Sharing because this is my most desired SDCC exclusive.
Given the size, popularity and market share Funko currently enjoys, it’s no surprise that their booth at San Diego Comic Con is one of the most anticipated. They will be offering a metric buttload of exclusives (all of which you can find here), and that’s on top of the Pop-Up Shop they’re hosting outside of the convention in San Diego (news of which you can read about here).
Daku Con 2018 Photo Gallery
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Yesterday Animation Magazine reported that Cartoon Network had entered into an agreement with several toy companies, including Funko, to begin a Steven Universe merchandising campaign set to begin in the fourth quarter of this year. In the article they note that Hot Topic will be getting these products a month in advance of the planned release date.
We saw it coming with the wildly popular Adventure Times Funko products and numerous other Frederator and Cartoon Network licenses, but now the moment has arrived. While the article only mentions the core cast of Crystal Gems and Steven, I would be shocked and horrified if this was the only wave of products. There’s hope for an astonishing amount of exclusives and variants. By far the most exciting is a Pop! Rides Greg and his Van set, complete with waffle iron.
So avid fans and collectors, which SU Pops are you most looking forward to and what exclusives do you think we’ll see? Sound off in the comments and let us know! Also be sure to check out our Steven Universe Halloween post, and our thoughts on the series as well!
Images courtesy of Cartoon Network
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The BBC announced today live around 2pm EST that the sonic screwdriver will be passed from Matt Smith to BAFTA and Oscar award winning Scots actor Peter Capaldi. Capaldi, 55, is perhaps best known for his role as foul mouthed Malcolm Tucker on the comedy series The Thick of It. The Scottish-Italian actor (hence the last name) is poised to take on the mantle this Christmas following Eleven’s “death” during the special.
“Why Hello. It’s me. The Doctor. I win. You loose. Sit down.”
Capaldi is not too far removed from The Doctor; he was featured in 2009’s Torchwood: Children of Earth as John Frobisher and played the Pompeian marble merchant (historically a banker) Lucius Caecilius Iucundus who ran into the Tenth Doctor and Donna Noble in the 2008 Series 4 Episode 2 of Doctor Who “The Fires of Pompeii” which also notably featured a young pre-Amy Pond Karen Gillan as a priestess sentry.
He’s got the stare down. He’ll be just fine.
And here’s Karen for old time’s sake:
Sorry you died in the eruption boo.
Capaldi marks an interesting change for the character, or rather a return to form after three younger (and younger and younger) incarnations by being a more mature actor and is rather a jump up from the barely 30 years old Matt Smith who was bestowed the title of Doctor at the very young age of 26. Matt won skeptical fans over quickly with his portrayal of Eleven’s quirky Peter Pan boyishness, exuberance, actual real-life gawky clumsiness and quirky demeanor. On the flip side Matt further won people over with his serious acting chops with Eleven’s inclinations towards temper tantrums and an unmitigated anger, world weariness and sadness that were at times the scariest and the saddest the Doctor has ever been (Or as fellow staff writer Jen would say Matt is the “Goddess of tears” for Eleven’s frequently wet face).
Don’t mind me…I’m just over here…dying….
Fans have already taken warmly to the choice of Capaldi citing visually he echos other past Doctors and the older more mature actor brings the series back to a status quo that somewhat mirrors William Hartnell and the Doctor’s first companion, Susan which is pretty appropriate for the 50th Anniversary year. What this means for the twelfth Doctor’s personality is or how he’ll treat Clara, the first companion to continue on through a regeneration since Rose Tyler onwards in Series 8 has yet to be unseen or told but Eleven’s bubbling anger issues and mood swings may be a clue. We’ll have to see come Christmas following Nov.’s 50th Anniversary special which pairs Matt Smith and Jenna-Louise Coleman with David Tennant and Billie Piper.
Do you think they picked the right actor? I’m excited. What do you think?
Until next time!
Max Eber
Staff Writer/The Doctor
max@ihogeek.com
Twitter: @maxlikescomics
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This week, Andrew Garfield caused comics fans to literally (LITERALLY) explode when he asked a simple question to EW: What if Spidey was gay?
The actual full quote: “And I was like, ‘What if MJ is a dude?’ Why can’t we discover that Peter is exploring his sexuality? It’s hardly even groundbreaking!…So why can’t he be gay? Why can’t he be into boys?”
Good question, Andrew Garfield. Why can’t Peter Parker be gay? Well, I’ll tell you why.
Because after this article hit EW.com, the comments immediately started crying out against the idea. Because you “don’t change an established character like that,” or something. Because it’s promoting AN AGENDA to make Spider-man gay. Which agenda? I’m guessing the one that insists that gay people are a lot like straight people and don’t deserve the shit they get socially and legally and when it comes to the media.
It’s also because when Marvel ran an innocent image of Hulking and Wiccan from Children’s Crusade, showing the openly gay teens about to share an intimate moment, the Facebook comments blew up claiming Marvel was, once again, promoting an agenda. Or worse, corrupting youth by showing them gay superheroes and encouraging them to emulate them. Or something. Bonus points to all of the people claiming they were only going to buy DC comics in the future because DC wasn’t “shoving gays down their throats.” Here’s a tip for those people: start your new-found devotion to DC by reading Batwoman.
In short, Andrew Garfield, the answer is simple: there is no good reason that Spider-man CAN’T be gay.
Because all of these arguments are bullshit. “Purity” of the character? So, characters who were created in a different generation should never evolve and grow with the times? You want Superman to act and talk and look exactly how he did in Action #1?
No, you don’t. You probably love Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns which took a new look at the character. Or Extremis which changed the status quo for Tony Stark. And if you don’t want a gay Spider-man but are okay with the ending of Man of Steel, I hate you. Your call for “purity” of the character is bullshit.
As for “agendas,” what you mean by that is “doing things for the sake of selling comics.” Because this is a recent thing designed to destroy comics for straight men who love comics, because it’s only because of the feminists and the gays that this could happen. It’s not like Dick Grayson was introduced as Robin in order to sell comics. Or Jean Grey returning from the dead. Again.
Get over yourselves. Here is a fact: COMICS ARE A COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISE. THEY ARE A BUSINESS. THE POINT OF THE COMICS INDUSTRY IS TO SELL COMICS. I mean, this doesn’t necessarily apply to indie comics, but we’re not talking about that. We’re talking about DC and Marvel and they want to fucking sell you things to make money off of you. This is not punk rock, this is not about keeping the message in the subculture, this is fucking comics. And here’s a fact you have to deal with as well: gay people buy comics. So do women. And they deserve to see themselves represented not just as minor characters or sidekicks.
So, what if Spider-man was gay? What if, straight male comics fans, you identified with a gay character? What if you could understand him and relate to him just the same as a gay or bi or bicurious character as you can when he’s written as straight?
What if identifying with a gay character means you might be gay?
What if you start thinking that you’re a little further along the Kinsey scale than you previously thought?
What if you realize you’re not totally turned off by the idea of kissing another guy, though maybe you’re not gonna go out looking for a chance to do so?
What if you’re asked to challenge your culturally and socially ingrained sense of masculinity and sexuality and it means you have to re-examine yourself and a lot of beliefs or stereotypes you didn’t even know affected you?
Now, lemme ask you again: Why can’t Spider-man be gay?
Ashly is an IHO Geek staff writer who wants you to keep things civil in the comments but isn’t necessarily holding her breath. She can also be found on Twitter (where she is more than willing to use the “block” function) @newageamazon
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This Saturday because the world has been stricken with and continues to have shitty things going on, I want to keep it short and emphasize the need for more superheroes. In more ways than one. Because negativity and being awful, it all just needs to stop.
In a traditional sense, yes we need more superheroes in our comic books and videogames and animated shows that actually represent everyone and then feature those characters in fun, engaging and heroic stories to help inspire people and children alike to be better and do better. The “grimdark” trend in storytelling from big name comic companies that consistently toss heroes through the shredder and ‘life shattering revelations” and events are not particularly enthralling, nor does it inspire. Poorly written and executed. It’s dull, editorial mandates derailing a lot of creativity. I could go on, but that is a different post for another week. This is not just about traditional superheroes in your comics and on your TV. We also need more flesh and blood superheros: you.
In real life we technically already do have actual “superheroes” who risk their lives for others all over the world; soldiers, policemen, doctors, researchers, nurses, firemen, volunteers, teachers , true vigilante activists, mothers, sisters, fathers, investigative journalists, writers and artists, nuns and monks and spiritualists. Any and all good Samaritans or individuals who help others actively or wish to actively help others or the planet through their work. The thing that links all of these people together? Compassion.
In the words of the Indigo Tribe: Nok!
We need more compassion in the world. More empathy. With more compassion for instance, writers can write superheroes and stories that are full of heart and understanding, and yet also still be entertainment. But the big thing, with compassion we can change how we think and act; anyone can be a superhero in their real life if we try a little to be a bit more open. A bit more gentle and empathetic. A bit less in a bubble. A bit less self serving.
Preach it Diana.
We need compassion, become aware of our actions and how they effect other people. We need to work actively to be better people. Instead of bickering and hate. After this week’s occurrences all over the world, we just need to step back, stop being dicks, and instead be heroes. What would Peter Parker Do? What would Captain Rogers do? What would Clark Kent Do? Lois Lane? Wonder Woman? Heroes are heroes because they exemplify the best of us, or at the least, they are supposed to.
Okay we might not want to ask “What Would Batman Do” but, look, he does get some stuff right, is it really this difficult? Guns. Bad. Go away.
I think comic companies have forgotten that to a degree, and perhaps most of us have too. Not to say people aren’t amazing, there are so many good, compassionate people. Because people are inherently good. But we can be even more so. In the face of the struggles and the awful things going on in the world; we have to. We do not have to learn all at once, but we can do it. It will take work, but we can do it. We can make a difference. We really can. No radioactivity, billionaire fortunes, or mutant powers needed. Just compassion.
Think we can do it?
Max Eber
Staff Writer/The Doctor
max@ihogeek.com
Twitter: @maxlikescomics
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Good news for all you Spidey fans out there! Marc Webb, the director of last years hit Amazing Spider-Man, and the upcoming untitled sequel, has announced they’ve cast Harry Osborne for the second film! Which actor will be joining the already phenomenal cast? None other than Dane DeHaan.
Wait, who?
Harry Osborn as he appeared in the UItimate Universe.
Don’t know who Dane DeHaan is, don’t worry you’re not inept when it comes to movie trivia. So far, Dane has only landed a few major roles on the silver screen with his most prominent being the troubled teen in Chronicle. That’s right, the one who could have used his own Uncle Ben. No doubt his portrayal of this neurotic teen empowered by an unknown ism led to the decision to cast him as Harry Osborne. In the previous installment of Spider-man Harry played a crucial role as Peter’s best friend turned anti-hero (okay maybe straight up villain). How big of a role he will play in the next installment has yet to be seen.
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