LOST MARVELS TOWER OF SHADOWS

Since its founding in 1939 as Timely Comics, Marvel has published some of the most iconic series in American comic book history, including The Fantastic Four, Spider-Man, and X-Men that have shaped pop culture. While the comic book publisher is now mostly recognized for its superhero characters, Marvel also had a history of crafting horror and science fiction stories that were popular in the 1960s and '70s but have faded from mainstream audiences memory. Fantagraphics is hoping to bring some of these stories back to light by releasing this year three hardcover anthologies which will introduce today's readers to some Lost Marvels. 

The first of these three anthologies which debuts today is a collection of the issues from the horror series Tower of Shadows which originally ran in 1969. Lost Marvels No. 1: Tower of Shadows, collects all nine issues of the series. In 1969, with its revolutionary superhero line well established, Marvel took a chance on the kind of supernatural, EC-style anthology series that had been banned since the formation of the Comics Code in the 1950s. Tower of Shadows featured a staggering array of artists and writers, including Neal Adams, Jim Steranko, Barry Windsor-Smith, John Buscema, Gene Colan, Wally Wood, Stan Lee, Roy Thomas, John Romita, Johnny Craig, Marie Severin, Gerry Conway, and Bernie Wrightson, to name a few. Freed from the conventions of the superhero adventure, these creators brought their storytelling skills to a more quietly sinister genre, producing atmospheric gems of twisted suspense and sardonic horror. Lost Marvels No. 1: Tower of Shadows is available now from Amazon.com.

In July, Fantagraphics will publish Lost Marvels No. 2: Howard Chaykin Vol. 1: Dominic Fortune, Monark Starstalker, and Phantom Eagle. When Howard Chaykin broke into comics in the 1970s, there was nothing quite like him. His original characters Dominic Fortune and Monark Starstalker took classic pulp heroes and ran them through a postmodern blender. This new volume collects some of the most exciting, sought-after work by Chaykin from 1975 to 2008, including retro-science-fiction bounty hunter Monark Starstalker’s debut appearance and all the Dominic Fortune stories, including the character’s unexpurgated Max series, published a generation later. 

Completing the package is the collision between pulp heroism and the devastating, bloody realities of World War I in Chaykin’s 111-page collaboration with The Boys writer Garth Ennis on War Is Hell: The First Flight of the Phantom Eagle. As the artist behind Marvel’s comic adaptation of the first Star Wars movie and the creator of iconic, influential series like the sci-fi satire American Flagg! and the adults only vampire saga Black Kiss, Howard Chaykin has earned his reputation as a prolific and essential cartoonist. You can pre-order Lost Marvels No. 2: Howard Chaykin from Amazon so as not to forget it is coming out this summer.

In November, Fantagraphics will publish Lost Marvels No. 3: Savage Tales. Best known for Roy Thomas and Barry Windsor-Smith’s Conan the Barbarian and the first appearance of Gerry Conway and Gray Morrow’s Man-Thing, 1971’s Savage Tales was a stunning comics magazine in the spirit of Creepy and Heavy Metal. This volume will collect all 11 issues of the series featuring work from Stan Lee, John Romita, Dennis O’Neil, Al Williamson, Jim Steranko, John Buscema, and a host of other legendary creators delivering a high-octane combination of fantasy, horror, and action. Lost Marvels No. 3: Savage Tales will be published on November 18, 2025.

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CAPTAIN AMERICA BRAVE NEW WORLD

In Marvel Studios’ Captain America: Brave New World, Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) – who now wields the shield of Captain America after events in the Disney+ streaming series “The Falcon and The Winter Soldier” – meets with newly elected U.S. president Thaddeus Ross (Harrison Ford) and soon finds himself in the middle of an international incident. In a race against time, Sam must discover the reason behind a nefarious global plot before the true mastermind has the entire world seeing red.

Rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) for intense sequences of violence and action, Captain America: Brave New World is now available to view on digital platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango at Home, and Movies Anywhere. It will also be available to add to home entertainment video libraries on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD on May 13, 2025.

There will also be available, a Walmart exclusive pop-up Blu-ray that unfolds into a stunning 3D scene featuring Captain America facing off against Red Hulk. With intricate details like Sam’s spread wings, and iconic shield, the dynamic display creates a collectible showdown making it a must-have for Marvel fans.

The home video digital and physical media releases will also include the following featurettes as bonus content:

• Deleted Scenes: 
•  A Heartfelt Thanks – President Ross praises Agent Taylor for her actions. 
•  The Mission – Sam Wilson tries to extract information out of Agent Taylor in the boxing ring. 
•  Stick Around – President Ross extends an apology and an unexpected invitation to Isaiah. 
•  Assuming the Mantle – Ever since his high-flying debut in “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” audiences around the world have known that Sam Wilson was destined for great things. Join the cast and crew as they look at Sam's past, present, and potential future in the MCU. 
•  Old Scores, New Scars – Brave New World finds Captain America locked in a battle of brains and brawn in the forms of The Leader, Red Hulk, and Sidewinder. From prosthetics to visual effects to stunt work, get the lowdown on these formidable foes and how they're brought to life. 
•  Gag Reel – Enjoy some hilarious outtakes on set with the cast and crew of Captain America: Brave New World. 
•  Audio Commentary – Listen to Director Julius Onah and Director of Photography Kramer Morgenthau talk about the film.

WIN A TRIP TO ANTARCTICA

Today through the end of the month, join National Geographic in celebrating the beauty and wonder of ourHOME with a chance to win an expedition to the southernmost continent. Experience the rugged beauty of this frozen landmass firsthand, alongside a team of experts eager to share their passion for this region of the world. Enter the sweepstakes once daily at natgeo.com/ourhomesweepstakes from April 15-30, 2025.*

The prize includes the following: 

•  One 12-day expedition cruise aboard the National Geographic Resolution or National Geographic Endurance to Antarctica for two (double occupancy); 
• Round-trip coach airfare and transfers upon arrival and departure; 
• All meals as indicated in the itinerary; 
• Daily activities and excursions as indicated by the itinerary, including kayaking or boating near icebergs, encountering wildlife, and visiting hard-to-reach places; 
• Access to biologists, geologists and undersea specialists to learn about wildlife throughout the trip.

The sweepstakes is part of the wider ourHOME campaign that The Walt Disney Company and National Geographic announced on April 1, spotlighting global efforts that help protect, restore and celebrate our shared home, and highlighting Disney and National Geographic’s shared legacy of storytelling that inspires a deeper connection to the natural world.

The sweepstakes is part of the wider ourHOME campaign that The Walt Disney Company and National Geographic announced on April 1, spotlighting global efforts that help protect, restore and celebrate our shared home, and highlighting Disney and National Geographic’s shared legacy of storytelling that inspires a deeper connection to the natural world.

*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Enter Sweepstakes between 4/15/25 at 12:00 p.m. EDT and 4/30/25 at 11:59 p.m. EDT. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and D.C., who are 18+ at time of entry. Limit one entry per person per day. Visit https://www.nationalgeographic.com/ourhomesweepstakes/ for full details on how to enter, eligibility requirements, odds of winning, prize description and limitations. Void where prohibited. Sponsor: National Geographic Partners, LLC., 1145 17th Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20036.

DARKWATER VIDEO GAME

I normally don't write about PC gaming because my family mostly plays video games on Nintendo Switch, but there is one coming out from Playstack and Targon Studios that has me GEEKED! Darkwater is a cooperative extraction horror game for 1-4 players about a submarine trapped under the ice of an alien planet. It launches April 22nd on Steam.

Assemble an elite team of up to four submariners as you attempt to survive the icy depths of an alien planet. A mysterious disease has left the surface colonies ravaged and the government has frozen the ocean in response. Trapped below a sheet of thick ice you and your co-op crew must contend with all manner of adversity as you scavenge for precious fuel. Do what it takes to survive.

Engage in naval warfare with enemy submarines and tactically manage a variety of on-board systems as you attempt to gain the upper hand and sink your opponent. Upgrade and customize your submarine in real-time by adding new weapons, tools and rooms including:  

• A range of powerful torpedoes 
•  Harpoons 
•  Decoy mines 
•  Depth charges 
•  Sonar upgrades 

If your crew wants to survive, you’ll have to scavenge for all the fuel and credits you can carry. Dock your submarine to randomly generated deep-sea dungeons and face down what lurks below on foot. Infected divers lurk the halls of long-abandoned underwater hospitals waiting to strike, while alien creatures nest in forgotten factories. Each adversary responds to your presence in unique and unpredictable ways, so always keep your wits about you.

The combination of sci-fi and horror elements with a Fallout style aesthetic has piqued my interest. I also like that the cooperative play elements of the game where you need to work with other players instead of competing against them to beat the game. I just wish the game was on Switch! 

DARTH VADER TAMAGOTCHI

As May the Fourth approaches here is an entertaining way to have some Star Wars fun that you can carry around with you to enjoy throughout that special day. Star Wars Darth Vader Tamagotchi Nano is a pocket-sized game device which puts Darth Vader in the palm of your hand. Play out Anakin Skywalker’s transformation to the Dark Side! Available now on amazon.com

Yes, you get to guide his path. Depending on how you care for him, one of 10 character outcomes will be revealed. Train with a lightsaber, duel enemies, and catch iconic scenes from the films each hour. Plus, it comes with a removable silicone Darth Vader helmet case to store it!

Key aspects of Star Wars Darth Vader Tamagotchi Nano are:

• Your interactions with Anakin determine which light side or dark side characters you encounter in the game;
•  Train with the lightsaber or duel with an enemy;
• See 12 special scenes from the Star Wars franchise periodically appear on the screen;
•  Play 5 Mini Games: The LETTER CATCH: “STAR WARS”, LIGHTSABER TRAINING, TRENCH RUN, DUEL OBI-WAN KENOBI, and BATTLE WITH LUKE SKYWALKER 

Tamagotchi are a brand of digital pets from Bandai. Your pet's well-being and development depend on the care you provide it by interacting with a portable gaming device that the digital creature is housed on. Bandai has adopted this format to a template meant to delight Star Wars fans by interacting with a character from the franchise. In this case, your interactions impact Anakin Skywalker's transformation into Darth Vader. Is this a toy you'd be geeked about?

The Star Wars Darth Vader Tamagotchi Nano is recommend for ages 8+. It utilizes two LR44 batteries that are included. The Darth Vader Tamagotchi device hangs on an included chain and also comes with silicon storage case in the shape of the Dark Lord of the Sith's iconic helmet.

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OVERPOWER CARD GAME MAKING A COMEBACK

OVERPOWER a collectible card game originally produced by Fleer Corporation featuring characters from DC and Marvel comic books that was popular in the 1990s is making a comeback with new ownership and a licensing agreement with Skybound Entertainment to feature content from Invincible and The Walking Dead. Lazarus Rising Games (LRG) is bringing the game back from the dead utilizing the same superhero theming of the game but departing from its past Marvel and DC connections.

OverPower is a two-player tabletop game in which each contestant utilizes a deck of cards which includes four representing characters to serve as a team doing battle with your opponent. The rest of deck consists of fifty-one cards representing offensive and defensive actions that can be taken by a player's characters. Each player also chooses a set of 7 mission cards, that represent their team's goals. Each player also selects a homebase or battle site to serve as an arena space. The goal of the game is to either eliminate all of your opponent's heroes or be the first to complete all 7 mission cards. 

Skybound inclusion within OverPower game starts in 2026 featuring characters from Invincible and The Walking Dead. The roster joining OverPower’s decks will include Invincible characters Omni-Man, Atom Eve and Battle Beast, as well as The Walking Dead fan favorites Rick Grimes, Michonne, Negan and Maggie. 

Keep an eye out this summer as rebirth of the OverPower card game arrives at retailers this Spring and Summer. The 2025 release of the game will start off featuring characters from Top Cow Productions, Inc. and Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc. which will include Top Cow’s Witchblade, Darkness and Cyberforce, as well as Burroughs’ iconic Tarzan of the Apes® and John Carter of Mars®. These characters will be joined by content from the Skybound licensing agreement in 2026. OverPower cards will feature original artwork from some of today's best comic book artists including Jae Lee, Jim Cheung, Raymond Gay, Phillip Tan, and William Santos.

Are you geeked about OverPower making a comeback? 

DIRECTORS CUT OF KINGDOM OF HEAVEN BEING RELEASED IN 4K

The grit and drama of Ridley Scott’s epic Kingdom of Heaven makes history come alive again when it plays out in a Directors Cut edition being released in 4K high definition. The Kingdom of Heaven Directors Cut will be available from digital retailers (Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV and Fandango at Home) and on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc on May 27, 2025. This marks the 20th anniversary of the film's theatrical release. Originally released in 2005, Kingdom of Heaven is one of Scott’s most revered creative endeavors, having crafted a world rich in history, adventure, and visual splendor in which to tell an epic tale.

Ridley Scott crafted a passionate and perilous tale of the Crusades that has made its mark on audiences for decades, but never before has it been shown in such high-definition sight and sound, deepening the experience for longtime fans and a new generation alike. Orlando Bloom stars as the courageous Balian, a young Frenchman in medieval Jerusalem during the Crusades. Having lost everything, Balian finds redemption through a heroic fight — against overwhelming forces — to save his people and fulfill his destiny as a knight.

The 20th Anniversary Blu-ray disc release of Kingdom of Heaven is a three-disc set encased in a collectible SteelBook® that honors the remarkable weaponry and masks featured in the film. Behind the scenes footage includes a look at the creation of spectacular visual effects, a retrospective of world premiere excitement, deleted scenes and insightful filmmaker reflections so that fans can appreciate and remember it as the brave and beautiful film Ridley Scott intended it to be.