Raychul Moore is a freelance video game journalist who describes herself as a hardcore gamer, writer, cosplayer, collector, video producer, Youtuber, and geek. She’s been featured in GamePro Magazine, CNN, USA Today, comicsalliance.com, Craveonline.com, RollingStone.com, and countless other websites and magazines.
CPG recently caught up with Raychul and had the opportunity to speak with her about her love for gaming, collecting, cosplay, and her love for it all!
How did you get started in the video game industry and how long have you been a part of it?
I really started out in the industry through GamePro. I was writing a few things here and there for them and then they asked me to run a site for them called GameGirl.com. They really gave me my head start and I owe everything to them. After that, I continued to freelance for other sites and magazines like EGM and Machinima as well. I have at it for 7 years and could never dream of doing anything else.
What’s typical day like in the life of Raychul Moore when it comes to being involved in the gaming industry?
For me, I wake up and instantly check my social feeds. Community is a huge deal for me and my fan base is my priority. I seriously have the best fans, a lot for them have gone from fan to friend and we jump online a lot to game together. Secondly, I spend most of my day reading up on that days news in gaming. I love hearing the latest gossip and speculation on the next-gen consoles. Thirdly, it's all about the videos. I usually shoot several videos on the same day, then edit them over the next few days.
When it comes to comics, games, and pop culture collectibles the biggest demographic in relationship to gender is still male. Have you seen this changing over the years? What do you attribute this change to?
Yeah, I have definitely seen the industry change and more females are expressing the same passion for geek culture. But I don't know if I have contributed much to that. I have been told that because I have taken sexy pictures in the past or because sometimes I have cleavage in my videos that I am actually a negative force in the female group of geeks. But, I still don't see why just because I am a gamer I have to pretend to not have boobs. I do have them, and I love them. :)
When did you first get into video games? What caught your attention and how did it progress from there to where you are today?
My dad actually got me into gaming. He bought himself an Atari 2600, but little me kidnapped it and I have been gaming obsessively every since. Most dads with a daughter try to get her into sports or something like that, but not my dad. We would spend our quality time watching Star Wars or Indiana Jones. He would call me from downstairs when Star Trek was on and he also fueled my addiction to collecting action figures and other cool gadgets. My dad is awesome.
You are a collector of many things from video games to action figures to horror movies. What are your favorites in your collection and why?
My favorite piece in my collection is definitely the Phurba Dagger from Uncharted 2. There were only 500 made, if I'm not mistaken, and I am the proud owner of one. I don't let anyone but myself touch it. It's definitely my precious.
At what age did you get into collecting and how? Do you think people are "born collectors" or is it something people can pick up at any age? What was the first item that made you into a "collector"?
I got into collecting because of my dad. The only thing he really collected was Star Wars memorabilia and promo items from all three original films release years. I was never allowed to touch them when I was younger, so I looked forward to when I was older when I could finally actually touch them. I think that's when the collecting bug bit me. Now that I have a huge collection of my own, my dad had given me most of the Star Wars collectible items he had and they are some of my most treasured pieces. I do think having the collector obsession is something that can't be taught or just picked up. It's just something that is naturally in some of us that makes us want to surround ourselves with the things we love, like Star Wars toys, video games, and action figures.
Where do you see the video game market going in relationship to licensed comic characters? Do you think that video games are bringing comic characters to more of the mainstream public that might have never picked up a comic book?
I am torn on this. I do think it's almost like giving a lot of the forgotten comic book characters a new beginning. But on the other hand, it's turning some of our all-time favorites into water-downed, over-hyped, merchandise machines. Like Spider-man and Superman for instance, great characters, but enough already. With so many other great characters to chose from, I am kinda tired of always seeing the same few. Give me a survival-action-adventure game of Y the Last Man and I'd be happy. Also kinda sad to see The Walking Dead become a point-and-click adventure game. If any comic/graphic novel deserves a rich in story and character development, action/adventure game (looking at you Naughty Dog)...it would be The Walking Dead. Which is kind of another weird spot with me. I love that the show has opened up so many new fans to the comic....but at the same time, it's kinda bastardized the graphic novel that I adored so much. So yeah, I am very torn on that subject.
What are you interests in cosplay and how did you get involved in it? What are you favorite characters that you have dressed up as and why?
I adore cosplay because it takes what I love about games and makes it real. In games I get to pretend I am that character, but in cosplay I get to be that character. I have dressed up as Natalia from the Danger Girl comics, Supergirl, Poison from Final Fight and Babydoll from Sucker Punch. My favorite costumes I have done are my female Kratos from God of War and my female Thor. But my fan favorite is by far my Cammy from Street Fighter. I only cosplay as characters I know and love because I want to represent them as best as I can.
You recently entered the Maxim Gamer Girl contest. According to the contest they are looking for a woman who has the “looks, personality, and gaming skills”. What are your thoughts on the contest and your competition?
I am so pumped for this contest! Well, nervous too. I think I have a good shot because I don't just specialize in one or two specific games or genres. My gaming knows no bounds. I play pretty much everything. But, there are some gorgeous girls in the contest, who definitely look the part of Maxim, so I am nervous. It's always hard with these vote-based contests because it turns out to be whichever girl has the largest following, not the girl who has the most experience or passion for the topic. But, that being said, my fans are being so supportive, I know if I won I could make them proud. So now I sit here and refresh the page over and over like a coke addict. :) I would really appreciate the support from any one who could spare the 2 minutes to vote! I need all the help I can get and you can find me on the Maxim Gamer Girl site. If anyone wants to game with me, my twitter is www.Twitter.com/theRaychul, just let me know! :)
Do you have any interesting plans or projects in the works?
I do! I am working on a few new live show ideas with a few other girls. Hopefully I will have more info on that in the coming weeks!! Other than that, I will be at E3 and SDCC which are my two favorite events of the year!!
To learn more about Raychul's gaming, collecting, cosplay, and more you can visit her online at Raychul.com
Head’s up Captain America fans! As the clock is ticking down to the release of The Avengers, Walt Disney Studios today has announced the release date for the sequel to Captain America: The First Avenger. The film will be released April 4, 2014. According to the press release the sequel “will pick up where The Avengers leaves off, as Steve Rogers continues his affiliation with Nick Fury and S.H.I.E.L.D and struggles to embrace his role in the modern world”.
One can only guess who will be the villain in the follow-up movie and what struggles he will have to endure in the modern world. Could this film be part of the lead up to Avengers 2 and could potential new members of the Avengers be introduced in the film? Whatever, the plans we can all rest assured that Chris Evans will once again bring everyone’s favorite sentinel of liberty to new heights in the sequel.
The original painted cover art to the November 20011 issue of Heavy Metal by artist Simon Bisley in excellent condition and measuring 18x 20” realized $6,701.50 on eBay. The artwork was published as both cover art and also as a poster.
Simon Bisley is a British artist best known for his artwork on Heavy Metal, 2000 AD, Lobo, Batman, Hellblazer, and numerous other comic titles. His dynamic and brilliant multi-medium artwork is a favorite with comic book and comic art collectors alike.
ComicsPriceGuide.com has just learned Steve Borock has been named Senior Consignment Director of its comics department at Heritage Auctions. Borock joined the company in January of 2009.
“Steve’s three years at Heritage have proven to us that we all made the right decision when he joined the company,” said Ed Jaster, Senior Vice President of Heritage. “His expertise and extraordinary commitment to customer service has further cemented our status as the leading auctioneer of vintage comics and original comic art. He has proven invaluable with major collections and private clients and has helped us take our ComicMarket for third-party sellers at HA.com to a whole new level."
Borock has been a key figure in the business of comics for more than a decade, introducing third-party certification to the hobby and acting as Primary Grader at Comics Guaranty Corporation (CGC) when the firm started up in 1999, a post he held until late 2008. His reputation for fairness, honesty and impartiality was a key component in CGC's gaining acceptance among the community of collectors and dealers.
“I love this hobby,” said Borock. “Helping collectors realize top dollar for their comics and original comic art is what I enjoy most, so Heritage has been a perfect fit for me. The team here is fantastic and working with them has been a real blast. They’re hard working and, put all together, constitute likely the most knowledgeable team of comics and comic art experts in the world, a team I look forward to being a part of for a long time to come.”
“Promoting Steve was a no-brainer for us,” said Jim Halperin, co-chair and co-founder of Heritage Auctions. “His impact was almost immediate and he continues to impress us with his commitment to both Heritage and collectors across the board.”
Steve Borock can be reached at SteveB@HA.com
Heritage Auctions, headed by Steve Ivy, Jim Halperin and Greg Rohan, is the world’s third largest auction house, with annual sales more than $800 million and over 700,000 online bidder members. For more information about Heritage Auctions, and to join and gain access to a complete record of prices realized, along with full-color, enlargeable photos of each lot, please visit HA.com.
It's only 31 days till we get to see the Avengers assemble in theaters! Marvel has released the latest TV trailer for the film and it features a witty Tony Stark giving Loki a headcount regarding of Earth's Mightiest Heroes and also some additional footage of Loki's army.
The Avengers directed by Joss Whedon and starring Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth , Chris Evans, Samuel L. Jackson, Mark Ruffalo, Jeremy Renner, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hiddleston, Clark Gregg, and Cobie Smulders assembles May 4, 2012.
Want to own a prop copy of Captain America #1 made for the film Captain America: The First Avengers? Well, Joe Maddalena and Profiles in History are holding two separate raffles to give away two original prop copies of the comic book. The prop copies of Captain America Comics #1 were made for the film production and each prop comic book has been certified by CGC as a 9.4. This is a rare opportunity for comic fans to obtain a prop for free!
One prop comic book will be raffled off at the Chicago Entertainment and Comic Expo (C2E2). For those not attending C2E2, Profiles in History will raffle off the other prop comic book via FaceBook. The winners will be announced on April 14, at 5:30 p.m. CDT, just before the Captain America: The First Avenger auction at 6 p.m. CDT.
At C2E2, fans will be able to pick up a raffle ticket at the Profiles in History booth (#609) starting Friday, April 13, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. It is a one entry per person limit. Profiles will announce the winner on April 14 by random drawing at approximately 5:30 p.m. CDT, just before the Captain America: The First Avenger Auction at 6 p.m. in room S404abc at McCormick Place 2301 S. Lake Shore Dr., Chicago, IL 60616.
Fans can enter the online raffle by visting Profiles in History’s Facebook page www.facebook.com/ProfilesInHistory , click on the “contest” tab and follow the on-screen instructions to fully complete and submit the entry form (a valid email address will be required). The raffle begins at 6:00 a.m. PDT on Monday, April 2, 2012 and ends at 3:30 pm PDT/5:30 p.m. CDT on Saturday, April 14, 2012. The winner of the online raffle will be selected by random drawing from all eligible entries on April 14, 2012. The winner will be notified by email and identified on Profiles in History’s website and Facebook page on April 16, 2012. The online raffle is also one entry per person.
No purchase is necessary for either raffles. Fans should go to Profiles in History's website or Facebook page for complete official rules.
For more information on the Captain America: The First Avengers auction visit: Profiles in History.
A CGC Certified 6.5 copy of Suspense Comics #3 with off-white pages closed at $24,977 after obtaining 38 bids. This truly scarce Golden Age key is The cover is considered one of Schomburg's best covers.
The scarcity and dramatic classic bondage cover art of Suspense Comics #3 is what fuels this books demand and keeps it high on numerous collectors wantlists. The CGC label noted that there was a very tiny piece of taple on the centerfold at the staple.
According to the CGC Census there are only 19 copies certified with the highest certified examples grading 8.0.
Want to assemble on the red carpet for the Avengers? Well, here is your chance to win the opportunity! You never know who you'll see or possibly meet while attending. You need to go to go the Facebook page for ePiX. Join their page and "like" the Avengers movie premiere contest. Then just sit back and wait and see if you are the lucky winner!
Contest Rules:
The contest will end at 11:55:00 PM ET on April 1, 2012. The contest is open to legal residents of the contiguous United States and District of Columbia who are at least eighteen (18) years of age at time of entry. There is a limit of one entry per Facebook account during the Sweepstakes Period.
Grand Prize: The Grand Prize Winner will receive a trip for two to be used by the Grand Prize Winner and his or her Guest to Hollywood California to attend the premiere of The Avengers movie. If the Grand Prize Winner cannot travel on the dates specified by the sponsor, the Grand Prize Winner will forfeit all rights to the Grand Prize. The ponsor is not responsible if the potential Grand Prize Winner is unable to unavailable to accept the Grand Prize. The trip includes: roundtrip coach class air transportation for Grand Prize Winner and Guest which shall originate from a major U.S. gateway airport of the Sponsor’s choice nearest Grand Prize Winner’s residence to Los Angeles, California, roundtrip ground transportation for Grand Prize Winner and Guest; two nights hotel accommodations at the W Hotel in Los Angeles, California for Grand Prize Winner and Guest; and two passes to the Hollywood premiere of The Avengers. The total approximate retail value of the Grand Prize is $4,335.
Marvel Comics has released a first look at New Avengers #25. The issue is tie-in to the epic blockbuster event, Avengers VS. X-Men. The book is by creative team Brian Michael Bendis, Mike Deodato, and Will Conrad.
The New Avengers led by Captain America are now on the front line of war with the X-Men. A surprising connection between the Phoenix Force and Iron Fist is discovered with unknown implications. Only one team can emerge in this war inside the Marvel Universe!
Join the conversation on Twitter at #AvX!
A CGC Certified 8.5 copy of Star Wars #1 35 cent variant with white pages brought $3,157 after receiving 36 bids. This Marvel Bronze Age key is considred to be one of the holy grail items of Star Wars or Marvel price variant comics. Unlike, the standard 30 cent regular editions of Star Wars #1 the 35 cent price variant saw very limited distribution. There are esitmates of the print run only being 1,500-2,000 copies in total.
According to the CGC Census there are 115 copies certified with two copies tied as the highest certified examples in 9.6.