Next week, IDW Publishing will celebrate its 20th anniversary at San Diego Comic-Con with sensational booth appearances by such fan-favorite talents as George Takei, Joe Hill, Gabriel Rodríguez, Kim Dwinell, Magdalene Visaggio, B. Dave Walters, Stan Sakai, Walter Simonson, Delilah S. Dawson, Kevin Eastman, Sam Maggs, Rod Fergusson, the cast of Wynonna Earp, and so many, many more!
Our complete list of booth guests, panels, and show exclusives can be found below. Be sure to visit Booth #2729 for IDW’s coolest Comic-Con signings and swag!
Of special note, IDW is now taking Comic-Con preorders on special They Called Us Enemy items: the Hardcover and Signed & Numbered Hardcover editions, to be picked up at Booth #2729 during show hours. A stunning graphic memoir recounting actor/author/activist George Takei‘s childhood imprisoned at American concentration camps during World War II, this gripping tale of courage, country, loyalty, and love – by George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott, and Harmony Becker – allows readers to experience the forces that shaped an American icon… and America itself. (And don’t miss the They Called Us Enemy signings and panels – see below for details!)
BOOTH #2729 SIGNING SCHEDULE
Wednesday July 17th Preview Night
6:00 – 7:00 Ragnarök – Walter Simonson
(*Convention exclusives available!)
7:00 – 9:00 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – Kevin Eastman, Tom Waltz, Bobby Curnow
(*Ticketed signing, see employee for details)(*Convention exclusives available!)
Thursday July 18th
10:15 – 11:00 Rick & Morty vs. Dungeons & Dragons – Jim Zub
11:00 – 12:00 Dungeons & Dragons: A Darkened Wish – B. Dave Walters
11:00 – 12:00 Surfside Girls – Kim Dwinell
(*Book debut!)
11:00 – 12:00 Red Panda & Moon Bear – Jarod Rosello
(*Book debut!)
12:00 – 1:00 Clyde – Jim Benton
12:00 – 1:00 V-Wars – Jonathan Maberry
12:00 – 1:00 X-Files – Sam “Mister Sam” Shearon
1:00 – 2:00 Star Trek: Year Five – Brandon Easton, Jim McCann, Jody Houser, Jackson Lanzing, Collin Kelly, J.J. Lendl
(*Convention exclusives available!)
1:00 – 2:00 Coin-Op Comics – Maria & Peter Hoey
2:00 – 3:00 Ragnarök – Walter Simonson
(*Convention exclusives available!)
2:00 – 3:00 Ghost Tree – Bobby Curnow
3:00 – 4:30 Locke & Key – Joe Hill, Gabriel Rodriguez
(*Ticketed signing, see employee for details)
(*Convention exclusives available!)
4:00 – 5:00 Highwayman – Koren Shadmi
4:00 – 5:00 Limbo Lounge – Dave Calver
5:00 – 6:00 From Hell – Eddie Campbell
5:00 – 6:00 Transformers – John Barber, Fico Ossio
6:00 – 7:00 Transformers/Ghostbusters – Erik Burnham
(*Convention exclusives available!)
6:00 – 7:00 Gears of War – Creator Rod Fergusson, Narrative Director Bonnie Jean Mah
Friday July 19th
10:00 – 11:00 Clyde – Jim Benton
10:00 – 11:00 Johnny Boo – James Kochalka
10:00 – 11:00 Star Wars Adventures – Delilah Dawson, Chris “Doc” Wyatt, Kevin Burke
(*Convention exclusives available!)
11:00 – 12:00 Star Trek – Mike Johnson, J.K. Woodward, Scott Tipton
11:00 – 12:00 Surfside Girls – Kim Dwinell
(*Book debut!)
11:00 – 12:00 Penny Nichols – M.K. Reed, Greg Means
12:00 – 1:30 They Called Us Enemy – George Takei, Harmony Becker, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott
(*Convention exclusives available!)
(*Ticketed signing, see employee for details)
2:00 – 3:00 Star Wars Adventures – Chris Fenoglio, Cavan Scott, Arie Kaplan, John Barber, Derek Charm, Tony Fleecs, Michael Moreci, Mauricet
(*Convention exclusives available!)
2:00 – 3:00 Highwayman – Koren Shadmi
3:00 – 4:00 Usagi Yojimbo & Ragnarök – Stan Sakai & Walter Simonson
(*Convention exclusives available!)
3:00 – 4:00 Canto – David M. Booher, Drew Zucker
(*Convention exclusives available!)
4:00 – 5:00 Locke & Key – Joe Hill, Gabriel Rodriguez
(*Ticketed signing, see employee for details)
(*Convention exclusives available!)
4:00 – 5:00 Road of Bones – Rich Douek
5:00 – 6:30 Wynonna Earp – Melanie Scrofano, Katherine Barrell, Chantel Riley, Greg Lawson, Emily Andras, Beau Smith
(*Convention exclusives available!)
(*Ticketed signing, see employee for details)
Saturday July 20th
10:00 – 11:30 Wynonna Earp – Melanie Scrofano, Katherine Barrell, Chantel Riley, Greg Lawson, Michael Eklund, Emily Andras, Beau Smith
(*Convention exclusives available!)
(*Ticketed signing, see employee for details)
11:00 – 12:00 Sh*t My President Says – Shannon Wheeler
11:00 – 12:00God is Disappointed in You, Apocrypha Now! – Mark Russell
11:00 – 12:00 Gumballs – Erin Nations
12:00 – 1:00 Ragnarök – Walter Simonson
(*Convention exclusives available!)
12:00 – 1:00 Star Pig – Delilah Dawson
(*Convention exclusives available!)
12:00 – 1:00 Sonic The Hedgehog – Jennifer Hernandez, Caleb Goellner
1:00 – 2:00 Locke & Key – Gabriel Rodriguez
(*Convention exclusives available!)
1:00 – 2:00 Marilyn Manor – Magdalene Visaggio
1:00 – 2:00 October Faction – Steve Niles
2:00 – 4:00 They Called Us Enemy – George Takei, Harmony Becker, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott
(*Convention exclusives available!)
(*Ticketed signing, see employee for details)
4:00 – 5:00 Ghostbusters – Erik Burnham, Keith Dallas, Cavan Scott
(*Convention exclusives available!)
4:00 – 5:00 Johnny Boo – James Kochalka
5:00 – 6:00 Transformers – John Barber, Fico Ossio, Mairghread Scott, Brendan Cahill
5:00 – 6:00 Care Bears – Agnes Garbowska
(*Convention exclusives available!)
6:00 – 7:00 Transformers: Galaxies – Tyler Bleszinski
(*Get a free signed promo poster!)
6:00 – 7:00 Marvel Action: Captain Marvel – Sam Maggs
(*Get a free signed promo poster!)
6:00 – 7:00 Marvel Action: Spider-Man – Fico Ossio
6:00 – 7:00 Eve Stranger – Philip Bond
6:00 – 7:00 Red Panda & Moon Bear – Jarod Rosello
(*Book debut!)
Sunday July 21st
10:00 – 11:00 Sons of Chaos – Chris Jaymes
(*Book debut!)
10:00 – 11:00 Usagi Yojimbo – Stan Sakai
(*Convention exclusives available!)
11:00 – 12:00 Locke & Key – Gabriel Rodriguez
(*Convention exclusives available!)
11:00 – 12:00Night Moves – V.J. & Justin Boyd
12:00 – 2:00 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – Kevin Eastman, Tom Waltz, Bobby Curnow
(*Ticketed signing, see employee for details)
(*Convention exclusives available!)
1:00 – 2:00 My Little Pony – Sara Richard, Tony Fleecs, Thom Zahler
2:00 – 3:00 Goosebumps – Jen Vaughn, Denton Tipton, Chris Fenoglio, Jeremy Lambert
2:00 – 3:00 Canto – David M. Booher, Drew Zucker
(*Convention exclusives available!)
3:00 – 4:00 Sonic The Hedgehog – Jennifer Hernandez, Evan Stanley
(*Convention exclusives available!)
The Top Shelf section of the booth will be filled all weekend with more great creators, too!
And for the kids, enjoy surprise visits on Saturday and Sunday by Cheer Bear and Grumpy Bear of Care Bear: Unlock the Magic fame!
PANEL SCHEDULE
IDW Publishing: The Next 20 Years
Thursday, 7/18/19, 12:00p.m. – 1:00p.m.
Room: 9
The past is prologue! IDW’s 20th anniversary celebrations lead here—as we set the course for the next 20 years of comics and more! IDW Editor in Chief John Barber leads a lively panel looking behind-the-scenes at what’s coming next and how we’re getting there, featuring New York Times bestselling author Delilah Dawson, Surfside Girls’ Kim Dwinell, and more favorites—plus top secret guests talking mind-blowing new projects. All this and a no-holds-barred Q&A!
IDW Games: Other People’s (Intellectual) Property
Thursday, 7/18/19, 2:00p.m. – 3:00p.m.
Room: 9
Pop culture is virtually built upon the foundation of intellectual properties, and geek fandom loves to delve deep into the lore of the fictional worlds that we love. So how do companies get the chance to create products with other people’s I.P.s, and what does it take to make sure a product is going to please die-hard fans? Join Jerry Bennington and Spencer Reeve (IDW Publishing), and David Preti and Geoff Skinner (CMON Limited), as they discuss creating games and merchandise based on beloved I.P.s like Batman The Animated Series, God of War, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Bloodborne, and Dragon Ball Z.
Star Trek: Year Five – The Writer’s Room
Thursday, 7/18/19, 11:00a.m. – 12:00p.m.
Room: 28DE
Step into the Writer’s Room of the critically acclaimed Star Trek: Year Five comic series! Join series writers Jackson Lanzing, Collin Kelly, Jody Houser, Brandon Easton, and Jim McCann as they discuss their collaboration on the first issues of the series and the wild places the Enterprise will go on its way back home.
IDW & Hasbro: Transformers – A Bold New Universe
Thursday, 7/18/19, 10:00a.m. – 11:00a.m.
Room: 29AB
Celebrating 35 years of everyone’s favorite Robots in Disguise, IDW Publishing and Hasbro are proud to present a bold new universe with the launch of multiple new TRANSFORMERS titles! Join artist Livio Ramondelli (Transformers: Galaxies, Optimus Prime), writer Tyler Bleszinski (Transformers: Galaxies, Vox Media), Hasbro’s Michael Kelly (VP, Global Publishing), Erik Burnham (Transformers/Ghostbusters), and a few surprise guests as they talk about what’s new in Transformers comics, announce upcoming projects, and talk about how to make the next 35 years of TRANSFORMERS great! This More Than Meets the Eye panel is moderated by IDW Transformers editor David Mariotte.
Creating for Change: Tackling Big Issues with Great Books
Friday, 7/19/2019, 4:00p.m. – 5:00p.m.
Room: 4
In this exciting era of comics storytelling, marginalized communities, voices, and topics are being brought to the attention of audiences everywhere. Join creators Marc Andreyko (Love is Love), Harmony Becker (Himawari Share, They Called Us Enemy), Regine Sawyer (Women in Comics NYC Collective),and additional guests for a thoughtful discussion on the utility of sequential storytelling for stimulating meaningful debate, and dare we hope… change. Moderated by They Called Us Enemy co-author, Justin Eisinger.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Road to 100
Friday, 7/19/19, 2:00p.m. – 3:00p.m.
Room: 23ABC
Join moderator Patrick Ehlers as he talks with TMNT co-creator Kevin Eastman, writer Tom Waltz and editor Bobby Curnow as they share behind-the-scenes stories about the creation of the longest running TMNT comic ever! The team will also share advance looks at the upcoming issues leading to the monumental milestone #100 issue which comes out this fall in addition to other news from IDW Publishing’s TMNT line!
Spotlight on Joe Hill & Gabe Rodriguez: Locke & Key Spectacular
Friday, 7/19/19, 12:00p.m. – 1:00p.m.
Room: 32AB
Locke & Key co-creators Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez re-unite to discuss the series’ impact, the all-new con-exclusive Locke & Key comic, the coming Netflix streaming series, and the (strong) likelihood of even more new L&K comics, too! Come join the authors and moderator/Locke & Key editor/IDW CCO Chris Ryall for a celebration of the landmark series in all its forms!
IDW Presents: Spotlight on Walter Simonson & Stan Sakai
Saturday, 7/20/19, 10:00a.m. – 11:00a.m.
Room: 23ABC
Two industry legends for one low price! Walter Simonson and Stan Sakai need no introduction, but Scott Dunbier will give them one anyway! Come for the latest news on their creator-owned masterworks Ragnarök and Usagi Yojimbo, stay for fascinating tales of comic industry lore, Norse legends and feudal Japan! A must-see panel for any fan of these two talented, and longstanding artists. LATE ADDITION ADDED BONUS: The equally legendary Louise “Weezie” Simonson will be joining the fun!
IDW & Oni Press: Rick & Morty vs Dungeons & Dragons
Saturday, 7/20/19, 12:00p.m. – 1:00p.m.
Room: 25ABC
Oni Press, IDW, and Dungeons & Dragons are busting out the twenty-sided die for a second roll at Rick and Morty™vs. Dungeons & Dragons II: Painscape this fall, and we’re giving Comic Con attendees an exclusive sneak peak! The world’s greatest role-playing game returns to plague the world’s most dysfunctional animated family in the newly announced second series! Fan-favorite dice-dependent writer Jim Zub is joined by editor Chase Marotz, and Wizards of the Coast game designer Nathan Stewart for a full hour guaranteed to be more fun than any line for convention exclusives!
George Takei: They Called Us Enemy
Saturday, 7/20/19, 1:00p.m. – 2:00p.m.
Room: 25ABC
In his brand-new graphic memoir They Called Us Enemy, the beloved actor, author, and activist George Takei revisits his haunting childhood in American concentration camps, as one of 120,000 Japanese Americans imprisoned by the U.S. government during World War II. Experience the forces that shaped an American icon — and America itself — in this gripping tale of courage, country, loyalty, and love. You’ll hear firsthand from George Takei, as well as his co-authors Justin Eisinger and Steven Scott and artist Harmony Becker, about this dark chapter of our nation’s history, its impact on Takei’s astonishing life, and its urgent relevance for today’s world.
SYFY and IDW Entertainment: Wynonna Earp
Saturday, 7/20/19, 5:00p.m. – 5:50p.m.
Room: Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront
Saddle up, Earpers! SYFY’s hit series and the 2018 People’s Choice Award Winner for Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy Show is back. Just because a mind-blowing season finale put an end to Bulshar and the Earp curse, doesn’t mean Wynonna’s done kicking demon-ass or putting up one hell of a fight to rescue Waverly from the Garden of Eden. Join the cast and creators of the award-winning series based on the IDW Publishing comic book created by Beau Smith, as they tease the upcoming 4th season and look back at the show’s most hell-raising moments.
IDW: Comics for Kids!
Sunday, 7/21/19, 10:30a.m. – 11:30a.m.
Room: 23ABC
Ever wonder what it takes to make an all-ages comic? Ever want to try your hand at making your own? Join Kim Dwinell (Surfside Girls), James Kochalka (Johnny Boo), Sam Maggs (Marvel Action: Captain Marvel, My Little Pony), Jarod Roselló (Red Panda & Moon Bear), Evan Stanley (Sonic the Hedgehog), and IDW Publishing for a behind-the-scenes look at how your favorite comics are made! It’s sure to be a morning full of fun activities, secret surprises, and much, much more! And bonus: a free comic for every kid in attendance!
IDW Publishing: Artist’s Editions & More!
Sunday, 7/21/19, 3:00p.m. – 4:00p.m.
Room: 32AB
Accept no substitutes! The one and only Artist’s Edition panel is here! The format pioneered by Scott Dunbier has blossomed into its own industry, with gorgeous original art books on shelves worldwide. But for the info on the Real McCoy, this is the place to be! Join Scott and a special guest or two, for inside info, and announcements of upcoming Artist’s Editions, Artisan Editions…and more!
IDW CONVENTION EXCLUSIVES
Only available for pick up at IDW’s SDCC booth #2729 throughout the convention!
COMICS
Canto #1
New cover by Drew Zucker
$10 each, Limited to 250 copies (*Limit 1 per person)
Care Bears #1, Con variant
Logo-free Cover by Agnes Garbowska
$5 each, Limited to 500 copies
GI Joe Real American Hero #264, Con Silent Master Variants
Toy Packaging Cover of Snake-Eyes, 5 different designs
$25 each, Limited to 100 copies each day
Each day, we will release 100 copies of one of the different Silent Master variants featuring the various toy packaging artwork of everyone’s favorite Ninja, Snake Eyes! Come back each day to build the set!
Locke & Key: Nailed It one-shot, Con variant
New Cover by Gabriel Rodriguez
$5 each, Limited to 1000 copies
Locke & Key: Nailed It one-shot, Deluxe Con variant
Logo-free Premium Cover by Gabriel Rodriguez
$10 each, Limited to 500 copies
Sonic Tangle & Whisper #1, Con variant
New Cover by Evan Stanley
$10 each, Limited to 500 copies
Star Pig #1, Con variant
Spot-Color Cover by Francesco Gaston
$10 each, Limited to 250 copies
Star Trek Year Five #1, Con variant
Negative Painted Cover by Greg Hildebrandt
$10 each, Limited to 500 copies
Star Wars Adventures #23, Con variant
Logo-free Cover by Tony Fleecs
$10, Limited to 500 copies
TMNT #93, Con variant
Blue Line Cover by Kevin Eastman
$10 each, Limited to 500 copies
***JUST ANNOUNCED***
TMNT #95, Surprise Reveal Con Variant
Cover by Dave Wachter
$100 each, Limited to 200 copies (*Limit 1 per person)
Due to the recent storyline in TMNT: City At War, we have created a unique “Spoiler Reveal” variant of TMNT #95 to commemorate the newest Turtle, Jennika! We’re bringing 200 copies of this book and limiting it to 1 per person. Not listed on the CCI Exclusives page, but find it at our booth #2729!
Transformers/Ghostbusters #1, Con variant
New Cover by Dan Schoening
$10 each, Limited to 500 copies
Usagi Yojimbo #1, Launch Tour variant
New Cover by Stan Sakai
$10 each, Limited to 150 copies
Wraith #7, Con variant
Photo Cover from NOS4A2 TV show
$10 each, Limited to 500 copies
BUNDLES
Ghostbusters 35th Anniversary Bundle Pack, 4 diff one-shots
New covers by Dan Schoening
$40 each, Limited to 500 packs
Pick up all 4 of our Ghostbusters 35th anniversary one-shot comic, each with a new “Movie-Poster” themed cover by Ghostbusters artist Dan Schoening!
GI Joe Silent Master Variant Ultimate Bundle, 10 comics in 1 bundle
Various artists & Toy Packaging art
$200 each, Limited to 50 bundles
Instead of coming each day to pick up the ultra-rare Silent Master Variant comic for that day, get all 5 regular Silent Master Variant comics (featuring various Snake Eyes Toy Packaging art) and get a BONUS 6th cover of Snake Eyes that is ONLY available in this bundle! We include 4 rare GI Joe variants from the past year, to make this the bundle you MUST own at the convention!
TMNT 35TH Anniversary Bundle, Box set plus free variants
Covers by Kevin Eastman
$50 each, Limited to 100 bundles
Celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles by getting the 35th Anniversary Box Set of key reprints of Mirage TMNT #1-4 plus the Raphael one-shot! As a bonus, we are including THREE free Kevin Eastman TMNT variants from the last few years at NO additional charge!
Usagi Yojimbo & Ragnarok 2-pack, Connecting Virgin Variants
New covers by Walter Simonson & Stan Sakai
$20 per pack, Limited to 500 packs
Here’s your chance to own 2 limited edition variant comic books featuring a spectacular jam image of creators Stan Sakai and Walter Simonson drawing each others’ signature characters, all colored by Laura Martin! These 2 virgin comic books have color artwork on the front, and the inked version on the back! Grab them both and meet the creators during the show!
Wynonna Earp Deluxe Pack
$20, Limited to 150 packs
Pick up a Wynonna Earp Deluxe pack, containing a recent Convention photo variant, a RARE limited giveaway photo variant, and several bonus comics featuring photo covers of your favorite Wynonna Earp cast members!
TRADES / HARDCOVERS
Godzilla Kingdom of Monsters TP, Con variant
Sketch Cover by Alex Ross
$20, Limited to 250 copies
Legendary painter Alex Ross provides a con-exclusive sketch cover to this trade paperback! This trade paperback of Godzilla: Kingdom of Monsters, by Eric Powell, is just in time for the newest release of Godzilla: King of Monsters in movie theaters, and the 55th anniversary of Godzilla!
Star Trek vs. Transformers TP, Con variant
Animation Cel Cover by Derek Charm
$20 each, Limited to 250 copies
Surfside Girls Volume 2, Show debut
Cover by Kim Dwinell
$15, 100 copies at the show
They Called Us Enemy Hardcover Edition, First release at SDCC!
Cover by Harmony Becker $30 each, 300 copies at the show
Get the hardcover version of George Takei’s gripping memoir, They Called Us Enemy, detailing his childhood where his family was sent to a Japanese American interment camp during World War II.
Available for Preorder – Click Here!
They Called Us Enemy Signed and Numbered Hardcover Edition, First release at SDCC!
Cover by Harmony Becker
$75 each, 300 copies at the show
Get a special signed and numbered hardcover version of George Takei’s gripping memoir, They Called Us Enemy, detailing his childhood where his family was sent to a Japanese American interment camp during World War II. This Signed and Numbered edition comes with a bound-in signature plate signed by the entire creative team, including George Takei!
Available for Preorder – Click Here!
Transformers vs. G.I. Joe Quintessential Collection HC, Signed/Numbered variant
Cover by Tom Scioli
$40 each, Limited to 200 copies
This special deluxe release hardcover collects the entire Transformers vs. GI Joe storyline written and drawn by visionary creator Tom Scioli, and comes with a bound-in signature plate, which is signed by Scioli and numbered to a scarce run of 200 copies.
Walter Simonson Star Wars Artist Edition, Con Foil Stamp variant
Cover by Walter Simonson
$125 each, Limited to 100 copies
This special Artist Edition, with a foil stamped cover by creator Walter Simonson, contains a wonderful run of Star Wars comics in the early 1980s that comics legends Walter Simonson and Tom Palmer collaborated on, before the release of The Empire Strikes Back.
MERCHANDISE
Locke & Key Logo & Emblem Enamel Pin Set
Crafted by Israel Skelton
$20, Limited to 100 sets
Locke & Key Replica Keys, 5 re-issued designs
Crafted by Israel Skelton
$26 each, Limited to 100 per design
Ragnarok & Usagi Yojimbo Jam Lithograph
$20 each, limited to 250 copies
Own the 24” by 18” lithograph featuring a spectacular jam image of creators Stan Sakai and Walter Simonson drawing each others’ signature characters, all colored by Laura Martin! Each lithograph will come with a poster tube, and you can get it double signed at our booth during the convention!
Zombicide TMNT pack #1, Con variant
Designed by CMON Games
$25 each, Limited to 1500
It’s an outbreak of high-flying, Zombie-killing, ninja action as the TMNT invade CMON’s hit board game, Zombicide! This SDCC exclusive pack #1 contains 4 characters from TMNT done in the iconic Zombicide style! Also, you can get pack #2 exclusively at the CMON Games booth #4928.
We are now in a new season for the team, and they have started off on the wrong
foot. The team is broken up and Ted has his work cut out for him. The team goes
through a slump, and Ted is now doubting his coaching ability. Ted’s personal life
has also gotten out of control, and he discovers his ex-wife Michelle has started a relationship with their therapist. The wonderkid, Nathan Shelley, the former manager of West Ham has had a change of heart and leaves his job to be with his one true love, the waitress from his favorite restaurant.
She convinces him to return to the Richmond team he started out in and it’s quite evident that
everyone wants him back and held no hard feelings. All of Lawrence’s series he has worked on with others have just that right balance of slice-of-life drama with a little bit of ridiculous comedy that reality dishes us, normal folks, every day.
This all comes to a head in the potential series finale where Ted announced to
Rebecca that he will be returning to the States to his family after his mother tells
him that his son misses him. This puts the Richmond owner into quite a state of denial; doing everything from offering Ted the position of being the highest-paid coach in the league to selling the team after he leaves. The team is also affected by this decision as they perform a number from the musical The Sound of Music that is a more than touching farewell to this family.
This bleeds into their playing as in the final title match the first half is met with
bumbling and possible injuries to their star player Jamie.
After an energizing pep talk and a circle back to the first motivator in the
beginning, a sign Ted made up that said “BELIEVE”, the team dominate the second
half and win with a rousing closing scene that is reminiscent of any 80’s party
movie. It’s a fitting end for this pandemic darling that emotionally carried us through. It is
a must-see series even if you don’t like soccer (football).
If you were born in the ’80s, ’90s, or literally ANY decade after those, you know about Super Mario. A cultural phenomenon was brought to life on the big screen this last weekend. One that has not only stood the test of time but reinvented itself time and time again. This wasn’t even the first time it’s been made into a movie but, well, let’s be honest.. some of us choose not to acknowledge the LIVE action adaptation of the beloved game from 30 years ago.
It was pretty bad… But this was animation. ILLUMINATION animation at that. The Universal company that brought us Gru and his Minions, showed us the Secret Life of Pets, and gave us a reason to SING! Still, I had my reservations and even some concerns, especially when the casting was announced.
Eyebrows were raised. As big of stars as they were on paper, could they really deliver on voicing characters from a staple of our childhood? They did.
Chris Pratt and Charlie Day may not be Italian, and Jack Black may not be a King or Turtle creature from the Mushroom Kingdom, but they make the characters their own all while paying homage to the lore of a video game.
From the jump, the story reintroduces us to the brothers that just want to save Brooklyn one clogged sink at a time. We feel an instant connection and relate to these “underdogs of the plumbing world”. The movie is riddled with easter eggs, each of which tugs on the heartstrings of every generation of Mario fandom. And the soundtrack was beautifully put together to not only make us feel like we’re taking a walkthrough of the game but like an experience all its own with some familiar favorites thrown in.
Every word in the movie is pure eye candy for both those that are casual fans, and those analyzing every frame to see what they’ll catch next. Bowser’s ship, the Mushroom Kingdom, Kong’s arena, and the Rainbow Road.. They’re all meant to give us just enough of a “new” look at these amazing worlds, but stay true to how we remember them.
The movie itself moves along at the perfect pace. Although, if you don’t really know ANYTHING about the Super Mario Bros, you may have gotten a little lost and felt left behind in the green tunnel. But that’s ok! It’s an adventure of the imagination and a classic story of a boy that meets a girl and tries to save the world from a monster that wants to destroy it.
What’s funny is that you could easily say this is a story about two characters who couldn’t be more opposite if they tried, battling to win the heart of a princess. Who would’ve thought that the King of the Koopas was just trying to impress his crush?
And that song? Ohhh THAT song! It’s my new ringtone and deserves the Oscar for Best Original Song.
Back to the movie.
Universal and Illumination clearly understood the assignment. Is it missing some things or could things have been done differently or even better? Absolutely! We’re the worst critics of the things we hold nearest and dearest to our hearts. But if you’re up for going on a 90-minute adventure through amazing worlds, with awesome music, and characters that’ll make you smile and laugh, then this is the perfect movie to spring you into that warm summer feeling.
Plus there’s the whole part with karts and shells, and banana peels and oh my goodness how amazing was that?? It’s enough to make you want to stand up and cheer, then go home and destroy your friends and family on your favorite track haha.
The bottom line, it pays homage in all the right ways to the little guy with the mustache, while giving us something new and exciting. Take the kids and go see Super Mario Bros. You’ll be glad you did!
Justice League x RWBY: Superheroes & Hunters Opening Act Saturday, March 25 at 1:30 p.m. on North 200A. Talent confirmed so far to participate in the post-screening panel is Natalie Alyn Lind (Big Sky, The Goldbergs, Gotham) as Wonder Woman/Diana Prince and longtime RWBY cast member Lindsay Jones (Camp Camp) as Ruby, Kara Eberle ( RWBY: Ice Queendom) as Weiss, Arryn Zech (Detective Now Dead) as Blake and Barbara Dunkelman (Blood Fest) as Yang – along with Jeannie Tirado (Soul, Saints Row) as Green Lantern and Tru Valentino (The Rookie, The Cuphead Show!) as a cyborg. Also attending the panel will be producer/director Kerry Shawcross (series RWBY) and writer Meghan Fitzmartin (Supernatural, Justice Society: World War II).
Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment returns to WonderCon 2023 with the big screen debut from DC Animated Films: highlights this year include the world premieres of the highly anticipated Batman: The Doom That Came To Gotham and Justice League x RWBY: Superheroes & Hunters Part One the weekend of March 24-26 in Anaheim, California. Both screenings will be followed by panel discussions with actors and creators. Batman: The Doom That Came To Gotham premieres at The Arena on Friday, March 24 at 6 p.m. Tati Gabrielle (Kaleidoscope, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Uncharted) as Kai Li Cain, Christopher Gorham (The Lincoln Lawyer, Insatiable) as Oliver Queen, David Dastmalchian (Dune, Suicide Squad, Ant-Man) as Grendon, producer/co-director Sam Liu (The Death and the Return of Superman), co-director Christopher Berkeley (Young Justice) and screenwriter Jase Ricci (Teen Titans Go! and DC Super Hero Girls: Mayhem Across the Multiverse).
Both films will have encore screenings in the Arena on Sunday, March 26. Justice League x RWBY: Super Heroes & Huntsmen, Part One will screen at 12:15pm, followed by Batman: The Doom That Came To Gotham at 2:00pm
Finally, the Cinderella story of the Richmond Greyhounds has come to an end.
No Question Mark Box Here; Super Mario Delivers a 1-Up in Theaters
Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment returns to WonderCon 2023
Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
Crunnchyroll presents ‘BOFURI: I don’t want to get hurt so I’ll max out my defense’: You’re not twinking!
No Question Mark Box Here; Super Mario Delivers a 1-Up in Theaters
Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
An Askewed View Episode 7 Jay And Silent Bob Reboot
