You may be aware that it was San Diego Comic Con last week.
Comic Cons are more multi media and nerd adjacent culture events these days. They aren’t restricted to comics, sometimes comics at cons have become the middle child hiding in the corner at the family gathering. TCG, film and videogames dominate – because let’s be fair, that’s where the big money is.
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Sadly, TGC Collectables were unable to attend. However, as ever with SDCC there was a tonne of exciting launch news for those of the geek persuasion.
San Diego is probably the biggest of these events and it’s where the big companies take the opportunity to promote their big releases. I’ve never been, but it looks like a bonkers few days, exciting, exhausting and expensive. It’s on my bucket list.
Some Highlights:
Zelda Figures
Hasbro and Nintendo have gone into partnership to create a line of action figures of the characters from the legendary and iconic Nintendo RPG. As you’d expect from Hasbro, these look high quality and will be in high demand. Preorders for May 2027 shipping are open here.
MCU :
Ryan Gosling will be Johnny Blaze in the new Ghost Rider film scheduled for 2028, directed by Deadpool and Wolverine’s Shawn Levy. There have been a few Ghost Riders, but they’ve gone back to the first one. Equally there have been two “Ghost Rider” films, both starring Nic Cage. Motorbikes and burning skulls? Vengeance? What’s not to like?
David Jonsson is the new Black Panther, son of T’Challa, for “Black Panther 3”, due for release in December 2028. Ryan Cogler who directed the wildly successful first “Black Panther” returns.
DCU
Trailer for the upcoming “Lanterns series”, which stars versions of Hal Jordan, John Stewart, Guy Gardner. The series debuts on HBO on the 16th of August. This looks impressive. Hopefully It will have a better reception than “Supergirl”.
DC Comics
The runaway success of the Absolute Universe leads to more expansion, as well as the extended “Absolute Green Arrow” – from 6 to 12 issues there will be an Absolute Black Canary one shot. The Absolute universe has gone crazy nuts, I’ve not dabbled much with it, apart from “Absolute Wonder Woman” (Hayden Sherman is an artist to watch) and the surreal and haunting “Absolute Martian Manhunter”.
Speaking of which, now that AMM has ended, Deniz Camp and Javier Rodriguez are moving onto the resurrected “Shadow Of The Bat” Batman title, bound to be a hit.
Marvel Comics
Marvel’s Midnight Universe was launched, 3 inter connected titles starring familiar heroes but with a horror twist. Fantastic Four, Spiderman and X men are all getting the spooky treatment. Quality creative teams attached : Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Benjamin Percy, Jonathan Hickman writing, with ScieTronc, Kev Walker and Matteo Della Fonte on art. Hickman is the driving force behind it, so expectations are high.
Apple TV
Teaser trailer for the adaptation of William Gibson’s classic sci fi novel “Neuromancer” was released. For those who don’t know, “Neuromancer” is the novel that popularised cyberpunk. Hugely influential, not to mention a great read.
At the other end of the sophistication spectrum, the con saw the premier of the trailer for the John Cena’s starring “Matchbox” movie, based on the toy car line. “Barbie” was a massive success, and a great film, “Matchbox” owners Mattel, are hoping that magic will rub off here. John Cena is always good for a laugh anyway.
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Prime
Prime launched their new streaming series “Blade Runner 2099” with a trailer.. Continuing in the same world as the Classic 1982 film, but with new protagonists. I was never sure that they needed to make a sequel to the original, never mind a series, but this does look good.
New stories in whatever form, leads to new merch' and video games. Keep watching your inbox, your socials and the website for new drops in the near future. Don't forget that there is plenty of current merch' on the TGC Collectables and The Game Collection pages.
