Category: Fandom

Animated Anthologies are Rare, But When You Find One, Let Bliss Beyond The Edge of Time Sail You Away …. You Won’t Regret It

Although there’s no confirmation which distributor will pick up Bliss Beyond the Edge of Time for the North American market, this anthology is a must see for those who love thought provoking animation cinema!

Bliss Beyond the Edge of Time Movie Poster
Played at Fantasia Film Festival July 25, 2026 at the Auditorium des diplômés de la SGWU

Spoiler Alert

Bliss Beyond The Edge of Time is a colourful animated anthology that aims to deliver a powerful set of stories about the state of humanity. To paraphrase the official synopsis, the film draws inspiration from six of the I Ching’s 64 hexagrams, also known as the “Book of Changes.” It brings together six original animated shorts that are not simple at all. Here, memories can be erased, identities rewritten and fate re-engineered. The nature of humanity is well explored in context to work which functions as a tool for divination.

The six symbols explored are ䷗, ䷝, ䷑, ䷋, ䷘ and ䷣. Presented in that order, they can be interpreted as Return, Illumination or Fire, Decay, Stagnation, Innocence and The Darkening of the Light. With the last hexagram, not even the most dedicated can decipher what portent it brings if cast. At its heart, this glyph concerns protecting or concealing one’s inner light when faced with a hostile system. Within the context of science fiction, that idea can also extend to suppressed memories, forbidden knowledge and people hiding parts of themselves from systems that aren’t ready to accept them.

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At Fan Expo Canada, There’s Gonna Be A Rock And Rule Reunion! Will There Be Surprises?

…. and the book that’s also out to reveal the behind the scenes of the production is there to preserve that special piece of animated Canadiana punk rock history! It’ll only complement what’s said during the Rock and Rule Reunion.

rock and rule reunion behind the scenesThis year, FAN EXPO Canada is hosting a prime time Saturday reunion panel and special screening of Nelvana’s 1983 animated cult classic, and yes this is Rock And Rule reunion that won’t be visiting other events. It’s a one-off special event that also includes a screening of the classic.

And Verne Andru, credited on the film as Verne Andrusiek, will take the stage alongside director Clive Smith and fellow Nelvana co-founders Michael Hirsh and Patrick Loubert to talk about this unique piece of animated history, and for Hirsh, he will have his new memoir, Animation Nation: How We Built a Cartoon Empire, ready, and Loubert’s appearance is being billed as a rare, historic one. Even Andru’s new book, Rock & Rule Behind The Scenes, is ready to dive into the history of, and serve as an archive for those long-time fans.

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When All Is Lost? The Galactic Ghoul Is the Last Hero You Wanna Call!

Wildly campy and packed with puppets, absurd performances and homemade effects, The Galactic Ghoul proudly embraces the charm of those B-Movies of yesteryears, and get Lexx about it.

The Galactic Ghoul Movie Poster
Played at Fantasia Film Festival July 28, 2026 at the Cinéma du Musée

The Galactic Ghoul is one of those crazy fun films which recalls more than a few well known and lesser known screwball sci-fi epics. No, we’re not talking about Red Dwarf. Instead I believe this film is the love child of Lexx and MST3K and the individual grew up watching Spaceballs set on repeat! This work written and directed by Simon Harrisson is a laugh a minute, and honestly, I could not take it seriously even if I tried.

This film ranks right there in the same spectrum as 1000s of Beavers, even though the genres are different. Also, I must note Vincent Hoss-Desmarais helped write this work, and it wouldn’t be fair to not mention him too. They might have taken inspiration from Lost in Space too, and I say that with fondness when considering some of the costume and surreal designs that tained the later seasons.

And honestly, I like to know which one of the two is the Space Adventure Cobra fan! There’s some vibes from this anime as the film follows the misadventures of Oscar Bravo (Vincent Hoss-Desmarias), Lieutenant Foxtrot (also Hoss-Desmarias, for reasons made known later in the film) and Xenon (Michael Richard). For part of the story, they weren’t working together, but when they do, it seems they are better off as partners than rivals.

When both are wanting to gain Queen Xaltalusia XXIII’s (Katherine Isabelle) favour, they better be careful in what they want to reap! But she’s the bad guy, right? After managing to collect a mystic stone (basically, the last remnants of a destroyed world) to give to her, they go their separate ways. As Oscar wants to stay behind, he’s the brave idiot who becomes a consort of sorts. And that’s when things get kinky and weird.

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Travelling to Japan? Ultraman’s 60th Anniversary is Ongoing! Here’s Where to Get Your Tokusatsu On!

It’s not too late to enjoy the celebrations! Ultraman’s 60th Anniversary has plenty of attractions being celebrated around South Asia. Here’s an #events listing of what’s happening till the end of the year!

Ultraman's 60th AnniversaryUltraman’s 60th anniversary celebrations are far from over. Although there was a Shōwa-era appearance during G-FEST in Chicago from July 10–12, fans have to travel to Japan to truly get a feel for how beloved this hero is. There are events taking place all over the country, as well as in other parts of East Asia. While Tokyo remains one of the easiest places to find Nebula M78’s greatest hero hiding in the mix, here’s a selection of some of the best shows to attend.

Some focus on the franchise’s history, while others spotlight the newest Ultra Heroes and current television productions.

August 2026

Ultra Heroes EXPO 2026
Summer Festival in Tokyo

Ultra Heroes EXPO 2026 Umeda Summer FestivalThis event continues at Ikebukuro Sunshine City in Tokyo from August 5 to 24 and at each stop, will introduce a different live-stage story. With appearances connected to Ultraman Teo, this show looks big! It also h as historical displays, live performances, Ultra Shot photography sessions and the Ultraman Department Store.

As one of the largest annual Ultraman gatherings in Japan, it remains the most complete option for fans who want stage entertainment, displays and exclusive merchandise in one place.

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What’s Worth Hiding Under the Sand? A Top 3 Mid-Summer Comic Book Guide to Horror

Before we resume our Fantasia Film Festival, some frightful reading is in order with this mid-Summer comic book guide on what’s hot under the sun and not.

Mid-Summer Comic Book Guide and the WolfmanAs we are now knee deep into Summer and resting inside tents, just what scares can comic book publishers offer? Between melting in Montreal (okay, technically we’re not as our coverage of Fantasia Film Festival is remote) and wanting some time to relax in between films, thankfully all is cooler in the Pacific Northwest. With this mid-Summer comic book guide, I had to let readers know just what I’m reading.

Just what series can make for a scary summer depends on what’s your jam, and as some publishers are readying for All Hallow’s Eve already, that doesn’t mean what’s out now can do the job. There are enough monster mash-ups, gothic revivals, and tributes to make this bright season look good.

Here’s my top picks on what to read if hiding out from the sun if your thing.

Cathedral

Storm King Comics
On sale: August 4, 2026 (bookstores/online), August 5 (comic shops)

CathedralSixteen years after The Ward, >John Carpenter is back in horror, just not behind a camera this time. Cathedral is his first-ever original graphic novel, co-written with his wife and longtime producing partner Sandy King, plus Sean Sobczak. The pitch reads like a lost Carpenter script: a fenced-off, forgotten cathedral sits in the middle of downtown LA, ignored by everyone walking past it, until a murder drags it back into the light and reveals the centuries-old evil buried in its catacombs. This creator said the whole thing came out of a genuinely vivid nightmare, which is either terrifying or extremely on brand for the guy who made The Thing.

The art team of >Federico De Luca and >Luis Guaragna gives the book its visual backbone, with >Sian Mandrake on colours and Marshall Dillon lettering. And because Carpenter can’t resist a good soundtrack, there’s a companion metal album dropping days later on Sacred Bones Records, recorded with his son Cody Carpenter and Daniel Davies, with each track lining up to a chapter of the book. It’s a multimedia haunted house, basically. 120 pages, $22.99.

Kingdom of Earth:
Monsters Finally Get The Lease

Dark Horse Comics
On sale: July 15, 2026

Kingdom of Earth- Monsters Finally Get The LeaseNo, although the title implies the coming of Godzilla, writer >David Dastmalchian has other ideas. After spending his time crafting tales about Count Crowley, he’s doing something different with partner Leah Kilpatrick. The premise is 2036, two years after monsters rose out of the earth and sea and devoured most of civilization before realizing they needed humans around after all. Now people have two options: serve or become dinner. When a kid named Frankie narrowly dodges getting turned into livestock, they find out surviving the first close call was the easy part.

Soo Lee’s art carries a lot of the load here, and given her Bram Stoker win, that tracks. Dastmalchian himself has called the book “the ultimate mash-up,” which is a pretty honest way to describe a comic that apparently throws every folklore creature you’ve ever heard of into one apocalyptic sandbox. Four issues, and issue one hits shops July 15 for $4.99.

The Beast of Boriken

Dark Horse Comics
July 1, 2026 

The Beast of BorikenJulio Anta (Frontera; Sí, Se Puede) and Daniel Irizarri (Xino, Cementary Kids Don’t Die) has their own interpretation on what the Chupacabra is, and I suspect it’s time to be afraid, very afraid. According the official synopsis, what’s presented honours the legend a lot more than making it another monster of the week program.

In contemporary Puerto Rico, Loli Flores is a fierce activist fighting the overdevelopment of the island by outside investors. When a ground-breaking ceremony is violently interrupted by a supernatural force, Loli discovers that the stories of el Chupacabra are not just echoes from the past, but a brutal protector of generations extending back to the indigenous people of the island. As Loli uncovers the horrors firstand, el Chupacabra is on a parallel path with elemental destruction left in his wake.

Stay CoolStay cool, Drac.
In runner-up place is:

 

Dungeons & Dragons:
Ravenloft #1

Dark Horse Comics
Aug 19, 2026 

Dungeons & Dragons: Ravenloft #1 When Ravenloft is falling apart, and nobody knows why, it’s up to someone to save the day … but why?  For the would-be heroes, Ez D’Avenir must escape the grisly laboratory and ghoulish flesh golems of Victra Mordenheim. The Weathermay-Foxglove twins must fend off the seething bodytaker plant on the misty moors of Mordent. And detective duo Alanik Ray and Arthur Sedgewick must deal with the cult of Mother Lorinda in a Tepest village. When the proteges are reunited, it’s in a fight for the fate of Ravenloft! And whether the gates will be sealed forever, this pocket universe may have life of its own to make final say! This read may well be written for fans of this realm, and as a late entry to Wizards of the Coast relaunch of beloved campaigns, is worth mentioning.

In Spider-Man Brand New Day, Even Spidey Has To Ask, “Won’t You Be My Neighbour?”

Yes, Mr. Rogers sang it best, but for Spider-Man Brand New Day, it’s a tough time for the webslinger as he has to deal with life without his besties, and a threat that can affect the future of the MCU. Beware of spoilers.

Spider-Man Brand New DayTechnically, Spider-Man Brand New Day is a restart of sorts where Peter Parker (Tom Holland) is debating if he should reconnect with what’s lost following the events of the last film. He knows he should move on, but when MJ (Zendaya) and Ned (Jacob Batalon) aren’t there and he longs to reconnect, to watch from afar is genuinely creepy!

When he’s not looking in on their lives, he’s affecting others, mostly random New Yorkers getting mugged or some brand new villain. After dealing with Scorpion and Hammerhead, I think the rogue’s gallery is getting thinned out! But when there’s a new player he can’t figure out, that’s when things go from bad to worse.

As the trailers have teased, it seems Parker is losing control. His arachnid DNA is asserting itself and early speculation hinted at him becoming the man-spider. It’s an arc I loved from the comics and animated series, and that can still happen. But as for when, that’s hard to say.

Making a live-action film takes up to two or three years; in animation, where the story has been told during the 90s animated series run, his “mutant” run was short-lived, and with this latest take, there may be other consequences. From the same said series, Petey had anger management issues because of it. And perhaps that’s why we see this lad go find Doctor Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo), and get his advice.

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