Tag: Science Fiction

Under the Tree: IDW and Top Shelf’s Best of 2025

From gentle Halloween spirits to ghost-hunting kids, kaiju art showcases, and enduring literary classics, this curated guide highlights IDW and Top Shelf’s best comics for 2025—handpicked titles that belong under the tree.

IDW Publishing SantaFor fans who prefer the indie side of comic books, plenty of publishers still carry the torch for original, creator-driven work. Whether it’s through carefully curated imprints like IDW Publishing’s Top Shelf division or singular passion projects, this gift guide spotlighting IDW and Top Shelf’s best leans into stories that blend the supernatural with a healthy dash of pop-culture charm. The focus here in this latest look are the books I’d be delighted to find under the Christmas tree. The reason is that I didn’t pick them up when they first hit shelves.

Spoops: The Little Spirits of Halloween

Spoops- The Little Spirits of HalloweenWho changes the leaves? Who summons the autumn winds, wakes ghosts, and chills the air just enough to make October feel right? Why, Spoops, of course. These tiny spirits hatch from the smallest gourds in pumpkin patches at the start of every fall, then dutifully tend to their towns to make sure Halloween goes off without a hitch.

This whimsical take on the season’s hidden caretakers is beautifully illustrated. The cover alone is cute and begs to be embraced. As for the title characters, there’s no shortage of moments that inspire a heartfelt “aww” when I first saw it.

The story centres on young Holly Hollowell, who loves Halloween more than anything, much to the dismay of her parents, who disapprove of anything involving tooth-rotting sweets. While other kids trick-or-treat, Holly watches sadly from her window… until the Spoops arrive to turn things around. With a little magical help, Holly shows her parents the genuine spirit of All Saints’ Eve, not candy, but creativity, imagination, and the freedom to let your spooky side soar.

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Predator Badlands – When A Hunter Becomes the Hero

A new perspective freshens Predator Badlands, but at the cost of the franchise’s ferocity. Is the softened tone and redesigns right?

Predator Badlands PosterSpoiler Alert

20th Century Fox’s Predator didn’t just thrill action fans; it roared. It took a simple hook—survival in the jungle—and turned it into one of the toughest films of the 80s. Guerrillas, locals, commandos… none of them realised they were being stalked by something far worse. Predator Badlands carries that same DNA, but flips the lens. This time, the hunter is the hero.

Dex (Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi) is the runt of his clan, desperate to prove himself to a father who’d sooner cull the weak than train them. His brother Kwei (Mike Homik in suit, Stefan Grube on voice) doesn’t think he’s ready. Their dynamic sets the stage fast, and then the film hits full throttle: Pops arrives, declares Dex unworthy, and doesn’t even give the lad a chance. Big brother steps in, pays the price, and the ship bolts off as Dex watches him die. It’s raw, swift, and effective.

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Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein: The Fears Man Still Dreams Of

Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein is visually stunning, emotionally rich, and anchored by Oscar Isaac’s haunted performance—but is that enough when it’s no longer a Byron/Shelly style tale?

Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein posterNow playing on Netflix

Just how good Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein is depends on how much of Mary Shelley’s novel this auteur chooses to bring to life on screen. It’s safe to say he’s rearranged a fair bit. Some changes strengthen the story, drawing out its emotional and thematic cues, while others never quite take shape.

Heinrich Harlander (Christoph Waltz), the mysterious benefactor who bankrolls Victor’s (Oscar Isaac) experiments, is a notable addition. He isn’t in the novel, and his motives feel not all that fleshed out—yes, the pun’s intentional. His inclusion explains how Victor funds his unholy pursuits and builds The Creature (Jacob Elordi) after being blackballed by his peers for daring to defy death. When this financier’s true identity as an arms dealer and seeker of immortality is revealed, the moment ends before it begins. The hint of Orwellian horror lingers but is never explored, leaving an intriguing idea unfinished.

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In Vitro Review: Psychological Tension Stuck In Utero

In Vitro delivers psychological tension and haunting atmosphere but feels stuck in utero, never fully realising its broader dystopian potential. Strong character work and an evocative soundtrack drive the film, though uneven pacing and limited world-building hold it back.

In Vitro Movie PosterNow Available on VOD (UK)

In art exhibitions, the words “In Vitro” have often been used for installations and short films that explore the relationship between humans and technology. With this title now attached to a feature co-directed and written by Will Howarth and Tom McKeith, the ideas are explored in a different, unsettling context.

The story is about control. Jack (Ashley Zukerman) runs the household and the business, and his behaviour unsettles his wife, Layla (Talia Zucker). Together, they operate a cloning facility that supplies cows to a country unable to sustain its own livestock. While the premise hints at broader dystopian implications, the narrative keeps its focus tightly on Layla’s personal struggles, leaving the larger world underdeveloped.

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Before TRON Ares and Beyond: A Complete Guide with 6 Must-Read Features

Step back into the neon world of TRON before TRON Ares arrives. From classic films to iconic games and key news, this guide covers everything fans need to know. Get ready to relive the Grid and all the highlights that made the franchise legendary.

Before TRON Ares, There Was TRONBefore TRON Ares arrives, it’s worth remembering how this franchise first lit up the silver screen in 1982. The neon-soaked world of the Grid has long been a playground for dreamers, gamers, and tech-heads. Whether you came for the lightcycle battles, the philosophical undertones, or the Daft Punk beats, TRON has left a lasting mark on pop culture.

Here at Otakunoculture, we’ve been chasing that beam of light for years—from deep dives into the films, to retro gaming retrospectives, to speculation on where the series is headed next. Think of this article as your personal I/O Tower for all things TRON.

The Films & Reviews

Tron Original Movie Poster

The Games

TRON 2.0 Videogame Xbox

News & Features

Keep Your Identity Disc Spinning Before TRON Ares

We’ll keep updating this hub as The Grid evolves — whether that means new games, park news, or the long-awaited arrival of TRON Ares. Before that next chapter begins, there’s plenty of history to revisit, from classic arcade battles to the philosophical sparks that made this franchise unique. If you’ve got your own theories or TRON trivia to share, drop them in the comments on any of these articles.

After all… the Game Grid is always more fun with players. In the future, we have more to discuss.

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From Workshop to Stardust: Space Queen’s Journey Unveiled at Victoria Fringe Festival

Aaron Nickol’s Space Queen blends sci-fi, drag, and Indigenous storytelling into a retro-futurist vision of queer survival and resistance. Workshopped at Victoria Fringe, it’s already brimming with promise as it prepares to expand into a full production next year.

SPACE QUEEN

Workshop dates (sold out): Aug. 23 & Aug. 30 — Intrepid Theatre Studio. Produced by Drag Sunday Productions.

Aaron Nickol’s Space Queen is being workshopped at Victoria’s Fringe Festival as part of Intrepid Theatre Society’s Indigenous Artist Program. It carries the tone of the movie Logan’s Run, imagining a future where queer existence is outlawed and underground resistance gains strength. For those forced to hide who they are, even finding a job becomes a quiet act of rebellion.

Nickol builds his world through spoken word and projected video of the computer system that shapes daily life. The current workshop feels partial—there are no costume changes to distinguish characters, and the lack of visual shifts leaves some moments flat—yet it establishes a strong foundation. This show probes queer survival and the radical power of claiming space. The Indigenous themes resonate alongside short films and graphic novels exploring how these cultures historically embraced alternate gender roles, including two-spirit identities.

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