What’s New in Home Video & Pop Culture – November 11th, 2025 – Naked Gun, Spinal Tap 2, Downton Abbey, Godzilla, Toxic Avenger, Rick & Morty, Doctor Who & More!

By Mike Spring

 on November 11, 2025

What’s New in Home Video & Pop Culture – November 11th, 2025

Whew, it’s a bit of a monster week this week! That’s what happens when it’s knee-deep into the fourth-quarter and the studios all have holiday sales on their minds. Read on to check out everything new and exciting!

In This Week’s Column:

• The Naked Gun (Blu-ray + Digital)
• Spinal Tap II: The End Continues (Blu-ray)
• Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital)
• Shin Godzilla (4K Ultra HD Steelbook)
• The Toxic Avenger (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray)
• One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (4K Ultra HD + Digital)
• Rick & Morty: Season 8 (Blu-ray)
• Americana (Blu-ray)
• Laurel & Hardy: The Definite Restorations, Volume 2 (Blu-ray)
• Prisoner of War (Blu-ray)
• Earthdivers Omnibus (Graphic Novel)
• Doctor Who: The Official Coloring Book (Book)
• Order of the Night Jay (Book 2): The River Rises (Graphic Novel)

The Naked Gun (Blu-ray + Digital)

Official Synopsis:

Only Lt. Frank Drebin Jr. (Liam Neeson) has the particular set of skills… to lead Police Squad and save the world! He’s following in his father’s footsteps in The Naked Gun, directed by Akiva Schaffer (Saturday Night Live, Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping) and from producer Seth MacFarlane (Ted, Family Guy).

The Movie: 

It was already going to be a big ask for The Naked Gun reboot to try and match the energy of the original classic starring Leslie Nielson, so I went into the film with somewhat tempered expectations. Casting Liam Neeson as Frank Drebin’s son was a stroke of genius, though, so I was at least hopeful that the film would be a good time. 

And that’s exactly what it is: fun. Is it a comedy classic? No. But did I laugh while watching it and generally have a good time with it? I sure did. Liam Neeson is note-perfect as the clueless Frank Drebin, Jr., while Pamela Anderson makes a bid for a career comeback with her leading lady role. The jokes land more often than not, and if there are occasionally a few that go too far or are a bit more lowest-common-denominator than I would have liked, well, that’s just the price you pay with any kind of spoof movie these days. 

While most of the movie had me chuckling, there were also a few laugh-out-loud moments, which is exactly what you need from a movie like this. I’m actually a bit disappointed that the film didn’t do better at the box office. If nothing else, it’s miles more intelligent (while still being largely ridiculous) than the spate of spoof movies we were subjected to in the early 2000s (Scary Movie, any of the million others that followed it.) Definitely give The Naked Gun a watch if you’re in the mood for a good time. 

The Bonus Features: 

• A Legacy of Laughter
• Son of a (Naked) Gun
• On Set of a Set Within a Set that’s in a Set
• The Funny Femme Fatale
• The Really Unusual Suspects
• Dropping the Balls
• Outtakes
• Deleted, Alternate, and Extended Scenes
• Mock Ads

Digital Copy Included: Yes

Spinal Tap II: The End Continues (Blu-ray)

Official Synopsis:

Documentarian Marty DiBergi follows estranged Spinal Tap bandmates David St. Hubbins, Nigel Tufnel and Derek Smalls as they search for a drummer and prepare for a reunion concert in New Orleans. Joined by music royalty Paul McCartney and Elton John, Spinal Tap wrestles with their checkered past to put on a show that they hope will solidify their place in the pantheon of rock ‘n’ roll.

The Movie: 

I can pretty much guarantee I know what “the internet” is going to say about Spinal Tap II: The End Continues; people are going to complain that it’s not as good as the first one and so on and so forth. But here’s the thing: it was never going to be as good as the first one. The original Spinal Tap was one of the original mockumentaries, and it was something of a pop culture phenomenon, a cult classic that’s reputation and popularity only grew over the years until it reached legendary status. There was no way for the new sequel, released 40 years after the original, to live up to it. 

But could it still be good? Well, I’m happy to say that the answer is yes. In fact, it’s quite good. The film sees the band reuniting for a final concert after 15 years of being estranged. While I wouldn’t say it’s the kind of movie that had me laughing constantly, it elicited chuckles or wry smiles quite a bit. There are a lot of bits around the band being older and dealing with things like promotion and social media, but it’s also about the band and their fractured relationships, it’s not just a bunch of jokes about old guys not being able to use cell phones. (In fact, it was refreshing that all of the band members knew how to use their cell phones, and we didn’t get a bunch of hackneyed jokes about that.) And maybe I’m biased because I’m such a big Beatles fan, but the scenes with Paul McCartney are absolutely brilliant. 

So, while Spinal Tap II may not live up to its predecessor, it’s still a highly enjoyable, clever, entertaining mockumentary that has a lot of fun with the original premise and continues the story in a way that is organic and fun. Which is all I wanted. 

The Bonus Features: 

• Deleted Scenes
• Trailers

Digital Copy Included: No

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital)

Official Synopsis:

The cinematic return of the global phenomenon follows the Crawley family and their staff as they enter the 1930s. When Mary finds herself at the centre of a public scandal and the family faces financial trouble, the entire household grapples with the threat of social disgrace. The Crawleys must embrace change as the staff prepares for a new chapter with the next generation leading Downton Abbey into the future.

The Movie: 

I have good news and bad news about Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale. The good news is that it’s absolutely delightful and I loved every minute of it. The bad news is that it’s most likely the last film in the franchise as we know it, and it feels that way. So if you’ve never watched Downton before or have only seen the movies, I’m not sure that the film is going to blow you away. It spends a lot of time wrapping up long-percolating storylines and making sure that both the extended Grantham family and the servants who populate the downstairs all get resolution for the narratives that have been building for years. But what that means is that for casual viewers, the film may feel a bit slight or lacking in the plot department. 

For my money, though, Downton Abbey has always been about the characters and the writing, not the plots per se. Sure, the stories are wonderful, but when I think back on my fondest memories of the show, it’s always character beats and particular moments, not big storylines. And pretty much every cast member and character you’d want to see on screen is represented in this final chapter, which will leave you with warm feelings and a smile on your face throughout the film. And frankly, that’s all I wanted from this final outing. 

The 4K Video/Audio:

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale looks and sounds terrific in 4K Ultra HD. The imagery is extremely sharp, clean and clear, and the close-ups especially really shine in Ultra HD. Colors are at a premium and contrasts are strong, with deep, rich black levels. The print is clean and devoid of any debris or blemishes. The surround soundtrack does a pretty good job bringing the onscreen action to life. This isn’t an action movie, so sometimes that’s just crowds of people or the din of the castle, but you do get activity from all over. And most importantly,  the dialogue never gets lost in the mix, resulting in a very strong sound presentation overall.

The Bonus Features: 

• Feature Commentary with Director Simon Curtis and Actress Elizabeth McGovern 
• Changing Times
• Society Season
• Authentic to the Core
• A Farewell to Fans
• Downton Abbey Celebrates The Grand Finale

Digital Copy Included: Yes

Shin Godzilla (4K Ultra HD Steelbook)

Official Synopsis:

Something has surfaced in Tokyo Bay. As the Prime Minister of Japan pleads with the public to remain calm, a horrific creature of tremendous size makes landfall in the city, leaving death and destruction in its wake. Then it evolves. The government assembles a motley task force to combat the monster when an envoy from the US Department of State delivers a folder of classified documents. On its cover is written: “GODZILLA.” From visionary directors Hideaki Anno and Shinji Higuchi, Shin Godzilla offers a thrilling origin story to one of cinema’s greatest creations. Propelled by astounding visual effects and rapid fire dialogue, Shin Godzilla is equal parts pulse-pounding action film and venomous political satire, worthy of the franchise’s towering history.

The Movie: 

If you’re like me – and I recognize that not everyone is – the success of last year’s Godzilla Minus One might have reawakened a little bit of Godzilla fandom in you. I’ve always been at most a casual Godzilla fan, never a hardcore one. I’ve seen a handful of the movies over the years, but I can not claim to have an encyclopedic knowledge of the films or Godzilla’s various monstrous enemies. But I loved Godzilla Minus One (like so many other people), and it made me want to dive into the big green guy’s filmography a bit more. One of the films I kept hearing about over and over again was 2016’s Shin Godzilla. So, naturally, I set out to watch it, only to find it doesn’t seem to exist anywhere on streaming. Not just for free, but you couldn’t even rent or purchase the movie anywhere that I could find. 

But now, GKids/Shout Factory has rectified that situation with a 4K Ultra HD Steelbook release of Shin Godzilla, which is widely regarded as one of the high points of the franchise. And now that I’ve watched the movie, I can see why. It definitely takes a different angle on the Godzilla franchise, presenting almost as a documentary, rather than a fictional narrative. It’s still clear that it’s a narrative movie, but there’s a highly stylized documentary-like approach that feels unlike any other Godzilla movie.

It’s this approach that makes the film work so well, but it also holds it back a little bit. At times, the film plays more like a how-to-run-a-government primer than a giant monster movie. The Godzilla action scenes are outstanding and are the high point of the movie, but there’s also a lot of scenes of government officials arguing over casualty numbers and who’s in charge of what. As a result, while the movie is technically very impressive, it lacks a little bit of heart. Overall, I still enjoyed it immensely, but it’s not a perfect film and I’d place it second to the superior Minus One. But if you’re like me and you’ve been wondering about it – or want to revisit it if you’ve already seen it – the new Steelbook 4K release is outstanding, and the movie is definitely worth tracking down and watching. 

The 4K Video/Audio:

As a relatively recent film, Shin Godzilla looks and sounds very good in the premium format. The color saturation is strong but not quite what I would call overly vibrant, as the film has a lot of neutral tones defining the look of the picture. The predominant feel of the film is meant to be kind of dark to reflect the action on screen, and that’s captured well. Image clarity is sharp, however, and the overall effect is quite strong. The surround soundtrack isn’t the most immersive ever, but it does a great job of bringing the action and dialogue into your living room. Meanwhile, the powerful bass channel ensures there’s an occasional rumble through your bones. When Godzilla roars, you feel it in your chest! All in all, this is a very good A/V presentation.

The Bonus Features: 

• Promotional Video Collection
• Making of Shin Godzilla
• Deleted Scenes
• Outtakes
• News Reels
• Previs Reel Collection
• Previs and Special Effects Outtakes
• Visual Effects Breakdown
• Teasers and Trailers

Digital Copy Included: No

The Toxic Avenger (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray)

Official Synopsis:

When a downtrodden janitor, Winston Gooze, is exposed to a catastrophic toxic accident, he’s transformed into a new kind of hero: The Toxic Avenger. Now, Toxie must rise from outcast to savior, taking on ruthless corporate overlords and corrupt forces who threaten his son, his friends, and his community. In a world where greed runs rampant… justice is best served radioactive.

The Movie: 

The original Toxic Avenger movie was a breakout cult classic from Troma Studios, a production company who specializes in low-budget exploitation and genre schlock. I say “schlock” not as a pejorative; it is quite literally their stock in trade. The original 1984 film was a breakout hit for the studio and it led to three sequels and even – bizarrely – an animated series. 

But I’ve gotta be honest; I hate the original film. It’s mean and ugly and over-the-top in all the worst ways, and it’s not what I consider a good or enjoyable movie by any means. I know it has a devoted legion of fans, but I suspect those are people who saw the movie as kids and have some nostalgic love for it. As a result, I was not nearly as excited as everyone else seemed to be when the remake with Peter Dinklage was announced. But it did get made and then… it promptly sat on the shelf for nearly two years. This did not fill me with confidence. 

Now the film has been released on home video, and I dove in to see what would await me. And here’s the thing, I didn’t hate the movie. It’s very different than the original; Peter Dinklage’s Winston Gooze character is more of a regular guy who’s a bit of a sad sack, but he’s trying to be a good stepdad and just keep himself out of trouble. It finds him of course, but he’s not portrayed as the world’s biggest loser the same way as in the original film. 

The filmmakers really lean into the low-budget aesthetic; the film is over-the-top in terms of colorful visuals and scenery. It looks an awful lot like they were trying to make a comic book movie, which actually makes sense for this kind of property. It’s got plenty of gore and practical effects for people who want to see that side of things, and at least it’s a real story this time around. I can’t say I’m a huge fan of the movie overall, but at least it’s not reprehensible like the original. 

The 4K Video/Audio:

The Toxic Avenger is an odd film from a visual standpoint; it’s both low-budget and over the top. There are moments where colors are exploding off the screen, and there are more pedestrian moments as well. The 4K picture quality is very good; darker scenes offer up good shadow delineation so you can see what’s going on, and when colors explode — sometimes literally — they really explode. The surround soundtrack isn’t the most nuanced offering ever, but it is effective and gives some nice directional and panning effects. All in all, it’s a strong effort. 

The Bonus Features: 

• Audio Commentary with director Macon Blair
• A Toxic Environment: Best of Behind the Scenes
• Toxic Shock With Tiffany Shepis
• 40th Anniversary of the Toxic Avenger
• Trailer

Digital Copy Included: No

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (4K Ultra HD + Digital)

Official Synopsis:

A feisty misfit sent to a mental hospital inspires his fellow patients to assert themselves, much to the chagrin of the strong-willed head nurse, who turns out to be more dangerous than any of the inmates. Based on the novel by Ken Kesey and the play by Dale Wasserman.

The Movie: 

In terms of what I personally like as a filmgoer, there is absolutely no reason I should like One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. I get that it’s one of the most critically acclaimed and awarded movies of all time, but in terms of my personal tastes, it has so many strikes against it. I generally can’t stand Jack Nicholson, it’s a 70s movie (not my favorite era for filmmaking), it’s a heavy drama (not my favorite genre of film), and it’s got a dark undercurrent to it, darker than I tend to lean towards. On the surface, I should hate this film. 

And maybe some of you are hoping that I’m going to say that I do hate it, just so you find someone who agrees with you if you happen to dislike it. But I can’t say that. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest is a minor masterpiece and it’s hard to argue otherwise. I generally don’t like Jack Nicholson because I feel like he plays the same character every time he’s in a movie, but here, he is absolutely revolutionary. Nicholson built an entire career out of two stellar performances, this movie and The Shining, and then he spent the next 30 years coasting off of the prestige of those. But that doesn’t take away from how electric he is in this movie. 

And sure, it’s not light fare, and sure, it’s got a ‘70s aesthetic to it, but once it gets rolling, the film is just riveting. Louise Fletcher is terrifying as Nurse Ratched, and the coterie of characters is fascinating to watch. It’s a man vs. the establishment movie, but you never know which way it’s going to go or who’s going to win. 

This week, One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest makes its 4K Ultra HD debut, and it’s a great way to add the film to your collection. 

The 4K Video/Audio:

Normally, when a film is 50 years old, I have very low expectations for a 4K release. But Warner has given this movie the deluxe restorative treatment, and I’m blown away by it. This is the best I’ve ever seen One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest look on home video. Now, it will by no means be mistaken for a brand new blockbuster, but the transfer manages to retain the grainy cinematic quality of the movie while also improving on image clarity, color saturation, black levels, and contrasts, resulting in a picture that makes it feel like you’re watching it on a movie theater screen. The surround soundtrack also offers up some great directionality and surround effects, along with dialogue that sounds clearer and cleaner than I would have expected. There are some moments that are a little more on the tinny side here and there, because you can only work with the source material you have, but all in all, it’s a terrific effort.

The Bonus Features: 

• NEW! Conversations on Cuckoo: Group Therapy 
• NEW! Conversations on Cuckoo: Moviemaking Memories 
• Completely Cuckoo 
• Deleted Scenes

Digital Copy Included: Yes

Rick & Morty: Season 8 (Blu-ray)

Official Synopsis:

Rick and Morty is back for Season 8! Life has meaning again! Anything is possible! Look out for adventures with Summer, Jerry, Beth, and the other Beth. Maybe Butter Bot will get a new task? Whatever happens, you can’t keep Rick and Morty down for long. People have tried!

The Show: 

Well, here we go again. I really do try and find new things to say about Rick & Morty when I review it, but the show never manages to change my opinion about it, no matter how may chances I give it. The only TV show ever to be responsible for both a McDonald’s special sauce and then an angry fan reaction to said McDonald’s special sauce is back on home video. Unfortunately, even after eight seasons, Rick & Morty remains just not my thing. 

I know people love it, and the show has a very strong fan following, but I just don’t dig it. Every time a new season comes out, I give it a try, and every time, I’m just completely unmoved by it. Sure, there are one or two funny jokes in each episode, but I find the characters unlikable and the humor largely ridiculous — and not in a good way. Maybe I’m just getting old; who knows? But none of that matters, because people love this show and it’s as popular as ever, regardless of what I think about it. Unfortunately, it’s just not my thing. But I know people really love Rick & Morty and the show’s fan base is fanatical, so this will be sure to be another home video hit for the studio.

The Bonus Features: 

• Inside Season 8

Digital Copy Included: No

Americana (Blu-ray + DVD + Digital)

Official Synopsis:

A gallery of dynamic characters clash over the possession of a rare Native American artifact in this wildly entertaining modern-day Western. After the artifact falls onto the black market, a shy waitress with big dreams (Sydney Sweeney) teams up with a lovelorn military veteran (Paul Walter Hauser) to gain possession of it, putting them in the crosshairs of a ruthless criminal (Eric Dane) working on behalf of a Western antiquities dealer (Simon Rex). Bloodshed ensues when others join the battle, including the leader of an indigenous group (Zahn McClarnon) and a desperate woman fleeing her mysterious past (Halsey).

The Movie: 

I knew exactly what kind of movie Americana was going to be from the very first scene. Not only does the title have a period at the end of it on the title screen (Americana.), but it starts off with a chapter heading, as the film is broken down into subsections. Honestly, anytime I see chapter breaks in a movie, that tells me exactly what kind of movie the filmmakers are trying to make. And that’s what we get with Americana. 

Sure, on the surface, according to the official synopsis, the film is a crime caper of sorts revolving around a stolen Native American artifact that is extremely valuable. But what it really is is an exercise in quirky filmmaking; we get characters who have defining characteristics that are supposed to make them interesting (Sydney Sweeney stutters! Amazing!) and we have a time-shifting narrative that invokes Pulp Fiction but is more confusing at first. We have dialogue that is highly stylized in that way that’s both amusing and annoying at the same time. This is less a movie about something and more a movie about being a movie that’s trying hard not to be like every other movie. However, in doing so it falls right into the traps we see in so many other “quirky” indie movies. 

That all said, it’s also not a bad movie per se. While I found myself rolling my eyes at the filmmaking choices fairly early on, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t get caught up in the narrative. The story does become interesting at some point, and while the characters are nothing novel, the cast is likable and you do get caught up in their stories. Effectively, I enjoyed the movie not because of its quirks, but rather despite them. 

The Bonus Features: 

• Audio Commentary with writer/director Tony Tost
• A Western Fairy Tale: The Making of Americana 
• Theatrical trailer

Digital Copy Included: Yes

Laurel & Hardy: The Definitive Restorations, Volume 2 (Blu-ray)

Official Synopsis:

Eight restored classic short subjects with loads of extras, over six hours of laughs–Stan Laurel & Oliver Hardy like you’ve never seen them before!

LAUREL & HARDY: THE DEFINITIVE RESTORATIONS Volume 2 returns the beloved comedy duo to their full brilliance in this restored Blu-ray collection. Sourced from the original 35mm archival elements, this set offers fans an opportunity to see long unavailable original release versions and previously unseen materials – over six hours of timeless laughter!

Included are eight of Laurel & Hardy’s most celebrated short films:

•Men O’ War (1929)
•Perfect Day (1929)
•Blotto (1930)
•Another Fine Mess (1930)
•Dirty Work (1933)
•Going Bye-Bye! (1934)
•Them Thar Hills (1934)
•Tit for Tat (1935)

These restored gems showcase the comedic genius of the legendary pair, with enhanced picture and audio that make every gag feel fresh again.

The Movie: 

When I was a kid, for some reason I fell into a sort of Abbot & Costello versus Laurel & Hardy mentality, and I decided I was squarely on the Abbott & Costello side of things. Now, I still maintain that Abbot & Costello’s rapid-fire witty dialogue and wordplay is the superior pairing, but in recent years, I’ve come to realize that there’s room for both legendary comedy duos in my comedy headspace. 

Now, Kit Parker Films has brought us a new collection of Laurel & Hardy comedy shorts that is nothing short of phenomenal. I had to do a little digging, but it turns out Volume 1 came out five years ago and appears to be out of print at the moment, which is a real shame. But Volume 2 is an unbelievably well-curated collection that features incredible picture quality, tons of extra features, and hours of total content. 

First off, we get eight of the duo’s original celebrated short films, including highlights Perfect Day (1929) and Another Fine Mess (1930). All of them have been remastered in 2K from original photographic elements, resulting in some truly stunning picture quality for films that are almost a literal century old. The comedic timing and chemistry (at least on screen) between the pair is amazing, and watching these films gave me a whole new appreciation for Laurel & Hardy. 

Then there are the hours of extra features, which include alternate versions of almost every short film, commentary tracks, archival TV shows and interviews about and featuring the duo, and a collector’s booklet that provides additional information. It’s a true collector’s edition and I am super impressed by it. Now I have to try and track down a copy of Volume 1!

The Bonus Features: 

• Previously lost Silent Versions of Brats and Blotto with scores by Andrew Earle Simpson
• The 1937 Reissue Version of Perfect Day
• Alternate version of Blotto with Voice & Effects Track Only
• Alternate version of Another Fine Mess with Voice & Effects Track Only
• Galaxy of Stars (1936) MGM Promotional Film
• There Goes My Heart (1938) Original Hal Roach Studios trailer and outtakes
• Recently rediscovered Ship’s Reporter (1952) featuring both Laurel & Hardy
• This is Your Life: Laurel & Hardy (1954) from 35mm kinescope negative
• Hal Roach Backlot Interview (1960s) Rare interview and footage of the studio backlot
• Also includes Original Feature Film Trailers, Archival Material Galleries, Commentary Tracks from authors Richard W. Bann and Randy Skretvedt, a full-color booklet with production information, rare photos, restoration notes, and more!

Digital Copy Included: No

Prisoner of War (Blu-ray)

Official Synopsis:

Starring martial arts icon Scott Adkins as British SAS officer James Wright, Prisoner of War tells the story of a soldier captured by the Japanese and held in a Philippine POW camp. Before the entire colony embarks upon the Bataan Death March, Wright and his fellow prisoners are forced to compete in brutal death matches for the entertainment of their captors. Adkins puts in a career best performance as the man who may be able to save them all.

The Movie: 

In some ways, Scott Adkins is the quintessential action movie star. His action and martial arts skills are without equal. His acting skills are… with equal? What I mean to say is that they’re okay. Actually, if I’m being honest, his acting has improved over the years. In early movies, I found him borderline unwatchable, but in more recent years, he’s started to develop some chops. 

In Prisoner of War, Adkins plays a soldier in a POW camp during World War II who is due to go on the infamous Bataan Death March, which saw hundreds of prisoners die under inhumane conditions. Before the prisoners set out, Adkins is forced to fight his fellow prisoners in death matches to entertain their prison keepers. It’s Fight Club meets Empire of the Sun, exceeeept… not exactly. 

Ultimately, and not surprisingly, the film works best during the action scenes, where Adkins shines. When the film’s plot takes over, out gets a little slow and some of Adkins’ limitations start to creep in. But when the film is in fighting mode, it’s highly entertaining, and sometimes that’s the best you can hope for. 

The Bonus Features: 

• Trailer

Digital Copy Included: No

Earthdivers Omnibus (Graphic Novel)

Official Synopsis:

From the New York Times bestselling author of My Heart Is a Chainsaw and The Only Good Indians come all three volumes of the time-hopping horror thriller about far-future Indigenous outcasts collected into one value-priced omnibus. The year is 2112, and it’s the apocalypse exactly as expected: rivers receding, oceans rising, civilization crumbling. Humanity has given up hope, except for a group of Indigenous outcasts who have discovered a time-travel portal and figured out where everything took a turn for the worst: America. Convinced that the only way to save the world is to rewrite its past, they send one of their own—a reluctant linguist named Tad—on a bloody one-way mission to 1492 to kill Christopher Columbus before he reaches the so-called New World. But there are steep costs to disrupting the timeline, and his actions could trigger a devastating new fate for his friends and the future.

Then, travel to the Ice Age on a mission exploring America’s pre-Columbian past! It’s circa 20,000 BC and the breathtaking and bloodthirsty megafauna are the least of the problems when our protagonists are caught in a war between a community of native Paleo-Indians and an occupying Solutrean force. In the final volume, faced with the consequences of their actions—and their own slippery moral rationalizations—620 years in the future, the path is clear. There’s no better time and place to take another stab at America than Philadelphia, 1776.

Join writer Stephen Graham Jones and artists Davide Gianfelice, Riccardo Burchielli, Patricio Delpeche, and Emily Schnall in this epic that collects all three volumes of Earthdivers (Vol. 1: Kill Columbus, Vol. 2: Ice Age, and Vol. 3: 1776) into one omnibus. 

The Book: 

You’ve gotta love a comic book that takes on a high concept time travel adventure but also isn’t afraid to tackle some uncomfortable truths in its storyline. Take Earthdivers, for example, the action-packed yet thoughtful comic series which has just been collected into the Earthdivers Omnibus, which has just been released by IDW Publishing. 

The book starts off almost a hundred years in the future, where civilization and the planet are both collapsing. A group of people have come to the realization that most of the world-ending problems stemmed from the same source: the United States of America. Now, there are some readers who would bristle at that suggestion, but I love that writer Stephen Graham Jones tackles it head on. Admittedly, once the concept’s groundwork has been laid, the focus of the story becomes on the time travel and the action and the ramifications on the future, not on blaming America for things. But it’s still good to see that Jones doesn’t flinch at using a controversial idea as the launching point for an exciting story that spans almost 500 pages. 

The Omnibus collects the three story arcs of Earthdivers, and each one features a different art team. Since each major arc takes place in a different era, the differing art styles work for the story. The end result is a massive tome that crafts a pretty epic tale from start to finish, and I enjoyed it quite a bit. 

The Specs: 

• Publisher: IDW Publishing
• Format: Softcover
• Page Count: 488 pages
• Cover Price: $27.99

Doctor Who: The Official Coloring Book (Book)

Official Synopsis:

Step into the TARDIS and unleash your creativity as you color in your favorite scenes and characters from every era of Doctor Who.

Whether you’re a seasoned Time Lord or a new companion, The Official Doctor Who Coloring Book will transport you to new worlds and dimensions as you bring your favorite Doctor Who characters and moments to life. With stunning illustrations of the Doctor from every era, including David Tennant as the Tenth Doctor, Matt Smith as the Eleventh Doctor, and Ncuti Gatwa as the Fifteenth Doctor, along with iconic foes, monsters, aliens, and epic scenes, this book is a fun and relaxing way to engage with one of the world’s most popular shows.

Featuring 45 original illustrations on thick, high-quality paper, The Official Doctor Who Coloring Book invites you to embark on a colorful journey through time and space—but be warned, it’s bigger on the inside. 

The Book: 

This is not the first coloring book that I’ve reviewed, although it’s only been a couple before this. And I’ll be honest, I have yet to crack the code on how to review a coloring book. That’s not a criticism; I’m always excited to get a chance to review new and different kinds of pop culture product. It’s just a tricky thing to write about. 

Here’s what I’ll say, then, about Doctor Who: The Official Coloring Book: I think it’s well done. It comes in at just under a hundred pages, giving you 45 original illustrations based on the show. What I like about it is that I’d say about 80% of the drawings focus on non-human elements of the show: the TARDIS, Daleks, Cybermen, etc. Because let’s face it, those are easier to color than real people. Trying to capture flesh tones with colored pencils or crayons can be tricky. But on the flip side, a Doctor Who coloring book with zero appearances by the Doctors would be disappointing, so you do get a handful of random pages included with the Doctors and their companions. It’s a nice balance that I think will ensure everyone gets to color what they want! The book is also a nice size; bigger than, say, a traditional comic book, but not so big that it won’t fit in a backpack or in a pile of other books. 

All in all, Doctor Who: The Official Coloring Book is a high quality product. If you’re looking for a new adult-age coloring book and you happen to be a Doctor Who fan, this one should be right up your alley. 

The Specs: 

• Publisher: Ten Speed Press
• Format: Softcover
• Page Count: 96 pages
• Cover Price: $17.99

Order of the Night Jay (Book 2): The River Rises (Graphic Novel)

Official Synopsis:

Calling all comics-loving campers! Return to the wilderness with nervous bear Frank and excitable raccoon Ricky as they dive deeper into the long-lost (and supernatural) secrets of Camp Jay Bird.

Frank is in big trouble. Sure, meeting Ricky made Camp Jay Bird less lonely…but they broke camp rules and made enemies of all the other scouts. Oh, and they released something dark and scary in the forest that might be out to get them! But camp is far from over, and Frank’s journey is about to get even rockier when they all take a canoe trip down the river. Add in a friendly ghost, a secret stash, and a half-empty journal, and Frank is well on his way to meeting the Order of the Night Jay. 

The Book: 

As I’ve stated in many reviews before, whenever I review kids’ books, I try to look at them from a kids’ point of view, not review them as an adult male who wouldn’t normally read these kinds of books. 

While I didn’t read the first book in the Order of the Night Jay series, I can say that if I was a young kid, Order of the Night Jay (Book 2): The River Rises would probably have been right up my alley. The story follows a group of anthropomorphic young campers, chief among them Frank the Bear and Ricky the Raccoon, friends and sometimes adventurers. 

The book does hit on a few familiar notes. For example, there are some scenes where our heroes create a comic book about themselves, which does remind me of the characters in Captain Underpants and their creation, but by and large, Order of the Night Jay still manages to feel like its own entity. I really enjoyed the art style and the sense of humor, and I think kids will definitely get into this series. 

The Specs: 

• Publisher: Top Shelf Productions
• Format: Softcover
• Page Count: 168 pages
• Cover Price: $14.99