What’s Exciting at CES 2026? The Rise of LEGO Smart Play, AI Toys, and Nerd Bait

CES 2026 is a wrap, but a handful of reveals still feel aimed straight at geek culture. From LEGO’s Smart Play tech and its Star Wars debut to AI “character” pedestals and retro-friendly gaming gear, here’s what looked most tempting, and what still needs a healthy dose of skepticism.

CES 2026 and Pop CultureNot every tech event needs reporting on, and with the CES 2026 show being debated on, it’s time to decide! Not everything is worth needing and the big talk is certainly on one thing: LEGO’s new Smart Play tech is shaping up to be a dream come true for TRON enthusiasts, especially when you think about how some past interactive concepts could be resurrected. That said, with Star Wars carrying far more mainstream momentum, it’s no surprise the first sets using this technology will land there before anywhere else.

These bricks are getting embedded microchips designed to trigger sound effects and blinking lights when placed near one another. At the show, the company staged a massive Death Star trench run experience in front of The Sphere, where visitors could “fly” a LEGO X-Wing in an attempt to destroy it. One can only imagine the sound, and the chaos, if crashing into the structure had been allowed. The cleanup alone would have been legendary. But only time will tell which other licensed properties will get smarter.

It’s an exciting prospect, but it also raises the question: what other electronic releases are out there to whet a geek’s appetite?

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Godzilla’s Powering Through San Diego Comic Con 2025: What Spectacular Surprises Await?

When San Diego Comic Con is home to many a pop culture icon to graze it shores, the question of what exclusives attendees want will vary. But here, we love our Godzilla!

godzilla at San Diego Comic ConWith San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) 2025 right around the corner, the exclusives offered are many, and just what must be sought after will depend on personal tastes. I had to take a look at this year since last year was terrific with a Godzilla miniature offered by CMON that came packaged with a comic. Although the latter is a tale that’s amusing to jive with marketing the game, I had to take a look to see if there’s a similar offering. 

When I have to construct a list of what’s been announced so far regarding this kaiju, hopefully this will help fans going to this show.

Comics & Publications:

    • IDW Exclusives:
      • Godzilla #1 SDCC exclusive cover by Attack Peter
      • Godzilla 70th SDCC exclusive gold foil cover by Art Adams
      • Starship Godzilla #1 black & white version (Early Access)
      • Godzilla: Escape The Deadzone #1 black & white version (Early Access)

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Free Comic Book Day is Almost Here! Top Picks of the 2025 Season.

When Free Comic Book Days offers to folks, the best in what pop culture represents, it’s safe to say which franchises have lasting power as long as those IPs stay consistent.

Free Comic Book DayFree Comic Book Day is almost here! And in 2025, the selection has only gotten more diverse to include anime style offerings. That is, Tamashii Nations and Gunpla have teamed up to put together an exclusive Mobile Suit Gundam Wing bonus comic. Not every retailer will offer this, so it’s best to hunt around in your local city to locate who has this or not.

Besides this title, the other works I’m excited about are the following. I will include notes where possible as I received previews of Mad Cave Studios release to whet my appetite for picking up the print edition. Instead of Gatchaman, this time they’re expanding their selection of nostalgia classics to include Speed Racer! There’s another title, but please read on to find out.

Boom Studios 20th Anniversary Special

BOOM STUDIOS 20TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIn this collection, readers can discover the vast range of titles this publisher offers. This collection offers the best from the worlds of BRZRKR with “Something is Killing the Children,” Mouse Guard with “Irredeemable,” and an EXCLUSIVE all-new Hello Darkness story. Here, what’ll be offered is the best of from the worlds of BRZRKR with “Something is Killing the Children,” Mouse Guard with “Irredeemable,” and an EXCLUSIVE all-new Hello Darkness story.

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With Cthulhu Death May Die Forbidden Reaches, To Find Eternal Rest Is Not Easy!

After five long years, there’s new content for those who love boardgames and fighting Great Old Ones. In Cthulhu Death May Die Forbidden Reaches, the battle lives on!

Cthulhu Death May Die Forbidden ReachesBack this product on Gamefound

After the two seasons of the miniatures board game starring Cthulhu, the battle isn’t over! And CMON, the publishers of this game, are looking for crowdfunding support for the next instalment, subtitled Cthulhu Death May Die Forbidden Reaches.

I made an unboxing video offering my reactions (or see below) about this game back when it first released, and while I bought this product mostly to have the miniatures, to know this battle royale has a faithful following is encouraging.

Despite the company’s flaws in getting product to backers and market, I’m excited to check out what’s next. As the graphic novels look like they have limited appeal, the game where the action takes place is not.

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When Collecting Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong into One Huge Edition Has No Fanfare

Just what can go wrong in Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong presented are the plot holes and skips trying to bring the DC Universe into the foray of one radioactive beast’s sight!

Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong
Hardcover Edition available to order on Amazon USA

After a long wait, I can finally say reading Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong in its collected edtion is better than collecting the individual issues. As a seven issue comic book miniseries, waiting for the next chapter wasn’t my cup of tea. But with this collected release, the tale Brian Buccellato crafted makes more sense.

The idea to pit superheroes with kaijus and a mighty ape is really nothing new when I know about the Showa era films; Gojira fought them all, which includes King Caesar, a different furry beast, and Jet Jaguar, who was a superhero of sorts. However, the stakes aren’t quite the same in this comic book Elseworld where Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Hawkgirl and et al. meet the King of the Monsters and realise they can’t take him out.

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Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong. A Deadly Showdown to Keep The Monsterverse Warner.

It’s tough not to be reminded of when Godzilla faced The Avengers way back when while reading Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong.

Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong #5Spoiler Alert

Five issues into Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong, what’s presented in the multiverse crossover is epic in scope and it won’t be a game changer since it’s more of a story developed to keep interest in the Monsterverse alive. The wait for Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire is only two months away, but after seeing Godzilla Minus One, I think I’ve been spoiled. The stakes aren’t quite the same in this comic book world.

With this series, I’m caring more about what the beast represents and unless I’m a long time fan of the Justice League comics, I’m not as invested into this particular world. Also, I imagine the “Death” of Superman (again) is hardly a shock. After his fall, it’s up to the Justice League to figure out why a Pacific Rim type rift has formed to invite the Monsterverse in.

The revelations that’s offered in this issue offers a valid reason for why this mighty beast is what he is. He’s out to restore balance to the world by eliminating threats that can endanger it. I had to chuckle because he’s essentially Lex Luthor in a giant green suit. Both charater’s animosity for Kal-el is natural.

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