Geek Trivia Recap - 9/7/10
ROUND 1
1. In Mystery Science Theater 3000, before his tenure on the Satellite of Love, Joel Robinson worked at Gizmotics Institute. What was his job?
(Janitor / Custodian / “cleaning up the place”)
2. What Marvel Comics character wields the Asgardian hammer Stormbreaker?
(Beta Ray Bill)
3. In August 2006, Pluto ceased to be classified as a planet. What is its new official designation?
(dwarf planet; will also accept Plutoid or “part of the Kuiper belt.”)
4. Who is the self-titled Secretary of Geek Affairs?
(Wil Wheaton)
4a. For an additional point: Were he to be officially nominated to that post, what fraction of the Senate would need to support the appointment for it to proceed?
(a simple majority / > 1/2)
5. In the comic Scott Pilgrim, which character has twice punched holes in the moon as tokens of his affection?
(Todd Ingrahm)
6. In the comic book Umbrella Academy, one of the main characters takes his name from a David Bowie song. For one point each, give the full title of the song and the name of the album on which it first appeared.
(“Hallo Spaceboy,” Outside)
7. In Terry Gilliam’s The Adventures of the Baron Munchausen, what actor-uncredited-plays the King of the Moon?
(Robin Williams)
8. Finish the opening sentence to 1984, by George Orwell: “It was a bright, cold day in April…”
(“…and the clocks were striking thirteen.”)
9. Who was the first woman in space?
(Valentina Tereshkova)
10. For one point each, name the eight characters in the DC Universe who have gone by the moniker “Starman.”
(Victor Sono, Ted Knight, Mikaal Tomas, Prince Gavyn, Will Payton, David Knight, Jack Knight, Thom Kallor / Danny Blaine (either will do) (ADDITIONAL NOTE: Apparently Bruce Wayne also briefly used this title during The Golden Age. Jury's still out on whether that should count, but I allowed it for the session.))
11. What is video game character Fox McCloud's home star system?
(The Lylat system)
12. According to John Gabriel's Greater Internet Fuckwad Theory, what two conditions are necessary for turning a normal person into a total fuckwad?
(anonymity and an audience)
13. In the Doctor Who episode “The Impossible Planet,” what does the impossible planet orbit?
(A black hole)
14. What 2003 novel features protagonist Adam Pennyman's attempt to analyze classic video games in a "Catalogue of Obsolete Entertainments"?
(Lucky Wander Boy, by D. B. Weiss)
15. Who first proposed the idea of the technological singularity?
(Verner Vinge)
16. In the MegaMan rock opera The Protomen, what words are found scrawled across Protoman's grave?
(Hope rides alone)
17. X-Men character Lila Cheney is an intergalactic thief and rock star. What’s the name of her band?
(Cats Laughing)
17a. What was the title of the New Mutants story in which Lila Cheney made her first appearance?
(“Steal This Planet”)
18. For one point total, name the five castes of Solar Exalted from the WhiteWolf-published role-playing game Exalted.
(Dawn, Xenith, Twilight, Night, Eclipse)
19. Which Apollo 11 astronaut did not walk on the moon?
(Michael Collins)
20. What video game was the original source of the line, "All your base are belong to us"?
(Zero Wing)
ROUND TWO
1. How many people are in space right now?
(6)
2. The science-fiction novel Space Chantey, by R. A. Lafferty, is patterned after what work of classical literature?
(The Odyssey)
3. For one point each, name the three recurring characters who appear in the Muppet Show sketch “Pigs in Space.”
(Captain Link Hogthrob, First Mate Piggy, Dr. Julius Strangepork)
3a. What is the name of their ship?
(the Swinetrek)
4. What is comic-book character Vampirella’s home planet?
(Draculon. Yes, really.)
5. In the video game Katamari Damacy, who is responsible for the destruction of the stars?
(The King of All Cosmos)
6. The music video for the Smashing Pumpkins song “Tonight, Tonight” is based on what classic silent film?
(A Trip to the Moon; will also accept La Voyage dans la lune)
7. The name Tycho Brahe is best known in geek circles as the pseudonym of Penny Arcade writer Jerry Holkins. The original Tycho Brahe was a 16th century astronomer from what country?
(Denmark)
8. What local animation studio shares its name with the first dog in space?
(Laika)
9. In the novel Frankenstein, what is the name of the monster?
(He doesn't have one; will also accept "the monster" and "Frankenstein's monster.")
10. What number designates the earth of primary Marvel continuity?
(616)
11. In Starcraft, what was the original name of the Queen of Blades? (first and last name)
(Sarah Kerrigan)
12. In the animated series The Tick, what three letters are engraved on the surface of the moon?
(C-H-A)
12a. For an additional point, in whose honor were they engraved there?
(Chairface Chippendale)
13. In the Hellboy comics universe, what character's original given name was Langdon Everett Caul?
(Abe Sapien)
14. The first, unmanned space shuttle was named as the result of an enormous write-in campaign. What was its name?
(Enterprise)
15. What was the final level of this year's PAX Omegathon?
(a claw machine; will also accept "The Omegaclaw.")
16. In Firefly, Mal claims that Zoe has only once disobeyed a direct order from him. What was that order?
(Not to marry Wash)
17. In Grant Morrison's The Invisibles, what is the name of the "universe's placental twin," which first appears as a satellite hidden behind the dark side of the moon?
(Barbelith)
18. What astronaut achieved brief notoriety for punching a moon-hoax conspiracy theorist?
(Buzz Aldrin)
18a. For an additional point, what was the name of the conspiracy theorist?
(Bart Sibrel)
19. In the Star Trek movie The Undiscovered Country, what is Kirk’s final course heading?
(Second star to the right, and straight on ‘till morning.)
19a. If Chekhov takes the captain at his word, where will the Enterprise end up?
(Neverland)
20. In the novel Ender's Game, which way is the enemy gate?
(Down)
BRAGGING-RIGHTS TIEBREAKER:
Name the seven Mercury astronauts.
(Alan Shepard, Gus Grissom, John Glenn, Gordon Cooper, Wally Schirra, Scott Carpenter, Deke Slayton)