around lets all enjoy!

Above: This how a lot of people are hoping Game of Thrones ends once the books are finished and the series is filmed, Tyrion Lannister on the throne. Bobby Chiu, one half of imaginism with Kei Acedera, thought so anyway and put together this perfect representation of the true king. He even recorded the entire process start to finish. [Deviant Art]

Good grief, winter is leaving. Adams Pinto put together this awesome Peanuts/Game of Thrones mash-up, originally for sale on t-shirts, but we wanted to show it off while not on someone’s body. It might not be available anymore, but at least it looks nice. [The Mary Sue]

The stuff of northern legends, White Walkers are the one race that could frighten even the toughest of men, and Caner Inciucumakes them look awesome. Accompanied by a pair of Wights, or zombies, their icy blue stare makes everything a bit creepier. [Deviant Art]

This isn’t the throne you’re looking for, it’s a bit more explosive. Created by Styerd in a piece called “Game of Clones” this Star Wars/Game of Thrones mash up is pretty dang cool, but even with all those blasters that trooper couldn’t hit the broad side of an Imperial cruiser. [GeekTyrant]

Light and shadows make anything cool in the right light and Robert Ball nailed it with these Game of Thrones head shots. Featuring several of the cast in a series of light and dark shots is a clever way to show both sides of a character. Needs more Hodor, but we have that covered. [The Mary Sue]

You simply can not do a Game of Thrones art appreciation with out Brandon Stark and Hodor featured at least once. This very Calvin and Hobbes styled drawing by Joel C. GIll shows off one of the finer points of the series. Sure, he only says one word, but if he could speak more he totally would. [Roaches Have Wings]

While we can’t got to places like Winterfell or Dragonstone, considering even with our technology we’d be screwed, at least we can show off our favourite locations at home. These Game of Thrones location posters created by Harshness are great ways to show off the size of some of the Seven Kingdoms’ nest known locations. [The muffled sounds of SCIENCE in the distance]

There’s not really much that we can say about this without bringing up the shrouded past of Tony Stark and his history in Westeros. What we can tell you is that Zach Jordan really knows how to keep an Iron Man joke from dying. [Deviant Art]

Daenerys Targareyen doesn’t have time for clothing, she’s the mother of dragons and she’s out to rule. One of the finest 2D drawings out there, TeiIku’s art should be on one of the covers of George R.R. Martin‘s books. [CGHUB]

Finally, we apologize for the sheer size of this beast, but we couldn’t ignore joscomie‘s massive Game of Thrones anime scroll. Featuring 49 of the characters from the television adaptation all packed onto one giant scroll in a sweet Japanese anime style. What a great way to show off the scale and scope of the show’s production. Bring on Season 3! [io9]

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Sooner rather than later the HBO series will begin work on Season 7, which is where I’m guessing we’ll see the events from A Song of Ice and Fire‘s sixth book, The Winds of Winter, begin to transpire. And while such a season may seem a ways off – Season 3 of Game of Thrones airs this Sunday at 9pm EST – that date is ever encroaching on author George R.R. Martin. It’s as if he can see David Benioff and Dan Weiss in the rear view mirror and he’s still stuck first gear trying to finish book six. At least GRRM’s aware of the problem, recently telling Mashable,

So I need to write faster. The last two books took a really long time, so I’m hoping this one [the Winds of Winter] will go a little faster. But I make no promises. I found out long ago that when you look at the overall task, the cathedral you have to build, it looks so daunting that you just give up and sit down and play a video game.

George, no video games! No more side projects! I want you working on nothing else but ASOIAF until The Winds of Winter is published and in my hands. Even then it’s only a short break before you need to bust out A Dream of Spring. And don’t even begin thinking about needing to split the seventh book into the seventh and the eighth. Just how much time do you think you have?!? The fans need an ending, HBO needs an ending.

And speaking of HBO, they’ve release yet another on set video for Season 3 of Game of Thrones, this one exploring “the wildlings,”

Hey, George. I saw you in this video. What are you doing recording commentary about the new characters and places we’ll be visiting in Season 3? Get back to your computer! Back to work on that draft!

Sources: Screen Rant, Winter is Coming

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I know, I know, it’s almost as if all I report on these days is Game of Thrones – or Doctor Who – but the Season 3 premiere is a mere 11 days away! Last night I luckily stumbled upon this live stream of an Emmys’ panel featuring showrunners Dan Weiss and David Benioff, George R.R. Martin, and much of the cast. Part of a new initiative from the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences called “The Emmys and so much more,” and well, this panel is the more. “An Evening with Game of Thrones,” is entertaining, but maybe a little long. The panel was moderated by Rob McEllhenney, yes, of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and he was funny but had trouble keeping the momentum going. Though, as he mentions at the beginning he’s as surprised as us he was asked to host.

Peter Dinklage is hilarious, go figure, and both Maisie Williams and Sophie Turner share some great stories. Skip to the 9:48 mark where the panel discussion to begins,

And with Game of Thrones being such a monumental success for HBO they quickly signed GRRM to a two-year contract in order to develop another series. Some of the rumors are this series is a prequel to Game of Thrones, maybe something based on his novellas which take place in the world of Westeros, only 100 years earlier. On the red carpet for the Season 3 premiere of Thrones, Martin was asked by IGN to elaborate on what this other HBO series could be,

Would you like to see a Game of Thrones prequel? Hey, maybe that’s what they can do if the TV series catches up to Martin’s books and they need to kill some time. Then again, I know Martin said the books are his priority, but y’know, he does seem to have a lot of other things on his plate. Focus, George, focus.

Sources: Winter is Coming, Kotaku

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There’s just two weeks left until the premiere of season 3 of George R.R. Martin‘s Game of Thrones and HBO is really cranking up the marketing to make sure everyone knows the show is coming back. Two teaser trailers were released, War and The Beast, then over the weekend a new full trailer. Things are heating up in Westeros and there’s going to be blood, lots of blood, and some burning, don’t forget the burning. Dragons like to burn things don’t they?

The celebrated ensemble cast of Game of Thrones includes Emmy winner Peter Dinklage, soon to be seen in Bryan Singer’s X-Men: Days of Future Past, and new comer Ciaran Hinds (Rome, John Carter) as Mance Rayder, the King Beyond the Wall. I’m excited to see Hinds join the cast, he was fantastic as Julius Caesar in Rome and I look forward to seeing how he handles the character of Rayder.

Check out the trailer and teasers below and let us know what you are most looking forward to in season 3.

War:

The Beast:

Game of Thrones marches it’s way back onto television screens March 31st, 2013. Get your viewing party started!

Via: Screenrant

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Reporting live from Westeros – I wish – here’s the latest news concerning the quest to rule the Seven Kingdoms and sit upon the Iron Throne. Daenerys Stormborn, or rather, Emilia Clarke has demanded of George R.R. Martin to know who the final victor will be come the end of A Song of Ice and Fire, the book series that spurred HBO‘s wildly successful Game of Thrones. Speaking with Metro News, Clarke said,

I’ve said to George ‘come on, tell me who wins, please!’ And he thinks I’m joking and I say, ‘no, no, I’m deadly serious! His lips are sealed. And I’m sure that David [Benioff] and Dan [Weiss] know but they don’t tell anyone –I’ve got them drunk and they still wouldn’t tell me.

I’ve been pleading with them, ‘tell me who wins!’ And they won’t say a word. They’re under lock and key! But I care passionately about what happens to Dany. How could I not?

I hear ya, girl. My money’s on Dany. I mean, come on, woman’s got dragons, how could she not win? We’ll continue to see Dany and her dragons as Game of Thrones is very likely continuing for a fourth season. It’s kind of a no brainer, Thrones is HBO’s most successful show, ever, why not keep it going? And we know Benioff and Weiss had already planned to split the events of the third book, A Storm of Swords, into two seasons. It’d be a crime to leave us hanging after what they’ve got planned for the third season. But if you’re looking for confirmation, Tywin Lannister, Charles Dance, said this during a press conference for Season 2′s release on DVD/Blu-ray,

We’re about to start season four aren’t we? This year. We get scripts pretty early on, much earlier on than in similar series, usually you get perhaps one episode and you just have to trust that what’s going to come in subsequent episodes is going to be as good as the one you’ve got, but in this I think there are six scripts already written, and we will probably be able to see them with more than adequate time to prepare before we start shooting.

Which basically seals the deal, Game of Thrones will return for a fourth season, even if HBO hasn’t officially made a statement saying so. Would the Hand of the King lie?

No, but he doesn’t bat an eyelash at “kinky fuckery.” Here’s the venerable actor reading an excerpt from 50 Shades of Grey, in case you missed it,

Hit the jump for more Game of Thrones news, including “The Bear and the Maiden Fair”, an awesome interactive map from Direct TV, and look at this, it’s Cersei’s dream coming true,

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That didn’t take long at all! Only earlier this week George R.R. Martin was discussing how the title for his Game of Thrones Season 3 contribution, episode 7 or 27 or 307 depending on whose system of counting you prefer, was again changed. He gave the clue, “I lost a title, but gained a song,” which led many, myself included, to suspect the title was now “The Bear and the Maiden Fair.”

Ding! Ding! Ding! Internet, give yourself a pat on the back, we were right. Here are the rest of the titles to just about every episode of Season 3,

Ep. 301 – Valar Dohaeris
Ep. 302 – Dark Wings, Dark Words
Ep. 303 – Walk of Punishment
Ep. 304 – And Now His Watch is Ended
Ep. 305 – Kissed by Fire
Ep. 306 – to be determined
Ep. 307 – The Bear and the Maiden Fair
Ep. 308 – to be determined
Ep. 309 – The Rains of Castamere
Ep. 310 – Mhysa

Wow. What a lineup! Those solely watching the TV series, just understand you’re in for a wham bang of a season and that you should likely avoid this post’s comments. March 31st will be here before we know it! Book readers, join me below the cut to hash out what these titles are all about.

Source: Winter is Coming

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While I’m still basking in a warm glow of dragonfire from that Season 3 trailer, there’s a few Game of Thrones bit and bobs we can update you on. We’ve still got weeks of waiting, did you have anything better to do? Thought not. Anyway, the title for episode 23 will be “Walk of Punishment.” Why they’re numbered as if it’s all one giant season is beyond me, and still no title for either episode 21, or episode 22.

And there’s been a change to the title of episode 27, the one written by George R.R. Martin. Originally it was titled “Autumn Storms,” then it was changed to “Chains,” and now it seems it’s been altered again. Martin wouldn’t divulge the new title when he announced it was again changed o his blog, but he provided the hint, “I lost a title, but gained a song.” Hmm, what could that mean?

Some are thinking the new title could be “The Rains of Castamere” as that song has already been introduced in the series and it’s extremely significant to events that will likely serve as the climax of Season 3. But if that’s the case, episode 27 would be a little too early for that. Winter is Coming suggest the song could be “The Bear and the Maiden Fair,” and I think it’s a better fit. Plus, it makes my Dany/Jorah shipper heart flutter.

As we desperately count the days until Game of Thrones returns on March 31st, HBO is about to release a Season 2 recap video which will include extra interview footage to HBO On Demand beginning March 9th. You can check out a littler teaser below, and yes, I too found Dany’s face in the video’s freeze frame to be hilarious.

Lastly, you probably heard that Game of Thrones was the most pirated show of 2012. And you were shocked, I’m sure. Turns out one of the series’ directors, David Petrarca (“Garden of Bones” “The Ghost of Harrenhal”) doesn’t really give a shit that you illegally downloaded his episodes, or any of the episodes. At the recent Perth’s Writers Festival when the topic of piracy came up this was his response, according to Sydney Morning Herald,

But Petrarca shrugged and said the illegal downloads did not matter because such shows thrived on “cultural buzz” and capitalised on the social commentary they generated.

“That’s how they survive,” he told the crowd gathered at the University of Western Australia.

He said HBO alone had 26 million subscribers in the US and 60 million worldwide, which meant there was plenty of money filtering in and allowing the channel to produce high quality content despite any illegal downloading.

I like to think of piracy as a sign people are frustrated by paying for things they don’t like. At least, that’s how I view it. I’ll obtain a show through whatever means I can, watch it, and if I like it enough I’ll buy it when it’s released on Blu-ray. That’s exactly how it went down for Game of Thrones Season 2, and I feel confidant I’ll do the same for Season 3. That is, if the piracy police aren’t already tracking me down. And maybe I’m relying too much on the honor system, expecting  most people to eventually purchase what they’ve illegally obtained. What do you think?

Game of Thrones returns in 33 days!

Sources: Winter is Coming (2), The Mary Sue

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