GameOfThrones

Today's links await, after the jump.

The various houses of Westeros and Essos tend to group certain kinds of personalities, giving them narrative power by serving as something of a mirror to the reader's own moods and experiences. Some days you're feeling the fury of House Baratheon, others you're repaying your debts as diligently as the roaring House Lannister...

Gaming: Stan Lee continues to swing in the latest image promoting his Amazon preorder exclusive playability in the upcoming The Amazing Spider-Man game. Publishers: SLG Publishing has applied for a Chase Bank and LivingSocial's Mission: Small Business program grant, which, if obtained, would supply the company with $250,000 if received...

Novelty: The Amazing Spider-Man toaster. It's hip. It's now. It's "wow." Creators: Jonah Hex co-creator Tony DeZuniga is in extremely critical condition after suffering a stroke and his family is currently seeking donations to help cover his medial costs...

Video: Barely Political's slightly NSFW Walking Dead Mad Men mashes up two of AMC's most popular series. Gaming: Pokémon Plus Nobunaga's Ambition is coming to the US on June 18 as "Pokemon Conquest" for the Nintendo DS. Gaming: World War Hulk will suitably smash and bash as part of Marvel Pinball: Avengers Chronicles this spring. ...

Music: Soundgarden's song for The Avengers movie soundtrack sounds like this. So... what do you think? -- Update: The original 107.7 song on Soundcloud vanished, so here's a brief snippet from "Live to Rise." Interviews: The Plain Dealer interviews Funky Winkerbean creator Tom Batiuk, who seems like a pretty funny guy...

Theme Parks: Walt Disney World is decorating its Monorail S.H.I.E.L.D. style with The Avengers graphics aplenty this spring/summer. Industry: Ken Sasaki, former Senior Vice President and General Manger of Viz Media, is now the company's President and CEO...

March comes in like a lion and out like...a dire wolf? April means we finally get a new season of HBO's Game of Thrones, with the next chapter in the war for the Iron Throne. While the rest of us have been waiting out the long winter, fan artists have been busy illustrating this clash of kings, but not with the Starks and Lannisters you might expect...

Movies: Select AMC Theatres will host "The Ultimate Marvel Marathon," screening Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man 2, Thor in 3D, Captain America (3D) and The Avengers in 3D all in a row on May 3. DVD: Shout! Factory has signed a deal with Saban to release every Power Rangers (and VR Troopers, and Beetle Borgs) series on DVD/Blu-ray and digital beginning this summer...

Noted comics illustrator and video game enthusiast Bill Mudron illustrated an absolutely gorgeous Game of Thrones poster ($20) inspired by Celtic illuminated manuscripts like The Book of Kells. Click through for more detail on Mudron's Flickr, where you can see tiny skeletal, scenes from the epic novel series playing out in the borders...