Tag: Dynamite Comics

Decoding Optimus Prime Awakening, A New Chapter or Closure?

Optimus Prime Awakening sends its iconic hero on a spiritual journey through alternate realities, ancient symbols and a mysterious force beyond the Primes. From the Flower of Life to Energon’s possible consciousness, this short may be quietly setting up the boldest change to the IP. Until Hasbro announces something or nothing, the setup can be just as threatening or a reinvention….

Optimus Prime Awakening posterThe big question most fans are asking after seeing Optimus Prime Awakening is what comes next for all Cybertronians. Unless viewers are deeply familiar with the franchise’s lore, my thoughts are focused on Optimus’ final spiritual journey. The questions raised align with various spiritual beliefs, which pose a related question: will we become one with God after death? In this case, “Till all are one” takes on a different meaning, raising the issue of how we can break a vicious cycle of war and conflict.

This animated short nicely addresses how every continuity, from Armada and Cyberverse to G1 and Prime, is shaped by choices and decisions. Where the logic falters is with Earthspark. Megatron already realized that continued conflict was futile and that, unless everyone worked together to save Cybertron, they were doomed. He did not necessarily join the Autobots, but he did renounce what defined a Decepticon. At least, that was my reading.

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Mumm-Ra, The Ever Living and also Ever Lasting? Could He Be Dynamite Comic’s New Master Villain?

Mumm-Ra: The Ever-Living turns #ThunderCats’ greatest villain into a dimension-hopping tyrant with no interest in becoming a better person, which is why I’m already wondering when he’ll cross paths with Cobra Commander. @DynamiteComics #review at:

Mumm-Ra, The Ever Living #1 Cover B, Declan Shalvey variant
Trade Paperback set for release March 27, 2027. Preorder this title on Amazon USA here.

Dynamite Comics

For decades, I have always believed Mumm-Ra is one of animation’s most memorable and least understood villains. He’s in my top five, and as for who is number one, you can read my review of Dynamite Comics’ take on Cobra Commander to find out. If folks think I’m too 80s-centric, that’s okay. That was the era when these characters cemented their legacies! To see some of them return in comic book form suggests the publisher has grand plans to unify them into its own Legion of Doom. Well, maybe.

We’re no longer seeing a cartoon villain plague the ThunderCats every episode. Instead, these are competent nasties who will no doubt cause trouble in the modern day. Yes, the last issue needs to be spoiled, because seeing Wah-Sut transform into the Ever-Living and gain a human disguise changes everything. Now that he can walk amongst men, he is even more dangerous! After getting freed from Second and Third Earth, I just have to wonder why he’s been tossed into the modern day. There’s a reason, and I’ll get to that later. But within this series’ continuity, although he hasn’t conquered the Four Ancient Spirits of Evil, the fact they’re willing to play along shows I’ve got a lot more reading ahead of me!

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Celebrating 40 Years of Adolescent Radioactive Black Belt Hamsters With New Editions!

Dynamite Comics is celebrating 40 years of Adolescent Radioactive Black Belt Hamsters with a Kickstarter campaign collecting Don Chin’s cult comic series in two remastered volumes.

Adolescent Radioactive Black Belt Hamsters Volume SetDynamite Entertainment

Back when Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles exploded onto the comic book scene, interest in anthropomorphic animal heroes took off too! Those were the days, and not everyone caught on to the other titles trying to ride that craze. One such title that slipped past some readers was Adolescent Radioactive Black Belt Hamsters, and it built its own special following. Now, Dynamite Comics is offering a limited-time Kickstarter campaign for the first comprehensive reprint of the series created by Don Chin.

At the time of writing, this celebration and crowdfunding opportunity is live, and fans are encouraged to lock in their pledges to secure their hauls!

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Celebrate 626 Day With Dynamite! Lilo and Stitch Has Exciting Plans

A new Lilo & Stitch 626 anthology from Dynamite aims to turn 626 Day into a three-month celebration, with stories spotlighting Stitch and the wider cast, including a tease of Agent Cobra Bubbles’ “secret origin” through Lilo’s eyes.

Lilo & Stitch 626 Anthology - 626 DayDynamite Comics

With both the live-action and animated Lilo and Stitch projects helping make 626 Day even bigger, fans worldwide have another excuse to celebrate all through June. Over at Dynamite Comics, a new anthology series is on the way, interpreting the galaxy’s greatest little chaos gremlin in assorted ways.

What makes this release especially interesting is its promise of an Agent Cobra Bubbles backstory. Some fans will argue we do not need to know, that the mystery is the point. I get that, but I would still love to see how he negotiated saving the mosquito population. That’s the sort of detail that could land perfectly in comic form.

The anthology could also explore what Jumba and Pleakley were up to before everything went sideways. And if they’re giving David some spotlight too, I will not complain. The surfer dude stays an underrated part of the heart of this cast, and I’m curious what new angles the writers find.

As for what Disney has planned around 626 Day, we wait for an official announcement. In the meantime, here’s the press release framing, plus series details.

From the 626 Day Press Release:

What is 626 Day? Stitch, the blue alien buddy who co-stars in Disney’s Lilo & Stitch, was originally designated as Experiment 626. While Dr. Jumba Jookiba created more unique experiments, 626 is the most famous. 626 Day offers Disney fans the opportunity to playfully celebrate the beloved character that has captivated global audiences while commemorating his intergalactic namesake.

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31 Years Later, Dynamite Comics’ Gargoyles Shows Greg Weisman Still Has More Stories To Tell

Even 32 years later, Disney’s Gargoyles still commands a loyal fanbase as Dynamite is commited to publish more tales and here’s a preview in what is on shelves and expected.

Dynamite Comics & Disney's Gargoyles Even 32 years after the release of Disney’s Gargoyles, the fandom remains strong. After Dynamite Comics‘ Gargoyles: Demona, I’m anxious for more. This series marked a turning point by spotlighting this complex anti-hero (review link) during the long years while the others slept. It leaves me wondering what’s next. What stories does creator Greg Weisman still have planned?

When the legacy of Gargoyles is rich with supporting characters who feel primed for spinoffs, just who is next following the Demona mini-series will be fun to debate over. My money is on Puck, as his time with the Mortals over the years still has not been explored. He did give viewers a tease, but to see it come to life proper is highly desired. That’s one side story I’d like to see published by Dynamite.

But as for what’s what’s currently out and expected this year, we do have the following:

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Top 13 Spooky Comic Books for the Halloween Reading Season

There’s much more titles to find in Diamond Press’ Previews showing what other scary reads are available for this spooky reading season coming up! What we offer is our top picks.

Elvira Ready to Slash for the 2024 Halloween Reading SeasonThis year, comic book publishers have a nice collection of series being released from now unti November, marking the All Hallows Eve reading season. And there are a lot more in the trade paperback front, which includes reprints like a manga style take on Nightmare Before Christmas to salivate over!

I could list them all, but it would be tough to say which works I want to read over others as that pile of shame just keeps growing, as I should at least must read the first issues, or that collection when that trade paperback comes out. This list considers two titles released not for this season, as I feel they make up what trick or treating is about.

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