Movie Review: SPY X FAMILY: Code White (Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures)
Brian Isaacs - Executive Editor / Publisher (more…)
FXX Is Bringing Homer Simpson’s Dome to Comic-Con
Newsdesk HIDE THE DONUTS! FXX IS BRINGING HOMER SIMPSON’S DOME TO COMIC-CON
Giant “Homer’s Dome” Installation at Bayfront Park Thursday, July 24 Through Sunday, July 27 Will Give Fans a Preview of FXX’s “Simpsons World” and The Simpsons Marathon Airing in August
“Homer’s Dome” Will House a Projection Mapping Experience and
Demo of the “Simpsons World” Digital and Online Environment
Visitors Are Invited to Participate in a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS® Official Attempt for the
“Most Contributions to a Painting by Numbers” Outside the Dome
Several Activity Areas and Life-Size Character Statues Will Entertain Visitors Nearby
SAN DIEGO, July 22, 2014 – The Simpsons are taking over San Diego. In anticipation of The Simpsons marathon coming to FXX in August and the new “Simpsons World” digital and online experience launching later this year, FXX and The Simpsons are taking over Bayfront Park in San Diego. The space will hold a giant re-creation of Homer Simpson’s head, “Homer’s Dome,” from Thursday, July 24 through Sunday, July 27 from 10 AM – 6 PM each day. Visitors can enter to watch a projection mapping experience as well as a demo of the “Simpsons World” immersive digital and online environment. In addition to Marge’s Sweet Station, serving free blue cotton candy, and the Kwik-E-Race game, where fans have the chance to win prizes, life-size characters will be on hand for fans to take pictures with and submit to FXX for a chance to be featured on-air during The Simpsons marathon in August.
As part of FXX’s The Simpsons celebration throughout the weekend, fans can also participate in a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS® record attempt for the “most contributions to a painting by numbers.” Visitors who stop by the Bayfront Park area Thursday through Sunday can paint part of the mural for a chance to be part of a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS record.
Starting in August, through its landmark deal with Twentieth Century Fox Television, FXX will become the cable network home for all seasons of The Simpsons, excluding seasons airing in their first run on FOX. FX Networks’ app, FXNOW, will be the exclusive non-linear home for all seasons of The Simpsons, excluding seasons airing in their first run on FOX. FXX will get subsequent seasons of The Simpsons as new seasons begin their first run on FOX.
FXX will also launch “Simpsons World” – the ultimate Simpsons digital experience featuring enriched branded content through SimpsonsWorld.com and handheld/connected devices via FXNOW, the authenticated multi-network on-demand video service supporting FX, FXX and FXM – in October. “Simpsons World” will offer a unique and personalized Simpsons experience for both casual and super fans by allowing users to interact with premium content in unprecedented ways. For the first time ever, authenticated FXX viewers will have instant and on-demand access to all 25 seasons of the iconic animated series The Simpsons via the “Simpsons World” site and FXNOW apps for iPhone, iPad, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Android phones and tablets, Smart TVs and additional set-tops devices.
LEGO Systems Unveils New Products, Experiences and Exclusives at San Diego Comic-Con
LEGO GROUP SHOWCASES MORE THAN 20 EXCITING REVEALS AT 2014 COMIC-CON
WHAT: In celebration of the 2014 San Diego Comic-Con, LEGO Systems will feature more than 20 reveals – from show-stopping life-sized LEGO® models to exclusive LEGO sets to future product sneak peeks and other exciting announcements, providing the perfect backdrop for on-site filming and interviews.
LIFE-SIZE VISUALS IN THE LEGO BOOTH:
· A wide variety of popular franchises will be showcased via one-of-a-kind, life-sized models made completely out of LEGO bricks by LEGO Master Builders – ranging from 2-feet tall to 12-feet tall – including Guardians of the Galaxy™, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles™, Batman™, Ghostbusters™, Star Wars™, THE HOBBIT™, THE LEGO® MOVIE, Spider-Man™ and more!
ADDITIONAL ON-SITE VISUALS AND ACTIVITIES:
· Future products reveals throughout the show
o Thursday, July 24 and Saturday, July 26 at 11 a.m. (1 product) and at 4 p.m. (2 products)
o Friday, July 25 and Sunday, July 27 at 11 a.m. (1 product per day)
· Adam West – the original Batman – will be at the LEGO booth starting at 12:45pm on Friday, July 25
· Artist Paul Lee and author Rachel Lareau sign LEGO Batman comic books starting at 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 26
· Exclusive LEGO minifigure giveaways on-site & via social media – follow the official hashtag: #LEGOSDCC
· Exclusive building sets sold only at San Diego Comic-Con, including:
o LEGO® Super Heroes: DC Comics San Diego Comic-Con Exclusive Batman™ Classic TV Series Batmobile
o LEGO® Super Heroes: MARVEL San Diego Comic-Con Exclusive Rocket Raccoon’s Warbird
o LEGO® Star Wars™ San Diego Comic-Con Exclusive The Ghost™ Starship
WHO: LEGO Systems, Inc., world’s leading construction toy manufacturer
WHEN: Starting Wednesday, July 23 at 6pm through Sunday, July, 27
WHERE: San Diego Convention Center, Booth #2829
LEGO Systems, Inc. today unveiled details of everything that contributes to its largest San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) presence ever. The LEGO® booth will welcome show attendees with life-sized LEGO models, sneak peeks of 2015 LEGO building sets, photo-opps and content demos. Additionally, fans will have a chance to win limited edition minifigures each day and exclusive SDCC LEGO sets will be sold in the company’s booth shop. The family-friendly booth will feature thousands of LEGO bricks for attendees to build and take home their own brick-based heroes. The LEGO excitement can be found at booth #2829 of the San Diego Convention Center, July 24-27.
“This is our fourteenth year at San Diego Comic-Con and each year we see stronger enthusiasm coming from a growing audience of fans of all ages,” said Michael McNally, senior brand relations director, LEGO Systems, Inc. “We’re thrilled to deliver a family friendly brand experience, punctuated by custom life-sized models, play opportunities, exclusives, collectibles and sneak peeks, that lets children and adult collectors celebrate their passion for properties and LEGO play together in one place.”
LEGO Star Wars™
To commemorate the 15th anniversary of LEGO Star Wars, the company will unveil a show-stopping showcase of every LEGO Star Wars minifigure ever created – over 500 in total—that is sure to make fans drool. A remote-controlled LEGO Chopper life-sized model, based on the new Star Wars Rebels series, will roam the booth throughout the weekend. Other activities include the unveiling of a 2015 LEGO Star Wars set and a limited edition exclusive version of the LEGO Star Wars Ghost with a Chopper minifigure that will be on sale for show attendees beginning Thursday morning.
LEGO Super Heroes: DC Comics™
This year marks the 75th anniversary of BATMAN™, and LEGO Systems celebrates the milestone with a new life-sized model of the Batcycle™ from the Batman Classic TV Series, complete with sidecar, made entirely out of LEGO bricks. Two LEGO Super Heroes: DC Comics sets launching in 2015 will be unveiled, including an 1,800 piece Tumbler, and one of the company’s exclusive minifigure raffle items will feature an iconic DC Comics character. Throughout the show, a limited number of exclusive Batman Classic TV Series Batmobile™ LEGO sets will be on sale.
LEGO Super Heroes: MARVEL
The new feature film Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy hits theaters August 1st and to honor the event and its newest film-inspired building sets, LEGO Systems will display a custom-built life-sized LEGO version of Groot and Rocket Raccoon. An SDCC exclusive LEGO set, Rocket Raccoon’s Warbird, will be sold and an exclusive minifigure of The Collector from Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy will be up for grabs to lucky fans as part of a raffle.
LEGO THE HOBBIT™
In anticipation of this December’s theatrical release of THE HOBBIT: The Battle of the Five Armies, a production of New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures (MGM), LEGO Systems will unveil one of the new LEGO THE HOBBIT sets that is slated to hit store shelves in October. A large-scale model of Smaug, built entirely from LEGO bricks and featuring custom light features to simulate the dragon’s fire-breathing ability, will be displayed in the Warner Bros. booth #4545. On Thursday, July 24, fans will also have a chance to win a LEGO THE HOBBIT minifigure.
THE LEGO MOVIE
Fans of the first LEGO theatrical film will instantly recognize a new 8-foot tall LEGO model presiding over the booth as Lord Business. A LEGO set based on THE LEGO MOVIE launching in January 2015, will be unveiled and on Sunday, fans will have a chance to win an exclusive LEGO Unikitty, as well as attend a panel discussion focused on the film and its toys.
LEGO Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles™
To honor the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles feature film, a life-sized LEGO model of Shredder will be on display, along with LEGO sets based on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles television series and feature film.
LEGO Mixels™
LEGO Mixels™, an original property created in conjunction with Cartoon Network made up of animated shorts, virtual app gaming and collectible construction toys, was first unveiled at SDCC 2013. The fun continues as the fourth wave of quirky characters, launching in 2015, will be unveiled. New Mixels content for 2015 will also include new shorts, specials and a game.
LEGO NINJAGO and LEGO LEGENDS OF CHIMA™
Two of the biggest original LEGO properties will be represented in two separate panels on Sunday, inviting children and families to learn more about the stories, products lines and the television series that currently air on Cartoon Network.
LEGO Information
Three SDCC exclusive LEGO sets will be on sale in the shop area of LEGO booth #2829. Each set is limited to 1,000 pieces, and sales of each are capped at 250 per day. Four LEGO minifigures will be given away via raffle during the show. Fans can try their luck by visiting the Sails Terrace each day starting at 12:30 PM. For fans who are not attending SDCC, there is a chance to win one of the four minifigures via Twitter raffle by following @LEGO_Group.
Warner Bros. Comic-Con Release: Booth Highlights + Signing Schedule
VIRTUAL REALITY MEETS MIDDLE EARTH — AND THE MUPPETS (!)
AT WARNER BROS.’ STAR-PACKED BOOTH FOR COMIC-CON 2014
Go Into the Storm with the 4D Oculus Rift Experience and Get Up Close and
Personal with Stars, Smaug, Sesame Street and Soft Kitty
Full Signing Schedule Released for Warner Bros. Booth
With Comic-Con 2014 only days away, the behind-she-scenes team at the Warner Bros. booth (#4545) is working its magic creating another must-see environment, including a 4-D immersive Oculus Rift experience allowing fans into the heart-stopping excitement of Warner Bros. upcoming Into the Storm film (unleashed on August 8, 2014); an epic-sized LEGO® Smaug, the legendary dragon from Warner Bros. trilogy of The Hobbit films; a personal appearance by some of Sesame Street’s most familiar faces; and an exclusive Soft Kitty giveaway for fans of The Big Bang Theory, only in San Diego. Always a destination for Comic-Con fans, the Warner Bros. booth will be a constant flux of activity, including giveaways, autograph signings and more.
For a closer look at this year’s Warner Bros. booth activities, read on:
INTO THE STORM: THE 4D OCULUS RIFT EXPERIENCE
Prepare to go #IntoTheStorm with an intense experiential booth featuring a 4-D immersive Oculus Rift experience that puts fans directly into a recreated scene from the upcoming tornado survival film.
Releasing on August 8th, Into the Storm, from New Line Cinema, in association with Village Roadshow Pictures, stars Richard Armitage (The Hobbit films), Sarah Wayne Callies (The Walking Dead), Matt Walsh (Ted), Alycia Debnam-Carey (Where the Devil Hides) and Arlen Escarpeta (Final Destination 5).
In the span of a single day, the town of Silverton is ravaged by an unprecedented onslaught of tornadoes. The entire town is at the mercy of the erratic and deadly cyclones, even as storm trackers predict the worst is yet to come. Most people seek shelter, while others run towards the vortex, testing how far a storm chaser will go for that once-in-a-lifetime shot. Told through the eyes and lenses of professional storm chasers, thrill-seeking amateurs, and courageous townspeople, Into the Storm throws viewers directly into the eye of the storm to experience Mother Nature at her most extreme.
Fans who survive the storm will have their reactions to the experience captured on camera, and once they exit the booth, they will be able to immediately share their experience from a social wall on Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter and YouTube.
FIND YOURSELF FACE TO FACE WITH SMAUG
The creative MasterBuilders at The LEGO Group are at it again with a Comic-Con exclusive: a life-sized recreation of the legendary Dragon Smaug (that’s “human” life-sized vs. “dragon” life-sized), from The Hobbit Trilogy.
Standing at more than six feet tall and weighing in excess of 400 pounds, the large-scale dragon is constructed from 83,433 LEGO® bricks and took over 625 hours to design and build. Featuring a (to Dragon scale) Hobbit-sized Bilbo Baggins and shining Arkenstone, the epic LEGO Smaug stands guard at the Warner Bros. booth!
This December, Oscar®-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson will unleash the epic final film in The Hobbit Trilogy, based on the timeless masterpiece by J.R.R. Tolkien, from New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures. In The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, Bilbo’s journey culminates in a desperate and dangerous choice as darkness converges on the Lonely Mountain and the races of Dwarves, Elves and Men must decide — unite or be destroyed. Ian McKellen returns as Gandalf the Grey, with Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins, and Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield. The ensemble cast is led by Evangeline Lilly, Lee Pace, Luke Evans, Benedict Cumberbatch, Ken Stott, James Nesbitt, with Cate Blanchett, Ian Holm, Christopher Lee, Hugo Weaving, and Orlando Bloom.
MUPPETS TAKE SAN DIEGO!
In celebration of its upcoming 45th season, Sesame Street is sending a Muppet delegation to the Con for a Meet & Greet on Sunday, July 27th from 2:00–3:00 p.m. at the Warner Bros Booth.
Fans of all ages will have the chance to meet Cookie Monster, Bert, Grover and Murray Monster and their performers in a one-of-a-kind get together at the Warner Bros. booth.
IN addition, the first 100 fans will walk away with the latest Sesame Street and Warner Bros. DVD – Learning Rocks!
THE CAT’S OUT OF THE BAG!
COMIC-CON EXCLUSIVE: SOFT KITTY PREVIEW GAME PIECE FROM
MONOPOLY® THE BIG BANG THEORY EDITION GAME
The cat’s out of the bag — and can be found at the Warner Bros. booth!
In a Comic-Con exclusive, Warner Bros. is offering fans of hit comedy The Big Bang Theory the chance to get their hands on a Soft Kitty preview game piece from the MONOPOLY®: The Big Bang Theory edition game, which will be available at retailers nationwide next month.
Available only at Comic-Con and not included in the actual game, a limited number of the Soft Kitty mover tokens will be distributed at the Warner Bros. booth Wednesday, July 23–Sunday, July 27. In-the-know fans can ask for the token at the redemption window at the booth.
STARS & SIGNINGS AND MORE!
From Thursday through Sunday, a cavalcade of talent — including producers and stars from Warner Bros. Television shows, HBO, Warner Bros. Animation, Warner Home Entertainment and Warner Bros. Pictures — will be signing for fans at the Warner Bros. booth. Talent to be announced. The signing schedule is as follows:
THURSDAY, JULY 24, 2014
3:30pm-4:00pm Into the Storm
4:45pm-5:30pm Childrens Hospital
FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014
10:15am-11:00am iZOMBIE
11:45am-12:30pm The Originals
2:15pm-2:45pm The 100
3:30pm-4:30pm Game of Thrones
5:00pm-5:45pm Mike Tyson Mysteries
5:30pm-6:30pm Batman: Assault on Arkham
6:15pm-6:45pm Banshee
SATURDAY, JULY 26, 2014
11:15am-11:45am Mad Max: Fury Road
11:45am-12:30pm Arrow
12:30pm-1:00pm The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
1:30pm-2:00pm Constantine
2:00pm-3:00pm True Blood
2:45pm-3:30pm The Vampire Diaries
4:00pm-4:45pm Gotham
5:00pm-5:45pm Person of Interest
5:45pm-6:15pm The Flash
SUNDAY, JULY 27, 2014
10:30am-11:15am Teen Titans Go!
11:30am-12:15pm Supernatural
12:00pm-12:45pm Scooby-Doo! Frankencreepy
12:30pm-1:15pm The Following
12:45pm-1:15pm Tom and Jerry: The Lost Dragon
For continuing info on the Studio’s plans at Comic-Con, please visit comiccon.thewb.com and follow @warnerbrostv on Twitter (hashtag #WBSDCC).
TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX HOME ENTERTAINMENT PRESENTS THE X-MEN CEREBRO EXPERIENCE
The X-Men Team Brings a Fully Immersive, 360-degree Virtual Reality Experience
Utilizing State of the Art Oculus Rift Technology to Comic-Con!
Limited Edition X-MEN: THE CEREBRO COLLECTION Featuring
Collectible Replica of Professor X’s Cerebro Helmet Available for Pre-Order Only at Comic-Con
Show Off Your Mutant Powers and Track Down Mystique at Booth #3528
WHAT: No one other than Professor Xavier has been able to control Cerebro…until now! Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment will give you the power to control the world’s most powerful machine for mutants on the Comic-Con show floor!
Using the Oculus Rift development kit, fans will enter Cerebro to scour the show floor in order to find Mystique before it’s too late in a mesmerizing 3-minute, 360-degree virtual reality world. Each experience will be recorded via a mounted Go-Pro camera and the best reactions will be made available to share on social media platforms.
X-Men enthusiasts will also have the exclusive opportunity to pre-order the X-MEN: THE CEREBRO COLLECTION. Available only at Comic-Con, this limited edition collection of only 1,000 features X-Men, X2, X-Men: The Last Stand and X-Men: First Class on Blu-ray packaged in a replica of Professor X’s Cerebro helmet.
Fans who take part in the Cerebro Experience will also be able to collect one of four exclusive X-Men character posters. A new poster will be unveiled each day of the show and quantities are limited.
The X-MEN: THE CEREBRO COLLECTION and X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST are available for pre-order separately for $79.99 and $22.99 respectively, or together for $89.99. Product will be shipped to all those that pre-order at Comic-Con when it is officially released later this year.
Additionally fans will have the opportunity to download the state-of-the-art Cerebro app, the definitive source for all official X-Men movie news and the complete reference for mutants in the X-Men movies universe!
WHERE: Booth #3528
Comic-Con International, San Diego Convention Center
WHEN: Wednesday, July 23 – Sunday, July 27, 2014
Diamond Featuring Warpo Retro Action Figures at SDCC
WARPO PARTNERS WITH DIAMOND COMIC DISTRIBUTORS TO BRING LEGENDS OF CTHULHU RETRO ACTION FIGURE LINE TO SAN DIEGO COMIC CON 2014
Artisan Retro Toys Based on the Worlds of H.P. Lovecraft Make First Public Appearance since Successful Kickstarter
Diamond Comic Distributors is pleased to announce today its partnership with Warpo, indie upstart creator of artisan retro toys which launched onto the market with a wildly successful Kickstarter last month, to bring the Warpo Legends of Cthulhu line of retro-styled action figures to Comic-Con International: San Diego (SDCC) and then to retailers, fans and collectors.
Legends of Cthulhu is a four-figure retro action figure line featuring archetypal characters from the worlds of H.P. Lovecraft – The Professor, The Cultist, The Deep One, and Spawn of Cthulhu. The figures were created using Warpo’s Method Manufacturing™, which uses era-specific processes to create authentic, retro toys with distinct artisanal, collectible quality. By enlisting legendary sculptor Eddy Mosqueda (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Masters of the Universe), and artist Ken Kelly (Micronauts, Manglor Mountain, KISS’ Destroyer album cover), Legends of Cthulhu captures the look and feel of the beloved action figures from the 1970s and 1980s. Each figure stands 3.75” tall, has 5 points of articulation, and comes with character-appropriate accessories. Figures will come packaged in a nostalgic, retail-exclusive blister-card featuring original painted artwork by artist Ken Kelly.
At Comic-Con International: San Diego, Diamond will debut the Legends of Cthulhu collectibles at the PREVIEWSworld booth #2401 from July 23-27, in addition to featuring Warpo’s popular retro-style TV commercial. This will be the first opportunity for fans to see the figures up-close after last month’s Kickstarter campaign, which raised it’s initial fundraising goal of $60,000 in three days, and went on to raise more than double that amount.
Further, Diamond Comic Distributors will present the Legends of Cthulhu line in their September 2014 issue of PREVIEWS, making the figures available to retail for the first time.
FUNKO and MINDstyle Form Strategic Creative and Manufacturing Alliance in Greater China and SE Asia
FUNKO, one of the world’s largest designer toy companies, and MINDstyle International, a global creative, development and manufacturing company based in China, announced today an agreement to form a strategic alliance in Greater China and SE Asia. They have a number of manufacturing factories in China already and you can read more about how they source these factories here. Their popularity shows no sign of slowing down so it’s understandable that they want to improve their alliances in Asia, their main production location. With their rapid growth setting precedents, maybe similar companies in different parts of the world would be able to take inspiration from FUNKO, implement technologies (like the ones https://sytecg.com/ tends to provide) to streamline their manufacturing operations to gain similar production too.
The new alliance is expected to build on FUNKO’s existing position globally and to create new growth opportunities for FUNKO and MINDstyle in the market. FUNKO is one of the leading players in the global designer and art vinyl toy movement. In less than four short years, and over 17 million pieces sold, POP! Vinyl Figures have grown to become the #1 stylized vinyl collectible in the world. Funko and MINDstyle collectively have created a vast collection of some of the most popular licensed products for Marvel, Star Wars, Disney, Hello Kitty, Disney, Pixar, HBO, Wizards of the Coast, DC Comics, Blizzard, WWE, NFL, NBA and many more!
The alliance and cooperation model are designed to combine the capabilities of both companies in ways that are mutually beneficial to their businesses and customers.
FUNKO will retain creative, marketing and sales responsibilities for its portfolio of iconic collectibles which include their famous Wacky Wobbler Bobble-Heads, to their clever Wisecracks, adorable Mystery Minis and their ultra collectible POP! Vinyl Figures, Funko always adds their unique take to every product they make. MINDstyle brings to the strategic alliance strong product development with POP! Asia and premium product lines, local distribution and a long history of successfully developing “halo” initiatives for the Asia market.
Brian Mariotti, CEO of FUNKO stated: “Greater China and SE Asia are highly attractive growth markets where MINDstyle is well positioned in the creative and manufacturing areas. We’re focused on expanding our premium and collectible business globally through continued investment across our portfolio of licenses, and our alliance with MINDstyle is an important part of our strategy to position FUNKO for sustainable long-term growth in the toy and collectibles market. We believe MINDstyle’s expertise and ability to re-imagine and re-create using their amazing artist relationships for collaborations will drive the continued success of our new expansion “Premium Quality” product lines like Hikari Japanese style vinyl and POP! Asia original intellectual properties.”
Paul Holbrook, President of MINDstyle, stated: “MINDstyle has been actively expanding its business foundation to consolidate its position in growing Greater China and the South-East Asian markets under the direction of our creative visionary and co-founder, MD Young. This alliance with Funko is part of our long term strategic initiative to pursue further growth in the region creating the cool factor. MINDstyle is committed to the “Premium Quality business model together with FUNKO, who are the eclectic purveyors of popular culture selling their collectibles worldwide which makes for a perfect match.”
Since entering the market in 1999, FUNKO continues its tremendous growth and is fast becoming one of the leading toy companies. MINDstyle now celebrating its 7th anniversary has accelerated its global strategy and expanded its product development and manufacturing business in Southeast Asia following the establishment of MCG East. The toy manufacturing industry has made significant gains from adopting the latest production and machining standards and tools.
Given how these automated milling and lathing units are used across industry sectors where high quality and precision are the common denominators, leading CNC machine manufacturers (those interested, may refer to this Hermle AG optimizes internal transportation operations post) have started looking towards cloud based solutions for transport operation optimization. Similar logistic strategies might prove useful for designer toy companies too.
From Pop! Asia, the crew and truck of Aloha Plate will be available exclusively at San Diego Comic-Con at MINDstyle Booth #4845. Aloha Plate are the Grand Champions of Food Network’s The Great Food Truck Race Season 4.
The crew of Aloha Plate will be in San Diego for Comic-Con and signing at MINDstyle Booth #4845 on Aloha Friday, July 25th at 12 Noon.
A second edition of the Pop! Asia: Aloha Plate will follow with a release in September 2014.
Robot Chicken Bitch Pudding Special Premieres Sunday on Adult Swim
Robot Chicken fan-favorite character Bitch Pudding gets her time to shine in a brand new solo special! When her fellow citizens in Pastryville get tired of suffering Bitch Pudding’s abuse, they hatch a plot to eliminate her once and for all! Now Bitch Pudding will blaze a trail of raging revenge, and the world better learn how to duck and cover!
The Robot Chicken Bitch Pudding Special premieres this Sunday, July 27th at 11:30 p.m. ET/PT on Adult Swim.
Wizard World CEO John Macaluso Appears On Bloomberg TV ‘Taking Stock’ Program
Wizard World, Inc. CEO and President John Macaluso appeared live on the Bloomberg TV program “Taking Stock with Pimm Fox” on Monday, July 21. He discussed the growth of the Comic Con industry and that of Wizard World, Inc. (OTCBB: WIZD), noting the connection between comic book franchises and the movie industry: “The percentage of fantasy movies being made is growing in leaps and bounds. The base of the audience is growing in all different directions.”
Wizard World Comic Con events bring together thousands of fans of all ages to celebrate the best in pop-fi, pop culture, movies, graphic novels, comics, toys, video gaming, television, sci-fi, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more.
The Wizard World Comic Con schedule, which has grown from eight events in 2013 to 16 this year, continues at San Antonio Comic Con, August 1-3, at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center. It then moves to the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Ill., for Chicago Comic Con, the promotion’s highest-attended and longest-running convention and the Midwest’s largest pop culture event.
The recently-released 2015 schedule has 23 events to date, with more expected to be announced in the coming weeks as they are confirmed.
DC Entertainment Celebrates the 75th Anniversary of Batman with Largest Digital Sale Ever
Just In Time For Batman Day And Comic-Con International: San Diego, 750 Batman Titles Available July 22-29 For Only $.99 Across All Digital Platforms
As part of their ongoing celebration of Batman’s 75th anniversary, DC Entertainment (DCE) announced today that 750 Batman titles will be made available for digital download for $.99 each. For one week only beginning on July 22, fans can become immersed in the adventures of the world’s most popular Super Hero. The special sale coincides with “Batman Day” on July 23 and Comic-Con International: San Diego 2014 activities, which will also shine a spotlight on the iconic comic idol.
The largest English-language publisher and the leader in digital comics innovation, this marks a first-of-its-kind offer for DCE across all digital platforms including comiXology, Google Play, iBooks, Kindle Store and Nook Store. Key Batman titles and storylines featured in the sale include Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Batman: The Long Halloween, Batman: No Man’s Land, Batman: Year One, Batman: Hush, Batman: The Court of the Owls, All Star Batman & Robbin the Boy Wonder and many, many more!
“Digital comics make it possible to get Batman anytime, anywhere and this sale is the perfect opportunity for fans to dive into the world of the Caped Crusader,” said DC Entertainment Co-Publisher Jim Lee. “Now, thanks to this mammoth 75th anniversary sale DCE is making it easier than ever to collect an incredibly broad range of Batman’s best stories, at a price that doesn’t require a Bruce Wayne-sized budget.”
To further mark its July 23rd Batman Day activities taking place at hundreds of comic book retailers nationwide, DCE will also launch a 24-hour eBook sale that day only across all digital partners – offering 10 essential Batman graphic novels for only $2.99 each.
For more information on DCE’s digital comic offerings, please visit www.readdcentertainment.com and all digital platforms. For the latest information including exclusive content celebrating Batman’s 75th anniversary, please visit www.batman75.com.
Mattel Celebrates 2014 San Diego Comic-Con with Hot Collectibles and Fan-atic Festivities
Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAT) brings fans of all ages the hottest in San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) on-sale collectibles and star-studded celebratory events. Visit booth #3029 or Mattycollector.com for the latest SDCC news, event schedules and on-sale product information.
Mattel SDCC Fan Firsts:
Max Steel the Movie: Talent Autograph Signing: Cast and creative team from Dolphin Films & Mattel’s new superhero film Max Steel will be on hand for autograph signings Friday, July 25th. Come and meet Max Steel theatrical writer Chris Yost (Thor: The Dark World and Thor 3, Marvel, DC, Image Comics), film director Stewart Hendler (Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn, H+) and Max Steel theatrical leads Ben Winchell (Max McGrath) and Ana Villafañe (Sofia Martinez). Fans can also receive a limited edition movie poster, and enjoy an exclusive display of exciting props and imagery from the movie including the public debut of the Max Steel and Dread armored suits! Check out @MaxSteelMovie on Twitter and Instagram.
Hot Wheels® Star Wars™: The collaboration of two epic forces begins! Hot Wheels® and Star Wars™ celebrate an all-new line of vehicles and playsets due out later this year in an exclusive SDCC display. See amazing Star Wars™-inspired Hot Wheels® character cars and a world of replica diecast starships and playsets. And don’t miss the reveal of the life-sized, fully operational Hot Wheels® “Darth Vader Car” happening on Wednesday, July 23rd at the Mattel booth!
WWE® Superstar Autograph Signings: WWE Legend Hulk Hogan™ and WWE accompanied by Superstar Daniel Bryan® will be on hand for autograph signings on Thursday July 24th. In addition, WWE Continuing the autograph Smackdown, large and in-charge Superstar Big E™ will also be conducting fan signings on Friday July 25th —all happening at booth #3029.
DC Universe Classics: One of the most demanded figures in the DCU Classics Signature Series—Doomsday—finally arrives! On-sale at SDCC, this massive 9” tall maniac had the ultimate face-off with Superman™ in the best-selling issue of Superman #75. For the first time in toy history, Doomsday sports his signature containment suit!
Ever After High: For the first time, the teenage sons and daughters of famous fairytales join the SDCC party. To spellebrate the occasion a unique student, Cerise Wolf, daughter of The Big Badwolf, will be on sale. Get your paws on her fast as pre-sale units sold out in only 28 minutes! Visit the Ever After High Booth for photo opportunities and be there Friday at 2:00pm for a signing with Shannon Hale, author of two Ever After High New York Times Youth bestselling books.
Mega Bloks Collectors Series Call of Duty® & Halo®: Mega Bloks will be giving away limited edition exclusive micro action figures at booth #3351, featuring first-time interchangeable armour and augmented pose-ability! Visitors can also witness the reveal of the world’s first Mega Bloks Call of Duty Signature Series set and visit the make-and-take station to build their very own unique SDCC souvenir.
Minecraft First Look: Get ready to dig in to the world of Minecraft! Teaming with Mojang AB, Mattel debuts a line of Minecraft-inspired items that bring the game to life in ways you’ve never seen before. Join on Sunday, July 27th for autographs and photos with the one and only iHasCupquake!
Mattel Celebratory Events & Panels:
Wednesday, July 23rd-Sunday July 27th
She-Ra’s 30th Birthday Celebration
Celebrate the 30th anniversary of one of the most iconic action starts of the 80’s – She-Ra Princess of Power! Swing by the Mattel booth to pick up our SDCC Etheria Invasion Hordak, the first ever released of She-Ra’s arch enemy in animation colors, including his sidekick Imp and EXCLUSIVE to SDCC, as a free gift with purchase receive Imp disguised as a Treasure Chest free! Also join us for an incredible She-Ra Cos-Play contest, collect She-Ra buttons and much more!
Thursday, July 24th
Mattel and WWE: over-the-top action!
10:15a.m. – 11:15a.m. (Room: 6DE)
Two of the world’s top global entertainment companies have teamed up for the ultimate panel at SDCC. WWE Superstars and Mattel designers will talk about the all-new WWE Network and give exclusive sneak peeks of Mattel’s upcoming WWE figure releases! Incredible guest appearances: Hulk Hogan, Daniel Bryan, Michael Cole™, Paul Heyman™ and you never know who else may drop by. This is a panel you won’t want to miss, brother!
Friday, July 25th
Mattel Presents: Mattypalooza 2014
11:00a.m. – 12:00p.m. (Room: 25ABC)
Celebrating its 6th year at SDCC, come get the inside scoop on your favorite collectable toys from Mattel: Masters of the Universe®, DC Comics™, Ghostbusters™ and more! Plus be there to hear the latest news on the future of MOTU Classics! This panel will also include an insightful Q & A with Mattel Marketing Manager Scott “Toy Guru” Neitlich, Mattel Toy Designer Brandon Sopinsky, Digital Content Strategist Eve Orio and special guests The Four Horsemen. If you go to one Toy Panel at SDCC, make it Mattypalooza!
Saturday, July 26th
Mattel Presents: Monster High 2014
11:30a.m. – 12:30p.m. (Room 5AB)
We are Monster High! Don’t stop rockin’ your right to fright—we are Monster High! Rally with the coolest ghouls and mansters of Monster High to get a freak peek at exclusive scenes from the newest Monster High DVD, Freaky Fusion (this Fall from Universal Studios Home Entertainment), a never-before-seen webisode, and more! Plus, a live performance from the freaky talented Monster High voice actors, including: Erin Fitzgerald (voice of Abbey, Spectra, Scarah & Rochelle), America Young (voice of Howleen & Toralei), Ogie Banks (voice of Clawd), Paula Rhodes (voice of Sirena & Iris), and Stephanie Sheh (voice of Jinafire & Boolittle). Moderated by Emmy-Award winning Executive Producer of Monster High, Audu Paden. But that’s not all… our Monster High team is just DYING to share more secrets lurking the halls of Monster High! Garrett Sander, Rebecca Shipman, Natalie Villegas, Glenda Chiu, Ivy Bleser, and Scott Wilger (Monster High Toy Designers) and Eric Hardie (Monster High Copywriter) will reveal uhhh-mazing new Monster High ghouls and how they came to un-life!