Mike Spring
The 2025 Home Video & Pop Culture Gift Guide
It’s that time of year again! We’re back to give you the breakdown on all of the best home video and pop culture gifts for the entertainment aficionados in your life! This is one of our biggest gift guides yet, with over 65 items in it, so there’s a little something for everyone in this year’s guide, including movies, box sets, graphic novels, books, and more! So dig deep and have fun, and most importantly, happy holidays!
For the Whole Family:
Back to the Future: 40th Anniversary Collection (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital)
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Official Synopsis:
Experience one of the most popular movie series of all time like never before with Back to the Future: The Ultimate Trilogy! Join Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox), Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd) and a time traveling DeLorean for the adventure of a lifetime as they travel to the past, present and future, setting off a time-shattering chain reaction that disrupts the space-time continuum! From filmmakers Steven Spielberg, Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale, this unforgettable collection features hours of bonus features and is an unrivaled trilogy that stands the test of time.
The Movies:
This week kicks off with an amazing 9-disc 4K Ultra HD box set from Universal Studios that brings one of the most beloved movie franchises in history to your living room.
For my money, Back to the Future I, II, and III represent one of the most perfect movie trilogies in history. Now, some people like to point to Back to the Future II as the weak point in the trilogy, and while everyone has their opinions, I would strongly push back on that. I have a deep, deep love for BTTF II that almost – ALMOST – surpasses the original. The combination of futuristic scenes, hoverboards, and the climax with the two Martys is just so amazing that I love that film more than almost any sequel out there. The only reason it doesn’t surpass the original film? Because the original movie is one of the greatest films of all time, hands down. Then there’s Part III, which is an outstanding endcap to the series. Seriously, I love all three of these movies so much that it’s hard to put into words.
This new 40th Anniversary box set is a real treat for fans. In addition to the three films, you get all the original extra features from all of the previous home video iterations (and there are plenty!) But then you also get several new extra features, including a 40th anniversary retrospective documentary, a TCM Film Festival Panel Discussion, a fun featurette about the missing guitar prop, and two other new documentary features. Honestly, there’s so much extra content here that it will take you longer to watch all the extras than it will to watch the entire trilogy.
Now, admittedly, this is far from the first collection of the films, and chances are good you have these movies in your collection already. However, if you don’t have them on 4K yet or just haven’t plunked down the cash to get them all onto your shelves, this is hands down the best collection yet.
Fantastic Four: First Steps (Blu-ray + Digital)
Official Synopsis:
Set against the backdrop of a ‘60s-inspired, retro-futuristic world, Marvel’s First Family faces a daunting challenge. Forced to balance being heroes with their family bond, they must defend Earth from a space god and his enigmatic herald.
The Movie:
Superman was the bigger summer superhero movie, but Fantastic Four: First Steps was, in my opinion, the much better summer superhero movie. I’ve already shared my thoughts on Superman in another review column a few weeks ago, so admittedly I think it’s kind of a low bar to improve on that film, but I really enjoyed Fantastic Four.
When Marvel first announced the cast, like many people, I was… underwhelmed. I’m not one of those people who screams and cries when a studio doesn’t cast exactly who I think they should; more often than not, the studio knows what they’re doing (at least in terms of casting.) But I wasn’t blown away by the casting choices here, as much as I enjoy Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby. And yet, as expected, they are perfect in their roles. Are they 100% comic-book accurate? No. Do I care? Also no. Movies are a different animal than comics, and I don’t need them to be exactly the same. If I want the comic book FF, I’ll read the comic books.
Fantastic Four: First Steps does a great job of relaunching a franchise, erasing all memories of the previous films, establishing its own identity (in a retro-futuristic setting that I love), and capturing the tone of the FF perfectly. These people are superheroes through science (something our world needs desperately these days), they are a family, and they’ve never been the uber-serious stuff of other comic book franchises. This film perfectly captures all of those dynamics and I absolutely loved it.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Trilogy (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray)
Official Synopsis:
A shell-shocking saga of mutants, martial arts and New York mayhem, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles trilogy brought comic book grit, practical effects wizardry and pizza-fuelled fun to a generation of moviegoers, helping turn four sewer-dwelling brothers into global pop culture icons.
Launching in 1990 with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, director Steve Barron’s gritty, high-energy adaptation of the underground comic became a box office phenomenon, fusing martial arts action, streetwise humor and the groundbreaking animatronics of Jim Henson’s Creature Shop. The 1991 sequel The Secret of the Ooze is an irresistibly fun second slice: a deep-dive into the turtles’ origins where new mutant foes Tokka and Rahzar are thrown in the mix… double the stakes, double the pizza! Rounding out the trilogy, 1993’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III sends the heroes in a half shell back to feudal Japan in a time-travel adventure full of samurai showdowns, ancient legends and comic chaos.
Restored in glorious 4K and packed with extras, this radical set celebrates the legacy of Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo and Raphael in one of the most iconic franchises of the era, blending innovative effects, comic-book heart and early ’90s attitude.
The Movies:
When I look at the entirety of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise – which encompasses comic books, cartoons, toys, video games, and so much more – it’s very clear to me where my favorites lie. I am a die-hard Ninja Turtles fan, but if I had to rank my favorite TMNT properties out of all the various iterations of all the various forms of media, it would go:
- The original black & white comics by Eastman and Laird
- The 1990 live action movie
- The 2013 animated series
- The coin-op arcade game from the 1990s
- The original Saturday morning cartoon
As you can see, that 1990 live action movie is right at the top of the list. Not only is it one of my favorite Ninja Turtles iterations, it’s actually one of my all-time favorite movies. And it’s crazy to me that 35 years later, it still not only holds up on its own merits, but it remains easily the best Ninja Turtles movie yet.
After teasing it for years, Arrow Video – my favorite purveyors of home video greatness – has released the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Trilogy, a 4K Ultra HD box set (also available on Blu-ray) that includes all three of the original live action films plus an insane amount of bonus features. For my money, the original trilogy is a bit of series of diminishing returns. I love the first movie with all my heart; it does a great job of capturing the flavor and feel of the original Eastman & Laird comic books. The second movie is fun but it gets cheesy in places. The third film is… well, it’s not that good.
But this box set is for the completist as well as for the fan who loves all three films. And frankly, it’s worth it just for the deluxe treatment the first movie gets. There are hours of extra features and the film looks the best it’s looked on home video… well, pretty much ever. In short, if you’re a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fan, this is an absolute must-have in my opinion.
Freakier Friday (Blu-ray + Digital)
Official Synopsis:
Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan reprise their roles in this hilarious sequel. Tess’s daughter Anna now has a daughter of her own and soon, a stepdaughter. As they navigate the joys and challenges when two families merge, lightning just may strike twice.
The Movie:
If you had told me at the start of the year that Freakier Friday was most likely going to end up on my Top Ten Films of 2025 list, I would probably have laughed at you. Yet here we are, a month and a half from the end of 2025, and Freakier Friday is indeed entrenched firmly in my Top 10 movies of the year.
Legacy sequels are usually hit or miss, but they tend to lean way more to the miss side than the hit side. Freakier Friday, however, does everything right. This time around, Lindsay Lohan’s Anna has her own teenage daughter, and with Anna’s fiance’s daughter in the mix as well, there’s a four-way body switching that is simply hilarious. With the added component of three different generations body-swapping, there’s a lot of great humor aimed at each of the age groups, and I found myself laughing out loud more times than I can count.
And of course, the cast is terrific, with Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis doing the heaviest lifting, but Julia Butters and Sophie Hammons adding a lot to the proceedings as the teenage daughters in the unfolding events. There are some nice callbacks to the events of the original movie, but even if you haven’t seen it in 20 years, you can enjoy this one every bit the same amount. It’s been a while since I saw a movie that had me smiling from ear to ear long after I finished watching it, but Freakier Friday is that movie.
Dr. Seuss How The Grinch Stole Christmas: 25th Anniversary Edition (4K Ultra HD + Digital)
Official Synopsis:
Discover the true meaning of the holiday season with the live-action adaptation of the beloved classic, Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Starring Jim Carrey as The Grinch, director Ron Howard and producer Brian Grazer reimagine one of the most enduring holiday stories of all time. Why is The Grinch (Carrey) such a grouch? No one seems to know, until little Cindy Lou Who (Taylor Momsen) takes matters into her own hands and turns both Whoville and the Grinch’s world upside down, inside out…and funny side up. Filled with dazzling scenery, special effects, makeup and costumes, this is an adventure “that can make your heart grow three sizes—if you’re not laughing too hard!” (Steve Murray, Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
The Movie:
The beauty of reviewing older movies for someone like me is that I don’t like to completely rip a movie to shreds when it’s brand new. With rare exceptions, I can usually find something positive to say about a film, especially when it’s not poorly made but just doesn’t quite click for me personally. Why should I tank a film that has its heart in the right place when it’s still trying to find an audience? But when a movie is 25 years old and was a massive worldwide hit and is now returning to home video for its umpteen-millionth release, I’m pretty sure what one guy says isn’t going to affect the studio’s bottom line even a tiny bit.
So it is that I must reveal that I absolutely can’t stand Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas. I love the original Grinch cartoon and the character himself, but the Jim Carrey live-action version – which is directed by one of my favorite directors, Ron Howard – just kills me. My family loves it, and usually when they want to watch it around the holidays, I will find somewhere else to be. I just find it annoying and not funny and unpleasant to watch in every way. Now, with that said, I recognize that most people – both kids and adults — love this movie, so ignore my ‘bah humbug!’ opinions if you disagree.
Of course, I wanted to scope out the 4K video and audio, so I sat through the film again, and while I’d love to say I have a whole new appreciation for it, sadly I have to report that my opinion remains unchanged. What you need to know is that the film has now been released as a 4K Ultra HD 25th Anniversary Edition that also includes a Blu-ray disc and a digital copy. It even has a new retrospective bonus feature, so it’s a nice package for fans of the movie, especially if you don’t already have it in your collection.
Peanuts: The Complete Television Specials (DVD)
Official Synopsis:
40 beloved Peanuts TV Specials that aired on CBS, ABC & FOX together in one definitive collection. From the first TV Special, A Charlie Brown Christmas which aired on CBS December 9, 1965, to Happiness Is a Warm Blanket, Charlie Brown which aired on Fox, March 29, 2011, having all of these specials together for the first time will surely delight kids and fans of all ages.
The Movie:
Let me state right off the bat that while this title was released on Blu-ray, I only received the DVD for review, which really bums me out. I strongly suggest you buy the Blu-ray instead.
This outstanding collection is a must-have for any Peanuts fan. Over the course of five discs, it collects every single Peanuts/Charlie Brown TV special ever made, from 1965 all the way up through 2011. And while it would take too much space to list them all here, you can rest assured that all your absolute favorites are here: A Charlie Brown Christmas; It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown; A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving; You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown; It’s the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown; and so many others. Even the questionably titled It’s Flashbeagle, Charlie Brown is included. (They didn’t know what Flashdance was about, did they?)
For me, Charlie Brown TV specials were a part of my childhood, as I’m sure they were for so many people. And with such a wide-ranging collection, it doesn’t matter if you grew up in the ‘60s, the ‘70s, the ‘80s, the ‘90s or beyond, there’s bound to be a special childhood memory in here for you. If you’re a Peanuts fan at all, don’t pass this one by, it’s the only way I know of to get every single TV special in one place.
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Tom & Jerry: The Golden Era Anthology (1940-1958) (DVD)
Official Synopsis:
The complete collection of Hanna Barbera’s Oscar-winning masterpieces at last! ? Every lit stick of dynamite. Every fur-flying chase. Every back-firing mouse trap. Restored. Complete. Uncut. The ultimate compilation of animation’s favorite feuding duo – Tom & Jerry. All 114 theatrical cartoon shorts, the entire series, as originally released to theaters by MGM during the Golden Age of Hollywood. For the first time ever, all in one set – they are now all yours. ? Every friend, foe and foil, from Little Quacker, to Spike and Tyke – and not forgetting the lady of the house, Dinah – in the stories, the situations, the hardships and courtships; from Times Square to the Hollywood Bowl; as guardsmen in the French Revolution to tall-tales out west – It’s ALL here in the Tom & Jerry: The Golden Era Anthology (1940-1958).?
The Movies:
I never knew how much I missed Tom & Jerry until I sat down to dive into this new collection. When I was a kid, Saturday mornings and after school TV consisted of, mostly, whatever was on TV. So that included a lot of Looney Tunes cartoons, reruns of The Flintstones and The Jetsons, and similar fare. And while I enjoyed all of them, nothing got me as excited as Tom & Jerry. The slapstick humor and the brilliance of the physical choreography was always amazing, and I used to watch it and just laugh non-stop.
It turns out, that’s pretty much still how I react when I watch it. I marvel at how well-constructed and, frankly, perfect the cartoons are, even after over half a century. This new Tom & Jerry collection compiles all 114 theatrical shorts that were released between 1940 and 1958, effectively the entire original run. Every Tom & Jerry cartoon that you’ve seen, that you’ve forgotten that you’ve seen, and that you haven’t seen is included here, and it’s a treasure trove of animated genius.
Over the course of five discs, you get about 14 hours of short cartoons. There’s obviously too many to list here, but suffice it to say that you get your fix of cartoon comedy but you also get a complete historical archive of one of cinema’s greatest cartoon franchises. Tom & Jerry: The Golden Era Anthology (1940-1958) is an amazing set for fans of everyone’s favorite cat and mouse duo.
Herobear and the Kid: The Inheritance (Graphic Novel)
Official Synopsis:
Created by two time Eisner-award winner Mike Kunkel, Herobear and the Kid by Mike Kunkel is a nostalgic, all-ages comic book series that combines adventure, heart, and a touch of magic.
After his grandfather passes away, 10-year-old Tyler inherits an old stuffed toy bear and a broken pocket watch. If moving to a new town and dealing with bullies wasn’t enough, he soon learns that things aren’t always what they seem…and that you shouldn’t judge a bear by its cover. Join Tyler as he goes on his amazing childhood adventure and learns the truth about his family heritage. With animation-style, expressive artwork and a story that appeals to both kids and grown-ups alike, Herobear and the Kid is a fun, uplifting journey from two time Eisner-award winner Mike Kunkel, that celebrates the wonder of childhood and the magic of a best friend.
The Book:
I’ve been a huge fan of Herobear and the Kid since its comic book debut back in the 1990s. Written and drawn by longtime animator Mike Kunkel, the book is a magical, charming, and heartfelt reflection on childhood, friendship, and imagination. The story is sort of a superhero-tinged update of Calvin and Hobbes, with young boy Tyler and his stuffed bear that was left to him by his grandfather and who transforms into the superhero Herobear. As Tyler navigates some major changes and upheavals in his life, Herobear comes around to change his world.
It’s Kunkel that’s the star of the show here. His writing is terrific, first of all, as he captures the voices of his characters in a way that is both authentic and endearing. But I’d be lying if I said it was anything other than his artwork that was the star of the show. It’s drawn in a way that captures the best of an animated cartoon style, but rendered in a way that feels rough and almost (but not quite) unfinished. You can effectively see all of Kunkel’s rendered lines, as if he erases nothing, and the entire book looks like it’s been pulled out of a sketchbook that lives in his brain. It’s utterly gorgeous.
This new edition of the original Herobear and the Kid story, The Inheritance, is published by PaperCutz, the first new publisher of the series in over a decade. It’s a great jumping on point for new readers and it’s been released as either a paperback or a hardcover. Both editions are gorgeous, but the hardcover just feels better to me. Either way, though, you can’t go wrong, because Herobear and the Kid is utterly terrific.
For the Action Fan:
Scarface: Ultimate Collector’s Edition IconArt Giftset (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital)
Official Synopsis:
This Amazon Exclusive IconArt Giftset includes an exclusive Scarface licensed metal poster, Numbered Certificate of Authenticity, and Exclusive Steelbook that houses the 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and Digital copies of Scarface. In the spring of 1980, the port at Mariel Harbor was opened, and thousands set sail for the United States. They came in search of the American Dream. One of them found it on the sun-washed avenues of Miami…wealth, power and passion beyond his wildest dreams. He was Tony Montana. The world will remember him by another name…Scarface. Starring Al Pacino as Tony Montana along with Michelle Pfeiffer, Steven Bauer, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio and Robert Loggia, Scarface has become a cultural phenomenon brilliantly directed by Brian De Palma and written by Oliver Stone.
The Movie:
Universal has created a new Ultimate Collector’s Series release that will appeal to a fans of one of the most iconic movies of the 1980s: Scarface.
While the pop culture zeitgeist of the early 2000s surrounding Scarface (when it seemed like every rapper on the planet was wearing Scarface apparel) has wound down a bit, the film still has a big fan base, and this new box set aims to cater to those fans. It once again delivers the film on 4K Ultra HD (also with a Blu-ray disc and a digital copy) in a nice, oversized box that includes a metal display poster. The box itself is sharp, and the metal poster looks great, giving us fairly restrained key art rather than a coked-up Tony Montana shooting up his mansion. I appreciate Universal’s restraint here.
As for the film itself, I like Scarface, largely on the strength of the direction by Brian de Palma, of whom I’m a big fan. It’s not one of my favorite films of his or Al Pacino’s, but upon repeat viewings it’s moved up from a movie that I find just okay to a movie I do truly enjoy, flaws and all. What I do love is the new Ultimate Collector’s series, and I hope Universal continues to bring us more of them.
Hard Boiled (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray)
Official Synopsis:
In this genre-defining masterpiece from action legend John Woo (Face/Off, Mission: Impossible 2, The Killer), a cop (Chow Yun-Fat, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, The Killer) who loses his partner in a shoot-out with gun smugglers goes on a mission to catch them. In order to get closer to the leaders of the ring he joins forces with an undercover cop (Tony Leung, In the Mood for Love, Marvel’s Shang-Chi) who’s working as a gangster hitman. They use all means of excessive force to find them.
The Movie:
It’s not overpraising Hard Boiled to say that it’s one of the most influential action films of the last 40 years. John Woo’s action masterpiece not only cemented him as an action movie superstar, it also helped launch Chow Yun Fat to global stardom and changed how a whole generation of filmmakers approached action films. While a lot of ‘80s action films went for big-name stars quipping cheesy one-liners and chasing bigger and bigger explosions, Woo’s film slowed things down, giving us complex, slow-motion-laden, highly choreographed action scenes that were often shot in one long take. It’s a change in aesthetic that continues to take hold in Hollywood to this day.
It’s also a seriously kick-ass movie. Sure, you’ve heard of Hard Boiled, but have you sat down and watched it recently? It’s not just a technically impressive movie for all the reasons listed above, it’s a breathtaking action ride that will get your adrenaline pumping from the very first scene to the very last.
Shout Factory ups their game by bringing us the Hard Boiled: Collector’s Edition, a beautifully packaged 4K Ultra HD release that includes the movie on both 4K and Blu-ray with copious extra features, packaged in a hardcover slipcase and an illustrated collector’s booklet. It’s the kind of packaging that makes physical media collectors such as myself drool. Even if you already have Hard Boiled on home video, trust me, you don’t have it like this!
The Killer (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray)
Official Synopsis:
A Hong Kong hitman (Chow Yun-Fat, Hard Boiled) accidentally blinds an innocent woman during a hit. He is determined to get her surgery to help her regain her sight but he needs to complete one more hit first. He completes the job but then is ambushed as he tries to escape: someone wants him dead. Meanwhile a resourceful, unorthodox police detective is hot on his trail.
The Movie:
Shout Factory continues its amazing series of releases focusing on seminal Asian action cinema this week with a new Collector’s Edition of The Killer, John Woo’s incredible action opera.
Between Hard Boiled and The Killer, John Woo and Chow Yun-Fat rewrote the book on Asian action filmmaking, launching a whole new era in the genre that bled over into Hollywood filmmaking in the 1990s. The Killer sees Chow Yun-Fat as an assassin with at least enough of a moral center to try and do right by a woman he accidentally blinded, but there are a lot of things conspiring against him as he tries to help her. The result is an explosive action movie that’s filmed beautifully, features amazing fight choreography, and that never lets up in intensity from the first scene to the last.
As with Hard Boiled, The Killer comes in a beautifully packaged 4K Ultra HD release that includes the movie on both 4K and Blu-ray with copious extra features, packaged in a hardcover slipcase and an illustrated collector’s booklet. It’s the kind of packaging that makes physical media collectors such as myself drool. More releases like this please, studios!
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Spenser For Hire: The Complete Series (DVD)
Official Synopsis:
In the shadows of Boston, Spenser (Robert Urich), a former cop with a poet’s soul and a fighter’s fists, solves crimes in his own uniquely stylish way. A true Renaissance man, he faces danger head-on, backed by his formidable ally Hawk (Avery Brooks) and contacts inside the police department. While he’s unstoppable on the streets, his love life stalls as his longtime love (Barbara Stock) refuses to marry a man whose life is a constant dance with death.
The Show:
It’s funny, if you’d asked me how many seasons Spenser For Hire ran, I would have said at least five or six, but probably seven or eight. But, alas, I would be wrong. The show, which seems like it was such an indelible part of the 1980s’ television landscape, only aired for three seasons. Go figure.
Those three seasons are now collected on DVD for the first time in the Spenser For Hire: The Complete Series box set, coming to us courtesy of Warner Bros. Now, all three seasons of the show have been released on DVD before, but two of them were exclusive to the Warner Archive print-on-demand service, making this the first time the entirety of the show is available to the general on-sale public.
The show stars Robert Urich as Spenser, a Boston private investigator who investigates a different murder in each episode. He’s aided by a tough guy named Hawk (Avery Brooks) who used to be a bad guy but is working towards redemption with Spenser’s help. The show is a mystery, but with the manly Urich in the lead role and the intimidating Brooks as his partner, there’s no shortage of action in the show, which is one of its defining features. I always really liked Spenser For Hire, and even though there’s no denying the show is squarely a product of the ‘80s, it still holds up as an enjoyable action/mystery show.
Spenser For Hire may not be the most landscape-changing television show ever, but it is a good detective show in the vein of Magnum P.I. or Hunter. I’m glad the entire series is available together for the first time, which will make a lot of fans happy.
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Blaxploitation Classics: Volumes 1 & 2 (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray)
Shout Factory brings us two long overdue box sets with Blaxploitation Classics from Blaxploitation Classics: Volumes 1 & 2, which celebrates the blaxploitation craze of the 1970s with the most comprehensive collections to date from the genre. Volume 1 contains Coffy (1973), Black Caesar (1973), Hell Up in Harlem (1973), Across 110th Street (1972), Truck Turner (1974), and Sheba, Baby (1975). Meanwhile, Volume 2 includes: Foxy Brown (1974), Friday Foster (1975), Cotton Comes to Harlem (1970), Bucktown (1975), Slaughter (1972), and Slaughter’s Big Rip Off (1973
Now, Pam Grier’s Coffy and Foxy Brown are both instant inclusions in these sets, but I actually prefer Foxy Brown. And the one-two punch of Jim Brown’s Slaughter and Slaughter’s Big Rip-Off is only matched by equally charismatic films such as Truck Turner or Black Caesar, at least for my money.
The 1970s saw an explosion of Blaxploitation films, when Hollywood realized it could make cheap action movies with largely African-American casts and they would turn a profit. Like so many other exploitation genres, it eventually petered out as the films got cheaper and faster and the quality went downhill. But there was a good half-decade or so there where there were some really good action/crime movies being produced and a new generation of actors was gaining stardom, Pam Grier, Jim Brown, and Fred Williamson foremost among them. These two box sets together collect some of the best and most popular films of that era, and I’m here for it!
Blaxploitation Classics: Volumes 1 and 2 are both 12-disc box sets (sold separately) that include aforementioned films on both 4K and Blu-ray. They also come loaded with extra features and are all packaged together in nice box sets, making them a real collector’s item. Blaxploitation Classics: Volumes 1 and 2 are not only historically important collections, but they’re also collections filled with some really great films.
Furious Swords And Fantastic Warriors: The Heroic Cinema Of Chang Cheh (Blu-ray)
Official Synopsis:
Distinguished by his penchant for bloodshed and a thematic concentration on the bonds of brotherhood and masculine sacrifice, Chang Cheh is one of the most prolific and accomplished directors ever to emerge from the Hong Kong film industry. Often hailed as the “Godfather of Hong Kong cinema,” he enjoyed a career spanning six decades and worked in a multitude of genres, from Chinese opera to kung fu films via wuxia pian, historical epics and tales of the supernatural.
Presented here are ten films that reveal the range and versatility of Chang’s career as a filmmaker. Traditional wuxia pian is represented by King Eagle, Trail of the Broken Blade and Wandering Swordsman; choreographed by Lau Kar-Leung, Men from the Monastery and Shaolin Martial Arts are both drawn from Chang’s Shaolin Cycle, included here alongside New Shaolin Boxers; Iron Bodyguard, released at the dawn of the kung fu era, is representative of changing trends in Hong Kong cinema; and some of Chang’s more esoteric work is represented by the opera film The Fantastic Magic Baby and the supernatural fantasy The Weird Man. Also included is the anthology film Trilogy of Swordsmanship, to which Chang contributed a segment alongside his contemporaries Yueh Feng and Cheng Kang.
All produced during Chang Cheh’s tenure at Shaw Brothers, these ten films are a testament to the director’s distinct aesthetic style and his recurring thematic preoccupations. Eureka Classics is proud to present this selection of Chang’s work for the first time on Blu-ray in the US. This set will now be strictly limited to a single pressing of 2000 copies and will not be reissued once sold out.
The Movies:
This is the third release from Eureka this year with a focus on the films of Chang Cheh, which is both a welcome addition to their catalogue and a great way to expose the director’s works to western audiences who are probably largely unfamiliar with his work. Cheh was one of the most prolific directors for the Shaw Brothers Studio, who famously churned out copious amounts of martial arts action flicks in the 1970s and ‘80s. This new collection (also from Eureka) collects not one, not two, but TEN more of the famed director’s films, moving through a range of genres and sensibilities.
So, first, let’s get the details out of the way. The movies included in this box set are: Trail of the Broken Blade (1967), Wandering Swordsman (1970), King Eagle (1971), Trilogy of Swordsmanship (1972), Iron Bodyguard (1973), Men from the Monastery (1974), Shaolin Martial Arts (1974), New Shaolin Boxers (1976), The Fantastic Magic Baby (1975), and The Weird Man (1983). Most, if not all, of them are making their Blu-ray debut outside of Asian countries.
Now, in any collection of this size, you’re going to have your hits and you’re going to have your misses. For me, Cheh’s later works, such as The Fantastic Magic Baby and The Weird Man are not the high points of his career. That said, in the early-to-mid seventies, Cheh was firing on all cylinders, and Wandering Swordsman, King Eagle, Iron Bodyguard, and Shaolin Martial Arts are all action-packed gems. I think one of my favorite films in the set is 1972’s Trilogy of Swordsmanship, which was actually an anthology film with three separate segments, one by Cheh, and two others by writer/directors Yueh Feng and Cheng Kang.
In typical Radiance fashion, this box set is compactly-packaged with bold new artwork and a nice collection of bonus features that comes in as enough to make it worth your while but not so much that it’s overwhelming. It’s a terrific collection for fans of the genre.
For the Horror Fan:
Five Nights at Freddy’s: Ultimate Collector’s Edition IconArt Giftset (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital)
Official Synopsis:
This Amazon Exclusive IconArt Giftset includes an exclusive Five Night’s at Freddy’s licensed metal poster, Numbered Certificate of Authenticity, and Exclusive Steelbook that houses the 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and Digital copies of Five Nights at Freddy’s. The producers of M3GAN and The Black Phone bring the terrifying horror game phenomenon to life as a blood-chilling film. Recently fired and desperate for work so that he can keep custody of his little sister, Mike agrees to take a position as a night security guard at an abandoned theme restaurant: Freddy Fazbear’s Pizzeria. But Mike soon discovers that nothing at Freddy’s is what it seems. Mike’s nights at Freddy’s will lead him into unexplainable encounters with the supernatural and drag him into the black heart of an unspeakable nightmare.
The Movie:
It feels like it was about five or six years ago that Five Night’s at Freddy’s was at the height of its popularity. A creepy video game that captured the attention of tweens and teens everywhere, the game was a massive hit and spawned merchandise, t-shirts, action figures and more. Fast forward to 2023 and suddenly there’s a movie, which felt like it was coming out about three years too late.
Well, color me surprised, but the film was a monster hit at the box office. Even more surprising, I enjoyed it way more than I expected to. I’m cursorily familiar with the game; I know the basic gist of what it’s about and that’s about it, so I went into the movie not knowing much. It stars Josh Hutcherson as a down-on-his-luck guy who has a personal history that haunts him. He takes a job as a security guard at an abandoned Chuck E. Cheese-style restaurant, where the animatronics may have taken on a life of their own.
The film goes in some directions I didn’t expect, but overall, I found it rather enjoyable. It’s not overly scary, nor is it a masterpiece, but it feels different from a lot of recent horror fare and Hutcherson admirably carries the film on his shoulders. The good thing about Five Nights at Freddy’s is that it works whether you’re a fan of the game or not. My teenagers loved it, and they both know the game better than I do, but I also enjoyed it quite a bit.
Universal gears up for both the holidays and the impending release of Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 with the new Five Nights at Freddy’s: Ultimate Collector’s Edition that’s an Amazon Exclusive. This awesome limited edition (and numbered) box set includes the film on 4K Ultra HD (with a Blu-ray disc and digital copy included) in a box that includes a sharp Steelbook case for the film as well as a metal display poster (if you’re familiar with Displates, it looks like one of those, just a touch smaller.) It’s a great package for collectors and fans, and it will also make a nice gift for the FNAF fan in your life!
Ti West’s X Trilogy (Blu-ray)
Official Synopsis:
3-Disc Collector’s Edition Box Set of Ti West’s X Trilogy: X, Pearl, and MaXXXine available in Blu-ray and 4K UHD formats, marking the first physical release of X and Pearl on 4K UHD in the US. The box set includes a 64-page booklet with a new essay by Jon Dieringer, unreleased concept art, costume sketches, behind-the-scenes photography, original poster and VHS artwork created as set dressing for the films, and more, alongside over 90 minutes of making-of featurettes and new commentary tracks on all three films. Packaging features a blood-red printed plastic sleeve around a rigid slipcase containing a custom photo-collage 3-disc digibook.
The Movie:
I really don’t know quite what to make of Ti West. When he first started to get some acclaim on the horror scene with movies like The Innkeepers and The Sacrament, I was largely pretty impressed with him. He then spent a lot of time working in horror-themed television before returning to motion pictures with The X Trilogy (X, Pearl, and Maxxxine), which caught people’s attention and rocketed him back up to the top of the Horror ‘It’ List.
And while there’s none of the three films that I’ve outright hated, I can’t say I’m an overly big fan of the trilogy, either. While I didn’t really love any of the three films, I will say this: West has absolutely mastered the craft of making the exact films he wants to make. X, for example, is set in the 1970s and meant to be a ‘70s-styled horror flick, and he completely succeeds in that aesthetic. Pearl takes place in 1918 and West is clearly making a film styled after the early Technicolor movies from classic Hollywood. In that respect, he succeeds; the film looks like it’s right out of the 1950s, in the way it’s shot, the technicolor hues, the backdrops, and even the opening titles. Maxxxine is set in the 1980s and it captures the feel of 1980s slashers with aplomb. West is a talented filmmaker, and there’s no doubt about that.
This outstanding box set from A24 includes all three movies as well as a deluxe box set housing them all and a terrific book, plus bonus features. It will look super nice wrapped up as a gift!
In the Mouth of Madness (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray)
Official Synopsis:
Do You Read Sutter Cane?
He chilled our blood with The Thing. Brought us face to face with the devil himself in Prince of Darkness. Now master of horror John Carpenter drives us out of our minds with In the Mouth of Madness, the final entry in his “Apocalypse Trilogy.”
Horror author Sutter Cane is missing. As crowds turn violent waiting for copies of his latest book, Cane’s publishers enlist insurance investigator John Trent to find him. With Cane’s editor, Linda Styles, Trent sets off in search of the elusive author and finds himself trapped in Hobb’s End, a town that should only exist within the author’s books. As fiction and reality blur, Trent begins to realize that between the lines, beyond the page, somewhere out there in the dark, something evil is waiting to break through. Starring Sam Neill (Jurassic Park), Julie Carmen (Fright Night Part 2), and Jürgen Prochnow (Das Boot), with a supporting cast that features Charlton Heston (The Omega Man), David Warner (Time Bandits), and John Glover (Gremlins 2), plus sterling special effects from KNB EFX, In the Mouth of Madness makes its debut appearance in glorious 4K Ultra HD, looking deeper, richer, and stranger than ever!
The Movie:
John Carpenter had an interesting career as a filmmaker. After striking it huge with Halloween, he delivered several movies that are considered seminal classics in the genre cinema pantheon (The Thing, Big Trouble in Little China, Escape From New York), but box office success largely eluded him.
Even in terms of his own filmography, In the Mouth of Madness is one of the director’s more underappreciated horror gems. Sam Neill shines as an insurance man hired to track down a missing horror writer whose worlds are beginning to come to life. The film starts off more as a mystery than anything else but slowly morphs into a horror film that is filled with chilling moments and indelible imagery.
The film is inspired by the works of H.P. Lovecraft, of whom I’ve never been a fan, but luckily it has its own identity as well. It’s one of those movies that truly is “inspired by” – meaning drawing inspiration from – not “inspired by” meaning “we’re just going to completely rip off this other thing.” It’s chock full of Carpenter’s signature moments, and Sam Neill gives a truly great performance. Honestly, it’s Neill that anchors the film, and his performance combined with Carpenter’s directorial sensibilities make for a thrilling ride.
Arrow Video has released In the Mouth of Madness as one of their impeccable limited 4K Ultra HD Collector’s Editions, which means it comes in oversized packaging that includes some physical extras in addition to copious video extras. Arrow is second to none when it comes to giving cult classics the treatment that they deserve, and this release is no different.
Night of the Living Dead Steelbook (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital)
Official Synopsis:
It’s a new night for terror – and a new dawn in horror moviemaking when special-effects genius Tom Savini (creator of the spectacularly gruesome make-up in Friday the 13th and Creepshow) brings modern technology to this colorful remake of George A. Romero’s 1968 cult classic. Seven strangers are trapped in an isolated farmhouse while cannibalistic zombies – awakened from death by the return of a radioactive space probe – wage a relentless attack, killing (and eating) everyone in their path. The classic for the 90s: graphic, gruesome and more terrifying than ever!
The Movie:
Right off the bat, let me say that I’m not going to compare Tom Savini’s 1990 remake of Night of the Living Dead to George Romero’s 1961 original. What would be the point? Romero’s classic is a masterpiece and it’s also very reflective of the time it was made and the issues facing the world at the time, so while the story structure of the two films is the same, they’re very different works.
So let’s look at 1990’s Night of the Living Dead (which hits shelves in an awesome 4K Ultra HD Steelbook this week) on its own merits, and on its own merits it’s a very enjoyable movie. It’s not quite a classic, but it’s one of the better zombie offerings out there, especially from the time period. One of the main reasons is the late, great veteran character actor Tony Todd. While he’s best known for playing the Candyman in that series of films and for guest starring in the various Final Destination movies, whenever he gets the chance to take on a lead role, he always impresses. (See the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode “The Visitor.”) Todd plays the lead role in the film, everyman Ben who’s just trying to keep everyone alive and protect them from threats both outside and inside the house. He’s outstanding in the role and really elevates the film.
It’s also the perfect level of scary/gory. It’s a zombie film, so it’s not like it’s a PG-rated family film, but it also doesn’t revel in the gore to a ridiculous level. Frankly, I’m a little surprised that it doesn’t go more over-the-top, but I’m happy with where it lands.
Eyes Without a Face (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray)
Official Synopsis:
At his secluded château in the French countryside, a brilliant, obsessive doctor (Pierre Brasseur) attempts a radical plastic surgery to restore the beauty of his daughter’s disfigured countenance—at a horrifying price. Eyes Without a Face, directed by the supremely talented Georges Franju, is rare in horror cinema for its odd mixture of the ghastly and the lyrical, and it has been a major influence on the genre in the decades since its release. There are images here—of terror, of gore, of inexplicable beauty—that once seen are never forgotten.
The Movie:
The Criterion Collection has been re-releasing some of its most seminal titles on 4K Ultra HD over the last couple of years, and this week they give the upgrade treatment to 1960’s classic French film Eyes Without a Face.
The story of a driven surgeon who’s obsessed with fixing his daughter’s disfigured face — caused by an accident he was responsible for — is a haunting and evocative film. It’s one of those movies that actually benefits from being filmed in black-and-white as it adds to the moodiness. Eyes Without a Face also doesn’t benefit from any big-name actors, but it’s definitily an extremely influential movie. I’m always surprised at how often I hear this movie’s title come up in film opinion conversations or essays, even though I personally had never heard of it before the first Criterion release. Once I saw it (and have now revisited it on 4K) it’s not hard to see how the story, the subject matter, the performances and the cinematography combine to make such a memorable film.
As this is a Criterion release, the film has been remastered and restored, and it includes both a 4K disc and a Blu-ray Disc, as well as some great extra features and the usual high-quality Criterion booklet.
Horror’s New Wave (Book)
Official Synopsis:
Celebrate legendary horror studio Blumhouse’s legacy with this lavishly illustrated visual compendium that takes you behind the scenes of the films that have reshaped the horror genre, from The Exorcist to the Paranormal Activity and Halloween franchises.
With Blumhouse celebrating its 15th anniversary throughout 2025, Horror’s New Wave captures the company’s journey to become a powerhouse in the horror and thriller film genres—taking you through the process of conception to premiere for films like Five Nights at Freddy’s, Sinister, Split, Get Out, M3GAN, now-classic franchises like The Purge, and so much more.
This definitive “Blumhouse book” delves into the behind-the-scenes processes that shaped Blumhouse’s iconic films and is perfect for cinephiles, pop culture enthusiasts, and lovers of horror. Featuring an introduction from CEO and founder Jason Blum, it also includes interviews with key filmmakers and writers like M. Night Shyamalan, Leigh Whannell, James Wan, and Mike Flanagan; actors, such as Allison Williams, Ethan Hawke, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Octavia Spencer; and Blumhouse executives like head of film Couper Samuelson and head of casting Terri Taylor. These interviews explore how each project came together, offering stories and insights into the creative process, such as directing, musical score, makeup, acting, cinematography, and more. You will get a birds-eye view of the triumphs and challenges of some of the most beloved and iconic horror films of all time. This book also includes film stills, on-set photographs, storyboards, creative briefs, and title treatments—giving you a true backstage pass to the making of your favorite films.
The Book:
I can’t recommend buying Horror’s New Wave highly enough. This incredible hardcover book celebrates the 15th anniversary of Blumhouse Films, who have worked to reshape the horror landscape over the last decade and a half. It’s an oral history of sorts, with an introduction to each of the two dozen or so movies it devotes chapters to followed by first person narratives from the writers, directors, and stars of each movie. Yes, you get in-depth reflections from people like Ethan Hawk and Octavia Spencer alongside creatives like Jason Blum himself, Oren Peli, Leigh Whannell, and Scott Derrickson. Then there are numerous behind-the-scenes photos, fun factoids, and box office breakdowns on top of that.
But it’s the editing that really shines here, in a way; there isn’t an ounce of fat in the book. Every single commentary, every topic is fascinating. The editors really distilled each participant’s commentary down to the most interesting parts. So whether it’s about an unmade sequel and the reasons why a movie went unmade or how a particularly challenging sequence was created, you will find everything just fascinating. I literally couldn’t put the book down once I started reading it, it’s that good! And honestly, it doesn’t matter if you like the movie being discussed or not, you’ll still find it interesting. I generally am a fan of most of Blumhouse’s output, but even for the few films I’m lukewarm towards, the making-of stories were incredibly interesting. Like I said at the beginning of my review, I can’t recommend Horror’s New Wave highly enough!
Universal Monsters: Frankenstein (Graphic Novel)
Official Synopsis:
Award-winning creator Michael Walsh (The Silver Coin) presents a jaw-dropping new vision of the seminal horror classic. This deluxe hardcover tells the shocking creation story of the unforgettable monster in the original film—one body part at a time. Dr. Henry Frankenstein begins his unholy quest to create life by robbing the grave of a decorated police officer to find necessary parts. But little does he know that the corpse has a son who is mourning a father – and that this young boy will forever change Frankenstein’s life.
Collects UNIVERSAL MONSTERS: FRANKENSTEIN #1-4.
The Book:
Michael Walsh was not a writer/artist I was familiar with, but he absolutely blew me away with Universal Monsters: Frankenstein, which is now available in a gorgeous hardcover collection. The first thing I have to mention is his artwork, which is absolutely stunning. Not only is his linework fantastic, but the way he composes his pages is breathtaking. Turning a page feels like an adventure because you never know what will be waiting for you on the next one. Then there’s the story, which effectively tells the classic Mary Shelley tale from a different point of view than we’ve seen before. I won’t spoil it for you here, but it adds an emotional layer to the narrative that I won’t say is missing from the original, but hits on a different level this time around.
I really loved Universal Monsters: Frankenstein, and Skybound’s new hardcover collection is a premium book that is slightly oversized (compared to a standard comic book), printed on premium paper, and adds in some bonus materials such as variant covers and the like. Honestly, I can’t recommend this one highly enough for anyone who likes Frankenstein, horror movies, or comic books in general.
Universal Monsters: The Mummy (Graphic Novel)
Official Synopsis:
New York Times bestselling and Eisner Award-winning comics creator Faith Erin Hicks resurrects one of the most iconic monsters in her bold new take on THE MUMMY!
Forever haunted by a cursed encounter as a child, Helen Grosvenor is a woman born to two worlds and belonging in neither. When unknown voices bring her to an Egyptian dig site, Helen will play an unexpected role in the rise of a monster known only as…THE MUMMY. Superstar creator Faith Erin Hicks (Ride On, Pumpkinheads, The Nameless City Trilogy) teams up with colorist Lee Loughridge (I Hate This Place) to present a bold new vision of the seminal horror classic, bringing The Mummy to life like never before.
Collects UNIVERSAL MONSTERS: THE MUMMY #1-4.
The Book:
I’ve always found The Mummy to be one of the weaker entries in Universal’s original monster movies back in the 1930s; it just never quite connected with me the way Frankenstein, Dracula, and the Wolfman did. But at the same time, it’s not like I dislike The Mummy or the concept of them as an antagonist, either.
Writer/author Faith Erin Hicks continues Universal’s new line of comic books with Universal Monsters: The Mummy, a four-issue miniseries that puts human character Helen Grosvenor front and center in the action. (Don’t worry, the Mummy shows up before too long!) The story is a compelling one, even if personally I found Hicks’s artwork just as shade too much on the cartoony side for my tastes, at least with this story. But overall, it’s a great graphic novel and will make a good gift for anyone who’s into the Universal Monsters world or compelling comic book storytelling at all.
Frankenstein Alive Alive! (Graphic Novel)
Official Synopsis:
The Monster lives! A stunning collaboration between the premier horror artist in comics history and the co-creator of the modern classic 30 Days of Night!
Inspired by Mary Shelley’s immortal gothic horror tale, Frankenstein Alive, Alive! brings new life to the Promethean monster, courtesy of Steve Niles (30 Days of Night) and Bernie Wrightson (Frankenstein, Swamp Thing). Victor Frankenstein’s cobbled-together creature continues his adventures, embarking on a journey to discover his own humanity. Collecting the four-issue series along with an extended gallery section of layouts and pencils by Wrightson, all scanned from the original art. Additional art is supplied in the final chapter by Kelley Jones (at Wrightson’s request), who stepped in to complete the series upon the comic book legend’s untimely passing.
The Book:
Steve Niles is a good writer, and he’s adapted Mary Shelley’s classic Frankenstein novel to the graphic novel format quite well. And I don’t want to shortchange him or his efforts, but let’s be honest: we’re all here for Bernie Wrightson’s artwork.
If you’re not familiar, Wrightson is a legend in the comic book world, having helped make Swamp Thing a household name and renowned for his unbeatable horror artwork. This collaboration with Niles saw the late artist drawing an indescribably intricate and detailed version of the Frankenstein tale that literally has to be seen to be believed. Unfortunately, Wrightson passed away before he could finish the book, but Kelley Jnes (a legend in his own right) ably stepped in and finished the last issue in his place. If you’re a fan of Frankenstein at all, this book is simply a must have.
I should note that the comics have been collected before, and this is simply a new printing of the collection that came out a few years back. If you already have that previous trade paperback, you don’t need to get this one as there is nothing new added. But if you’re never encountered Frankenstein Alive, Alive: The Complete Collection, you are absolutely missing out! Track it down ASAP!
For the Fan of Westerns:
The Quick & The Dead: 30th Anniversary Edition (4K Ultra HD + Digital)
Official Synopsis:
In this edgy and darkly humorous Western, a mysterious young woman rides into the lawless town of Redemption to settle an old score that has haunted her since she was a child. She becomes swept up in a deadly quick-draw tournament and, in order to win her revenge, must compete in a contest in which gunslingers from all over put their lives on the line for fame and fortune.
The Movie:
I think the last time I saw The Quick and the Dead was in theaters, which means it was 30 years ago, since this new 4K Ultra HD Steelbook release is the 30th Anniversary Edition. And honestly, my memories of the film are that it was an okay western that was maybe a little cooler than other westerns because it was directed by Sam Raimi. (Who, at the time, I was a huge fan of, mostly because of Army of Darkness.)
So I was intrigued to revisit it. Not excited per se, but at least curious as to what I would think of the movie now. And color me surprised, but I absolutely loved it! While I have issues with Sam Raimi as a director nowadays, this movie succeeds both because of and despite his presence behind the lens. It succeeds because of him because I think most other directors would have found a way to make this movie boring instead of visceral and exciting. I say it succeeds despite him because there are a few moments where he dips too far into his usual bag of Raimi tricks and it takes you out of the film. But ultimately, it’s a hell of a fun time, and I enjoyed it way more than I expected to.
A lot of the credit for that goes to the cast. Sharon Stone is one of my favorite actors, so I always love watching her. A young pre-Gladiator Russell Crowe was still making his presence known in Hollywood and still giving it his all. An even younger (and pre-Titanic) Leonardo DiCaprio is all brio and peacocking, and he’s outstanding. You forget what a lightning rod he was as a young actor. But it’s Gene Hackman who really steals the show as the film’s villain. Seriously, the fact that he didn’t get nominated for an Oscar for what is now easily one of my favorite performances of his is a real shame. He is so magnetic you cannot take your eyes off him when he’s on screen, and he does so much more with the role than almost any other actor could have. Truly fantastic stuff.
This 4K Ultra HD 30th Anniversary Edition of the film comes packaged in a super sharp Steelbook case that will make a nice addition to anyone’s shelf.
Silverado (4K Ultra HD + Digital)
Official Synopsis:
Four unlikely heroes attempt to reclaim a helpless town from a corrupt sheriff and his mercenaries in this classic star-studded western.
The Movie:
Silverado is a much more traditional western than The Quick and the Dead, but it has one thing in common: another stellar cast that elevates the movie. This time around, we have a line-up of actors in the 1980s who were either big stars or were on their way towards becoming big stars: Kevin Kline, Kevin Costner, Scott Glenn, Danny Glover, Jeff Goldblum, John Cleese, Roseanna Arquette, Linda Hunt, and Brian Dennehy all come together to ensure that there isn’t a single scene in the film that’s without a movie star on the screen.
As a film, Silverado is a solid western effort. It’s not the most involved or complex movie, but it came at the genre with an ‘80s sensibility (but not in a cheesy way) and a big budget, so there are plenty of action sequences to anchor the proceedings. The narrative won’t blow you away, but it’s a western; there’s only so many plotlines for most westerns anyway. I don’t need a plot as complicated as The Usual Suspects when I’m watching people riding horses and shooting at each other. This is a fun one to revisit, especially on 4K Steelbook.
Yellowstone: The Complete Series (DVD)
Official Synopsis:
Starring Academy Award winner Kevin Costner and created by Taylor Sheridan, Yellowstone is the epic saga of the Dutton family, owners of the largest contiguous cattle ranch in the U.S., as they fight to protect their legacy against land developers, political enemies, and threats from within. Across five gripping seasons, this bold, uncompromising portrait of family, loyalty, and power unfolds with intense drama, unforgettable characters, and sweeping Western landscapes. Includes all 53 episodes and over 19 hours of special features, with interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, and more.
The Movie:
I’m a huge fan of Kevin Costner, and even though he isn’t the box office star he once was, I actually think he’s moved into a more interesting phase of his career, one where he’s become such a value-added player that he instantly makes every project he’s in better. So he’d been chugging along in supporting film roles for the past decade or so, and then — Bam! — along came Yellowstone. A massive hit that is not a movie, but a TV series. Hey, I’ll take success for Kevin Costner wherever he can get it!
A drama that deals with money and politics in the ranch lands of Montana and the family that runs it all, it’s Costner’s first regular starring role on a TV series, and it went on to become a true juggernaut, with huge ratings, immeasurable buzz, and several spin-off series. (I’ve actually lost count at this point, but I know we’re up to at least three, maybe four.)
Now, while I’m not as die-hard a fan as some people are, there’s no denying that Costner is terrific in it. I was a little surprised that it became as popular as it did, as it really takes a while to get interesting in my opinion, but there’s something about this show that really resonated with people. For my money, I like it quite a bit, even if I’m not the most die-hard fan the show has.
If you’ve been hearing all the buzz but haven’t dipped your toes in the water yet, Paramount/CBS has collected the entire series into a nice box set that’s available on either DVD or Blu-ray (we only received the DVD for review, sadly) for you to get in on the goods. It gives you every episode as well as a collection of bonus features, and it’s everything you need to become a Yellowstone fan supreme.
For the Bookworm in Your Life:
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Pride & Prejudice: 20th Anniversary Edition (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital)
Official Synopsis:
Keira Knightley shines as Elizabeth Bennet in this stunning adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic tale of romance in Georgian England. As one of five wealthy sisters pressured by their parents to get married, Elizabeth, despite being courted by several worthy suitors, finds herself inexplicably drawn to the egotistical young Mr. Darcy (Matthew MacFadyen). Donald Sutherland, Brenda Blethyn, Jena Malone, Rosamund Pike, and Judi Dench co-star. 129 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English. Special collector’s edition includes a 42-page book featuring photographs and information about the film’s production.
The Movie:
I’ve never kept it a secret that period dramas have really never been my thing. I can watch them and there are even some I’m a big fan of, but they’re few and far between. It’s just not a genre that gets me excited, and I don’t typically go out of my way for them.
Now, this isn’t where I shout, “BUT I LOVE PRIDE AND PREJUDICE!” from the rooftops. But I will say that Joe Wright’s 2005 adaptation of Jane Austen’s novel is certainly one of the better movies in the genre. With a winning cast that includes Keira Knightley at the height of her powers, along with Matthew Macfadyen, Judi Dench, Donald Sutherland, and Rosamund Pike (who I’ve always been a huge fan of), the film overcomes its period trappings and is instead just an effective romance that transcends any particular era.
Universal has released a 20th Anniversary Edition of Pride & Prejudice in a box set format that’s sure to get fans excited. It includes a 42-page book about the making of the movie that will appeal to the more literary fans of the film. It’s a cool collector’s edition and will make a great gift for fans of the movie or the novel.
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The Handmaid’s Tale: The Complete Series (DVD)
Official Synopsis:
In a dystopian future where fertility rates have dropped to dangerous levels, what was once the United States is now a totalitarian, Christian fundamentalist society that subjugates women. As one of the few remaining women able to bear children, June Osborne (Elisabeth Moss) must serve as a “handmaid” to a ruthless government official (Joseph Fiennes) and his wife (Yvonne Strahovski). Debuting in 2017, this acclaimed adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s novel co-stars Alexis Bledel, Madeline Brewer.
The Show:
Hulu’s hit series based on the Margaret Atwood novel returns to home video for the final time: The Handmaid’s Tale: The Complete Series makes its debut just in time for the holidays.
I’ve always found it interesting when TV shows run for multiple seasons when they’re based on a single source novel; sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. Now I personally never really got sucked into the world of The Handmaid’s Tale but judging by the show’s popularity (and the number of Handmaid’s Tale Halloween costumes the past couple of years), nobody was complaining that they kept getting more of June Osborne and company. This chunky new box set includes all six seasons and 66 episodes across 20 discs, and it includes all of the original extra features from the various seasons’ home video releases as well.
Of course, part of what made The Handmaid’s Tale a part of the cultural zeitgeist is its topical nature. While it was set in a dystopic future, it was hard not to see parallels between the events in the show and some real world events that have happened over the past decade. It’s a tense and harrowing show, and if you get stressed out easily you may want to take the show one or two episodes at a time rather than binging the entire thing in a couple of marathon sessions.
For the Gen X-er in Your Life:
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The IDW Collection – Volume 8 (Graphic Novel)
Official Synopsis:
Presenting the complete TMNT stories in recommended reading order, including one-shots, crossovers, and event series. Everything a beginner could need, everything a diehard could want.
Bebop and Rocksteady stumble across a time-travel scepter, kickstarting the craziest, most destructive adventure yet! Then, when a mysterious new mutant targets Baxter Stockman, it will be up to the TMNT to reluctantly save him, but little does anyone know that a larger trap is being laid by a new arch-foe. Plus, Donatello reboots a new and improved Metalhead, only to find that the robot no longer functions entirely as designed.
Collects the Bebop & Rocksteady Destroy Everything miniseries, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Universe issues #1–8, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles issues #65–66.
The Book:
This is the eighth volume in the terrific Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The IDW Collection series. The massive tome continues the collection of the IDW series (and all its various spin-offs) in chronological order, which is both a huge undertaking and a much appreciated one, especially the inclusion of all the spin-offs and miniseries.
This entry includes issues #65 and 66 of the ongoing series by Tom Waltz, Kevin Eastman, and Mateus Santolouco. That’s not a huge run from the mothership book, but those are supplemented by the first eight issues of the TMNT Universe series, which features a main story by Paul Allor and Damien Couceiro as well as back-up stories featuring a variety of legendary creators, not the least of which include Kevin Eastman, Bill Sienkiewicz, and Michael Dialynas, among others. Finally, the Bebop & Rocksteady Destroy Everything miniseries is included in its entirety, with a powerhouse creative team that includes Ben Bates, Dustin Weaver, Sophie Campbell, Giannis Milonogiannis, Nick Pitarra, Ryan Browne, and Damian Couceiro.
I’ve been fairly upfront over the years in admitting that I’m not the biggest fan in the world of the IDW inception of the Ninja Turtles overall. I don’t hate it or anything, I just don’t love all the choices the storytellers have made with the TMNT universe over the years. That said, I do find that diving into the universe in these big chunks with everything presented in order is the best way to digest the entire saga. This is another worthwhile collection for TMNT fans from IDW!
G.I. Joe Compendium: Volumes 1 & 2 (Graphic Novel)
Official Synopsis:
Experience the Kickstarter sensation and longest running non-superhero comic series in this reader-friendly compendium of G.I. JOE: A REAL AMERICAN HERO. Military and martial arts action explodes off the page in this one of a kind G.I. Joe compendium! Experience the Joes’ assault on the Terror-Drome, the return of Storm Shadow, the relentless Dreadnoks, and more! And what is the secret origin of the man known only as Cobra Commander? Find out in the comic phenomenon from Larry Hama that changed the pop-culture world forever. Collects G.I. JOE: A REAL AMERICAN HERO #51-76, G.I. JOE YEARBOOK #2-4, G.I. JOE SPECIAL MISSIONS #1-15.
The Book:
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, these new Compendiums from Skybound are pretty much the greatest thing ever. They’re easily my favorite items in this gift guide. The G.I. Joe Compendium: Volume 1 came out last year and collected the first 50 issues of the original Marvel G.I. Joe comic book from the ‘80s into one massive volume. This year, we got G.I. Joe Compendium Volume 2, which includes G.I. Joe #51-76, G.I. Joe Yearbook #2-4, and G.I. Joe Special Missions #1-15.
Oh, and did I mention that these books defy physics? I say that because this thing is the size of a phone book (who remembers those?) and comes it a whopping 1,224 pages (which is about 60 pages more than Volume 1!), and yet it is as light as a feather! Thanks to the book being printed with old-school (but high quality) newsprint, this book is so light, your brain won’t be able to process it when you pick I up expecting it to weigh a ton.
But that’s just the icing on the cake; the real star of the show here is the comics themselves. Written by Larry Hama and drawn by a handful of outstanding artists, this next collection of issues gives us 25 more issues of the core series, three annuals, and then the first 15 issues of G.I. Joe: Specia Missions. Special Missions was an offshoot series that focused on solo missions or small groups of 2 or 3 Joes taking on missions outside of the main series continuity, and it was a great run, so I’m glad to see it collected here. The ‘80s G.I. Joe comics of the 1980s are some of the greatest storytelling in comics of the decade, and I couldn’t love this book more or recommend it more highly!
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Transformers Compendium: Volumes 1 & 2 (Graphic Novel)
Official Synopsis:
“In a world dominated by plenty of corporate comics, this Transformers title is a muscle car built in neighborhood garage.” – The Hollywood Reporter. For Fans of Invincible Compendium and Mass Effect: The Complete Comics, TRANSFORMERS COMPENDIUM collects the very first issues of one of the most popular comic book series into a complete compendium for the first time ever. The Transformers rocked the comic book world with their debut that was truly MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE, and now you can experience every issue – from the original series and tie-ins- in this new reader-friendly compendium format for the very first time. Discover the heroic Autobots, the evil Decepticons, and the galaxy-spanning war that will leave you breathless in this first volume perfect for fans new and old.
Volume 1 Collects The Transformers #1-44. Volume 2 Collects Transformers #47-80, Transformers: The Movie #1-3, and Transformers: Generation 2 #1-12.
The Books:
The G.I. Joe Compendiums were such a big hit that Skybound also has created two Transformers Compendiums, collecting the entirety of the 1980s Transformers comics from Marvel! This is effectively my entire childhood in two giant books, that once again are monstrous in size (1208 pages for Volume 1 and 1168 pages for Volume 2) but weigh so much less than you’d expect.
The first volume includes Transformers #1-44, which is the golden age of Transformers storytelling. We meet all of the main Transformers and get their origins, plus we meet human characters like G.B. Blackrock, Sparkplug and Buster, Circuit Breaker, and more. The second volume Collects Transformers #47-80, Transformers: The Movie #1-3, and Transformers: Generation 2 #1-12. The second half of the Transformers run saw the series start to run out of steam a little bit until Simon Furman came on board as writer with issue #59 and revitalized the series, especially the last ten issues, which are some of the best Transformers comics ever written.
Whether you get one or both of these amazing books for someone as a present, they will wrap up nicely and make for some big, chunky presents full of awesomeness!
Transformers: Deluxe Edition (Graphic Novel)
Official Synopsis:
The first two arcs of the Eisner Award-winning TRANSFORMERS collected in a stunning deluxe hardcover for the first time! The Autobots and Decepticons have renewed their endless war on Earth, and one thing is immediately clear: the planet will never be the same. New alliances are struck. Battle lines are redrawn. And humanity’s only hope of survival is Optimus Prime. Explore the beginning of the Eisner Award-winning series from critically acclaimed creative team Daniel Warren Johnson (Do A Powerbomb), Jorge Corona (Middlewest) and Mike Spicer, alongside showrunner Robert Kirkman (Invincible, Void Rivals), in this beautiful deluxe hardcover. Collects TRANSFORMERS #1-12.
The Book:
If you’re reading this and you’re not a comic book fan, the name Daniel Warren Johnson may not mean much to you. But in the comic book world, DWJ is a huge name, and he’s garnered a legion of fans by creating unusual, offbeat, and dynamic comics that he’s created from scratch. And then he took on The Transformers in their return to the comic book world and set the market on fire.
This gorgeous new oversized hardcover collects the first twelve issues of Skybound’s mega-bestselling Transformers title. Johnson has not only reintroduced the Transformers to a new generation of readers, but he’s also turned things on their heads. Beloved characters are no longer safe, and formerly marginalized characters have taken on big roles, all while making sure fan favorites like Optimus Prime and Shockwave remain in the spotlight.
Johnson drew the first five issues, which have a kinetic energy unlike anything else, but he passed the art chores on for the second volume to Jorge Corona, who is terrific in his own right. I can’t recommend this awesome hardcover highly enough for Transformers fans!
Void Rivals: Deluxe Edition (Graphic Novel)
Official Synopsis:
Explore the start of the critically acclaimed ENERGON UNIVERSE in the deluxe edition of VOID RIVALS from game changing team Robert Kirkman (Invincible, The Walking Dead) and Lorenzo De Felici (Oblivion Song, Kroma). War rages around the Sacred Ring, where the last remnants of two worlds have collapsed around a black hole in a never-ending war. However, when pilot Darak and his rival Solila both crash on a desolate planet, these two enemies end up on a journey neither of them expected. What dark forces await them? And will they be able to put aside their differences to confront them together?
Rediscover the series that started the Energon Universe in this landmark deluxe hardcover edition of VOID RIVALS from the game changing team of Robert Kirkman (Invincible, The Walking Dead) and Lorenzo De Felici (Oblivion Song, Kroma) that brings the world of TRANSFORMERS — and beyond — back to comics. Collects VOID RIVALS #1-12 & material from ENERGON UNIVERSE 2024 SPECIAL
The Book:
Before the aforementioned Transformers comic was launched, comic book superstar Robert Kirkman quietly launched Void Rivals. It was marketed as simply a science fiction adventure comic, with two people from enemy worlds finding themselves trapped in a strange environment together.
But then! Then things got even more exciting! It turns out that Void Rivals was the secret launch of the Energon Universe, which would publish both Transformers and GI Joe comic books where the characters exist in a shared universe! And it’s outstanding! Not only does Void Rivals kick off that shared universe, but it’s also a standout book in its own right that you can read without any prior knowledge of Transformers or GI Joe. It stands as a terrific sci-fi adventure that will resonate with fans of movies like Enemy Mine and Rebel Moon.
Void Rivals: Deluxe Edition is an oversized hardcover that collects the first 12 issues of the series plus covers and additional material. This is a great read for any comics fans, but especially those who love the Transformers and GI Joe!
G.I. Joe: Volume 1 (Graphic Novel)
Official Synopsis:
An ALL-NEW beginning for G.I. Joe and Cobra kicks off in the biggest comic book launch of the decade from Joshua Williamson, Tom Reilly, and Jordie Bellaire. In the aftermath of the Autobots and Decepticons’ arrival on Earth, the mysterious organization known as Cobra begins their rise to power. Conrad Hauser, Codename: Duke, leads a special forces team known as G.I. Joe to combat them. But what will the newly formed group do when the enigmatic Cobra Commander unleashes the terrifying power of Energon on humanity?
Find out in the comic that will change everything you think you know about G.I. Joe from the chart topping Energon Universe team of Joshua Williamson (Duke, Cobra Commander), Tom Reilly (Duke), and Jordie Bellaire (Duke). Collects G.I. Joe issues #1-6.
The Books:
Void Rivals launched the Energon Universe by introducing a Transformers character in the very first issue, but the world of G.I. Joe didn’t enter into it until much later. While the Transformers monthly comic book launched almost right away, G.I. Joe took a different route, giving us three different solo-character miniseries first, before eventually launching a true monthly series.
But it was worth the wait! Joshua Williamson is one of the better writers working in comics today, and it helps that he’s a lifelong G.I. Joe fanatic. The new trade paperback collects the first six issues of the series, and what an action-0packed ride it is. We get a lot of beloved characters like Cobra Commander and Destro and Duke, but we also get some characters in ways we’ve never seen them before such as The Baroness. Snake Eyes? Not yet! You just know Williamson is holding him for something really special, and I can’t wait for it.
G.I. Joe: Volume 1 is a standard-sized trade paperback collecting six issues of Yo Joe greatness! It’s the perfect gift for any G.I. Joe fan in your life, even if they’re not already a comics reader.
Transformers: Worst Bot Ever (Graphic Novel)
Official Synopsis:
He’s the littlest Decepticon with the biggest dreams to take down the Autobots – Meet BALLPOINT in Transformers: Worst Bot Ever, a new adventure graphic novel for young readers! The Decepticons are known for being bad…but Ballpoint is truly the worst –the biggest failure of them all. After the latest attempt to take down the Autobots goes horribly wrong, he’s kicked out of the Decepticons, for good!
Will Ballpoint be able to prove his worth by defeating the Autobots all by himself? Or will he keep failing and find that being the “best” is More than Meets the Eye? Brian “Smitty” Smith (Pea, Bee, and Jay) and Marz Jr. introduce middle-grade readers (ages 8-12) to the misadventures of the bot who is mightier than the sword in TRANSFORMERS: WORST BOT EVER: MEET BALLPOINT.
The Book:
Transformers: Worst Bot Ever is the Energon Universe equivalent of a graphic novel for younger to middle-grade readers, but I would argue that it’s great fun for everyone. The book introduces us to Ballpoint, a Decepticon who transforms into… a pen. Yep, a regular old pen-sized pen. Not exactly a weapon of mass destruction. But he’s got big dreams, and that’s what this book is about for the kids, believing in yourself and finding others who value you for who you are.
But mixed in with that are some characters we know and love, plus some sharp writing from Brian “Smitty” Smith that includes some great humor that will land for kids and adults alike. The artwork by the singularly named Marz Jr. also perfectly fits the book; it’s kind of loose and scratchy and not as rigid and detailed as some Transformers art can be, but it really works with the story. Some adults might not love it, but I think it makes it a fun read. This definitely skews a little older and more sophisticated than something like Rescue Bots, so I think it will make a great gift for anyone who loves Transformers.
For the Binge Watcher:
The Morning Show: Seasons 1 & 2 (Blu-ray)
Official Synopsis:
Alex Levy’s career is shaken after her co-anchor’s scandal. As rising reporter Bradley Jackson challenges the status quo, both navigate fierce rivalries, shifting loyalties, and power struggles amid a turbulent newsroom and evolving media landscape.
The Movie:
Of all the streaming services, Apple TV is actually one of the better ones when it comes to home video releases of their shows. Netflix has released, like, two, of their series to home video, and only in dribs and drabs, while this marks the third or fourth Apple TV release I’m reviewing this year alone.
The Morning Show kicks off with popular morning show host Alex Levy (Jennifer Aniston) thrown into chaos when her co-anchor is revealed to be a not-so-good guy in all the ways you’d expect from a TV personality in this day and age. From there, the morning show is trying to regain its footing, and Alex and her colleagues have to deal with all of the usual TV pressures plus some much newer ones.
Now, I’d heard pretty good things about The Morning Show but hadn’t yet watched it, so I was excited to check it out. And I’m happy to report that I enjoyed the show quite a bit. I always like behind-the-scenes-of-Hollywood programming, whether its documentaries or fictionalized, and this show fits that bill squarely. It’s not a perfect vehicle; there are a few clunky moments here and there and some occasional story decisions I don’t love, but by and large, it’s a really great watch. If you have been wanting to check it out without adding another streaming service’s monthly charge to your bill, this two-season Blu-ray release is a great way to get you halfway to caught up.
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Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage: The First Season (DVD)
Official Synopsis:
From executive producers/writers Chuck Lorre, Steven Molaro and Steve Holland, the creative team behind The Big Bang Theory and Young Sheldon, this sequel follows Young Sheldon’s Georgie (Montana Jordan) and Mandy (Emily Osment) as they raise their young family in Texas while navigating the challenges of adulthood, parenting, and marriage.
The Movie:
I’m as big a fan of The Big Bang Theory as there is, but maybe the spin-offs are getting a bit out of control. Young Sheldon was a prequel series that – obviously – featured Sheldon as a young boy/pre-teen growing up in Texas. Now we have a spin-off of a prequel… where does it end? Are we going to get a prequel to the spin-off of the prequel?
Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage is not a bad show. It’s not a great show, either, though. It’s right in that sweet spot that CBS seems to fall with most of their so-called comedies: solidly okay. Like, is the cast likable? Sure. Are there a couple of jokes per episode that land? Yep. Is there anything overly memorable or endearing about the show? Not really. The Big Bang Theory worked because it took some typical friendship and relationship tropes and set them in a world we hadn’t seen before: that populated by nerds, physicists, and comic book geeks. This just feels like a typical rom-com sitcom that we know is going to come to an unfortunate ending, as the title implies.
But I know there are people out there who enjoy these spin-offs, and if that’s you, then the good news is that you can now own the complete first season of Georgie & Mandy, but only on DVD. No Blu-ray release just yet, unfortunately.
NCIS: Season 22 (DVD)
Official Synopsis:
NCIS (Naval Criminal Investigative Service) is more than just an action drama. With liberal doses of humor, it’s a show that focuses on the sometimes complex and always amusing dynamics of a team forced to work together in high-stress situations. From murder and espionage to terrorism and stolen submarines, these special agents investigate all crimes with Navy or Marine Corps ties.
The Show:
At 22 seasons in, NCIS is officially old enough to drink. It’s also old enough to be encroaching on the territory of shows like Bonanza, Gunsmoke, and The Simpsons as one of the longest-running series in television history. And at this point, trying to “review” the show seems a little futile, as you either already like it or you don’t.
Personally, I’ve always found NCIS to be a solid enough distraction. Like, I never got fully invested in it and watched it regularly, but by the same token, I do enjoy popping in the DVD sets when I get them and powering through a handful of the more exciting episodes. But I think I missed getting Season 21 to review, so this new season collection took me a little by surprise. I forgot that Mark Harmon had left the show, and this season saw Katrina Law departing the series as well. Gary Cole is still firmly entrenched as the de facto lead, while new cast member Austin Stowell is a welcome addition.
Season 22, meanwhile, largely delivers more of what we’re used to from the show – the Naval Criminal Investigative Services’ Major Case Response Team solving crimes involving the U.S. Navy – and for the most part, the episode-by-episode formula remains true to form. This season does have some notable moments, such as a nice tribute to the late David McCallum in the season opener, as well as a pretty major cliffhanger ending for the season. I guess if there’s one thing we can count on, it’s NCIS coming back for another year! This latest DVD collection comprises all 22 episodes of Season 22 on six discs in the usual amaray case format
NCIS is formulaic, sure, but there’s a reason it’s lasted for literally two full decades: the formula works. It does what it does well, and if you’re in the mood for some mysteries and a likable cast, with a wide range of characters who occasionally take the spotlight, NCIS: The Twenty-Second Season is for you.
Watson: Season One (DVD)
The Official Synopsis:
Watson is a medical show with a strong investigative spine, featuring a modern version of one of history’s greatest detectives as he turns his attention from solving crimes to solving medical mysteries. WATSON takes place six months after the death of the titular character’s friend and partner Sherlock Holmes at the hands of Moriarty. Dr. John Watson resumes his medical career as the head of a clinic dedicated to treating rare disorders. Watson’s old life isn’t done with him, though — Moriarty and Watson are set to write their own chapter of a story that has fascinated audiences for more than a century.
The Show:
I have to wonder why — besides the obvious reasons that familiar I.P. (Intellectual Property) usually leads to higher ratings — this show was made as Watson, rather than just as a medical drama with a new character at the helm. Sure, the idea of a modern-day Dr. John Watson continuing in his medicine practice after the death of Sherlock Holmes sounds like it could be intriguing. But instead, what we end up with is a pretty standard medical procedural drama that occasionally mixes some mystery in, and that borrows entirely too heavily from House, M.D. I’ve seen several other reviews compare the two shows and I wanted to avoid doing so, but, well, honestly, it’s pretty impossible not to see the similarities.
Morris Chestnut is an actor I like, and he does a good job here, especially considering the incredible amounts of heavily medical-termed dialogue he has to spout out at a rapid-fire pace. The supporting cast is perfectly fine, even though every single one of them looks like a supermodel, which is pretty different from any medical practice I’ve ever been to in real life. I’m not really a medical TV show kind of guy, so while I was hoping for more mystery and less medicine, I got more medicine and less mystery, and the show just isn’t quite my cup of tea in terms of something I’m going to be a big fan of. Is it perfectly serviceable and even enjoyable to watch? Ultimately, yes. I’m sure that based on how popular most procedurals are, it’s not going to go away anytime soon and many people will enjoy it.
For the Comic Book Fanatic:
Jim Aparo: Artist’s Edition (Graphic Novel)
Official Synopsis:
Experience the peak period of Jim Aparo’s artistry from his runs featuring Batman and The Spectre, with over 175 pages of original art in this gorgeous Artist’s Edition! Jim Aparo was one of DC’s most prolific artists through the 1970s and 1980s, especially celebrated for his work on Batman (Brave and the Bold, Detective Comics) and The Spectre (Adventure Comics). This Artist’s Edition presents more than 175 pages of classic Aparo art from what is regarded as his peak period and features eight complete Brave and the Bold and Spectre stories, as well as a selection of classic covers and pages. Although appearing to be in black and white, all the art is scanned in color, enabling the reader to see the work as close to the original as possible – ink gradients, blue pencil, and all the unique nuances that make original art so special – are all clearly visible and printed at the same size as drawn.
The Artist’s Edition of Jim Aparo’s work is an art book disguised as a comic collection. The only better way to see these pages is by looking over Aparo’s shoulder at his drawing board!
The Book:
If you aren’t familiar with the Artist’s Edition books that have been hitting the comic market for the past five or ten years, you’re missing out on one of the most unique art forms in the industry. These giant-sized books reprint the original artwork that went into your favorite comic books of days past at full size and in full color (well, sort of.)
What that means is that the original art boards by the artists have all been scanned in full color. While obviously 99% of it is still in black and white (these are inked pages but not colored), you do get to see things like blue-line pencils, coffee stains, and more in color. It’s the next closest thing to holding the original artwork, especially at the 11×17 size.
Jim Aparo is a legend in the comic book industry, and his unparalled Batman run remains one of the seminal and defining eras of Batman’s long history. While this book doesn’t focus solely on Batman, there’s no denying the mastery of Aparo’s artwork. This nearly-200 page tome gives us a mix of complete stories from The Spectre and The Brave and the Bold (two of Aparo’s signature titles) but also bonus pages and covers from other works. As a big Aparo fan, I have to say that he artwork in thes book is INCREDIBLE. I love seeing every pencil and ink stroke and all the details and nuance of his art. Every time I see his take on a super hero, it still blows me away.
This is probably one of the most expensive books on the list, so it might not be a gift for everyone, but if you have someone special in your life that is a comic book fanatic and you want to blow them away, this book will absolutely do that!
The Marvel Art of Michael Allred (Graphic Novel)
Official Synopsis:
Clover Press is proud to present the next amazing artist in our series, with The Marvel Art of Michael Allred! Michael Allred’s illustrious career includes nearly 30 years of Marvel comics masterworks. His breathless output includes timeless takes on Spider-Man, the unparalleled zaniness of X-STATIX, epochal runs on Marvel’s first family THE FANTASTIC FOUR, and the cosmic grandeur of a never-more-human SILVER SURFER. Working in tandem with his wife Laura on colors, his instantly recognizable style has graced countless covers and lent a pop panache and nostalgic yet stylishly modern touch to virtually every major Marvel character. This is the first ever collection of the Eisner award-winning artist’s fan favorite and critically lauded contributions to the Marvel Universe.
The Marvel Art of Michael Allred collects the best and most personal pieces from three decades of his seminal work in the world’s favorite fictional universe and includes never-before-seen art, behind-the-scenes material, and copious personal commentary from Allred, presented in a lavish 9″ x 12″ hardcover book over 200 pages. As an added bonus, the book features an introduction by Dan Slott and an afterword by Matt Fraction!
The Book:
Clover Press’s The Marvel Art of… line of books has been nothing short of spectacular. These oversized hardcovers focus on one artist per volume and present unaltered, unadulterated artwork (mostly covers, but not exclusively) on premium paper with bold colors, and they make the artwork really pop. I’ve loved reading past volumes on Michael Turner, Russell Dauterman, and David Mack, and now the spotlight falls on Michael Allred.
Allred might not seem like the most obvious choice for a Marvel artbook, but his catalog with the publisher actually goes fairly deep, between his work on X-Force, X-Statix, The Silver Surfer, The Fantastic Four, and Spider-Man, among others. His animation-inspired artwork might not be every single fan’s cup of tea, but it is instantly identifiable and completely memorable. Personally, I’m a huge fan, and going through this retrospective of his Marvel work (with an intro by Dan Slott and an afterword by Matt Fraction) is absolutely incredible.
The Art of Invincible: Season 2 (Book)
Official Synopsis:
This official behind-the-scenes companion to Prime Video’s second season of the hit animated series, INVINCIBLE, featuring a foreword from co-creator Robert Kirkman! The Art of Invincible Season Two features exclusive character, background, and vehicle designs along with key art and more! This volume takes fans behind the scenes and includes interviews with key creatives, including INVINCIBLE creators Robert Kirkman and Cory Walker.
The Book:
Skybound’s awesome new Hardcover book, The Art of Invincible: Season 2, is a must-have for any Invincible fan. Focusing on the second season of Amazon Prime’s smash hit animated series, (which is, in itself, based on the hit Image comic book by Robert Kirkman), this book is really a visual companion to the first season, providing concept and design art, animation art, and more. There are interviews with various showrunners as well as Robert Kirkman himself and comic artist Cory Walker, and Robert Kirkman also provides a new introduction. I’m a huge fan of these TV/movie “Art Of” books, but some of them are definitely better than others; I’m glad to report that this is one of the good ones. Not only is the artwork itself amazing, but the book strikes the right balance of text and imagery, so there’s enough to read that it’s just pictures with no context, but not so much text that it feels like a school textbook.
This hardcover book is a whopping 10×11 inches, and it comes in at 224 full-color pages. It is written by Mark Sumerak with an introduction by Robert Kirkman and published by Image Comics/Skybound. It weighs almost four pounds!
The Art of Invincible: Season 2 is a beautiful art book that is a must have for any fans of the show or the comic books. There’s already a Season 1 book from last year, so this could be the beginning of a gorgeous reference library for Invincible fans.
Lost Marvels: Volumes 1 and 2 (Graphic Novel)
Official Synopsis:
Volume 1 –
The never-collected horror anthology series featuring stories by Jim Steranko, Neal Adams, Barry Windsor-Smith, Stan Lee, John Buscema, and other Silver Age masters.
In 1969, with its revolutionary superhero line well established, Marvel took a chance on the kind of supernatural, EC-style anthology series that had been banned since the formation of the Comics Code in the 1950s. Tower of Shadows featured a staggering array of artists and writers, including Neal Adams, Jim Steranko, Barry Windsor-Smith, John Buscema, Gene Colan, Wally Wood, Stan Lee, Roy Thomas, John Romita, Johnny Craig, Marie Severin, Gerry Conway, and Bernie Wrightson, to name a few. Freed from the conventions of the superhero adventure, these creators brought their storytelling skills to a more quietly sinister genre, producing atmospheric gems of twisted suspense and sardonic horror.
Not only do these nine issues feature Marvel’s best creators working at their peak, but Tower of Shadows is one of the lost, never-collected Marvels. In the first of a new series of Lost Marvels, Fantagraphics and Marvel join forces to introduce these pages to a new generation of readers and restore this series to its rightful place in comics history. This gorgeous volume brings every Tower of Shadows story and cover to life in vivid color and features background and analysis by comics journalist Michael Dean.
Volume 2 –
Collected as part of our new Lost Marvels series, collaboratively produced with Marvel Comics, this new Howard Chaykin-centered volume of smartly imaginative scripts and beautifully designed art features Dominic Fortune, Monark Starstalker, and Phantom Eagle!
When Howard Chaykin broke into comics in the 1970s, there was nothing quite like him. His original characters Dominic Fortune and Monark Starstalker took classic pulp heroes and ran them through a postmodern blender. This new volume contains retro-science-fiction bounty hunter Monark Starstalker’s debut appearance and all Chaykin’s color-comic-book Dominic Fortune stories, including the character’s unexpurgated Max series, published a generation later. Completing the package is the collision between pulp heroism and the devastating, bloody realities of World War I in Chaykin’s 111-page collaboration with The Boys writer Garth Ennis on War Is Hell: The First Flight of the Phantom Eagle. The collection is introduced by author and comics scholar Brannon Costello. This second title in Fantagraphics’ Lost Marvels series collects some of the most exciting, sought-after work by Howard Chaykin from 1975 to 2008.
The Books:
I can’t get enough of Fantagraphics’ Lost Marvels hardcover graphic novels! This series of graphic novels is collecting notable works by seminal talents at Marvel Comics that have never been collected before. Volume 1 focuses largely on horror comics with works by the likes of Neal Adams, Stan Lee, Barry Windsor Smith, Jim Steranko, and others, while Volume 2 quite obviously focuses solely on the works of Howard Chaykin.
Volume 1 is incredible; the stories are all stand-alone tales with a horror or darker edge to them. While you’ll recognize all of the talent working on them – complete legends across the board – unless you have a memory like a steel trap, most of these stories will have been long forgotten to you – if you ever even read them at all. Most of them were published in obscure titles that Marvel snuck out here and there, rather than mainstream hit books.
Now, the focus in Volume 2 is not on representing the complete works of Chaykin at Marvel, but rather the rare and little-seen Chaykin works. So there’s obviously no Star Wars work here, but you may be a little surprised to find out – I certainly was – that most of the work comes from the mid-to-late-2000s. There are some early Chaykin stories collected (Marvel Premiere #32 and #56), but the bulk of the book comes from two projects from Marvel’s erstwhile MAX imprint: the four-issue Dominic Fortune MAX series from 2008, and War is Hell: The First Flight of the Phantom Eagle (also from 2008), written by none other than Garth Ennis.
Both of these books are gorgeous oversized hardcovers printed on premium paper, so they look and feel outstanding! These are a must-have for any Marvel fan or anyone who just loves seeing comic book legends at work. There have been two volumes of Lost Marvels so Far, and I hope there are more to come!
For the Science Fiction Fan (Non-Star-Trek Edition):
Krull Steelbook (4K Ultra HD + Digital)
Official Synopsis:
In a fantasy adventure, set in a world peopled by creatures of myth and magic, a prince embarks on a quest to find the magical Glaive and then rescues his young bride. Colwyn (Ken Marshall) is the leader of a mythical sword-and-sorcery group in pursuit of “the Beast” that has kidnaped his fiance, Lyssa (Lysette Anthony).
The Movie:
I’m both surprised and thrilled to see Sony release Krull as not only a 4K Ultra HD release, but a Steelbook 4K Ultra HD release to boot. Maybe the studios are starting to figure out that if you make a package worth buying, fans will still support physical media. For those of you who don’t remember it, Krull is an ’80s sci-fi/fantasy with echoes of Clash of the Titans and Dune (and featuring a young Liam Neeson in one of his very first roles.) It’s cheesy, sure, but it’s also a beloved cult classic, and it’s a lot of fun to revisit.
Directed by the stalwart Peter Yates, the film stars Ken Marshall, Lysette Anthony, Freddie Jones, Francesca Annis, and Alun Armstrong, along with the aforementioned Liam Neeson in a supporting role. The plot is surprisingly dense to try and pack into a two-sentence summary, but suffice it to say that on the planet of Krull has been besieged by The Beast and his Slayers, and it’s up to Prince Colwyn, his band of merry men (really thieves), and his super awesome Glaive — a weapon that’s kind of like a ninja throwing star on crack — to rescue the princess and save the planet. I mean, what more do you really need to know than that?
Krull was never a box office hit, but it has grown into a cult classic over the years, and while it’s impossible to watch it and not see some of the flaws, it’s also a fun trip back to the 80s with some really fun and cool sci-fi moments. Krull is a fantasy epic that a certain age group of ‘80s moviegoers remember extremely fondly. With cool weapons (the glaive!), some freaky creatures, and Liam Neeson’s first major role, Krull is a fun throwback.
Shin Godzilla Steelbook (4K Ultra HD)
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 are 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.
Dune Trilogy (Graphic Novel)
Official Synopsis:
The three spectacular hardcover graphic novel adaptions of Dune, the groundbreaking science-fiction classic by Frank Herbert, now collected in a gift-ready boxed set with slipcase. A stunning blend of adventure and mysticism, environmentalism, and politics, Dune is a groundbreaking look into our universe and is transformed by the graphic novel format into a powerful, fantastical tale for a new generation of readers. National bestsellers and embraced by Dune fans old and new, this three-volume graphic novel adaptation is written by Brian Herbert (Frank’s son) and Kevin J. Anderson and features lush color art from Raúl Allén and Patricia Martín.
Frank Herbert’s Dune, an epic science-fiction masterpiece set in the far future amidst a sprawling feudal interstellar society, tells the story of Paul Atreides as he and his family accept control of the desert planet Arrakis. Dune explores the complex, multi-layered interactions of politics, religion, ecology, technology, and human emotion as the forces of the empire confront each other for control of Arrakis. Illustrators Raúl Allén and Patricia Martín transport readers to the Dune universe in this three-volume visual masterpiece that blends classic science fiction with contemporary comics storytelling.
The Book:
In the world of Dune, the movies and the novels are two separate entities. While the movies have been very faithful adaptations overall, there is simply a wealth of layered and complex information in the books that just don’t fit into the films. This trilogy of graphic novels from Fantagraphics aims to bridge the gap between the written prose of the novels and the visual splendor of the movies.
And they’re outstanding. Brian Herbert is Dune author Frank Herbert’s son, and he’s collaborated with Kevin J. Anderson — one of the best of the best at adapting popular franchises into the written word – on a series of continuing Dune novels. Now, the duo have set to work adapting the original novels into graphic novels. This first trilogy of graphic novels adapts the first novel and features gorgeous artwork by Raúl Allén and Patricia Martín.
What’s great about the books – besides just how dazzling they are visually – is that the three-book format really lets the story breathe and pick up on all the small nuances that might not have worked in a cinematic landscape. If you want to dive deeper into the world of Dune but aren’t ready to tackle Frank Herbert’s lengthy original books, this graphic novel trilogy is perfect for you or the sci-fi fan on your holiday gift list!
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.
Bridge Planet Nine (Graphic Novel)
Official Synopsis:
A heist gone wrong. In this gritty, intimate sci-fi graphic novel, four down-and-out thieves touch down on an abandoned colony planet for an easy heist…until the masks come off.
Bridge Planet Nine, once a thriving outpost, is now deserted. Corporations have claimed what’s left of its natural resources for automated extraction, and even the freighter ships that refuel here are completely unmanned. Now one of those freighters…is about to be robbed.
The hijackers are a small, reluctant crew, each with their own reasons for being there. With no one around for millions of miles, they don’t expect interference. But the planet’s grim history and dark secrets will turn a simple job into a bloody fight for survival.
The Book:
So, everything I knew about Bridge Planet Nine before I read it was what’s in the synopsis above and the fact that I thought it had a really cool cover. I had never heard of Jared Throne, the writer/artist of the book before, although since it turns out that this is his first graphic novel, that makes sense. So even though I went into it with no knowledge at all, there was something about it – call it a vibe – that had me excited to read it.
And boy, did that pay off! Bridge Planet Nine is an exciting, emotional, action-packed heist story, but in a sci-fi setting. The set-up is pretty simple: four thieves, all with different motivations, set out to rob a transport ship on a deserted planet in the far reaches of the galaxy. But once they get to the planet, everything changes… and that’s all I want to say about the story. Because there are some neat twists and turns and I don’t want to spoil anything. But what Jared Throne does really well – in addition to giving us characters we actually care about and who feel realistic – is mix in some subtle social commentary as well. It’s just enough that if you’re not paying attention, it’ll float right by you, but if you’re picking up on the subtext of the story, it has a powerful message.
The book reads like an action movie; Throne’s artwork is both simplistic and detailed at the same time, but he has a great visual flair that works very well for the story. Honestly, this book has no right being as enjoyable as it is for a first-time creator; I can’t wait to see what he does next. I highly recommend you track down Bridge Planet Nine as soon as possible and dive right in; I couldn’t put it down once I started reading it and I doubt you’ll be able to, either.
The Official Doctor Who 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.
For the Sci-Fi Fan (Star Trek Edition):
Picard Omnibus (Graphic Novel)
Official Synopsis:
Can’t get enough of the Picard series? Read two graphic novel adventures that provide more context, with one story taking place before season one and the second taking place after season two!
Witness the events leading to the epic series Star Trek: Picard. Before he retired to his vineyard, Jean-Luc Picard was the most decorated admiral in Starfleet. Then one mission changed his life forever. After discovering that a looming supernova threatens the entirety of the Romulan Empire, the Federation launches a mission of unparalleled scale. Admiral Picard heads to the colony to plan the evacuation but makes a shocking discovery!
Then, following the climactic events of season two’s finale, Jean-Luc and Seven of Nine launch an unsanctioned mission that sets the stage for season three! When an offer comes in from the stars, Picard is once more compelled to leave his chateau and confront the shadows of his past. Before his days on the Enterprise, a young Picard and his crew aboard the U.S.S. Stargazer saved a thriving planet from resource-hungry Romulans…or so he thought. Now landing on a seemingly unrecognizable planet, he and his crew work to save the system—and their ship—from disaster.
Written by Star Trek: Picard co-creator and supervising producer Kirsten Beyer and fan favorite Mike Johnson with art by Angel Hernandez! This omnibus also contains an interview with Kirsten Beyer, discussing the development and creation of the TV series and how the comic fits into its world, and a special look into how the U.S.S. Verity was designed by Thomas Marrone, lead ship and UI artist for Star Trek Online.
The Book:
If you haven’t been reading my column for a long time, you might not know that I am not-so-secretly a HUGE Star Trek fan. Like, a watched-every-series, seen-every-movie, read-all-the-comics kind of fan. I’m not a hard sell when it comes to anything Star Trek.
The Star Trek: Picard Omnibus is a pretty strong collection of two three-issue miniseries that focus on expanding the mythology of the three-season Picard series that aired on Paramount+. The first story arc serves as a prequel to the show and gives us a lot more backstory on Picard and his relationship with his confidante, the Romulan Laris. It’s an exciting story dealing with the Romulans that really starts to gel once you’ve watched Season 1. The second story arc follows the second season of the show, bringing Seven of Nine into the fold, and giving us a story set in the Picard timeline with flashbacks to a young Picard on the Stargazer as well. Honestly, both stories are good reads with strong artwork that feel like they fit alongside the show nicely.
As a special bonus, there’s about a dozen pages of extra material as well, including interviews and artwork that weren’t in the original issues, at least not to my recollection. So you get some extra bang for your buck with this trade paperback collection.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Omnibus (Graphic Novel)
Official Synopsis:
Explore never-before-seen adventures of the hit Paramount+ show in this graphic novel omnibus! First, in The Illyrian Enigma, set between seasons one and two, Una is accused of unlawful genetic modification by Starfleet and Captain Pike sets out in search of evidence that could prove her innocence. But when Captain Pike and the crew of the Enterprise get caught in the Pryllia colony, home to the elusive Illyrians, the mission objective quickly shifts from gathering evidence to exonerate Una to…breaking out.
Then, in The Scorpius Run, set course with Captain Pike and the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise to the Scorpius Constellation as they become the first Federation vessel to explore this uncharted region of space! In this romp across the stars, the Enterprise crew learn what it truly means to explore the strange and unfamiliar when they lose contact with Starfleet and everything outside the region. After entering a crime lord’s starship competition to save an innocent pilot, the Enterprise jets through a gauntlet of dangerous environments in the unexplored Scorpius sector. But cosmic storms and sentient ship-eating asteroids aren’t the only obstacles the crew will have to overcome!
Collects Star Trek: Strange New Worlds—The Illyrian Enigma by Kirsten Beyer, Mike Johnson, and Megan Levens; Star Trek: Strange New Worlds—The Scorpius Run by Mike Johnson, Ryan Parrott, and Angel Hernandez; two short stories, “Yesterday’s Shadow” from Star Trek #500 by Jody Houser and Vernon Smith and “Facemaker” from Star Trek: Celebrations by Mags Visaggio and Tench.
The Book:
I’m a huge fan of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, the Paramount+ series that chronicles the crew of the Enterprise that came before Captain Kirk, one that features Captain Pike at the helm. Its blend of classic Star Trek adventure and a great sense of humor makes it the most fun Star Trek show to watch since the heyday of The Next Generation. (We’ll leave Lower Decks out of the conversation for now, because that show is so much fun as well!)
IDW has now given fans the Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Omnibus, a chunky new paperback that collects two ST: SNW miniseries along with two short stories as a bonus feature. Now, when I think of a true Omnibus, I picture a behemoth of a book, as they’re usually somewhere between 700 and1500 pages, so this is more of just a regular collection for my money, but that’s really just semantics. What I was worried about is the comic book format capturing the unique tone and feel of the show effectively. And while I won’t say that I think these stories 100% truly embody the magic of the TV show, they are at least quite enjoyable stories with top-notch artwork that I enjoyed more than not.
This trade paperback collects Star Trek: Strange New Worlds—The Illyrian Enigma (by Kirsten Beyer, Mike Johnson, and Megan Levens); Star Trek: Strange New Worlds—The Scorpius Run (by Mike Johnson, Ryan Parrott, and Angel Hernandez); and two short stories – “Yesterday’s Shadow” from Star Trek #500 (by Jody Houser and Vernon Smith) and “Facemaker” from Star Trek: Celebrations (by Mags Visaggio and Tench.)
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Omnibus isn’t the greatest Star Trek comics I’ve ever read, but as a Strange New Worlds fan, I found it an enjoyable enough read to keep me satisfied in between episodes. Give it a read if you’re a Strange New Worlds fan and I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
For the Fan of Documentaries:
Burden of Dreams (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray)
Official Synopsis:
For nearly five years, acclaimed German director Werner Herzog desperately tried to complete one of the most ambitious and difficult projects of his career: Fitzcarraldo, the story of one man’s attempt to build an opera house deep in the Amazon jungle. Documentary filmmaker Les Blank captured the unfolding of this production, made more perilous by Herzog’s determination to shoot the most daunting scenes without models or special effects, including a sequence requiring hundreds of Indigenous locals to pull a full-size 320-ton steamship over a small mountain. The result is an extraordinary document of the filmmaking process and a unique look into the single-minded mission of one of cinema’s most fearless directors.
The Movie:
Fitzcarraldo is a fascinating and somewhat flawed movie by the legendary Werner Herzog that might just stand as the ultimate encapsulation of what makes the director so infamous. After all, it is the film in which he tells the story of an obsessed businessman engaging hundreds of natives in South American to pull a steamboat over a mountain… by having hundreds of natives in South America pull a steamboat over a mountain for real!
Of course, there’s more to it than that, all of which I chronicled in Les Blank’s outstanding documentary Burden of Dreams, which hits home video this week courtesy of The Criterion Collection (offering up 4K and Blu-ray versions of the film.) Blank spent the five years it took Herzog to make Fitzcarraldo documenting the director’s journey to get the film made. That includes some rare footage with original cast members Jason Robards and Mick Jagger, who are of course nowhere to be seen in the final film. It also gives us insights into how Herzog managed to get that steamship over that mountain, and some of the behind-the-scenes footage is as incredible as what ended up in the final cut.
I like Fitzcarraldo but I find it a bit too long and a bit slow in some places. Burden of Dreams, however, at a brisk 90 minutes, is every bit as fascinating a film and is a highly recommended watch.
More Weight (Graphic Novel)
The Official Synopsis:
“Every word is an accusation…and every whisper kills.” This staggering graphic novel explores the infamous Salem witch trials and the long shadows they cast more than 300 years later. In Salem, Massachusetts, 1692 is a year of terror. When accusations of witchcraft plunge the community into paranoia and death, curmudgeonly farmer Giles Corey and his great-souled wife Martha are forced to confront their troubled pasts, fighting to hold onto their principles even at the cost of their lives. In the 1860s, famed writers Nathaniel Hawthorne and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow stroll the streets of Salem together, reflecting on their own dark connections to those wicked days. Today, graphic novelist Ben Wickey wrestles with the complex legacy of “the Witch City” and what it shows us about the best and worst of humanity. Based on true events, set in three centuries, and hand-drawn over a decade, More Weight is a stunning visual symphony — a unique and profound inquiry into the infamous Salem witch trials and the long shadows they still cast on us all.
The Book:
There’s something incredibly satisfying about receiving a graphic novel to review called More Weight and having it be the size of a phone book. (Kids, go Google what a phone book is and then come back; I’ll be waiting.) Yes, this is an incredibly weighty graphic novel, and I mean that in terms of the sheer size of it and in terms of the story itself.
Writer/artist Ben Wicker has apparently been toiling away at this book for over 10 years, which is pretty remarkable — but it shows. The minute you pick up more weight, you can tell this isn’t your average graphic novel. Taking place in three different time periods — the 1600s, the 1800s, and modern day — the story is dense and layered, but also fascinating and thought provoking. This isn’t a light read, this is the kind of book you study; it literally comes with a couple dozen pages of footnotes in the back to provide historical context.
But that doesn’t mean it’s unenjoyable. Wickey’s artwork is incredibly detailed and layered, and the story — which does occasionally get bogged down in some slower or denser moments from time to time — will largely keep you interested. It’s like reading a history book, a slice of life comic, and a philosophical text all at once, with gorgeous pictures to accompany it all.
More Weight: A Salem Story is an impressive book. Seriously, go find it and just pick it up to see how hefty it is, then glance through it and see if you aren’t instantly curious to see how it all plays out. The effort is worth it.
The Comic Book History of the Cocktail (Graphic Novel)
The Official Synopsis:
A graphic novel history of the cocktail—from prehistoric wassail to our current boozy renaissance—featuring 20 recipes by drinks historian, Daily Beast columnist, and award-winning author David Wondrich. There’s no better writer to tell the colorful history of cocktails than David Wondrich, widely considered to be one of the world’s foremost authorities on cocktails and a driving force behind the early-twenty-first-century revival in the classic American art of mixing drinks. In The Comic Book Story of the Cocktail, Wondrich teams up with comics artist Dean Kotz to trace the evolution of the cocktail. Beginning with the ancient days of wassail and hypocras (mixed drinks based on wine and beer), they narrate a tumultuous and vibrant history that stretches through the Age of Exploration, the boozier parts of the Enlightenment and America’s hurly-burly nineteenth century, to the Disco years, the Cosmo years, and the modern Cocktail Revolution. Kotz’s intricate, masterful drawings illustrate stories that have never been properly told and introduce key characters who haven’t yet received their due. Nearly thirty recipes round out this spirited account, featuring accurate versions of old classics and a generous selection of secret weapons from the mixologist’s vest pocket. So, settle in with your libation of choice and prepare to meet the good, the bad, and the boozy in this lively and jam-packed tale.
The Book:
It never dawned on me that there is a history to the art of making cocktails. Which seems silly, I suppose, but I just sort of assumed people kind of just made most drinks up. Who knew there was historical context to the drinks you order on a Friday night?
Well, David Wondrich does. He (alongside artist Kyle Hotz) would like you to know that these drinks just happening is simply not the case. The Comic Book History of the Cocktail is an incredibly detailed graphic novel that goes back to ancient times and details how alcohol evolved from its most basic form to the lavish cocktails we can order at fancy restaurants today.
Interspersed with the history lesson are illustrated recipes for some of the more famous and complex cocktails in the world, giving the book a little added flair. But the real attraction is the story itself: there are stand-alone additions mixed in as well, such as two-page explanations of things like how alcohol is made, and then we follow its progression through history for the rest of the book.
Kyle Hotz is the perfect artist for the book, with a style that is at times light and breezy and at times more dense and detailed, but always nicely appropriate for the era being discussed. I’m not sure that as somebody who’s not much of a drinker I needed the book to go into quite as much detail as it does, but I’d rather get more bang for my buck than less, so I’m not complaining.
For Younger Family Members:
Paw Patrol: Fire Rescue (DVD)
Official Synopsis:
When things get a little too hot around Adventure Bay, Marshall will be all “fired up” to lead the team in FIRE RESCUE! Launching from their all-new ADVENTURE BAY FIRE STATION, the pups will suit up in protective fire gear and fire equipped vehicles to save the day!
The Show:
My kids are long past the age of watching shows like Paw Patrol, but when I think back to what they liked when they were young, it’s easy to see that Paw Patrol would have been a big hit in my house if my kids were the right age. In our household we watched a lot of Backyardigans, Octonauts, Wild Kratts, Dora the Explorer, and other pre-school/adolescent favorites. Paw Patrol, with its cute characters and positive lessons while still fitting in some all-ages-appropriate action, would have been a favorite with my kids.
Paw Patrol: Fire Rescue is the latest DVD collection of the hit show, with 10 whole episodes to keep your kids busy with. The action starts from the new Adventure Bay Fire Station, so obviously the focus here is on the pups as more of resources than cops and such. With two hours and 20 minutes worth of episodes here, this one will keep your kids glued to the couch for a good chunk of time.
Paw Patrol is a fun and well-made show, and it’s not hard to see how it’s become a household name. If you’re tired of watching the same episodes over and over again, this new collection is for you.
Winging It (Graphic Novel)
Official Synopsis:
From the Eisner-nominated creators of instant bestsellers Allergic and Squished comes a charming and funny graphic novel about family, friendship, and self-discovery!
Twelve-year-old Luna never wanted to move from California to Virginia, even if it is near historic Washington, DC, and no matter how excited her dad is to introduce her to the area where her late mother grew up. And she definitely doesn’t want to live with a very formal grandmother she barely knows. But during a visit to the National Museum of Natural History, the rarely seen luna moth for which Luna was named sparks her curiosity. Using her mother’s old naturalist notebooks as a guide, Luna, who has always preferred the indoors, endeavors to see a real luna moth with her own eyes. Learning more about nature just might help her make a new friend, figure out how to feel at home in her new life, and understand the mother she never got the chance to know.
Megan Wagner Lloyd and Michelle Mee Nutter have again teamed up to tell a charming and funny story of family, friendship, adventure, and appreciating all life has to offer.
The Book:
I am decidedly NOT in the target audience for Winging It, which is a new middle grade graphic novel from Scholastic/Graphix that is fairly gender neutral but I suspect is aimed more at girls. As I am not a 12-year-old girl, I always try to approach books that are not aimed as me from a more objective point of view; I can’t judge this book as a mumblety-mumble-year-old male, but can I at least appreciate it for what it is? That’s my approach.
So can someone please tell me exactly why Winging It had me in tears TWICE before I was done reading it?? Listen, a good story is a good story regardless of demographics, and Megan Wagner Lloyd and Michelle Mee Nutter have crafted a masterpiece of young reader fiction. The story features some universal themes; young Luna has to move away from her friends thanks to her dad’s new job, she never got to know her deceased mom, and she’s struggling to connect with her aloof grandmother. But as she makes new friends and sets off on a journey to see a Luna Moth in nature, she becomes more confident, and her relationships grow and evolve.
It’s not that the story is some groundbreaking thing; it’s a coming of age story, plain and simple. But Lloyd’s sense of character and pacing combined with Nutter’s evocative but simple artwork just clicks, and the result was that I got sucked WAY more into this graphic novel about a 12-year-old girl chasing a moth than I ever expected to. It’s a beautiful story of family, loss, friendship, and finding oneself. Obviously, I would recommend Winging It to any middle-grade/younger readers, but adults out there, I’ll just say it: you’ll probably love this book, too.
Pizza Witch (Graphic Novel)
Official Synopsis:
Join Roxy, a Pizza Witch in training, on a journey filled with magic, pizza, and her loyal cat familiar, as she seeks out the secret ingredient to unlocking her greatest pizza magic ambitions. All Roxy wants is to become the most legendary Pizza Witch ever! But when her uninspired boss and her well-meaning parents put her dream in jeopardy, she’s stuck in a pizza-flavored rut. That is, until she’s sent off on a quest for a powerful artifact of pizza magic – the Remarkable Oregano!
With her feisty cat George by her side, Roxy sets off on her broom to lands unknown! Will this be the adventure she’s been waiting for – filled with advanced pizza magic, wild challenges, and maybe even a little romance? Or will her dream be squashed like an overripe tomato. Perfect for fans of Unfamiliar and The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich, join Roxy and George for a hilarious and heartwarming adventure cooked up by Sarah Graley (Glitch, Donut the Destroyer) and Stef Purenins (Our Super Adventure), in the delicious world of PIZZA WITCH.
The Book:
It’s kind of a no-brainer when you think about it; a middle-grade reader graphic novel about a young protagonist that centers around magic and PIZZA?!? How has no one thought of this before??
Pizza Witch follows a long with in training named Roxy who is stuck between parents who want her to work in their restaurant, an exploitative box who she hopes will give her the ingredient she needs to succeed, and a an all-knowing cat companion. Somehow, the book manages to blend together real-world emotions and life experiences with mysticism and magic AND pizza-related puns and humor, and it does so with aplomb.
The writing by Sarah Graley is sharp and funny, and the artwork by Stef Purenins is clean and lively, and the result is a fast-paced book that will completely win you over. This is another one of those books that is aimed at younger readers than me, but I found myself enjoying immensely.
For the Video Game Fan:
The Last of Us: Season Two Steelbook (4K Ultra HD)
The Official Synopsis:
Five years after their dangerous journey across the post-pandemic United States, Ellie and Joel have settled down in Jackson, Wyoming. Living amongst a thriving community of survivors has allowed them peace and stability, despite the constant threat of the infected and other, more desperate survivors. When a violent event disrupts that peace, Ellie embarks on a relentless journey to carry out justice and find closure. As she hunts those responsible one by one, she is confronted with the devastating physical and emotional repercussions of her actions.
The Movie:
It’s hard to discuss The Last of Us: The Complete Second Season without delving into spoilers, but I’m going to give it my best shot. Let me start with this: I absolutely LOVED Season Two. I might even have liked it better than Season One, which surprised me. If I have one complaint, it’s that we only got seven episodes instead of nine like the first season, and I wanted more!
Season Two picks up five years after the events of Season One. Joel and Ellie are living safe and sound in Colorado, but they’re estranged. It’s that estrangement that drives the emotional core of the season even if the action moves outside the confines of Jackson after the second episode. (By the way, the second episode is one of the most incredible episodes of television I’ve seen in a long time. Truly amazing stuff.)
This season balances out the action and the plot and the characters and the drama and the horror perfectly, and I was incredibly impressed by it. I love Isabela Merced, and her addition to the cast as Dina, Ellie’s best friend, is a real value-add to the show. As usual, there’s no shortage of new characters — some of whom come and some of whom go — but this season feels like a perfect continuation of last season. I can’t wait for Season Three!
Arcane: League of Legends – Season Two Steelbook (4K Ultra HD)
Official Synopsis:
The award-winning series based on the League of Legends universe reaches its epic conclusion. Following Jinx’s devastating attack on the Council, the conflict between utopian Piltover and underground Zaun escalates to all-out war. As both sides grapple with the new threat of the brutal empire of Noxus, further experimentation with the powerful yet volatile Hextech may spell disaster for them all.
The Movie:
I’m not a video gamer, but I like video games. As such, while I don’t play them regularly, I’m at least a little dialed in to what’s hot and what’s not in the video game realm. League of Legends is a MOBA (multiplayer online battle arena) game that takes the battle arena genre and created a world that had some characters and story elements, but focused mostly on the battle aspects of the game. Back in 2021, however, Netflix produced an animated series based on the game called Arcane: League of Legends. It was a big enough hit that a second season was quickly dialed up… but it took four years to hit screens. I can’t speak to how interested people were after such a long break, but now that the show has concluded, GKids has brought the second season to shelves in a gorgeous 4K Ultra HD Steelbook release (which also includes the show on Blu-ray) as well as a separate Blu-ray only release.
The premise of the animated show sets it on a fictional world in the cities of Piltover – where the rich folks live – and the city of Zaun – the dark, undercity where the real people live. The main characters are sisters Vi and Jinx, and they get caught up in a fight between the societies over some pretty big differences in what the way of like should like for the people of the world. I don’t know how much the show really has to do with the game as I’ve never played it, but it is a pretty cool show overall. The animation is highly stylized, and the show doesn’t skimp on the action, all while developing the characters in a way that allows you to really care what happens to them. The voice cast also sees a lot of great talent and big names, including Hailee Steinfeld, Ella Purnell, Robin Atkin-Downes, Toks Olagundoye, and Harry Lloyd.
The 4K Ultra HD comes wrapped in a very sharp Steelbook case, making it a nice collectible for fans of the game or the show, while the Blu-ray comes in a standard Amaray case with a slipcover.
For the Anime/Manga Fan:
Evangelion 1.11 and 2.22 (Blu-ray)
Official Synopsis:
1.11 –
Scarred by the Second Impact, the Fourth Angel attacks Tokyo III and humanity’s fate is left in Special Government Agency NERV’s hands. Young Shinji Ikari is forced to pilot EVA-01. He and EVA-00 pilot Rei Ayanami are tasked to fight, but EVA-01 is damaged by the Sixth Angel. Misato Katsuragi draws up a plan to focus all of Japan’s electricity into EVA-01’s positron cannon to defeat the Angel.
2.22 –
Mari Illustrious-Makinami pilots Provisional Unit-05 to defeat the excavated Third Angel. Asuka Langley-Shikinami and EVA-02 defeat the Seventh Angel. The Eighth Angel appears and attacks NERV HQ. EVA-03 is taken over by the Ninth Angel during testing and Shinji deploys to stop it, but learns Asuka is aboard. Gendoh switches EVA-01’s controls over to the Dummy System and begins fighting EVA-03…
The Movies:
One of the most popular and influential anime series of all time has a new release out this week and I am going to do my best to explain it. Honestly, the history of Neon Genesis Evangelion is super confusing, so bear with me. The original Evangelion anime in the ‘90s is considered seminal and groundbreaking anime. Evangelion 1.11 and 2.22 are essentially what are called “rebuilds,” or reimagined, upgraded movie versions of the original anime’s stories. The show gained acclaim and fan fervor through its blend of hardcore sci-fi action (Attacking creatures! Mech suits! Human pilots!) while still having a human story that remains front and center and lets you get involved in the characters. All of that seems to still be present in these rebuilds, even if I have to confess to not being 100% sure of what was happening at all times because I’m not an Evangelion evangelical. (See what I did there?)
If you are a fan of Evangelion, you’ll be happy to know that both of these new Blu-ray releases look and sound terrific, and offer up lots of the anime action and emotional impact as previous Evangelion releases that I’ve seen. They also come packaged in some (literally) sparkly new packaging to boot. It’s hard for me to truly dissect these films as I’m not super versed in this world, but I think fans of the franchise will really dig what they get here. Note: These are two separate releases, not one combined set: Evangelion: 1.11 You Are (Not) Alone and Evangelion 2.22: You Can (Not) Advance.
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time Steelbook (Blu-ray)
Official Synopsis:
Makoto is nearly hit by a train when, at the last second, she finds herself jumping backwards in time. She makes use of her newfound ability by re-doing every minor inconvenience in her life. But when faced with the consequences of tampering with time, Makoto must avoid a dire future that can’t be reversed. A beloved early film from Academy Award nominee Mamoru Hosoda.
The Movie:
While I remain a casual anime fan at best, one of the few anime directors who really stands out for me is Mamoru Hosoda. Hosoda got his start in the studio system, directing two Digimon films and a One Piece movie, which – while both popular franchises – apparently did not scratch his creative itch. He left the big studios to form his own animation studio, producing some memorable anime original films that I’ve enjoyed, including Summer Wars, Wolf Children, and especially 2019’s musically cosmic (or cosmically musical) Belle.
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time is one of Hosoda’s earlier films from before he set out on his own. It’s a slice-of-life movie about a teenage girl navigating high school and newfound crushes… with one twist. She discovers she has the power to jump back in time a short amount. Meaning she can re-do mistakes, accidents, failed tests… or awkward moments with boys who she might become romantically entangled with. It’s not a plot-heavy film, nor does it come close to the visual fireworks he would pull off in a film like Belle. What it is, though, is sweet and charming, with just enough time travel in it to expand its audience beyond the teenage girls it was presumably made for. I found it quite enjoyable, personally, and I am neither a teenager nor a girl.
The Girl Who Leapt Through time gets a nice Steelbook release courtesy of Gkids, and I would suggest anime fans give it a watch.
Spider-Man: Shadow Warrior (Graphic Novel)
Official Synopsis:
A cool new manga format for Spider-Man, one of the most iconic characters of all time! A reimagined Peter Parker, Miles Morales, and Gwen Stacy travel to feudal Japan to take on the Kingpin in this original manga from Japanese writer/illustrator Shogo Aoki!
Travel to a parallel universe where the shogunate still rules Japan and the evil Kingpin, Wilson Fisk has fled America to establish himself as Governor of Edo. Spider-Man, Miles Morales, and Ghost-Spider are hot on his trail. But the Kingpin has a trick up his sleeve: He’s brought an alien parasite capable of granting extraordinary powers. When a young man named Hyo accidentally bonds with the symbiote and seemingly transforms into the infamous Venom, things go from bad to worse! This new book is perfect for manga and super-hero fans alike!
The Book:
Spider-Man: Shadow Warrior is a brand new graphic novel in the popular manga format, by a manga artist (as opposed to an American artist trying to emulate the manga style.) There’s no shortage of interpretations of Spider-Man on screen, in video games, and in comics, and while this isn’t the very first manga version of Spidey, it’s the first in several years. It’s presented in the traditional manga digest size, and while it’s printed in English, it is read in the traditional right-to-left manga formant.
The story takes place outside of the traditional Spider-Man universe. In this reality, Wilson Fisk – AKA The Kingpin of Crime – has fled the USA and set himself up as the governor of Edo, Japan. When a teenager named Hyo in search of his missing dad stumbles across a symbiote in Fisk’s possession, he becomes a new version of Venom. Determined to get his dad back and defeat the Kingpin, Hyo teams up with Peter Parker, Miles Morales and Gwen Stacy to save the day.
Spider-Man: Shadow Warrior is written and drawn by Shogo Aoki, who handles the story beautifully. This book is not created to appeal to traditional Spidey fans; it’s written and drawn to appeal to manga readers who might also happen to be Spider-Man fans. Aoki’s art is right in the sweet spot for a story like this; it’s not overly smooth and polished and cartoony like a Pokemon comic book, but it’s not completely ragged and scratchy like some of the more edgy manga. Instead, it’s right in between, with a strong focus on storytelling but an art style that’s sketchy enough to feel unconstrained. It’s really well done.
Spider-Man: Shadow Warrior is a great read for manga fans and a good read for Spider-Man fans. If you overlap between the two of those, you should find this book to be a really enjoyable read.
For the Slightly Offbeat Person in Your Life:
Robot Chicken: The Complete Series (DVD)
Official Synopsis:
Celebrating 20 years of the rapid-fire “channel flips” that propelled viewers through Robot Chicken’s twisted takes on pop culture. The quarter-hour show brings action figures and toys to life in three-dimensional worlds through the old-school magic of “stop-motion” animation.
The Show:
Robot Chicken does what it does like nobody else. I mean, sure, nobody else is really using stop-motion of action figures to make parody cartoons, but even if they were, I doubt anyone would ever do it as well as the Robot Chicken folks did.
For eleven seasons, Robot Chicken turned their toy cameras towards pop culture, taking on everything from Star Wars to The Walking Dead to Star Trek to Marvel and DC Comics and everything in between. The humor was always spot on, a mix of clever send-ups of popular moments from popular properties and characters, as well as just some base lowest common denominator humor that always managed to be quite funny. I’ve watched every season of the show, plus all the Star Wars and Walking Dead and various other specials, and I find it to be one of the funniest things around.
Now we get — for the first time ever — the entirety of Robot Chicken collected into one Complete Series set. As far as I can tell, this is literally every single minute of Robot Chicken content collected in one chunky box set. Sadly, it’s only available on DVD and not Blu-ray, which is a huge oversight in my opinion, but it’s still an incredible box set from start to finish. Robot Chicken’s brand of twisted humor is right up my alley, so I can’t recommend it highly enough.
Tenacious D: The Complete Masterworks Vol. 3 (Blu-ray)
Official Synopsis:
The Greatest Band in the World, Tenacious D, proudly announces the release of the latest installment of their Complete Masterworks series, aptly named The Complete Masterworks Vol. 3. This chapter showcases the band’s O2 Arena concert in London from their 2023 Spicy Meatball Tour. This epic collector’s edition features a live set of their classic hits from the O2 Arena show, plus their animated film Post Apocalypto, music videos, a mini-poster, and more.
Tenacious D’s The Complete Masterworks Vol. 3 captures the band at the height of their powers during their sold-out, headline show at London’s O2 Arena on June 16, 2023. Their set, a raucous romp of rock and comedy, features their classic hits, including “Tribute,” “The Metal,” “Master Exploder,” “Beelzeboss (The Final Showdown),” “Kickapoo” and more.
In addition, Complete Masterworks Vol. 3 includes the band’s animated film, Post Apocalypto, with music from The D and illustrations by Jack Black.
The package features music videos, including the smash hit cover from Kung Fu Panda 4, “…Baby One More Time” and Chris Isaak’s “Wicked Game,” The D’s play Studios animated hit “Video Games,” their Fiber d’Lish commercial, and their charity covers series including “Tenacious D’s The Who Medley,” The Beatles’ “You Never Give Me Your Money / The End,” and “Time Warp,” from the cult classic The Rocky Horror Show.
The Movie:
I’m not sure what the current status of Tenacious D is; I thought they had broken up last year and that may or may not be the case, but whatever their status, I will still remain a fan of one of the greatest comedy rock duos of all time.
At this point, I feel like you’re either a Tenacious D fan already or you’re not. While Jack Black and Kyle Gass’s cinematic output as The D is questionable (The Pick of Destiny is pretty awful), their music is absolutely infectious. Combining tasty rock jams with funny lyrics and subject matters you don’t usually run across, a good Tenacious D album is a GREAT Tenacious D album, if you know what I mean.
This two-disc Blu-ray set gives you a full concert appearance from 2023, where they amazingly played London’s O2 Arena. That concert, which mixes up their greatest hits plus a few nice deep cuts, is the guts of the first disc. The second disc offers up some outstanding additional musical material, including videos for some amazing cover songs (The Beatles!) plus an animated film. It’s a treasure trove for Tenacious D fans, which I definitely am, and it also marks the first time a Complete Masterworks volume has been released on Blu-ray, yay!
The Book of Shame: An Extra Fabulous Collection (Book)
Official Synopsis:
The Book of Shame: An “Extra Fabulous” Collection collects over 190 of the best of Zach M. Stafford’s irreverent, humor webcomic series, Extra Fabulous! Embrace your dark, shameful nature with 192 pages of the best (and worst) Extra Fabulous comics of all time, including print exclusive never-before-seen comics. Warning: This book contains references to many bodily fluids, so it’s best to lay down a tarp before reading. Webcomics master Zach M. Stafford presents his most shameful work of all-time in THE BOOK OF SHAME: AN “EXTRA FABULOUS” COLLECTION, the sopping wet follow-up to his graphic novel debut!
The Book:
Okay, I can’t print any of them here, but I can 100% guarantee you that you’ve seen Zach Stafford’s Extra Fabulous comic strips before. Unless you’ve never been on social media in your life, you have stumbled across (probably several of) his strips before. They are short, extremely funny, very off-color strips that don’t shy away from being, well, just plain wrong… but wrong in the best possible way.
This newest collection collects almost 200 pages of Stafford’s best and most popular strips, making this book a must have for fans. It comes in a hardcover format that’s 6 inches by 8 inches, which kind of makes it that perfect gift-sized book, if you know what I mean. Like, it just looks right as a wrapped-up present.
I read through this in one sitting and I laughed my ass off! If you have a friend or family member with a twisted sense of humor, this book will be their favorite gift of the holiday season.
For the Midnight Movie Fan:
The Rocky Horror Picture Show Steelbook (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital)
Official Synopsis:
Fasten your garter belt and relive the time-warping, gender-bending cult classic! When a newly engaged couple’s (Barry Bostwick and Susan Sarandon) car breaks down on a rainy night, they wind up in the creepy castle of Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry). There, they have an adventure that will thrill you, chill you and fulfill you like never before!
The Movie:
It’s the 50th Anniversary of The Rocky Horror Picture Show this year, and in addition to the incredible Mick Rock hardcover behind-the-scenes book that I reviewed a few weeks ago, Sony is also celebrating the anniversary with a new 4K Ultra HD Steelbook release that is sure to have fans doing the Time Warp Dance.
Now, The Rocky Horror Picture Show is a bona fide cult classic, and fans are extremely protective of those. For me personally, I don’t really love the original film that much; I’ve seen it in a theater with a crowd of people doing the dress-up and sing-along thing, and I think that’s a lot of fun. But on the merits of being its own movie, it’s a bit of a weird little oddity, and it’s never been the kind of thing I’ve felt the need to pop in on a Friday night with the wife and kids.
So obviously I’m not the target audience here, but that doesn’t really matter. Rocky Horror has a legion of fans the world over, and I would be hard pressed to think there are any of them who wouldn’t be excited by this release. First of all, it comes in an absolutely gorgeous Steelbook case, and those have become hugely popular. Second, it comes loaded with bonus features; even though there aren’t any new ones created for this release, it’s still a comprehensive collection of extras. Third, it includes a digital copy, so you can add the movie to your digital library as well. That all adds up to a terrific release.
Mick Rock: Rocky Horror – A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Cult Classic (Book)
Official Synopsis:
Step behind the curtain of The Rocky Horror Picture Show with photographer Mick Rock in this one-of-a-kind slipcased collection of rarely seen photographs and behind-the-scenes anecdotes. Known as “the man who shot the seventies,” Mick Rock had exclusive access to the set during the original filming of the now-iconic 1975 movie—and now, in honor of its 50th anniversary, his personal archive is wide open.
This stunning volume captures the raw, behind-the-scenes magic of a film that would go on to become a cultural phenomenon. From candid moments with Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, and Richard O’Brien to intimate shots of the cast between takes, every page offers a glimpse into the bold, bizarre, and beautiful world of Rocky Horror as it was being brought to life.
Featuring a foreword by creator Richard O’Brien and hundreds of rare photographs, this stunning gift book is a visual love letter to the wild energy, fearless creativity, and sheer chaos that turned a low-budget musical into a beloved masterpiece. Alongside these vivid behind-the-scenes snapshots and anecdotes, readers also gain VIP access to interviews with members of the original cast and crew, as well as famous performers and creatives who are among the film’s most fervent fans, including Joan Jett, Billy Corgan, Courtney Love, Juliette Lewis, Jinkx Monsoon, Duff McKagan, Anna Sui, Karen O, Trixie Mattel, Peaches, Norman Reedus, Cassandra Peterson (aka Elvira, Mistress of the Dark), and many, many more.
Whether you’re a devoted fan or just discovering the Time Warp, Mick Rock’s Rocky Horror is dripping with the glam, grit, and rebellious spirit that made the movie a revolution in platform heels. Don’t just shiver with antici—pation; dive into this timeless tribute and celebrate the global phenomenon that continues to resonate with audiences, generation after generation.
The Book:
Do I love The Rocky Horror Picture Show? I do not. (I don’t hate it either, I’m just kind of neutral towards it.) But do I love Mick Rock: Rocky Horror – A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Cult Classic? I absolutely do.
If you don’t know who Mick Rock is, you might have been living under a – ahem – rock, because he was one of the preeminent pop culture photographers of the 1970s, having famously captured iconic photos of acts such as Queen, David Bowie, Waylon Jennings, Lou Reed, Iggy Pop, The Sex Pistols, Ozzy Osbourne, Blondie and so many others. It turns out he had unfettered access to the set of The Rocky Horror Picture Show during filming. Chances are good most of the photos you associate with the movie are his. But he’s also had hundreds of unseen photos sitting in his personal vault for decades, which have now – on the film’s 50th anniversary – been compiled into one amazing hardcover tome.
Now, not content to just slap a bunch of pictures into a book, publisher HarperPop has also called on generational talents to share their reflections on the film. Names like Joan Jett, Billy Corgan, Courtney Love, Juliette Lewis, Duff McKagan, Norman Reedus, and Cassandra Peterson/Elvira all share their thoughts, alongside interviews with the film’s cast and crew. So while it’s not a full-on making-of book, it is a combination of oral history and retrospective appreciation. Any fan of Rocky Horror will absolutely want this on their shelves, and even if you’re not a fan per se, it’s a fascinating look behind the scenes of a pop culture icon.
For Great Stocking Stuffers:
Bubblegum Kids Gum & Candy Products (Food)
Official Synopsis:
Bubblegum Kids, the sugar-free gum reinventing the nostalgic bubblegum flavor we all grew up loving, has quickly become the collectible of candy—a pioneering force in licensed confectionery and novelty treats. Bubblegum Kids transforms beloved characters and iconic franchises into deliciously playful products that spark joy across generations. With over 50 partnerships signed and growing, the brand now offers a wide menu of collectible and crave-worthy items available at BubblegumKids.com, Amazon, and other locations.
The Product:
So, anyone who knows me in my personal life knows that I eat candy like it’s my job. I mean, I love candy like very few people in the world do. And while it is not actually my job to eat candy, I can say that I’m beyond excited that I finally get to eat candy as a PART OF my job! Whoo hoo!
Bubblegum Kids is a really exciting company that’s making gum and candy fun again. I interviewed the CEO of the company at New York ComicCon a couple of weeks ago (interview coming soon!) and he described Bubblegum Kids as “the Funko Pop of bubblegum,” which I couldn’t agree with more. They’ve teamed up with all sorts of licensed brands so not only do you get delicious gum and candy, but it comes packaged with your favorite characters on it. There are Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and SpongeBob collabs, but there are also flavors inspired by equally loved but less merchandised characters like Popeye and The Berenstain Bears. Heck, even the ICEE polar bear gets in on the action! I love it!
Okay, but how is the gum? It’s sugar-free, so it must be awful, right? Well, that’s the best part; I’ve had the chance to sample several of the flavors, including Barry Scary Berry, Hannah’s Frozen Banana, and ICEE Cherry – as well as a SpongeBob Cake Frosting chocolate bar! – and they’re delicious! The gum doesn’t taste artificially sweetened, the flavor lasts a long time, and each pouch contains 55 chiclet-sized pieces of gum, which makes for a huge value. Honestly, I’m hooked; I love this stuff!
