The Church in the Darkness Sees the Light on Aug 2, and revealed for Nintendo Switch!

Posted on 07/23/2019 by Pop-Culture Spectrum

The cult-infiltration game, The Church in the Darkness, will launch on PC, Mac/OSX, Xbox One, PS4, and the previously unannounced Nintendo Switch on Aug 2!

Melbourne, Australia, July 23, 2019 — Fellow Traveller and Paranoid Productions are proud to announce their tale of choice and indoctrination, The Church in the Darkness, will be launching August 2, 2019, for PC, Mac/OSX, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4. They are also thrilled to reveal the game will be available on the same date on Nintendo Switch! With your infiltration of the Collective Justice Mission at hand, will you save your nephew or will he be lost to the cult forever?

Players are challenged to step into the shoes of ex-cop Vic as they infiltrate the South American compound of Freedom Town in a search of their nephew. Run by Rebecca and Isaac Walker, it’s up to the player to unearth their motivations, their plans, with the cult experience changing with every playthrough. Is the commune simply idealists looking to live in a socialist utopia, or is there something more sinister at hand?

It’s up to the player to sneak into the compound undetected, uncover the truth by finding and chatting with cult members, search cabins to unearth literature about the group, and finally locate Alex, the nephew.

The Church in the Darkness highlights the mystery surrounding cults, and how they are not always what they seem. There are multiple endings for each scenario and what ending you get will be influenced by the player’s stealthy or aggressive gameplay.

Feel the cult’s warm embrace by pre-ordering the game on Nintendo Switch or Xbox One at the 20% discount, which will then be available on all platforms for a week at launch. The discount is available for both the Standard and True Believer Special Editions; the former gets you a copy of The Church in the Darkness, while True Believers will receive the game, the Official Soundtrack and a set of special behind-the-scenes videos about the making of the game. The Standard Edition retails for $19.95 USD and the True Believer Special Edition retails for $29.95 USD.

 

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Backwoods Entertain on Gamescom and RESORT

Posted on 07/23/2019 by Pop-Culture Spectrum

P-CS unfortunately can not do the expense to go to Gamescom, but luckily will be at PLAY NYC. Those who can make it to Gamescom though should be aware of the following.  RESORT is a highly anticipated game for this site.

RESORT COMES TO GAMESCOM 2019
RESORT, the new game by Backwoods Entertainment (Unforeseen Incidents), will be shown at Gamescom 2019 for the first time ever. Backwoods will present the interactive mystery at the much-loved Indie Arena Booth in Hall 10.2.

RESORT is an interactive mystery short story about repressed trauma and buried secrets. Renowned writer Laura Tanner embarks on a surreal journey and faces an odd intersection of dreams and reality.

Their previous game Unforeseen Incidents, the award-winning story of hapless handyman Harper Pendrell, was well received all over the world. The Nintendo Switch version will be available later this year and can also be tested at the Indie Arena Booth.
LET’S MEET!
We’d like to invite you to visit us at Gamescom! If you’d like to talk to us and cast an eye at RESORT or the Nintendo Switch version of Unforeseen Incidents, please just answer this email or mail us at contact@backwoods-entertainment.com to make an appointment.

We are at the Indie Arena Booth in Hall 10.2 (every day) or in the business area at the MedienDigitalLand NRW Booth (only Wednesday, Aug 21st; Hall 4.1, B-031/C-040).
ABOUT RESORT
A comet is on course to obliterate the small town of Laburnum Creek. Renowned writer Laura Tanner visits the former health resort to interview several inhabitants who are refusing to leave. But there’s something rotten at the heart of this picturesque town. Curious characters and surreal encounters await Laura in an enigmatic journey between dreams and reality. Will Laburnum Creek cast its spell over her too? Or will she jeopardize everything to uncover the truth?

RESORT is an interactive mystery short story about repressed trauma and buried secrets. As players guide the protagonist through an intriguing tale of personal discovery, their choices will literally transform Laura’s world.

FEATURES:

  • Experience a surreal tale of mystery where dreams and reality intersect
  • Explore an interactive story about repressed trauma and buried secrets
  • Guide the protagonist’s choices and re-shape her perception of the world
  • Enjoy a puzzle-free experience in a beautiful, stylized low-poly 3D environment
  • Meet compelling and quirky characters, fully voiced by talented actors

Presskit: http://presskit.backwoods-entertainment.com
ABOUT US
Backwoods Entertainment is an award-winning indie game studio from Germany. We set out to make original and fun story-driven games. In 2018 we released our debut title Unforeseen Incidents, which was well received all over the world. We’re currently working on two new games: Pen & Paper Stories: Morriton Manor (in collaboration with Rocket Beans TV) and the interactive mystery Resort.
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Lore Creator Aaron Mahnke Delivers New Chills with Wellington Comic Book Series

Posted on 07/23/2019 by Pop-Culture Spectrum
IDW Publishing Welcomes Delilah S. Dawson and Piotr Kowalski to Bring Mahnke’s Monster-Hunting Adventurer to Life

SAN DIEGO, CA (July 19, 2019) – From the mind of Aaron Mahnke, creator of the award-winning Lorepodcast, comes Wellington, a five-issue comic book series delving even deeper into Lore’s dark side of history!

Written by New York Times bestselling author Delilah S. Dawson (Star Wars) with Aaron Mahnke, featuring artwork by Piotr Kowalski(The Dark Tower) and colors by Brad Simpson(The Witcher), this fear-fraught tale – debuting December 2019 – introduces the creature-hunting Duke of Wellington, investigator of the most thrilling mysteries and monsters found on the smash hit podcast!

“History and folklore are deep wells, and they are honestly a fiction writer’s dream come true,” says Mahnke. “With an amazing cast of characters just waiting to be called upon, and centuries of belief in the supernatural setting the stage, I’m excited to share these powerful stories in a brand-new way!”

“As a huge fan of the pop culture phenomenon that is Lore, I jumped at the chance to work with Aaron Mahnke and the Wellington team to merge history with dark supernatural adventures,” says Dawson. “Add in the atmospheric art by Piotr and Brad, and you’re going to see the spirit of Lore resurrected in an entirely new way. This is a book you’re going to want!”

“The most interesting characters in comics are those who battle with their own demons whilst trying to fix the world however they can,” says Kowalski. “The Duke of Wellington certainly has all the qualities of a perfect horror tale hero. He is driven, experienced, and tormented by nightmares. He is a hunter, avenger, and tireless seeker of the ultimate truth. And, ultimately, the strength of this character guarantees a captivating and entertaining comic book.”

“Aaron Mahnke’s Lore is one of my favorite podcasts and I’m beyond thrilled to be working with him and the amazing team of Delilah Dawson, Piotr Kowalski, and Brad Simpson to add a new twist to some of the stories from the show,” says editor Chase Marotz. “Expect mystery, mayhem, and an awesome monster or two!”

For information on how to secure copies of Wellington, please contact your local comic shop or visit www.comicshoplocator.com to find a store near you.

Creator Bio:

Aaron Mahnke is the creator, producer, and host of the hit podcast Lore (Best of iTunes 2015 & 2016), Executive Producer of the Lore television show on Amazon (from the producers of The Walking Dead), and author of The World of Lore book series (Penguin Random House / Del Rey). Born and raised in Illinois, Aaron now lives with his wife and children on the historic North Shore of Boston, where he writes and records full-time for Lore and his other podcasts, Cabinet of Curiosities and Unobscured.

Delilah S. Dawson is the award-winning author of the New York Times bestselling Star Wars: Phasma. Her books include the Blud series, the Hit series, Servants of the Storm, and the Shadow series, written as Lila Bowen. With Kevin Hearne, she co-writes the Tales of Pell. Her creator-owned comics include Star Pig, Sparrowhawk, and Ladycastle, and she’s written comics in the worlds of Marvel Action: Spider-Man, The X-Files, Adventure Time, Labyrinth, Rick and Morty, Star Wars Adventures, and Star Wars: Forces of Destiny. Her upcoming projects are The Skywalker Saga and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge – Black Spire, written in conjunction with the Disney theme parks. www.whimsydark.com.

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DARK WITCHCRAFT & SUSPENSE COLLIDE IN NEW COMIC BOOK MAXISERIES NOMEN OMEN

Posted on 07/23/2019 by Pop-Culture Spectrum

delayed press release release
PORTLAND, Ore. 07/17/2019 — Writer and RPG creator Marco B. Bucci (Magna Veritas, Memento Mori) and artist Jacopo Camagni (X-Men Blue, Deadpool The Duck) introduce readers to—Nomen Omen—a tale filled with witchcraft and secrets that will rewire the rules of urban fantasy. The 15-issue maxiseries will launch from Image Comics this October and feature alternative covers by Olivier Coipel and Becky Cloonan.

In Nomen Omen, no matter how fast you run, sooner or later your past will catch up with you. Enter Becky Kumar, a geeky twenty-year-old from New York City who is about to cross the veil between our reality and a realm of otherworldly truths.

“This is not a comic-book, this is a ritual,” said Bucci. “It’s a story no one can protect you from. But don’t be scared: there’s power in names and by reading our book you’ll get a glimpse of how it works.”

Camagni added: “Witchcraft, loss, and inclusiveness: these are the three cornerstones of our story. Magic belongs to all of us, even to those who reject it.”

Nomen Omen #1 Cover A by Camagni, Cover B by Coipel, Cover C by Cloonan, and Cover D (blank) will hit stores on Wednesday, October 2.
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Pop-Culture Spectrum’s Beyond The Streets Vlog

Posted on 07/19/2019 by Pop-Culture Spectrum

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SCOTT SNYDER, CHARLES SOULE & GIUSEPPE CAMUNCOLI UNVEIL NEW ONGOING IMAGE COMICS SERIES—UNDISCOVERED COUNTRY—TODAY AT SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON

Posted on 07/19/2019 by Pop-Culture Spectrum
PORTLAND, Ore. 07/19/2019 — Image Comics is pleased to announce that New York Times bestselling writers Scott Snyder (Wytches, AD: After Death) and Charles Soule (Curse Words, The Oracle Year, the forthcoming novel Anyone) will team up with artist Giuseppe Camuncoli (The Amazing Spider-Man, Darth Vader, Hellblazer) for a new comic book series titled Undiscovered Country. The full color, ongoing science fiction/adventure will explore the eerie ripple effects of isolation and is set to launch from Image Comics this November 2019.

The co-writers, Snyder and Soule, took to the stage this afternoon at the Diamond Comic Distributors Retailer Luncheon to tell top tier comic shop retailers about the highly anticipated new project and shared an exclusive San Diego Comic-Con black and white ashcan edition of the Undiscovered Country #1 issue.

“As soon as Charles and I came up with this idea I knew it was special—one of those ideas that turns into big, wild, world-building story. And this series is just that: a twist-filled trek across a landscape that’s alien, mysterious, and full of adventure,” said Snyder. “It’s like Land of the Lost meets Lewis and Clark, with a team of characters we’ve already come to love as family. Speaking of teams, I’m honored and thrilled to be working with this group of creative folks. Cammo not only brings the world of Undiscovered Country to life but elevates every element—whether we’re talking the giant terrestrial fish monsters of the coast or lurking techno-zombies of the northwest… Bottom line, Undiscovered Country is a blast to work on and we’re convinced it’ll be a blast to read. Can’t wait for you guys to see it in full!”

Soule added: “I can’t believe this is my job. Working with Scott, Cammo and the rest of the team—all stars every one—is a dream on a creative level. We’ve got ourselves a hell of a high concept here, and fleshing it out together—filling our sealed-off US with beautiful, insane adventures—has been one of the great thrills of my career. It’s been wonderful to make Undiscovered Country with my friends, and I think it’ll be just as fun to read.”

In Undiscovered Country, readers will journey into an unknown region that was once the United States of America—a land that’s become shrouded in mystery and literally walled-off from the rest of the world for decades. A small expedition enters the former US in search of a cure to a humanity-ending pandemic. They travel inward and learn the secrets of what America has become; each member seeking their own form of truth in the undiscovered country.

Camuncoli said: “When two of your favorite writers, whom you’ve previously and brilliantly already worked with, ask you to team up for a new book, you get what I call a ‘no brainer’. It took me a second to say yes, I didn’t even really need to know what the story was about because I already knew it couldn’t have been less than stellar. And of course it is stellar, and then some.

“From the concept to the cast, to the world-building—everything in this book is terrific, and so is the team we have assembled to make it happen. So, enter my Darth Vader partner in crime Daniele Orlandini, the maestro of nuances Matt Wilson and the super letterer Crank! and then you end up feeling like playing in a superband, like Temple Of The Dog, or Them Crooked Vultures. These guys really make me feel like it’s easy to tell a story that is larger than life, and if it’s like that it’s also because, guiding us all from above, editor supreme Will Dennis never misses! Will hired me for my first Hellblazer story, back in 2001, and it feels fantastic to have him on my side again after all these years.

“So, long story short, we’re all giving Undiscovered Country our all, and we hope it’ll show. Please check it out and let us know how you like it, because we sure as hell do, and there’s nothing better than doing the comics that you like!”
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DEADPOOL WRITER GERRY DUGGAN TEAMS WITH HITMAN CO-CREATOR & ARTIST JOHN MCCREA FOR VIGILANTE SERIES DEAD EYES

Posted on 07/19/2019 by Pop-Culture Spectrum

You can’t keep a good comic down
PORTLAND, Ore. 07/19/2019 — Artist John McCrea (Mythic, Hitman) and writer Gerry Duggan (Analog, Deadpool) team up to bring readers action, comedy, and drama in the forthcoming series Dead Eyes. This ongoing series will launch from Image Comics with an oversized first issue this October.

“We’re very happy to introduce you to the violent, funny, and sad world without justice in Dead Eyes,” said Duggan. “A former stick-up man must return to his life of crime when the pressures of living in a Kleptocracy push him to the breaking point. This is McCrea & Spicer’s very best work and we’re thrilled to punch Dead Eyes into your face beginning this October.”

McCrea said only: “I’m too busy drawing ball-busting sh*t to give you a goddamn quote.”

Set in the 1990s, “Dead Eyes” was a prolific stick-up man and hoodlum in Boston until he took down one last big score and disappeared. Nobody ever discovered the truth. He retired to be with the love of his life, but now he’s back in the mask to save her. No one—not his wife, the mafia, or the cops—is happy that he’s out of retirement.

Dead Eyes hits comic shops on Wednesday, October 2.
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IDW Publishing Proudly Welcomes Sunday Press Books Into its Publishing Family

Posted on 07/19/2019 by Pop-Culture Spectrum

The Leaders of Classic American Comic Strip Publication
Combine Forces

SAN DIEGO, CA (July 19, 2019) – Leading comic book and graphic novel publisher IDW Publishing announces today the inclusion of Sunday Press Books into its publishing family.

Sunday Press Books is a specialty publishing house best known for its restoration of classic American comic strips, reprinted as gorgeous hardcover editions in the original size and colors. The brainchild of Peter Maresca, Sunday Press has rekindled our collective fascination with such beloved features as Little Nemo in Slumberland, Krazy Kat, Thimble Theatre, and more. These collections have received dozens of salutations and awards, including a stream of seventeen Will Eisner Comic Industry Award nominations for thirteen years running.

The partnership between IDW and Sunday Press will preserve Maresca’s independence and keen eye for curating American comic strips, both famous and forgotten, while bolstering the reach of distribution and marketing for its output. Acclaimed out-of-print collections will see new printings, and IDW will launch a digital publishing program, bringing these classics to a new generation of comics aficionados.

Peter Maresca says, “Since I accidentally became a publisher in 2005, my goal has been to do what no one was willing to do at the time: accurately recreate the experience of reading newspaper comics that were destined to disappear. But the business end has been daunting. Partnering with IDW allows me to take advantage of their experience and infrastructure to reach a broader audience while concentrating on the production of new editions.”

“The amazing restoration work and resultant books that Pete Maresca produces through Sunday Press is very much in sync with our own efforts to produce archival-quality reprints of the comics and newspaper strips that built the foundation of our entire industry,” says Chris Ryall, IDW’s President & Publisher/Chief Creative Officer. “We’re all ecstatic to be able to provide the support and publishing acumen to help his gorgeous books reach an even wider audience.”

Scott Dunbier, IDW’s Director of Special Projects and a peer in the world of archival restorations, says, “As someone who has been known to do big, unwieldy books from time to time, I can say without reservation that I am a long-time fan of what Pete Maresca does at Sunday Press Books. Having him team with IDW is a comic strip collector’s dream come true, and I can’t wait to see what’s next!”

IDW Publishing’s first Sunday Press publication, Little Joe (the uncredited work from Little Orphan Annie creator, Harold Gray), will debut in late 2019. Fans are encouraged to follow IDW Publishing website and social media for the latest updates on Sunday Press’ current and future releases.

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Penguin Books at SDCC

Posted on 07/17/2019 by Pop-Culture Spectrum

GIVEAWAYS 

Yup, that’s right, time for some GIVEAWAYS! Here are a few of the ones you’ll want to keep your eyes peeled for if you’re going to SDCC!

Thursday, July 18th – 1:00pm

GAME & GIVEAWAY: Magics vs. Dragons!

Location: Penguin Young Readers Booth #1515-G

Come pick magic or dragons to receive a galley of A River of Royal Blood or Fireborne!

Saturday, July 19 – 11:00am

REC-A-READS RECOMMENDATION STATION

Location: Penguin Young Readers Booth #1515-G

Love to watch Rec-a-Reads on Penguin Teen’s Instagram story every Friday? Now we’re LIVE! Tell us what you like to read and we’ll recommend AND give you your next read for free!

All day!

COMIC CON EXCLUSIVE OFFER: The Beautiful Pre-order Station!

Pre-order your copy of The Beautiful at the station and get a free enamel pin!

Want to see ALL the giveaways and activities for SDCC? Check out the schedule here!

AUTHOR EVENTS

Signings? Games? A SIGNING CARD GAME?

Whether you’re getting Warcross signed by Marie Lu or winning a game of War against author Tochi Onyebuchi to win an arc of his new book War Girls, we want to make sure you’re in the know about what’s happening!

Check out the full schedule of author and giveaway events HERE!

Can’t make it to SDCC? Make sure you’re following along with Penguin Teen on Instagram and Twitter!

We can’t wait to see you there!
Goodreads Giveaways
Even if you aren’t coming to SDCC, you can still win books at home! Make sure to enter our Goodreads Giveaways for the chance to win these hot titles!


Steel Tide by Natalie C. Parker

We are LOVING Seafire’s cover glow up and even MORE excited for book 2 after that intense cliff hanger! Caledonia may have lost her crew, but she’s not done fighting yet. This is the second book in a heart-stopping trilogy that follows the captain of an all-female ship intent on taking down a vicious warlord’s powerful fleet.

Fireborne by Rosaria Munda

Dragons? Sign us up. Annie and Lee were just children when a brutal revolution changed their world, giving everyone—even the lowborn—a chance to test into the governing class of dragonriders. With war on the horizon and his relationship with Annie changing fast, Lee must choose to kill the only family he has left or to betray everything he’s come to believe in. And Annie must decide whether to protect the boy she loves . . . or step up to be the champion her city needs.
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Summer Catchers launches today on Steam!

Posted on 07/16/2019 by Pop-Culture Spectrum

Rising like the sun on a warm July morning, Summer Catchers is available now on Steam.

Welcome to Summer Catchers! Today marks the first day of your epic road trip as Chu, a young girl from northern lands who has never seen summer. She dreams of the oceans, mountains and the wondrous world to discover. With her trusty wooden car, you must travel to distant lands full of mystery and complete your quest of finally seeing summer.

But before we head out, let’s make sure we have everything we need!

First things first, we need to take a look at where we are going. There are lots of sights to see along the way so you better check out this new launch trailer to make sure you don’t miss anything!

Next we need to stock up on supplies. Each level in Summer Catchers is “endless” in a sense, where you traverse the terrain using various tools for your car like battering rams, speed boosters, and more to go as long as you can. If you crash, you can repair your car and try again until you complete all the goals for that mission. During these wild rides you will not only be tasked with various missions but might have random encounters with strange creatures who can both aid or hinder your quest. Spend the mushrooms you collect in the various shops to stockpile your car add ons because each item is a one time use only.

Of course any road trip is better with a friend and in Summer Catchers you can team up with a friend in the local co-op mode. It can be activated at anytime as your friend can take control of Chu’s little brother, Lil Bro, and his trusty side car. In the main gameplay mode each player must take turns using tools and while Chu is working on her car, Lil Bro is free to explore the world. Lil Bro can interact with NPCs and the environment in a way Chu cannot in order to find secrets, uncover stashes of mushrooms, as well as find the secret chewing gum in each stage and unleash its hidden power.

Finally the rule of any road trip is put together an epic soundtrack for your journey. Summer Catchers is no exception with its thumping OST from Geek Pilot Soundworks. Available to purchase on Steam or to stream on your platform of choice, you can bop and rock along to your favourite jams from this charming adventure.

Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/album/0fAEbEZL8IeJ6vhP43u8qC

Steam – https://store.steampowered.com/app/1052960/Summer_Catchers_Original_Soundtrack/

Available on PC and Mac for $12.99 with a launch discount of 15% off for the first week, Summer Catchers is available now!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/908050/Summer_Catchers/

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