Marvel Tsum Tsum at Disney Store

I never got the appeal of Disney's Tsum Tsum line. I'm definitely not knocking it, I just didn't get the insanely popular line of plushies. The name comes for the Japanese word tsumu, which means "to stack," and the plushies are designed to do just that; sit on top of each other. It doesn't seem terribly interesting to me. But then, I was at the Disney Store and saw a line of Marvel Tsum Tsum's. There were Black Widow, Spider-Man, Hulk, and Iron Man Tsum Tsum's of various sizes and I now want them all. Put a superhero on something and I'll probably buy it. 

There are displays with pictures of other characters such as Ant-Man, Winter Soldier, and Rocket Raccoon. I assume that these are all coming soon. I picked up a Black Widow and I can't wait for the Ant-Man and Rocket Tsum Tsum's to be released. Keep an eye out for these cute collectibles at your local Disney Store! 

Kate Leth and Bridget Underwood Party-Hop in 'Adventure Time: Masked Mayhem' Original Graphic Novel

What do you do when you’ve received invitations to every costume party in Ooo on the same night? Go to all of them, of course! BMO and Jake are dressed up and ready to party-hop in Adventure Time: Masked Mayhem, the sixth Adventure Time original graphic novel from KaBOOM!, the award-winning all-ages imprint of publisher BOOM! Studios, and Cartoon Network Enterprises, the licensing and merchandising arm of the network.

Detective BMO and his sidekick, Jake, are on the case when they discover that every party they attend has one thing in common: a prankster! Join them as they travel all across Ooo to catch the culprit while still enjoying some fun times with friends in this 160 page, full-color adventure from writer Kate Leth (Power Up; Patsy Walker, A.K.A. Hellcat) and artists Bridget Underwood (Adventure Time: Graybles Schmaybles), Drew Green (Lotus for Help!), and Vaughn Pinpin, with a backup story by Meredith McClaren (Heart in a Box, Hinges).

 

“We’re thrilled to have Kate and Bridget back for more Adventure Time stories,” said BOOM! Studios Editor-in-Chief Matt Gagnon. “These original graphic novels give us a chance to see all sorts of characters teaming up for madcap adventures throughout Ooo, and we’re excited to continue bringing them to fans.”

 

KaBOOM!'s award-winning Adventure Time comics are based on the hit Cartoon Network original series. From the mind of series creator Pendleton Ward and produced by Cartoon Network Studios, Adventure Time follows the unlikely heroes Finn and Jake, best buddies who traverse the mystical Land of Ooo and encounter its colorful inhabitants—and always find themselves in the middle of heart-pounding escapades.

 

The Adventure Time: Masked Mayhem original graphic novel (6” x 9”, 160 pages, full color) arrives in comic shops on November 11th and in bookstores November 17th with a cover by Drew Green for the price of $14.99.

4-Page Preview:

Teen Titans Go! and Hipster Ariel Funko POP! Figures Back on Store Shelves

I'm not a big fan of the Teen Titans Go! cartoon series, but I do like the character designs a lot. And if you've looked at some of my earlier posts, you know that I LOVE Funko POP! figures. When they initially released the Titans POP! figures I passed them up because...well...I don't know why, exactly. Since then, they've become a pretty hot commodity as they became more scarce. The POP! Price Guide (PPG) has their values listed between $10-$39 for the regular versions, with the Hot Topic exclusive Raven topping out at $79.00!

The price on these guys is about to drop significantly as collectors have been finding them at Toys R Us recently. It seems unclear whether these were found in a warehouse and distributed to stores or if they are being made again specifically for Toys R Us. We know that, according to Funko, any and all POP! figures are up for re-release. This is much to the chagrin of collectors that have paid a pretty penny for rare pieces like the just re-released Hipster Ariel, which is a Hot Topic exclusive. The price was hovering around $90, but dropped dramatically when they started showing up again a couple of weeks ago. 

I was able to pick up four of the five Teen Titans figures for under $30 using coupon stacking and rewards dollars at Toys R Us. With the Hipster Ariel, I coupled it with another purchase to get her at $6.25 with Hot Topic's BOGO 50% off sale. It looks like it's a good idea to hold off on dropping serious coin on a popular figure for a while. It may just make a comeback, if you're patient enough...

12 Back to the Future 2 Predictions That Came True

Because Back to the Future Day, here are Back to the Future 2 Predictions that came true via Beyond Science's YouTube channel.

'Vanguard Princess Kurumi' DLC Is Now Available On Steam

Kurumi Mirumati appeared from the wreckage of a plane crash without any memories of her past. Nonetheless, these circumstances won't stop her from living a cheerful life.

One day, Kurumi began to hear strange voices in her head. They promise to show her a world of wonders and unveil the mysteries of her past. Kurumi trusts her happy-go-lucky attitude and her reliable young friends to guide her on this fantastic adventure!

In this latest Vanguard Princess DLC, players awesome features just in time for Halloween!

•Updated version of Vanguard Princess

•Revised single player mode

•New Handicapped battle (Team) gameplay mode

•New Survival (Streak) gameplay mode

•New battle stages

•New in-game ending

•Alternate Kurumi-themed storyline

•Alternate endings for various characters

•Additional in-game music

•Play Vanguard Princess in an uncensored version

•BONUS: Kurumi DLC Game Soundtrack MP3s are included

This DLC requires the base game Vanguard Princess on Steam in order to play. 

'Lumberjanes To The Max Edition' Hardcover Collects Full First Story Arc and More

Grab your sleeping bag and prepare for adventure this November as BOOM! Studios imprint BOOM! Box takes readers back to camp in Lumberjanes To The Max Edition! Join Mal, Molly, Jo, April, and Ripley as they explore the strange things going on at Miss Qiunzella Thiskwin Penniquiqul Thistle Crumpet’s Camp for Hardcore Lady-Types and take on mysterious quests and supernatural critters in this deluxe hardcover collecting the original eight-issue story arc of the Eisner & Harvey Award-winning series created by Shannon Watters, Grace Ellis, Noelle Stevenson (The Runaways, Nimona), and Brooke Allen (A Home for Mr. Easter).

Lumberjanes To The Max Edition is the result of overwhelming love, encouragement, and enthusiasm from fellow Lumberjanes all over the world, so it’s jam-packed with extra goodies to enjoy around the campfire. Designed to look like a Lumberjanes Field Manual, this collection features a foreword by New York Times best-selling cartoonist and hardcore lady-type Raina Telgemeier (Smile, Sisters), the never-before collected Lumberjanes short from BOOM! Box 2014 Mix Tape, all of the Rad Mix Playlists, a cover gallery, sketchbook, and a behind-the-scenes, script-to-page feature!

 

“There’s no way we could ever thank readers enough for supporting and loving Lumberjanes as much as they do,” said BOOM! Studios Editor-in-Chief Matt Gagnon. “The kind words, fanart, and cosplay never stop delighting us, and we’re incredibly grateful for the awards this series has garnered. Lumberjanes To The Max Edition is something we put together for the fans who stuck with us and turned an eight-issue miniseries into an ongoing cornerstone of BOOM! Box, as well as all the new readers who are just joining us around the campfire.”

 

The Lumberjanes To The Max Edition hardcover (6.625” x 10.1875”, 272 pages, full color) arrives in comic shops on November 18th and in bookstores November 24th for the price of $39.99.

Star Wars SMS Second Edition Headphones

I have a contentious relationship with headphones. Like sunglasses, they just do not fit right for me. Earbuds fall out, and most over-the-ear headphones simply aren't comfortable. The only ones that I am comfortable with are the sport type that loop around the ears. I did get lucky and find a pair of Skullcandy headphones that fit over my ears and feel pretty good. Though they're pretty bulky, so those usually only come out on plane rides.

With that all said, I couldn't help buying the SMS Star Wars Second Edition Tie Fighter-themed headphones. The steep price tag ($179.99- Ouch!) and my relationship with headphones did not stop me from buying them. Seriously, I'm a sucker when it comes to Star Wars branded merchandise. Put C-3PO on a can of Campbell's Soup and I'll buy a fucking can because Star Wars. This is why I own Star Wars chopsticks and ice cube trays that I don't even use.

The one thing that did give me pause before purchasing them was the fact that I'm not a big fan of Beats headphones. The build on them feels to be kind of cheap in my opinion. The bigger issue I have with them are the fact that they're extremely bass-heavy. I don't think they're well-balanced if you're someone who enjoys wildly different genres of music. I grew up on hip-hop and rap, but I also love listening to musicals, movie scores, rock, country, and give me a girl with a guitar any day. SMS headphones, coming from 50 Cent, seem to lean in the same direction, according to the reviews I'd read. But like I said, Star Wars.

Unboxing the Star Wars headphones is an experience. The box is well-designed and as it keeps opening, you get more excited to get to the actual headphones. Once you get inside, you get the headphones, embossed carry case, cleaning cloth, certificate of authenticity, sticker, and 3D picture. It's definitely a nice looking package.

When you get to the headphones, they're pretty awesome. You have to fold them open until they click into place and they feel light, yet solid. They have a very cool Tie Fighter design on outside of the ear pieces and the leather ear pads were very comfortable for long time use. All in all, these are a pretty slick looking pair of headphones.

While listening to music, the headphones, with 40 mm drivers, do favor bass heavy tracks. Obvious for headphones with a rapper's name behind them. If you primarily listen to rap, hip-hop, or dance music, then these headphones are great straight out of the box. As I said before, I'm a fan of different genres, so this means fiddling with the sound on my various devices to find the right balance. I found that the mids and highs can get a bit drowned out by bass if you don't. Tracks where bass isn't the focal point will be overpowered otherwise.

Overall, these Star Wars themed headphones are well-made and look and feel great. The sound is awesome if you are into music with a ton of bass, in that respect they're pretty impressive. If you're a fan of more acoustic type music, these may not quite suit you. The other drawback would be the price tag. At $179.99 these things aren't cheap and unless you're already planning to spend big money on headphones and/or you are also a big Star Wars fan (like me), then many may be priced out. For those that are willing to drop coin, these are definitely more impressive (and fun) than Beats by light years.

3D picture, sticker, and certificate

Collapsible for easy transport

Grant Morrison Unleashes the Definitive 'Santa Claus: Year One' in Original Series 'Klaus'

He is a man with many names: Sinterklaas, Kris Kringle, Saint Nicholas. He has international fame, but only ever appears once a year to defy physics and commit the greatest act of breaking-and-entering known to man. Santa Claus is one of the oldest and most beloved icons around the world, but he’s rarely thought of as a “superhero.” This November, Grant Morrison (The Multiversity, All-Star Superman, Batman), one of the most prolific writers in comics, teams up with homegrown BOOM! Studios artist Dan Mora (Hexed) to change the way we view Jolly Old Saint Nick in the original limited series Klaus.

Set in a dark fantastic past of myth and magic, Klaus tells the story of how Santa Claus really came to be. Where did he begin? What was he like when he was young? And what happens when he faces his greatest challenge? Drawing on Santa Claus’ wilder roots in Viking lore and Siberian shamanism—taking in the creepier side of Christmas, and characters like the sinister Krampus—Klaus is “SantaClaus: Year One.”

“Klaus is the story of our hero’s greatest challenge and how he overcame it,” said Morrison. “This is the tale of one man and his wolf against a totalitarian state and the ancient evil that sustains it. Part action thriller, part sword-and-sorcery, part romance, part science fiction, Klaus has given us free rein to revamp, reinvent and re-imagine a classic superhero for the 21st century. He’s making a list and he’s checking it twice. This Christmas it’s all about psychedelic shamanism, anti-authoritarian guerrilla gift-giving, and the jingle bells of freedom!”

“Grant has injected new life into superheroes time and again over the course of his career, so when he said he wanted to reinvent Santa Claus into a powerful rebel hero, we were immediately onboard,” said BOOM! Studios Editor-in-Chief Matt Gagnon. “This is a huge subject to tackle; everyone knows some version of Santa Claus. Grant has taken the coolest and creepiest parts of the Santa Claus legends from all over the world and molded it into a story that’s mythic and full of visceral wonder. It takes a talented artist to keep up with Grant’s ideas, and I can tell you that Dan Mora is not only up to the task, but has run wild with this story.”

 

Klaus #1 (of 6) arrives in comic shops on November 4th with a main cover by series artist Dan Mora for the price of $3.99. Also available in a limited quality is a 10 Years incentive cover by Felipe Smith (All-New Ghost Rider), a Jackpot variant cover by Frazer Irving (2000 AD), and a retailer incentive cover by Chris Burnham (Batman Incorporated).

Learn All About Marceline Before She Became the Vampire Queen in KaBOOM!'s 'Adventure Time 2015 SpOooktacular'

Pull on a costume and carve some pumpkins, because Halloween is in the air in the Land of Ooo! Well...actually, it’s summertime in Ooo, but that doesn’t mean it’s not going to be spooky! This October, KaBOOM!, an award-winning imprint of publisher BOOM! Studios, and Cartoon Network Enterprises, the licensing and merchandising arm of the network, get into the holiday spirit with a self-contained story about our favorite Vampire Queen, Marceline, in the 48-page one-shot Adventure Time 2015 SpOooktacular!

 

Hanna K. is a rad storyboard artist for the Adventure Time animated series, and now she’s writing and illustrating an oversized special that takes place before Marceline became the music-loving, bass-playing Vampire Queen. If you’ve ever wanted to learn more about Marcie before she was the vampire we know and love today, now’s your chance to dive into her past!

 

“It’s always a treat when we get the chance to learn more about our favorite characters, and Marceline’s backstory is a doozy!” said BOOM! Studios Editor-in-Chief Matt Gagnon. “What better way to celebrate Halloween than with the spookiest gal in Ooo? And with the talented Hanna K. behind the wheel, we’re in for a wild ride!”

Adventure Time 2015 SpOooktacular arrives in comic shops on October 28th with a main cover by Chrystin Garland for the price of $4.99. Also available in a limited quantity is a retailer incentive cover by Emily Partridge.

Breakfast Club/Marvel Funko POP! Customs

It started out when I was looking at Bender and Thor Funko POP!'s sitting next to each other on a shelf. I thought to myself, "These two guys have major daddy issues in their movies." From there, I thought, "I NEED to do a Marvel/Breakfast Club mash-up!" I picked them up and went to work on customizing them. I really dug the way they turned out, so I went back to the store and picked up Daredevil and Richard Vernon because I really wanted to see those two mashed-up. 

Then, I thought about what other characters would go well together. Going back and watching the movie over I decided Cap, Scarlet Witch, Spidey, and Black Widow were going to be the ones that I was going to use to complete the set. I had to order the rest of the figures, but once they came in, it only took a bit over two hours to complete them. I really dug the way they turned out. People on Instagram and Twitter seemed to really dig them and the official Netflix Daredevil Twitter account retweeted my picture which resulted in getting offers to do sets for others. After all this, I've been thinking about a possible Star Wars/Disney Mash-up. Maybe an Ariel/Leia mash-up?  

Claire/Black Widow & Bender/Thor

Andrew/Cap & Allison/Scarlet Witch

Richard Vernon/Daredevil & Brian/Spidey

Daredevil retweet

KaBOOM! Releases Unprecedented 'Peanuts: A Tribute to Charles M. Schulz' Hardcover

On October 2, 1950, good ol’ Charlie Brown made his first appearance in a classic, four-panel comic strip printed in seven newspapers nationwide. In the 65 years since, Charlie Brown and his friends have become household names around the world—and in Snoopy’s case, on the moon—appearing on television, on the stage, and in theaters. Charles M. Schulz’s creation has been awarded high honors and praise, and most importantly, the Peanuts gang has touched the lives of generations and continues to delight and inspire to this day.

This October, KaBOOM!, an imprint of award-winning publisher BOOM! Studios, Charles M. Schulz Creative Associates, and Peanuts Worldwide have the honor of presenting an unprecedented collection of original stories, pin-ups, and strips dedicated to Charles M. Schulz’s beloved creation in Peanuts: A Tribute to Charles M. Schulz.

Liz Prince

This 11.5” x 9” hardcover features 128 pages of full-color illustrations and comics from 40 renowned cartoonists, presenting the Peanuts gang in their own signature styles in a very rare opportunity and in cooperation with the Schulz estate. Mo Willems (The Pigeon), Raina Telgemeier (Smile), Jen Wang (In Real Life), Patrick McDonnell (Mutts), Stan Sakai (Usagi Yojimbo), Terry Moore (Rachel Rising), Liz Prince (Tomboy), Mike Allred (Silver Surfer), Paul Pope (Battling Boy), and many more celebrate their love of Peanuts in this one-of-a-kind collection.

“A tribute of this magnitude to honor Charles M. Schulz is a career highlight for us,” said BOOM! Studios Editor-in-Chief Matt Gagnon. “Schulz’s characters are universally recognized and loved, entertaining and inspiring people of all ages. To say that Peanuts has influenced cartoonists would be an understatement; some of our favorite creators cite Charlie Brown and his friends as the inspiration for becoming artists. It’s been 65 years, and Peanuts can still make us laugh just as hard and think just as much as the first time we read the strips. This collection is a love letter from creators who want to celebrate and honor ‘Sparky,’ and we couldn’t be more thrilled to share that love with our fellow fans.”

Paul Pope

“Peanuts has conquered so many mediums and inspired countless artists in its 65 years—it is wonderful to have this collection highlight Schulz’s influence,” said Craig Herman, Executive Director of Publishing, Peanuts Worldwide. “We are so excited to be able to celebrate the legacy of the brand, the characters, and the man behind them with this publication.” 

The Peanuts: A Tribute to Charles M. Schulz hardcover arrives in comic shops on October 14th and in bookstores October 20th for the price of $34.99.

Unboxing September's Big ol Box of Stuff

I'm a sucker for subscription boxes. I think it's the anticipation, knowing that I'll be getting a box of surprise goodies in the mail. If it's a geek-themed box, I'll usually try it out at least once. When a friend sent me a link to Big ol Box of Stuff, I HAD to order one after checking out unboxing videos on YouTube.

Big ol Box of Stuff (or BoBoS) is different from all other subscription boxes as it's put together based on your specific tastes. How does it work? You fill out a questionnaire in which you let the team at BoBoS know about your fandoms. The questionnaire gets really specific. For example, if you choose Star Trek as one of your favorites, they want to know if you prefer the Original Series or the Next Generation crew. Once completed, the BoBoS crew will put together a personal box of items tailored specially for you for only $35.00 (shipping included).

The box that was curated for me was awesome and worth every penny! I received items from a lot of the choices I made on their questionnaire. The value of the box was greater than what I paid for it and I had none of the items in my collection yet, so that was definitely a plus. They also included a nice 'thank you' message in the box which is pretty awesome of them. The coolest item was a Finn figure from the new line of the Star Wars Episode IV film. The figures had been released in stores only a week before I got the box in the mail and were hard to find on store shelves after the madness that was Force Friday. They were only allowing orders on a monthly basis, but have recently started one, three, and six month subscriptions. This is definitely a box I would order again; maybe not every month, but whenever I want to treat myself to a surprise.

Inside my September BoBoS:

- Star Wars Finn Figure
- Black Widow Funko POP Figure
- Doctor Who Weeping Angel Figure
- Ariel Keychain
- Vintage TMNT: Secret of the Ooze Cards
- Pop Rocks
- Marvel Secret Invasion: Dark Reign One-shot Comic
- New Avengers #1 Comic