Author - Jerry Paxton

Marvel Halloween Trick-or-Read Returns for 2024

This October, Marvel Comics is back with another year of “TRICK-OR-READ,” the popular program that gives fans a chance to grab special reprints of stories starring today’s hottest characters at their local comic shop. In the same spirit as Free Comic Book Day, participating shops can use these giveaway comics to offer customers a spellbinding trip to the Marvel Universe and beyond during the Halloween season.

From the latest adventures of the Fantastic Four, to breakout character Spider-Boy’s headlining debut to stories set in the galaxy far, far away—this year’s selections feature something for every reader including perfect entry points for newcomers and young children!

  • FANTASIC FOUR: THE DINOSAUR FANTASTIC FOUR #1 reprints FANTASTIC FOUR (2022) #13, the buzzworthy issue of Ryan North and Iban Coello’s acclaimed current run that introduced dinosaur versions of Marvel’s First Family! Two universes, human and dinosaur, collide – and if one universe isn’t sacrificed, then both will be destroyed! And making matters worse, an incursion point between universes swaps the dinosaur and human versions of the Fantastic Four! But there is another incursion point elsewhere…in Latveria. Plus: The dinosaur Fantastic Four versus the Avengers!
  • SPIDER-BOY: THE WEB-LESS WONDER #1 reprints SPIDER-BOY #1, the debut issue of Marvel’s newest Spider sensation! Dan Slott and Paco Medina reveal the truth behind Bailey Briggs, AKA the spectacular Spider-Boy! Spider-Boy’s secret history as Spider-Man’s sidekick was nearly forgotten forever. Now the mysteries of his past are brought to light as Spider-Boy leaps into his own adventures! Learn more about Bailey’s amazing powers and meet his very own rogues’ gallery!
  • VENOM: BEDLAM #1 reprints VENOM (2021) #21, a major turning point in Al Ewing and Cafu’s mind-bending run! Just as Eddie Brock finds his footing in the Marvel Universe, he comes face to face with the very worst parts of himself in the form the time-displaced monster called Bedlam! Eddie’s always been his own most brutal critic, though, and this titanic beatdown is no exception – with an epic transformation waiting for him on the other side!
  • STAR WARS: KYLO REN – AGE OF RESISTANCE #1 reprints this acclaimed 2019 one-shot from Tom Taylor and Leonard Kirk that gave fans exciting insights behind Kylo Ren’s past and motivations as he embraces his role in a dynasty of doom! Anakin Skywalker casts a long shadow. Can Kylo Ren ever escape his infamous grandfather’s reputation? Or will he succeed where Darth Vader failed?
  • SPIDEY AND HIS AMAZING FRIENDS #1 gives young readers a chance to enjoy a new collection of Spidey adventures! Swing into adventure with Spidey, Ghost-Spider, and Miles as they face classic villains and more in this spectacular special filled with all new stories from MY FIRST COMIC READER. Perfect for young Spidey fans ages 5-7, this not-to-be-missed sampler also contains some action-packed activity pages!

Check out the covers and inquire with your local comic shop regarding availability! For more information, visit Marvel.com.

Shout! Studios Unveils Its 2024 Anime Expo Lineup

A mainstay at Anime Expo, pop-culture studio Shout! Studios returns to AX 2024 with a dynamic lineup, featuring a showcase of the latest collectible anime home entertainment offerings, fan-engaging booth activities, limited edition gift-with-purchase items, photo ops, and much more! Fans and convention attendees are invited to join in on the excitement and celebrate the upcoming home entertainment release of The Boy and The Heron with beautiful art of the Academy Award®-winning Hayao Miyazaki film at the Shout! Studios booth (#723) on the main convention floor.

Anime Expo is the largest anime convention in North America and takes place July 4 – July 7, 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Tickets and full details are available at anime-expo.org.

For continuing updates on all Shout! Studios AX 2024 activities and news, please follow us on Twitter/X @shout_studios, on Instagram @shout_studios and the studio’s official Facebook page facebook.com/shoutstudiosfb. Social media hashtag: #ShoutAX2024

SHOUT! FACTORY BOOTH (#723) HIGHLIGHTS

The Shout! Studios booth will once again be an essential destination for anime and pop culture enthusiasts during AX 2024. Stop by the booth to get some great deals and bundles on your favorite new and classic anime titles.  All items are in limited quantities at AX 2024. Many titles come with limited edition gifts with purchase while supplies last.

Friday, June 5th (12 Noon)

KICK INTO GEAR AT THE KAMEN RIDER PHOTO OP

Head to the Shout! Studios booth (#723) at noon to celebrate the release of Kamen Rider Geats: The Complete series and check out the CSM Typhoon belt, DX Desire Driver belt and more, as well as a meet-and-greet opportunity with Kamen Rider Geats himself.

SHOUT! STUDIOS ANIME HOME ENTERTAINMENT HIGHLIGHTS AT AX 2024

BUNDLE & SAVE OFFERINGS

Studio Ghibli Bundle – Buy any 3

  • Howl’s Moving Castle Limited Editon SteelBook Blu-Ray™/DVD
  • My Neighbor Totoro Limited Edition SteelBook Blu-ray™/DVD
  • Princess Mononoke Limited Edition SteelBook Blu-ray™/DVD
  • Spirited Away Limited Edition SteelBook Blu-ray™/DVD
  • The Wind Rises Limited Edition SteelBook Blu-ray™/DVD

Satoshi Kon SteelBook Bundle:

  • Millennium Actress Limited Edition SteelBook Blu-ray™/DVD
  • Perfect Blue Limited Edition SteelBook Blu-ray™/DVD

Kamen Rider Reiwa Era Bundle:

  • Kamen Rider Geats: The Complete Series 8- Blu-ray™ Set
  • Kamen Rider Zero-One: The Complete Series + Movie 8-Blu-ray™ Set

CELEBRATING SHOUT’S NEW RELEASES

A PLACE FURTHER THAN THE UNIVERSE: THE COMPLETE SERIES Available in a Collector’s Edition 4-Blu-Ray™/2-CD Set

ANIME LIMITED, distributed by Shout! Studios

Scenery that we have never seen. Sounds that we have never heard. Scent that we have never smelled. Food that we have never tasted. And the surge of emotion that we have never experienced. This is the expedition of recollecting the pieces torn apart and sensation left alone. When we reach that place, what will we think?

Howling, 40 degree angle. Raging, 50 degree angle. Shouting, 60 degree angle. A wilderness beyond the heavy sea. The furthest south, far from civilization. At the top of the Earth. We will find lights through the girls’ eyes to live tomorrow.

 

This collector’s edition makes the English dub available for the first time ever and treats fans to an extraordinary set with a gorgeous slipcase housing all 13 episodes in a 2-disc Blu-Ray™ set, 2 CDs of the original soundtrack, 4 art cards, a poster, and a 92-page booklet!

DIGIMON ADVENTURE 02: THE BEGINNING Available for Digital Download & in a Blu-ray™ + DVD Combo

TOEI ANIMATION, distributed by Shout! Studios

*The Blu-ray™ set includes a gift-with-purchase collectible trading card in pack and limited edition poster while supplies last.

t’s 2012, and ten years have passed since the adventure in the Digital World. Daisuke Motomiya is now twenty, and he and the rest of the DigiDestined seem to be changing bit by bit in terms of appearance and lifestyle. Then one day, a giant Digitama suddenly appears in the sky over Tokyo Tower. Daisuke and the others encounter a mysterious young man named Lui Ohwada, who informs them that he’s the first ever DigiDestined in the world …

The highly collectible Blu-ray™+ DVD edition of DIGIMON ADVENTURE 02: THE BEGINNING boasts exciting movie presentation (featuring both the English dub and the original Japanese audio with English subtitles), insightful bonus feature, and a Limited Edition Digimon Card Game – Digimon Liberator Promotion Pack, which includes a randomized wrapped card — 1 of 6 possible cards from the new Digimon Card Game deck commemorating the upcoming Digimon Liberator webcomic.

THE FIRST SLAM DUNK Available on Blu-ray™

GKIDS, distributed by Shout! Studios

*The Blu-ray includes a gift-with-purchase collectible sticker in pack while supplies last.

The First Slam Dunk is a high-octane sports thriller that captures the emotional and suspenseful journey of a player in one of the world’s most popular sports, and marks the first new feature-length film from the globally cherished franchise in over 26 years, as well as original manga creator Takehiko Inoue’s directorial debut.

Shohoku’s “speedster” and point guard, Ryota Miyagi, always plays with brains and lightning speed, running circles around his opponents while feigning composure. Born and raised in Okinawa, Ryota had a brother who was three years older. Following in the footsteps of his older brother, who was a famous local player from a young age, Ryota also became addicted to basketball.

In his second year of high school, Ryota plays with the Shohoku High School basketball team along with Sakuragi, Rukawa, Akagi, and Mitsui as they take the stage at the Inter-High School National Championship. And now, they are on the brink of challenging the reigning champions, Sannoh Kogyo High School.

GREAT PRETENDER: THE COMPLETE SERIES Available in a Deluxe Edition 5-Blu-ray™ Set

ANIME LIMITED, distributed by Shout! Studios

Self-styled “Japan’s greatest swindler” Makoto Edamura is mainly targeting elder people and occasional foreign travelers. But when he tries to scam an apparently clueless French tourist in Tokyo, he can’t possibly imagine that what looked like just another ordinary job is going to take him all the way to Los Angeles, tied upside-down on the famous Hollywood sign… And he is yet to find out what fate awaits him!

This highly anticipated 5-Disc Blu-ray collection comes housed in a visually striking slipcase and collects all 23 thrilling episodes, insightful bonus features, 10 stunning art cards, a double-sided poster, and a 192-page art book!

KAMEN RIDER GEATS: THE COMPLETE SERIES Available for Digital Download, Video on Demand, Streaming on Shout! TV, and in an 8-Blu-ray™ Set

*This Blu-ray collection includes a gift-with-purchase limited edition poster while supplies last.

All Kamen Riders, past and present, are set to battle against unknown enemies and compete with each other in Survival Games, getting scores on the Desire Grand Prix. Each participant transforms into a Kamen Rider and competes to win the game by defeating enemies, saving people, and surviving. Hugely popular in the online world, these games are unpredictable and thrilling. Only true heroes who win the competition will be granted the right to bring their ideal world to life!

MARS EXPRESS Available for Digital Download and on Blu-ray™

GKIDS, distributed by Shout! Studios

*This Blu-ray™ includes a gift-with-purchase limited edition poster while supplies last.

Mars Express is a thrilling dystopic animation available on Blu-ray for the first time in North America! The film injects the cyberpunk genre with urgent new themes that make its far-flung world feel strangely like our own in the propulsive feature film debut from director Jérémie Périn.

Society’s elite abandon Earth in 2200 to make Mars the center of civilization. They are served by obedient robots that are nearly indistinguishable from the humans that they have replaced. Amidst a growing scandal of an underground group hacking androids, a cybernetics student disappears. Capable-but-troubled detective Aline and her android partner, Carlos, take the case to find her. As they descend into the dark underbelly of Mars, they unravel a deeper conspiracy that threatens mankind – and their robot counterparts.

SPEED RACER Available for Digital Download, Streaming on Shout! TV, and On Demand

Speed Racer, the iconic racing adventure takes all 52 episodes to the track as the full series rides on major digital platforms for video on demand.

Speed Racer is a young 32and upcoming racer who dreams of winning with his family. His car, the Mach 5, contains features that enable him to race around the world. The adventures of Speed in exotic settings around the globe prove that quick wits and fair play are always sure winners!

ALL AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE AT THE SHOUT! STUDIOS BOOTH (#723)

  • A Place Further Than The Universe: The Complete Series Collector’s Edition 4-Blu-ray / 2-CD Set
  • BELLE Limited Edition SteelBook Blu-ray/DVD Combo
  • Classic Tokusatsu Collection (Shout Exclusive) 4-Blu-ray Set
  • Digimon Adventure 02: The Beginning Blu-ray/DVD Combo
  • EVANGELION: 3.0+1.11 THRICE UPON A TIME Limited Edition SteelBook 2-Blu-ray Set
  • The First Slam Dunk Blu-ray
  • Great Pretender: The Complete Series Deluxe Edition 5-Blu-ray Set
  • Howl’s Moving Castle Limited Edition SteelBook Blu-ray/DVD
  • Kamen Rider Geats: The Complete Series 8-Blu-ray Set
  • Kamen Rider Zero-One: The Complete Series + Movie 8-Blu-ray Set
  • Mars Express Blu-ray
  • Masaaki Yuasa: Five Films 5- Blu-ray Set
  • Millennium Actress Limited Edition SteelBook Blu-ray/DVD
  • My Neighbor Totoro Limited Edition SteelBook Blu-ray/DVD
  • Perfect Blue Limited Edition SteelBook Blu-ray/DVD
  • Princess Mononoke Limited Edition SteelBook Blu-ray/DVD
  • Spirited Away Limited Edition SteelBook Blu-ray/DVD
  • SPIRITED AWAY: Live On Stage 2-Blu-ray Set
  • The Wind Rises Limited Edition Blu SteelBook Blu-ray/DVD
  • Weathering With You Limited Edition SteelBook Blu-ray/DVD

Frostpunk 2 Release Postponed to September 20th

Just as players will need to make difficult decisions when stewarding the City in Frostpunk 2, the game’s developers have decided to delay Frostpunk 2’s release to September 20th, 2024. This delay will enable the team to deliver the best possible experience when Frostpunk 2 releases this fall.

Frostpunk 2 is getting bigger and better – Steam announcement
Here’s an excerpt from the Steam post by Design Director Jakub Stokalski and Art Director Lukasz Juszczyk:
“Based on the surveys we received after playing Beta, the average rating you gave us was 8 out of 10. We’re super grateful for that! At the same time, it was only a small slice of a work-in-progress, still-growing game. While our backlog is plentiful, it was an opportunity for us to listen to what you enjoyed, and what didn’t quite land yet”.
Further, it follows: “This allowed us to prioritise things better, and bring upfront the features and modifications we were already working on. But we also realised that to guarantee the best possible experience on launch, we need more time to finish the development of Frostpunk 2. That’s why we made the difficult decision to postpone its release to September 20th, 2024”.

The scope of new works includes new additions to the game mechanics, extensive UI & UX enhancement, a popular by-demand city feature the dev team calls Zoom Stories, and much more.

Sam & Max: The Devil’s Playhouse Remastered Announcement Trailer

Somewhere, in the infinite blackness beyond the limits of human comprehension, an ancient, terrible power lies waiting.

Since the dawn of time, villains throughout the galaxy have searched for a way to tap into that power, bending all of creation to their own twisted ends.

But you needn’t freak out. There’s nothing to fear — unless, of course, this power should somehow fall into the wrong hands…

Originally released in 2010, Sam & Max: The Devil’s Playhouse is the final chapter in Telltale’s acclaimed Sam & Max adventure game trilogy.

Now it’s been lovingly remastered by a small team who worked on the original, and will come to PC (Steam & GOG), Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox on August 14.

Fandom’s Back in San Diego for Annual Party at Hard Rock Hotel

We’re baaaaack! Fandom, the world’s largest fan platform, is back in San Diego to host its highly-anticipated annual event during the biggest fan convention of the year. Presented by gaming publisher EA, the seventh annual Fandom Party will take place at FLOAT at the Hard Rock Hotel on Thursday, July 25 from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Guests will explore a variety of fan-first experiences including the opportunity to learn more about BioWare and EA’s upcoming all new single-player fantasy RPG experience Dragon Age: The Veilguard, and custom activations from partners Z2 Comics and Pinfinity. And the party doesn’t stop there! Fandom is turning 20 this year and this year’s party will kick off the festivities with special moments for attendees throughout the night.

The Fandom Party is the hottest ticket in town, filled with interactive experiences including a Dragon Age-themed scavenger hunt leading to a custom photo booth, 360-degree red carpet social cam, giveaways, a graphic novel exhibition from Z2, an AR experience and collectible pin from partner Pinfinity – and so much more!

Stay tuned for upcoming announcements with more details on the musical guest, party ticket giveaways, and activation details.

The Fandom Party welcomes hundreds of fans, industry partners, press, and influencers. Doors open at 7:00 p.m.

STAR WARS: Bounty Hunter – Announcement Trailer

Aspyr is excited to announce STAR WARS: Bounty Hunter, in collaboration with Lucasfilm Games, a new title that brings the original STAR WARS: Bounty Hunter (2002) to modern platforms with visual enhancements, improved environmental textures, new dynamic lighting effects, and a new flashlight tool for navigating dark places. STAR WARS: Bounty Hunter will launch on Aug. 1, 2024, for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC via Steam for the suggested retail price of $19.99 and is available to pre-order today with a 10% discount until the official launch.

Become the most feared Bounty Hunter in the galaxy! As Jango Fett, you’ll have to jump, jetpack, climb, and maneuver in this iconic action-adventure game featuring a variety of visual improvements on modern platforms, as well as Steam Deck support and a number of DualSense controller features for PlayStation 5 players.

And for the first time ever, if the campaign is completed, players can unlock a new Boba Fett skin for their next playthrough, paying off a notorious easter egg from the original game!

Key Features

  • Let the Hunt Begin: In this classic third-person action-adventure, you’ll play as Jango Fett, Prime Clone of the Grand Army of the Republic, hired to capture a deranged Dark Jedi.
  • Relive the Timeless Tale: Experience the legendary Bounty Hunter fantasy set before the events of Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones™. Face off against foes and maneuver through acrobatic battles in this adaption optimized for today’s consoles and hardware.
  • Armed to the Teeth: Fight your way through the galaxy’s underbelly, equipped with Dual Blasters, your Flamethrower, Whipcord, and pure Mandalorian Rage.

STAR WARS™: Bounty Hunter launches Aug. 1, 2024, on PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam for the suggested retail price of $19.99 and is available to pre-order starting today with a 10% discount until the official launch.

Mechabellum Sandworm Trailer

Today, Paradox Arc and Game River released a new update to their tactical war game Mechabellum. The game, currently in Steam Early Access let’s players control armies of mechs and robots in online competitive arenas. The update introduces a new unit, the Sandworm, as well as a brand new map.

Introducing the Sandworm
Prepare to dominate the battlefield with the Sandworm, a colossal melee unit that can burrow underground and emerge to deliver devastating attacks on its foes. This fearsome addition can shake up strategies and keep players on their toes.

New Map for the Brawl Mode
The update also brings a brand-new map to the 4-player brawl mode, featuring a layout inspired by the original map. This new battleground offers fresh visuals for players to test their mettle.

Rugby 24 Renamed Rugby 25

NACON and Big Ant Studios are pleased to offer rugby fans the ultimate video game experience of their favourite sport with Rugby 25, available now on Early Access for PC (Steam). The game’s final launch on PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and PC is scheduled after the Early Access process is complete.

As the game has had a deferred release due to scheduling issues with regard to teams making players available for photogrammetry, consequently shifting focus to the 2024-2025 season, the game shall now be known as Rugby 25. The early access version on the Steam platform, incorporating just part of the content, is playable from today, giving players a preview of the game’s mechanics, the studio’s aims and the opportunity to influence its development. The title will be released later this year with the final content incorporated, making it the most complete and ambitious rugby video game to date.

Eagerly awaited by rugby fans ever since it was announced, the studio wanted to get Rugby 25 into players hands at the earliest opportunity. In this initial Early Access release players will be able to select from 21 Nations, including the Australian Wallabies and French teams, with complete photogrammetry. Other teams and photogrammetry will be constantly added over the Early Access period, to reach a total of over 140 international teams, including New Zealand, South Africa and England, as well as more than 150 club teams from 11 competitions, such as the URC, the English Premiership, France’s Top 14, MLR and Super Rugby. More content, including teams, stadia and new playing modes, will be added in every update, right through to the game’s final release.

The development team are eager to receive and incorporate feedback from the community. They would like to invite fans and experts to team up with them directly via the dedicated chats and forums, to help make Rugby 25 the best rugby simulation to date.

Exo One Has Landed on PlayStation

Publisher All in! Games, working with Future Friends Games and Australian developer Exbleative (AKA Jay Weston), has announced that the critically acclaimed interplanetary, gravity-defying journey Exo One is available now PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5.

Updated Features
To make the experience more immersive than ever before, the PS5 version will utilize the Haptic Feedback features of the DualSense controller, enhancing immersion and simulating the feeling of gravity defying flight. The game will also include 120fps support so players with high refresh rate TVs and monitors can enjoy smooth breathtaking visuals alongside ultra-responsive gameplay.

Adaptive triggers will put resistance when going uphill and vibrate when you reach the speed of light. Players will feel even more engaged in the game world with the special sounds for reaching colossal speeds and entering a portal. What’s more, the colors of the sky in specific scenes will be reflected on the game pad.

PAYDAY 3: Chapter 2 – Boys in Blue Launch Trailer

Boys in Blue, the second DLC expansion for the ultimate heist shooter fantasy, is out now on all platforms, accessible to Silver Edition, Gold Edition, and Gold Pass owners of PAYDAY™ 3. The update includes new free content, Solo Mode Beta and robbing the cops in the second DLC expansion. Watch the launch trailer here.

Picking up the story from Chapter 1: Syntax Error, it’s time to get their gold back from a corrupt police captain. The Boys are back in town and Clover too!

DLC overview
The gang will infiltrate a police station, embodying the true spirit of PAYDAY as each gold bar they steal becomes a bold act of defiance against authority.

Boys in Blue is accessible to Silver, Gold, and Season Pass owners of PAYDAY™ 3 and is available to buy separately on PC, Xbox Series S|X, and PlayStation 5. The DLC consists of:

  •        The Heist Pack: with PAYDAY 3: Chapter 2 – Boys in Blue
  •        The Weapon Pack with 3 new weapons, 26 mods and and 2 cosmetics
  •        The Tailor Pack with 4 new masks, 4 new suits, and 4 new gloves.

PAYDAY 3 second DLC Expansion comes also with a major free update. The Boys in Blue free update will be available for all players including:

  •         Solo Mode Beta (on all platforms)
  •         New heister Clover, originally introduced to the PAYDAY series in 2014, including a gun and weapon charm
  •         New Primary weapon – LMG
  •         Loadout renaming
  •         3 new masks
  •         12 new flag stickers
  •         Twitch drops
  •         Nvidia DLSS 3.0 Ready, offering a great boost to performance for anyone with a recent Nvidia graphics card
  •         Twitch drops

Releasing alongside the Boys in Blue update will be a Gold Pass, now available for purchase. Upgrading to the Gold Pass will give all base PAYDAY 3 Edition fans access to all Year 1 content.

Solo Mode Beta
The Boys in Blue Update introduces a Solo Mode Beta, addressing community feedback received since the game’s release.

In this beta, the sections of the game previously hosted on PAYDAY servers are now hosted on players’ devices. What it does is skip the matchmaking step, meaning players still must log in and have access to the internet, but only for the initial identification and start up. This is the first step to support a full offline option in the future.

In PAYDAY 3: Chapter 2 – Boys in Blue, the Gang continues to unravel the web of betrayal surrounding former Murkywater CEO John Concord. The gang is tasked with enacting revenge on behalf of their old friend Vlad, breaking into a secure holding facility of the NYPD. In return, they’ll get a piece of the loot and access to private correspondence between a corrupt police captain and Concord.

The four most well-known clown-masked criminals in recent video game history returned from retirement last September in PAYDAY 3 on PC via PC Game Pass, on Steam and Epic Games Store, as well as Xbox Series S|X, on Console Game Pass, PlayStation 5 and GeForce Now.