Your First Look at WILLOW #1 From BOOM! Studios  

Posted on 06/25/2020 by Pop-Culture Spectrum

Uncover the Hidden Secrets of the Sunnydale Witch in this Brand New Buffyverse Series in July 2020
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LOS ANGELES, CA (June 25, 2020) – BOOM! Studios, in collaboration with 20th Century Studios, is proud to reveal a first look at BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER: WILLOW #1, The premiere issue of a brand new five-issue  limited series, from award-winning writer Mariko Tamaki (Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me, Harley Quinn: Breaking Glass), acclaimed artist Natacha Bustos (Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur), colorist Eleonora Bruni, and letterer Jodi Wyne, that brings Willow face to face with the truth of her past…and plants the seeds for a future no one could’ve predicted.

After everything—and everyone—she lost to the Hellmouth, Willow is leaving Sunnydale on a world-spanning road trip in search of her true self. She stumbles on a community of people like her: lost witches looking for answers…but there’s a darkness at the heart of it, one that reminds Willow of something she’s felt before, something that she fears inside herself.

Now, truly alone for the first time in her life, Willow must rely only on her instincts—and her magic—to save herself from a threat Buffy never prepared her to face…or the rest of the world will pay the price.

BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER: WILLOW #1 features main cover art by artist Jen Bartel (Blackbird), as well as variant cover art by illustrators Rosemary Valero O’Connell (Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me) and Mirka Andolfo (Unnatural).

Buffy the Vampire Slayer premiered on March 10th, 1997. The Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated series, which ran for seven seasons from 1997-2003. Chosen to battle vampires, demons and other forces of darkness, Buffy is aided by a Watcher who guides and teaches her as she surrounds herself with a circle of friends called the Scooby Gang.

BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER: WILLOW is the newest release from BOOM! Studios’ eponymous imprint, home to critically acclaimed original series, including Once & Future by Kieron Gillen and Dan Mora; Faithless by Brian Azzarello and Maria Llovet; Abbott by Saladin Ahmed and Sami Kivelä; Bury the Lede by Gaby Dunn and Claire Roe; Klaus by Grant Morrison and Dan Mora; Something is Killing the Children by James Tynion IV and Werther Dell’Edera; The Red Mother by Jeremy Haun and Danny Luckert; and the upcoming Alienated by Simon Spurrier and Chris Wildgoose and King of Nowhere by W. Maxwell Prince and Danny Luckert. The imprint also publishes popular licensed properties including Joss Whedon’s Firefly from Greg Pak and Dan McDaid; Buffy the Vampire Slayer from Jordie Bellaire and David López; Angel from Bryan Edward Hill and Gleb Melnikov, and Mighty Morphin Power Rangers from Ryan Parrott and Daniele Di Nicuolo.

Print copies of BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER: WILLOW #1 will be available for sale on July 8, 2020 exclusively at local comic book shops (use comicshoplocator.com to find the nearest one) or at the BOOM! Studios webstore. Digital copies can be purchased from content providers, including comiXology, iBooks, Google Play, and Madefire.

For continuing news on BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER and more from BOOM! Studios, stay tuned to www.boom-studios.com and follow @boomstudios on Twitter. And follow Buffy the Vampire Slayer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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Discover the True Story of Sculptor Edmonia Lewis in New Graphic Novel Series SEEN From BOOM! Studios 

Posted on 06/25/2020 by Pop-Culture Spectrum

A Groundbreaking Graphic Novel Series Sheds Light on Pivotal Historical Figures Starting in September 2020 

LOS ANGELES, CA (June 24, 2020) – BOOM! Studios today revealed a first look at SEEN: TRUE STORIES OF MARGINALIZED TRAILBLAZERS: EDMONIA LEWIS, the first in an all-new original graphic novel series debuting in September 2020 from a group of acclaimed comics creators, including Jasmine Walls, Bex Glendining, Birdie Willis, Rii Abrego, Anthony Oliveira, and Killian Ng. This brand new graphic novel series illuminates the triumphs and struggles of important historical figures who aren’t found in traditional textbooks, but deserve to be remembered for their contributions to humanity and their inarguable strength and courage in the face of impossible odds.

SEEN: TRUE STORIES OF MARGINALIZED TRAILBLAZERS will be published through the company’s award-winning BOOM! Box imprint, with each original graphic novel spotlighting a different trailblazer who changed the course of history. In this new series, you’ll find the stories of the real groundbreakers who impacted our world for the better. They’re the heroes— the inventors, the artists, the activists, and more—whose stories you won’t want to miss.

In the first graphic novel of the series, SEEN: EDMONIA LEWIS, writer Jasmine Walls and artist Bex Glendining present the true story of Edmonia Lewis, the woman who changed America during the Civil War by becoming the first sculptor of African-American and Native American heritage to earn international acclaim.

SEEN: EDMONIA LEWIS is the latest release from BOOM! Studios’ award-winning BOOM! Box imprint, home to groundbreaking original series such as Lumberjanes by Shannon Watters, Grace Ellis, Brooklyn Allen, and Noelle Stevenson; Giant Days by John Allison, Lissa Treiman, and Max Sarin; The Avant-Guards by Carly Usdin and Noah Hayes; b.b. free by Gabby Rivera and Royal Dunlap; Fence by C.S. Pacat and Johanna the Mad; and Goldie Vance by Hope Larson and Brittney Williams.

Print copies of SEEN: EDMONIA LEWIS will be available for sale on September 23, 2020 at local comic book shops (use comicshoplocator.com to find the nearest one),  September 29, 2020 at bookstores or at the BOOM! Studios webstore. Digital copies can be purchased from content providers, including comiXology, iBooks, Google Play, and Madefire. The SEEN series will continue with SEEN: RACHEL CARSON from writer Birdie Willis and artist Rii Abrego, available in December 2020. 

For continuing news on SEEN: TRUE STORIES OF MARGINALIZED TRAILBLAZERS and more from BOOM!, stay tuned to boom-studios.com and follow @boomstudios on Twitter.

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Capricia Productions Proudly Announces Danny Worsnop (Asking Alexandria) Joins the Metal Video Game “Of Bird and Cage”

Posted on 06/25/2020 by Pop-Culture Spectrum

Let’s rock

JERUSALEM, June 24th 2020 – Capricia Productions games studio is excited to announce the joining of Danny Worsnop (Asking Alexandria) to the game “Of Bird and Cage“, which is currently under development. Danny will be performing the vocal parts for the character Ari who is in a romantic relationship with the game’s protagonist Gitta, voiced by Kobra Paige from Kobra and the Lotus.

“Of Bird and Cage” is the first rock/metal album completely produced as a story-driven narrative video game, aspiring to establish a new gaming genre of interactive musicals. The project features an array of other well-known musicians like Ron ‘Bumblefoot’ Thal (ex-Guns N’ Roses) Rob van der Loo (Epica), Ruud Jolie (Within Temptation), Casey Grillo (Kamelot), Rocky Grey (ex-Evanescence) and many others.

Danny’s vocal parts have already been recorded, and Capricia’s development team believes that he has introduced a whole new level of complexity to the character, who is one of the most challenging roles within the game. “It was an absolute honor to work with Danny. He is a professional, and he understood that in this case, he was not just singing a “normal” vocal line, but voicing a complicated character, who already has his own personality and voice. We believe Danny not only captured Ari perfectly, but also added his own personality to the character and made him even more interesting“, says Arnold Nesis, Capricia’s CEO and music composer/producer.

There is still no official release date for “Of Bird and Cage”, but we can reveal that the game is coming very soon and we are planning to make it available no later than early 2021. However, gamers can already wishlist “Of Bird and Cage” on Steam. The game will also be available on Xbox, PlayStation and Switch.

Regarding his participation, Danny said “We’ve had a lot of fun making this – it’s an entirely new approach, an entirely new concept and a way to absorb the video game platform that I believe you guys are going to enjoy. There are a lot of incredible other musicians who’ve been involved in the casting, the creation, the scoring and the performance within this video game and I would just want to say thank you to all of them who’ve been involved, and thank you to everyone who has created Of Bird and Cage for having me on board.”

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WELCOME TO THE DC FANDOME!

Posted on 06/21/2020 by Pop-Culture Spectrum

A MEGA, 24-HOUR, IMMERSIVE VIRTUAL FAN EXPERIENCE
WHICH BRINGS THE UNIVERSE OF DC TO LIFE AND FEATURES
THE STARS, FILMMAKERS AND CREATORS BEHIND ITS
BIGGEST FILMS, TV SERIES, GAMES AND COMICS

Join fans from all 7 continents for the largest gathering of talent,
announcements and content reveals in the history of DC

BURBANK, CA, June 16, 2020 – Save the date and prep your cosplay!  On Saturday, August 22, starting at 10 a.m. PDT, Warner Bros. will welcome fans everywhere into the DC FanDome—a free virtual fan experience where no badge is required.

Imagine all the Super Heroes and Super-Villains you’ve ever loved finally coming together in one place to celebrate DC’s past, present and future.  Accessible for 24 hours at DCFanDome.com, the global event will immerse fans into the DC Multiverse, with new announcements from WB Games, Film and TV, and comics, as well as an unprecedented opportunity to hear from the casts and creators behind your favorite feature films and TV series, including: Aquaman, The Batman, Batwoman, Black Adam, Black Lightning, DC Super Hero Girls, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, DC’s Stargirl, Doom Patrol, The Flash, Harley Quinn, the SnyderCut of Justice League, Lucifer, Pennyworth, SHAZAM!, The Suicide Squad, Supergirl, Superman & Lois, Teen Titans GO!, Titans, Watchmen, Young Justice: Outsiders and, coming this fall to theaters worldwide, Wonder Woman 1984.

The DC FanDome is the place to hear highly anticipated announcements and the latest news, see exclusive footage, and venture into themed worlds designed to entertain everyone from movie and TV superfans to gamers and readers, to families and kids.  With special presentations to engage fans in every time zone across the globe, you’ll have the opportunity to have an experience that’s all your own.  Inside this virtual world, fans will also get access to localized events, featuring the faces and voices from countries around the world in their local language.  No matter where you live, your age or your level of fandom, there is something for you.

Ann Sarnoff, Chair and Chief Executive Officer, Warner Bros., said, “There is no fan like a DC fan.  For more than 85 years, the world has turned to DC’s inspiring heroes and stories to lift us up and entertain us, and this massive, immersive digital event will give everyone new ways to personalize their journey through the DC Universe without lines, without tickets and without boundaries.  With DC FanDome, we’re able to give fans from around the world an exciting and unparalleled way to connect with all their favorite DC characters, as well as the incredible talent who bring them to life on the page and screen.”

Exploring the DC FanDome
The epicenter of the DC FanDome is the Hall of Heroes, where you can experience special programming, panels and content reveals from a wide variety of films, TV series and games, available in several languages, including Brazilian Portuguese, Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean and Spanish.  From there, navigate deeper into the DC Multiverse, exploring five additional satellite worlds, each with its own localized content and unique activities and one world fully devoted to our younger fans:

  • DC WatchVerse: Here’s where you grab a seat, sit back and join our virtual audience and become completely engrossed in hours of must-see content from around the world.  Everything from panels and exclusive screenings to never-before-seen footage, featuring cast, creators and behind-the-scenes crew from across DC Films, TV, Home Entertainment and Games.
  • DC YouVerse: Venture into this world where the FANS are the stars to see the most amazing user-generated content, cosplay and fan art from around the world, including, perhaps, your own.
  • DC KidsVerse: Need a way to entertain your kids for hours on end?  We’ve got you covered inside a special world, which can be accessed directly at DCKidsFanDome.com. This area features a broad range of family-friendly activations for our younger fans.
  • DC InsiderVerse: This creativity-based world contains a centerpiece video featuring legendary artist and DC CCO/Publisher Jim Lee, President of DC-Based Film Production Walter Hamada, and creator of the DC TV Arrowverse, Executive Producer Greg Berlanti, welcoming fans with a 101-style introduction to the DC Multiverse.  From there, go behind the scenes with the master artisans who bring DC to life in all its forms, from comic books to games, TV, movies, theme parks, consumer products and more.
  • DC FunVerse: Take your DC FanDome experience and gather cool shareables; check out our comic book reader; DIY cool WW84 Golden Armor and Batmobile kits; plus digital giveaways and a store filled with merchandise, including some limited-edition exclusives.

Pull Up to the Blerd & Boujee House
Where my Blerds at?  The second annual celebration of Black nerd culture returns with the all-new Blerd & Boujee House at DC FanDome, bringing Blerds, LatinxGeeks and all nerds “party-with-a-purpose” vibes.  As anyone lucky enough to get into the first-ever Blerd & Boujee boat party (featuring DJ D-Nice) at San Diego Comic-Con 2019 can attest, fans will not want to miss connections and conversations designed for the culture.

Calling All Fans!
There’s nothing more important to DC than our fans, and we want to showcase you!  In partnership with Talenthouse, DC FanDome today launched a call for your best DC Fan Art & Fandom displays.  Show us your cosplay, makeup, tattoos and even your own Batcave!  Be sure to submit your best at create.DCFanDome.com for a chance to be featured inside this virtual world event, and demonstrate to people in your home country and across the globe that you are the ultimate DC Super Fan.  Selected artists on the day of our event will be voted on by the community in each of our two competitions in order to help our judges pick selected artist winners.  Selected artist winners will receive part of a cash prize pool courtesy of DC and Talenthouse.*

Be sure to check back at our official site, DCFanDome.com, frequently for additional updates on what will be happening inside the DC FanDome, including exciting new content on our new blog, the Daily Star, which kicks off with a welcoming note from Jim Lee himself.  Also, follow the social channels below for frequent updates about participating cast members, creators, writers, artists and game developers you can expect to see.

#DCFanDome
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dc/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dccomics/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/dccomics

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OOBlets!!!!!!!

Posted on 06/20/2020 by Pop-Culture Spectrum

Posted in Video Games | Comments Off on OOBlets!!!!!!!

The rare bad review: P.A.M.E.L.A (A good game but not for me)

Posted on 06/20/2020 by Pop-Culture Spectrum

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

P.A.M.E.L.A. is beautiful. Not technically mind blowing but still very lovely as you can see here and in this screen shot of a robot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unfortunately this beauty was not enough for me. The controls were very all over the place, at times clunky, at times confusing. This feeling was only based on 30 minutes of play, but there’s just way too much happening in this game to hold my interest.  Here is just an example of how much seem to have to pay attention to you if you keep playing. The controls were so all over the place and the story being told not energetic enough that I couldn’t hold patience to find out if it was easier than it looked.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There seemed to be a set up for combat later on top of the survival being suggested. I actually set the settings for pure exploration, but the controls and UI just made me so dizzy that it’d be an issue of not knowing what I could ignore.

Now you’re mileage may vary. There is definitely something here and if you have more patience than I it might be your new thing.

P.A.M.E.L.A. is available on Steam currently for $17.49 till 6/25/2020 (regularly $24.99)

 

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THE WALKING DEAD WILL RISE AGAIN IN SPECIAL NEGAN LIVES #1 STORY THIS JULY

Posted on 06/18/2020 by Pop-Culture Spectrum

The surprise one-shot from Robert Kirkman & Charlie Adlard aims at generating new excitement for comic shops recovering from the COVID-19 crisis
PORTLAND, Ore. 06/18/2020 — The New York Times bestselling, award winning creative team behind The Walking Dead phenomenon—Robert Kirkman (Fire Power, Oblivion Song) and Charlie Adlard (Vampire State Building)—returns to the beloved series for a surprise one-shot story, Negan Lives #1, which will arrive in stores this July.

This shipment arriving in July will be without financial burden to receiving retailers—with no freight cost for them to worry about. “I’ve been inspired by Steve Geppi and Diamond’s efforts to shine a light on how essential the Direct Market is to our beloved industry with their #backthecomeback campaign,” said Kirkman. “While Charlie Adlard and I had laid the series to rest, this felt like something special we could do for the store owners who made our series a success to begin with. To that end, I’m happy to report that 100% of the revenue generated from this book will go to the stores selling it. The retailer community does backbreaking work to get comics into the hands of our loving fans, we should all be doing more in these trying times to show them how appreciated they are.”

Negan Lives #1 will not be available digitally and will be available exclusively at comic book shops. Fans interested in ordering a copy can find the comics store closest to them on Local Comic Shop locator. Many comic book shops are fulfilling orders online and via curbside pickup.

Spurned by a slowly rebuilding society, Negan lives a life of desperate isolation… or does he? In the tradition of Here’s Negan, this all-new story in Negan Lives #1 gives readers a glimpse into what has happened to one The Walking Dead‘s most popular characters in the time since his last appearance in The Walking Dead #174.

As long-time readers of the post-apocalyptic survival series will recall, The Walking Dead #174 proved to be a pivotal point for Negan, as he was tracked down and confronted by a vengeful Maggie, still heartbroken and furious over the murder of her husband, Glenn, in The Walking Dead #100.

Negan Lives #1 (Diamond Code MAR208199) is a 36-page, black and white comic book, available exclusively at comic book shops on Wednesday, July 1. There are extremely rare Gold (Diamond Code MAR208201) and Silver (Diamond Code MAR208200) foil variants of Negan Lives #1 in limited quantities, inquire with your local comic shop for availability and further details.

Negan Lives #1 hits comic book shops on the same day as the Fire Power, Vol. 1: Prelude original graphic novel and the FCBD Fire Power #1 free promotional comic, both by Kirkman and co-creator/artist Chris Samnee.

 

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Happy National Dragonflyman Day!

Posted on 06/17/2020 by Pop-Culture Spectrum
Dragonflyman Day-AD 02

In honor of the first ever Dragonflyman Day, we have an exclusive video interview with Rock Sterling, the infamous Hollywood star who portrayed Dragonflyman during the hit 1960’s TV series!
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Dragonfly and Dragonflyman Volume 1 hits comic shops on 6/24 and will be available everywhere starting 7/7.
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SUMMER IN MARA – A Review

Posted on 06/16/2020 by Pop-Culture Spectrum

Farming, sheep, pigs, chickens, fishing, cooking, making tools, mining. It all seems simple, then come aliens, finance, evil empires, pirates, wars, navies and maybe saving the entire world.

Becoming Koa in Chibig’s SUMMER IN MARA is an experience of quiet and epic in the same breath. The world map is small and yet feels very big as you explore. Which is a major part of the fun, exploring and exploring to discover. The game does no hand holding. At times you might not be sure where to go next but as long as you pay attention to your available quests everything will move along at a pleasant pace of fetch quest, build, and learn.

One thing to keep in mind is the game is zen like and therefore super addicting. The art is tantalizing. The story refreshing and while at times predictable and padded to make the game even longer than it truly is, it somehow doesn’t seem completely boring.

I had waited on finishing this review in a goal to give a full picture of how excellent the experience is, unfortunately I have hit a major snag. My game suffered a major bug right at what seems would’ve been the conclusion. I am now stuck on an island without a boat and no way to fix it as the game auto saves but gives no save slots.

I also wanted to hold off criticizing one major thing hoping maybe I was wrong and the game would be helping that. Fishing is impossible. You are tasked with fishing certain sealife to complete tasks and capturing those creatures in Summer in Mara’s mechanics is impossible. I played the game with Xbox-One controller for PC, so it was not in my system. It was the game. Everything else was easy, so why would FISHING be harder? Possibly a better fishing pole was coming up after what felt like the final mission so one could “100 %” complete but what if there wasn’t?

I am contacting the developer after this post concerning my fatal bug, but to sit on my review till then would be disingenuous to the game.

I still highly recommend it even as it stands for the art, sounds, and zen like quality. Maybe you’ll get lucky and not hit a major bug as I have.

SUMMER IN MARA is available NOW on Steam and Nintendo Switch.

(A thing to make note of is that Chbig has actually been working to make this game a version they loved for awhile.  It is a continually updated version of an iOS game they made Tiny Planet.  They followed this up with Ankora and then their first console/pc game Deiland. That game used many of the same mechanics that Summer in Mara used, although Summer streamlines that game, gets rids of combat and has more refined graphics and a stronger story and art style.)

UPDATE: The Devs did help me. I completed the game. It was fun and worth it and the world was excellent.

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United Label announces a July 23rd release date for Röki

Posted on 06/13/2020 by Pop-Culture Spectrum

United Label is officially announcing the release date of the upcoming title Röki where players will be able to explore the dark contemporary fairy tale on July 23rd on PC (Steam and GOG.com) and later this year on Nintendo Switch.

WARSAW, Poland (June 13th, 2020) — The release date was revealed during the Guerilla Collective early this morning with a brand new trailer.

“It was a great feeling to finally let the players know when they could dive into the world of Röki and help Tove on her fantastical journey through these magical worlds,” said CEO Tomasz Litwiniuk. ”The team has been working for so long to craft what we believe is a new and really unique experience across the narrative games genre. Now it’s time to hand it over to the world and let everyone explore the game for themselves.”

Röki is an adventure game made by Polygon Treehouse and inspired by Scandinavian folklore – a dark, contemporary fairy tale underpinned by a touching narrative, an alluring art style, ancient puzzles, and atmospheric exploration. Join Tove on a fantastical journey to save her family; one that takes her deep into a hidden, long-forgotten world of folklore, filled with strange locations and even stranger creatures.

Röki is designed to be challenging, but not unforgiving to adventurers that might need a helping hand every now and then. A truly modern take on the adventure game genre.

Click below to add to your wishlist so you won’t miss a thing!

Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1067540/Rki/

GOG: https://www.gog.com/game/roki

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