DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS HUMBLE BUNDLE

With a new Dungeons & Dragons movie storming into theatres this weekend the roleplaying game is on a lot of people's minds. People who are geeked about the movie or enjoy playing the game, may want to head over to humblebundle.com to check out their current promotion featuring IDW Publishing Dungeons and Dragons comic books. You can get a treasure trove of digital comic books for a steal! 

Humble Bundle bands together book and video game publishers with charities to provide incredible deals for consumers while also fundraising for charity. You can choose how much you want to spend and divide that amount between the publisher, charity and Humble Bundle for hosting the deal. There are five different Dungeons and Dragons levels to choose from.

You can just spend $1 to purchase to get five digital Dungeon & Dragons graphic novels that are each a collection of a number of comic books from IDW Publishing. Spend ten dollars to receive 14 comics. And spending $18 will get you 29 Dungeons & Dragons graphic novels. For $18 you are literally getting the retail value of $326 in comic books! 

Feeling generous? You can spend more to donate to the Dungeons & Dragons Bundle charity partner, The Hasbro Children's Fund. This is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is to empower childhood by bringing “the sparkle of Hope, the joy of Play and the power of Service” into the lives of the children across the globe. Working with strategic charitable partners, the grants made through the Hasbro Children’s Fund support programs that deliver; stability for children in crisis; pediatric physical and mental health services; hunger security; educational programs; quality out of school time programming and programs that empower youth through service. To learn more about these programs and how they are making a difference for children worldwide, please visit www.hasbro.org.

The tabletop legend gets the comic treatment in this Humble Bundle promotion. Thanks to IDW Publishing, you can jump headlong into the world of Dungeons & Dragons no matter how poorly you roll your acrobatics check! Comic geniuses like Jim Zub, AJ Mendez, Sal Buscema, Rags Morales, Andrea Di Vito, Jan Duursema and countless others come together to tell the story of the heroes of Baldur’s Gate as they journey across Icewind Dale and other regions across the Forgotten Realms. With books like Dungeons & Dragons: At the Spine of the World, Dungeons & Dragons: Mindbreaker, Dungeons & Dragons: Legends of Baldur's Gate, and two dozen others, you won’t want to miss this collection of adventures! 

Plus, your purchase goes on to support the Hasbro Children's Fund! Pay $1 or more. Normally, the total cost for the comics and ebooks in this bundle is as much as $326. This bundle has a minimum $1 purchase.

Read your comic books purchased through Humble Bundle anywhere. The comics are available in PDF and ePub formats, so they work on your computer, e-readers, iPads, cell phones, and a wide array of mobile devices! 

If you want to help Humble Bundle keep offering deals like this Dungeons and Dragons collection of comic books, think about giving them a tip at check out too. They have expenses to pay to keep the site up and running after all. 

I've bought a number of comic book related bundles from them and have been very satisfied with the prices, quality of the products offered, and that you don't have to utilize an app to read your e-books just download them from your Humble Bundle account when you want to read them and view directly on your computer or other electronic device. From my experience with Humble Bundle they've earned a Geek Daddy nod of approval.

Are you geeked about this Dungeons and Dragons Humble Bundle of IDW Publishing comic books? If you are interested don't wait too long to jump on this offer as it vanished on April 20th! 

SMITHSONIAN COLORING BOOKS

Thanks IDW Publishing for sending these complimentary coloring books to try out!

I'm amazed to say this but my twelve year old son is actually burned out from playing video games and watching television. A combination of virtual online schooling and us not going out and about to do things because of the pandemic has tired him out of electronics. So with art being his favorite class at school he was geeked to dive into two new coloring books recently released by IDW Publishing that have themes that guys like him are sure to be enthused about ... airplanes and dinosaurs.

Coloring isn't just for little kids and these books are aimed for older audiences of tweens, teens and adults. They have more intricate designs than those produced for children and are full of interesting information on these topics courtesy of a partnership with the Smithsonian Institute. These coloring books focus on two of the Smithsonian Institute's most popular Washington, D.C. museums the National Museum of Natural History and the National Air & Space Museum. Learn about the aircraft and dinosaurs exhibits at these two museums while flipping through these pages and relax by doing some coloring.

According to the health professionals at our local hospital, there are a variety of benefits to spending time coloring. Like meditating, coloring can relax the fear center of the brain reducing stress and restlessness. It also improves brain health by getting its two hemispheres working together with the logic side keeping you coloring inside the lines and your creative side selecting which colors are being used within your artwork. Plus the light from electronic devices reduces the sleep hormone, melatonin, so coloring instead of scrolling through the Internet, playing video games or viewing tv can help you get a better night's sleep.

So who wants to do some coloring?! During these uncertain and stressful times this activity sure seems to be a nice way to calm down and relax while having a fun time. My son sure has been enjoying Dinosaurs: A Smithsonian Coloring Book and Airplanes: A Smithsonian Coloring Book. 

Aviation lovers of all ages can soar through the skies with some of the most recognized and revered airplanes from the collection at the National Air and Space Museum with the Airplanes: A Smithsonian Coloring Book. Filled with detailed descriptions by museum experts and the thrilling artistry of John Pirtel, learn about the 1903 Wright Flyer, the Lockheed Vega 5-B, Northrop Gamma Polar Star, McDonnell F-4S Phantom II, Concorde, and many more fascinating aircraft. The detailed pen and ink illustrations within this coloring book invite you to strap in and experience thrilling scenes of these aircraft in action which can be customized with your own creativity.

You can also explore millions of years of animal wonders, guided by experts from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History and the artistic wizardry of Rachel Curtis with Dinosaurs: A Smithsonian Coloring Book. These lush pen and ink illustrations invite you to step into captivating scenes featuring the herbivorous Stegosaurus, the sea-dwelling Hesperornis, the giant sauropod Camarasaurus, the mighty Tyrannosaurus, and many more. Fans of dinosaurs will be transported to prehistoric landscapes through the pages of this coloring book.

Airplanes and dinosaurs really didn't capture my daughter's fancy. She is very interested though in checking out the upcoming coloring book that IDW Publishing has in the works with the Smithsonian National Zoological Park. This coloring book is for the birds ... literally! It is full of these high flying feathered creatures. Going birding is a favorite activity my daughter enjoys doing with her good old dad and she is keeping her eyes out for Birds: A Smithsonian Coloring Book.

IDW PUBLISHING COLORING CONTEST

With the COVID pandemic limiting accessibility to the wonderful Smithsonian Institute museums in Washington D.C., IDW PUBLISHING wants to bring these places home to you. They've released two new coloring books that let people explore two of the Smithsonian's most popular museums through the pages of these publications while having fun with art. Learn about the dinosaur exhibit at the National Museum of Natural History or the airplanes within the National Air & Space Museum.

You can purchase print editions of these books online at idwpublishing.com or at local bookstores and comic book shops. IDW is also hosting a coloring contest and giving away a copy of each book to the winner. To enter, download and color one of the coloring pages shown below from Dinosaurs: A Smithsonian Coloring Book or Airplanes: A Smithsonian Coloring Book. Then, share a picture of your artwork on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram tagging @IDWPublishing on the post. Entries must be submitted before December 15, 2020. One winner will be selected from all entries.

CLICK HERE to download the Dinosaurs: A Smithsonian Coloring Book art sheet.

CLICK HERE to download the Airplanes: A Smithsonian Coloring Book art sheet.

With this exquisitely designed coloring book, aviation lovers of all ages can soar through the skies with some of the most recognized and revered airplanes from the collection at the National Air and Space Museum. Guided by museum experts and the thrilling artistry of John Pirtel, meet the 1903 Wright Flyer, the Lockheed Vega 5-B, Northrop Gamma Polar Star, McDonnell F-4S Phantom II, Concorde, and many more. These detailed pen and ink illustrations invite you to strap in and experience thrilling scenes of these aircraft in action, which fans of airplanes, coloring books, and aviation history can unlock with their own creativity.

Dinosaur lovers of all ages can explore millions of years of animal wonders, guided by experts from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History and the artistic wizardry of Rachel Curtis (The Princess Bride: A Storybook to Color). These lush pen and ink illustrations invite you to step into captivating scenes featuring the herbivorous Stegosaurus, the sea-dwelling Hesperornis, the giant sauropod Camarasaurus, the mighty Tyrannosaurus, and many more. Fans of dinosaurs, coloring books, and natural history will find an enchanting world to unlock with their own creativity.

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES 100

After eight years of adventures, the heroes in a half shell have shown enough turtle power to reach a milestone issue in their IDW Publishing comic book series. Arriving on store shelves on this New Comic Book Day (Wednesday, December 11, 2019) is TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #100. It wraps up loose ends from a number of story arcs, ends the journey of one significant character, and opens up new directions for the future of other characters as the series moves forward into future issues. This extra-sized 50 page comic book is a must to pick up for TMNT fans and comic book collectors.

Let's flip through the covers leading up to TMNT #100:



Plus check out this cover art created by original TMNT co-creators Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman. It is the first time in decades that the two have collaborated. But this is just the beginning as it has just been announced the two will be co-collaborating on a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles story arc for IDW Publishing coming out next summer titled The Last Ronin. There is a sneak peak at the end of TMNT #100 so make sure to flip through all the way to the back page of the comic book to see it.

There is a lot going on in TMNT #100: CITY AT WAR -- THE END. Shredder has been separated from his head and Karai has replaced the deceased warrior as leader of the Foot Clan. While this is going on a Mutagen bomb has been detonated over New York City by another villain creating hundreds of new mutants. And they aren't all as friendly as the Turtles!

Master Splinter and a bunch of orphaned children are being held hostage in the Foot Clan's headquarters. The Turtles partner with an android named Bishop and his armed force of militants on a rescue mission only to be double crossed. So it is total anarchy as the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles must battle through menacing mutants, Bishop's forces, and the Foot Clan in an effort to rescue Master Splinter and the orphans he is caring for. Of course Bebop and Rocksteady aren't going to miss out on this battle royal.

If that isn't enough an immortal witch has created a headless zombie Shedder as part of a magical ritual to summon a giant dragon. As a humongous dragon emerges over New York City have the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles finally met their match? Holy Chalupa! This comic book is certified turtlefied!

I'm not going to give any spoilers as everything I've mentioned has been led up to in recent issues building up to #100. So grab yourself a slice of pizza and pick up TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #100 from your local comic book shop. You can find stores carrying the issue at comicshoplocator.com. You can also purchase print and digital editions online at idwpublishing.com

RETURN TO VADERS CASTLE

IDW Publishing's STAR WARS ADVENTURES comic book series is filling October again with spooky tales from a galaxy far, far away. Last year the publisher released a limited series of its Middle Grade reading level Star Wars comic book titled TALES FROM VADER'S CASTLE that had a scary vibe to stories that were released each week leading up to Halloween throughout the month of October. Based upon its popularity, this year you can RETURN TO VADER'S CASTLE with more chilling Star Wars stories to add some Sci-Fi fun to your Halloween festivities.

Each week's comic book in the RETURN TO VADER'S CASTLE mini-series will feature a tale featuring a different Star Wars villain. The slate of villains include Asajji Ventress, Darth Maul, Governor Tarkin, Jabba the Hutt, and of course the Dark Lord of the Sith. Each story is narrated by a creepy henchman of Darth Vader as he interrogates a prisoner held in the Lord of the Sith's personal fortress located on the hellish lava world of Mustafar.

The first issue involves the young crew of a scrap hauler who become marooned on a garbage world. While exploring the place they begin to mysteriously disappear one by one. What is lurking amongst the junk that covers this planet-wide trash dump?

It is Darth Maul! The Sith warrior whose body was cut in half by Obi Wan Kenobi in The Phantom Menace. Miraculously his body fell into a garbage heap which was transported here. Maul's strength in the Force kept him alive and he constructed a spider-like robotic body from trash he tinkered with in the dump. What are his plans for the captured crew members? Maybe he is hoping they can help him escape the planet? Or maybe he is just planning on having them for dinner?

While many comic books are written for teen and adult audiences, these STAR WARS ADVENURES stories are written specifically for the Middle Grade reading level of children in third through eighth grade. A perfect intro comic book series for elementary and middle school aged kids! STAR WARS ADVENTURES comic books like this RETURN TO VADER'S CASTLE mini-series are specifically meant to be appealing and age appropriate for young readers. STAR WARS ADVENTURES is a favorite read of my 10 year old twins and as a parent I appreciate never having to be wary of content they may come across in the paces of these comic books.

While TALES FROM VADER'S CASTLE and RETURN TO VADER'S CASTLE are targeted to young audiences, this Star Wars fan dad blogger enjoyed reading these Halloween themed comics himself. So all ages can appreciate and enjoy flipping through the pages of these Star Wars comic books.

I'll absolutely be swinging by my local comic book shop each week this month to pick up a copy of each newly released story in the RETURN TO VADER'S CASTLE limited series. IDW Publishing's STAR WARS ADVENTURES: RETURN TO VADER'S CASTLE has earned a geek daddy nod of approval for providing some spooky fun for Star Wars fans tied into Halloween. Interesting stories that are kid appropriate complimented by great artwork make these comic books a wonderful addition to Halloween festivities. I hope producing these comic books becomes an annual tradition for IDW Publishing because this dad blogger's family really enjoys them.

Also remember to stop by a local comic book shop on Saturday, October 26, 2019 for Halloween ComicFest. Participating locations will be giving away a selection of FREE comic books with a variety of titles suitable for young readers. They will also be some comic books distributed aimed for teens and adults as well. So Halloween ComicFest will have something for everyone in your family to enjoy.

STAR TREK HUMBLE BUNDLE

With the price of new comic books ranging from $3 to $5 dollars per issue, it can be pricey to read all over the stories that you may be interested in. That is why I really like the Humble Bundle service. It partners with publishers to promote selling themed bundles of comic books that are both very affordable and help out good causes.

Humble Bundle encourages people to pay what they want with a minimum purchase of $1 to receive some digital comic books. Then there are tiers where if you spend certain amounts additional books are included within your bundle. Normally there are three tiers priced at $1, $8 and $15 dollars with extra bonus books also thrown in if the Humble Bundle campaign reaches certain financial goals such as raising $10,000, $50,000 or $100,000.

Often times spending $1 will get you about $25 to $50 worth of comic books and $15 dollars or more buys anywhere between $100 and $300 of value comparable to buying from online digital sellers like Comixology or print editions from traditional comic book shops. Another perk is that the issue you purchase are yours to download and read on your choice of device ranging from PCs to phones rather than having to be accessed from a specific online website portal. Your comic books are available in a variety of formats including CBZ, PDF, and ePub so they can be read whenever and wherever you want to flip through them. Plus a percentage of what you spend is donated to a specially selected charity.

Sci-fi fans aren't going to want to miss out on the newest Humble Bundle! IDW Publishing has put together a great STAR TREK bundle of comic books. You can get yourself $173 worth of Star Trek comics for as little as $15. Don't hesitate to take advantage of the deal because this Humble Bundle is only available for a few days. There is a clock at the top of the offer counting down the time before this Star Trek Humble Bundle expires. Get yourself over to humblebundle.com now to get yourself a bunch of Star Trek comics from IDW Publishing.

I spent $15 dollars myself for this Star Trek Humble Bundle. It is nice that you designate where your money goes. I donated $10 to the partner charity Challenger Center for Space Science Education with $2.50 each going to Humble Bundle and IDW Publishing. That was a great deal and also helped out a nice cause. Created to honor the memory of the lost in the tragic Challenger 51-L space shuttle mission, this charity funds STEM learning centers around the country that use space-themed simulations to engage students in dynamic, hands-on learning opportunities. Visit challenger.org to find out more.

By spending $1 or more on this Humble Bundle you get the equivalent of 13 graphic novels of the IDW Publishing STAR TREK series that ran from 2011-2016. You'll also get a number of mini-series collections including Star Trek/Planet of the Apes: The Primate Directive.

Spending $8 or more also adds a number of Star Trek: The Next Generation comics into your Humble Bundle collection. This tier also includes Star Trek: Alien Spotlight and Star Trek: Starfleet Academy issues into your bundle. It also includes IDW's Star Trek photo-novel series that uses imagery from the original television show episodes to portray stories in a comic book format.

Investing $15 or more into this Humble Bundle will get you a number of comic books based upon the new Star Trek Discovery television series. It also includes two fun cross-over comic book series: Star Trek/Green Lantern and Star Trek/Transformers. Also remember you can spend more than what is being asked for and direct that money to support the Challenger Center for Space Science Education.

So far this Star Trek Humble Bundle has had more than 5,000 purchases and raised more than $60,000 dollars. The average purchase has been $12.25. Join in! Support a good cause and get some great comic books.

TALES FROM VADERS CASTLE

Based upon the orthodontics that are just getting put into place on my kids teeth combined with their food allergies there isn't a whole lot of candy that my son and daughter can actually eat from trick or treating this Halloween. So I've been gathering goodies to give them that they can trade in their trick or treat candy for.  These have included some Halloween themed Star Wars comic books from IDW Publishing.

STAR WARS ADVENTURES are Middle Grade Reading Level comic books that are written to be appealing and age appropriate to elementary school aged kids. These are perfect for my 9 year old twins!  During the month of October, IDW has been releasing a new issue each Wednesday for a 5-part mini-series which concludes on October 31st (Halloween) that tells spooky stories filled with ghosts and monsters titled TALES FROM VADER'S CASTLE.

When a group of Rebels crash-land near Darth Vader's imposing fortress on the lava scorched planet of Mustafar, the hell-like appearance of the world gets the crew sharing spooky "campfire stories" about other creepy places and experiences they've had within the Star Wars universe.  Readers of TALES FROM VADER'S CASTLE are treated to the main story of the group's escape from Vader's Castle along with an assortment of chilling short stories. Examples of some of these tales include a young Han Solo being ensnared by plants that suck people's lifeforce, the spaceship Ghost from the Star Wars: Rebels animated television series becoming possessed by an evil spirit, and a Clone Wars adventure that finds Ben Kenobi facing off against a vampire adversary that can transform someone into a bat-like monster slave.

While the stories presented in STAR WARS ADVENTURES: TALES FROM VADER'S CASTLE are spooky they aren't overly scary making these fun comic books for the whole family to enjoy for some Halloween fun. Each issue is 32 pages long and rated for all-ages reading. You can pick up print editions of these comic books from your local comic book store or they are also available digitally from Amazon, Comixology, Google Play and iBooks.

Star Wars Adventures All-Ages Comic Book Series

While Disney now has its own in-house comic book publisher through its acquisition of Marvel they have decided to keep that brand focused on material geared for teen / adult audiences and have licensed out material suited for younger audiences to companies like IDW Publishing.  For the last few years IDW has been publishing all-ages comic books featuring classic Walt Disney characters such as Mickey Mouse, Goofy, Donald Duck and Uncle Scrooge.  Now they'll be adding Star Wars to that list when IDW launches a new monthly comic book series in September.

Marvel will still be producing Star Wars comic books rated for teenage and older readers, but IDW is going to have a focus on stories for children.  All-ages comic books are meant to be enjoyable by anyone no matter what their age is but are particularly suited to have appropriate material for children under the age of ten years old.   Whether it is a mom or dad who wants to share their enjoyment of the Star Wars universe by reading stories to a preschooler or a young reader in elementary school who has become interested in adventures a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away these comic books are meant for kids to enjoy and give parents peace of mind that their content is age appropriate.

"Star Wars Adventures" will feature characters from the prequel, original, and current movies in  either one-shot or double issue story arcs.  This is great because parents will be able to pick-up one or two issues for their children and not feel like they have to buy months and months worth of consecutive issues to be able to enjoy a story.  You'll be able to get value for these comic books in knowing that a kid can enjoy a single issue in itself.  Though not announced, there is a good likelihood that just as IDW started off with Walt Disney's Comics & Stories, that are tales featuring multiple characters, then expanded with other series focused on particular characters (Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Uncle Scrooge) they'll also branch out with additional Star Wars titles focused on specific characters such as a child aged Anakin beginning his Jedi training, A New Hope era Princess Leia,  Ezra Bridger from the Rebels animated cartoon, or Rey from the newest movies.

With IDW noting that "Star Wars Adventures" will be particularly written to appeal to 7 - 10 year old boys and girls, which is right where my twins fall right now, our family is looking forward to checking out this new comic book. Especially because my kids and I are are all enthusiastically anticipating the upcoming movie The Last Jedi and IDW is promising a connection to it in the pages of this comic book during the months leading up to the theatrical release.  This will be part of an overall promotion called Journey to Star Wars: The Last Jedi taking place among Disney's publishing licensees to cross-market the film.  So make sure to keep an eye out at your local comic book shop this fall for "Star Wars Adventures."

"Star Wars Adventures" is actually a continuation of a partnership between Disney and IDW.  In 2015, IDW added Star Wars to its popular Micro Collectors Fun Pack line; a format pioneered by the comic book publisher that has fast become a fan-favorite. Micro Collector Fun Packs consist of a full-length, pocket-sized comic-book story, along with exclusive inserts including posters, standees, trading cards or stickers.  Some varieties have come with 3D comics, posters, and viewing glasses.   You can find these at local comic shops as well as retailers like Target and Toys “R” Us.  I've picked up a few of these packs to amuse my kids on long road trips and they worked very nicely to help keep my twins occupied during the car ride.

For more information, visit www.idwpublishing.com or follow them on Twitter via @IDWPublishing. 

Holiday Themed Comic Books Arrive On Store Shelves

It's the week before Christmas and comic book publishers have added some holiday themed issues to store shelves this year:

Mickey & Donald Christmas Parade -- IDW Publishing

''Tis No Season!' Mickey and Donald meet up one winter day to find that Christmas suddenly doesn't exist... and hasn't been celebrated for sixty years! It's the start of a time-travel saga full of wacky wormholes, kleptomaniac robot Santas-and a perilous Phantom Blot plot! IDW celebrates Christmas with a feature-length thriller by fan favorite creators Byron Erickson and Massimo Fecchi-pitting Mickey and Donald against their most fiendish archenemy!

Three Stooges Merry Stoogemas -- American Mythology Productions 

The Boys are back and this year even Santa isn't safe from their antics! Larry, Curly, and Moe take on the holidays as only they can with brand new stories and classic chuckles for all. Add a little merriment to your yuletide and give the gift of Stooges with a comic book that's perfect for stuffing a stocking.

DC Rebirth Holiday Special -- DC Comics

DC's biggest and brightest heroes celebrate the holidays in this new special! Don't miss a Chanukah crisis for Huntress, a Flash family Christmas, Wonder Woman interrupting John Constantine's hellblazing pagan party and more-including the return of Detective Chimp! Today's top talents bring you a very special holiday gift that'll keep on giving through the New Year! And writer Paul Dini crafts a Harley holiday tale featuring DCU guests that bridges all the stories in the weirdest, wildest way.

Gwenpool Holiday Special Merry Mix-up -- Marvel Comics

It's the holidays yet again, and that means it's time to join EVERYONE'S FAVORITE GWEN (take that, Stacy!) and celebrate good times, come on! Only problem is?somehow this year's festive traditions seem to be a little?off?and Gwen's the only one who notices. FEATURING: Gwenpool (duh), Spider-Man, Red Skull, Punisher and even Deadpool! This is one present you know you gotta buy yourself!

Drink a glass of egg nog sitting by an open crackling fire while you appreciate the joy of reading a comic book during the Christmas holiday break.  Is there a favorite comic book that you like to pull out to read during the holidays?

Star Trek & the Green Lantern Join Forces in THE SPECTRUM WAR

It's not often that you see cross-overs between the fictional universes of competing comic book companies.  Maybe it is because they don't want to dilute their brands and intellectual property rights by meshing them with characters they don't have ownership rights over; or they don't want to provide a competitive or financial advantage to one of their competitors; or it just might be a big hassle publishers don't want to spend time and effort dealing with.  Comic book publisher IDW seems to be an exception to the cross-over prohibition though as it has had some fun creating entertaining limited series that unite one of it its key licenses Star Trek with other brands to attract new customers to its comic books and exhilarate its current base of fans.  First they had a cross-over 8 issue limited series a few years ago with sci-fi favorite Dr. Who that pitted the crew of the Enterprise along with the Doctor and his companions in a fight versus a united threat created by the Cybermen and Borg working together.  More recently IDW teamed up with rival Boom Studios for a 5 issue Planet of the Apes/Star Trek mini series that teamed up Colonel George Taylor with Captain James T Kirk versus villainous Klingons and gorillas as they deal with the "Primate Directive" on an Earth ruled by apes. Based upon the success of these two previous cross-overs, IDW is now joining forces with DC Comics for THE SPECTRUM WAR which unites the characters from the new Star Trek movies with the Green Lantern Corps.

Star Trek/Green Lantern #1 hits stores on Wednesday, July 8 2015 kicking off a six issue comic book saga called The Spectrum War which depicts the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise meeting the Green Lantern Corps. According to the teaser for this IDW/DC Comics joint venture, "Kirk and Spock make an unusual discovery on a lost world in the process igniting events that will change the fate of empires."  If you enjoy super hero adventures and sci-fi stories this seems to be a great fit that combines two popular brands within this comic book story.

I'm looking forward to picking up this first issue to check it out for myself.  Star Trek/Green Lantern #1 is 32 pages and priced at $3.99.  So what do you think.  Are cross-overs that merge franchises great or should characters just stay tied to their own fictional universes?

JULY FIRST MARKS THE RETURN OF MICKEY MOUSE TO THE PAGES OF COMIC BOOKS

After being on hiatus since 2011, Mickey Mouse is returning to the pages of comic books on July 1, 2015 when IDW Publishing begins a monthly serial titled WALT DISNEY'S MICKEY MOUSE that will feature the beloved character in brand new adventures.  Mickey Mouse first appeared in his own comic book story in 1941 and over the years his stories have continued through a variety of publishers which all maintained continuity with issue numbering until the series culminated with Boom! Studios' Mickey Mouse #309.  In 2011 after acquiring Marvel, Disney opted not to renew its licensing agreement with Boom! Studios as it was determining how it was going to merge its new acquisition into its corporate family.  So there has been a void in comic books featuring Disney's Mickey Mouse and friends characters until this year when IDW Publishing picked up the license to bring them back to life in print.

The first issue of IDW's MICKEY MOUSE will hit stores on July 1, 2015 and will have duel numbering on its cover being billed as #1 (#310) highlighting the beginning of the series with the new publisher but maintaining the legacy of the overall continuation of stories featuring the character since the 1940s.  This new issue will feature Mickey Mouse in a jungle trek as he travels "The Lost Explorers' Trail" and has a run in with the daredevil Eurasia Toft during the adventure.  The comic book will be 48 pages, retail for $3.99 and be available in a primary jungle themed cover plus a variant one that celebrates the 60th anniversary of the Disney Land amusement park.

Mickey Mouse will be joining Uncle Scrooge, Donald Duck, and Walt Disney's Comics & Stories as  Disney themed comic book series.  For more information, visit www.idwpublishing.com/disney-comics