For the Safety of Geeks Everywhere, Comic-Con 2020 is Cancelled

This was coming. We all knew it was coming. You can't possibly plan an international gathering of like-minded geeks with vendors shipping product across the globe and guests making plans that are concrete-like for airlines and hotels, when the world is practically on fire. To think it would be all clear by July was overly optimistic. We at Idle Hands tip our hats to the producers of Comic-Con for making the hard decisions, and to the readers out there, we hope you'll support your favorite artists, comic creators and vendors, as without the massive income they would bring in from SDCC, they'll need you more than ever.

For the first time in its 50-year history San Diego Comic Convention (SDCC), the organizers behind the annual pop culture celebration, announced today with deep regret that there will be no Comic-Con in 2020. The event will instead return to the San Diego Convention Center from July 22-25, 2021.

Pre-Orders Up For Diamond Select's Lord of the Rings Figures!

Not sure if anyone else saw it coming at this year's New York International Toy Fair...but I sure didn't. Greeting me on a shelf were a set of brilliant new Lord of the Rings action figures, alongside a build-a-figure Sauron in armor that would just about make your eyeballs explode from your head. Toy Biz's LOTR action figure line set an extremely high bar in all categories across the board. Paints, sculpting, likenesses, accessories, scale, army builders...you name it, Toy Biz exceeded all expectations. For a company like Diamond Select, who know full well they have large, pointy shoes to fill, to tackle such a legacy means they are all geared up and ready for battle. From the looks of the initial lineup, we'll soon be very happy geeks!

BookExpo, UnBound & BookCon Moved to 2021

Today, ReedPop announced that due to the escalation of COVID-19 globally, the next edition of BookExpo, UnBound and BookCon will now take place in the spring of 2021.

The events were previously postponed from their original May dates to late July, however, as the pandemic has continued to escalate in the United States and we see the challenges it has brought for the book industry, it is clear that 2020 is no longer a viable option for this community.

Contest of Champions Benefit D&D Stream April 4th

A time of great chaos gripped the land. Citizens of the realm are forced to stare at each other for days on end with only the binge watching of Tiger King to pass their monotonous hours. WHO WOULD COME TO SAVE THEM??!! Enter The Contest of Champions, a Twitch tabletop gaming benefit streaming April 4th on
GameStop's TWITCH Channel (https://www.twitch.tv/gamestop) beginning 11am, PST, produced by Lost Odyssey Events.

Connecting You To Your World **UPDATING DAILY**

For the first time in most of our lives, we are living through an event that everyone across the globe is touched by. This great shift in the way we've been forced to live has jarred many, and for those of us who were already in a precarious place with our mental health, it's a struggle every day. It is with that in mind that we are posting this page that will be both outreach for those in need and refuge for those who need a break from their four walls. Below you'll find links to people banning together for worthwhile causes you can contribute to and places online where you can take in historical sites, appreciate art or just spend some time smiling. We hope you'll find some peace of mind here.

Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpions Revenge Launches First Official Clip

One of the most popular video game franchises in history comes to animated life in "Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion’s Revenge," an all-new, feature-length film produced by Warner Bros. Animation in coordination with NeatherRealm Studios and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. The film arrives from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment on Digital starting April 12, 2020, and on 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack, Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD on April 28, 2020.

Ray Harryhausen: Titan of Cinema Paperback Coming This Summer

This new book accompanies the greatly anticipated Ray Harryhausen: Titan of Cinema exhibition, on display at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art (SNGMA) (dates TBA).

A landmark exhibition book that examines 100 objects selected from an incredible archive by the animator Ray Harryhausen’s daughter. The book is packed with Vanessa’s personal stories that have never previously been heard or published from a life watching her father make world-famous films that changed the course of cinema.

This book is a fascinating examination of the work of the pioneer of the special effects that we see in modern cinema, with contributions from experts in the field and written in conjunction with the Ray and Diana Harryhausen Foundation.

Diamond Comics Distro Addresses Pandemic Response & Effects on Comic Industry

Statement from Steve Geppi, Diamond Comics Distribution CEO:

As everyone knows, the world faces ever-increasing challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Its effects on the comics & collectibles and tabletop gaming industries have been felt far and wide.  We are hearing from thousands of retailers that they can no longer service their customers as they have in the past, many of them forced to close by government action or resort to in-person or curbside delivery. Even those still open are seeing reduced foot traffic in most cases, a situation that seems likely to worsen with time.

Sonic The Hedgehog Debuts Early on Digital March 31 and 4K, Blu-ray, DVD on May 19

Get ready for epic fun and super-sonic action when everyone’s favorite hedgehog races home in the blockbuster hit SONIC THE HEDGEHOG, debuting early for purchase on Digital March 31, 2020 from Paramount Home Entertainment.  The film will be available on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, DVD and for rental on demand or disc May 19.

The Digital*, 4K Ultra HD, and Blu-ray releases are packed with sensational bonus features: See Sonic the Hedgehog’s next adventure around the world in a new animation; get more of Sonic in deleted scenes; laugh at the hilarious blooper reel; explore the origins of the legendary blue hedgehog; see Jim Carrey bring Dr. Robotnik to life; watch along with awesome commentary by director Jeff Fowler and the voice of Sonic, Ben Schwartz; and more!  Plus, for a limited time, the 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Combo packs will include a printed, Limited Edition comic book featuring an adventure with Sonic and The Donut Lord.

Garden State Film Festival Readies Virtual Screenings

Stars shine this Thursday, 26 March 2020, when the Garden State Film Festival presents hundreds of independent films virtually through parallel and dynamic digital streaming in light of the global COVID-19 crisis, and the announcement from the Governor of the State of New Jersey further restricting public gatherings.

That's right! You can see an incredible selection of +240 innovative films through an unprecedented four-day, live-stream event on your computer, tablet, or mobile phone. Starving for interesting entertainment during self-isolation? GSFF 2020 is the perfect antidote. Enjoy popcorn in your PJ's while streaming hundreds of feature-length films, shorts, documentaries, animation, student films, premieres, and more top-quality cinematic showmanship.

The Spooky Side of Sesame Street, Part 1: “Don’t Eat the Pictures.”

By Roxie Guarino, Nightmare Fuel Investigator

In his iconic roles as Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch, Carroll Spinney inspired millions of children to laugh and learn on “Sesame Street”. Now, just shy of 50 years on the air, we’ve said goodbye to one of our favorite childhood friends.  We’ll miss you, Mr. Spinney!

But as with all things…”Sesame Street” has a dark side. YouTube, the Lost Media Wiki, and TV Tropes are just a few sites where you can find generations of viewers talking about the many segments that creeped them out. This new series will highlight some of those most infamous moments. For our first installment, we honor the late Carroll Spinney with one of Big Bird’s greatest moments. It’s brought to you by the letter D, for ‘defeating a demon and defying a deity of death.”

Toy Fair 2020: Hasbro's Ghostbusters Preview

Almost time to head into New York City and set up shop for Toy Fair 2020! As I prep the gear and ready my camera for a hell of a workout, the news is coming in hot and heavy. One such item is from a source who provided new, official pictures from Hasbro's Ghostbusters line, confirming the newest licensor is exploring the "Real Ghostbusters" cartoon look (kinda?) along with a movie accurate line touching on everything from the first appearance to the newest film, Afterlife.

Toy Fair 2020: Prepare Your Bodies for Anchorman: The Game - Improper Teleprompter

Live on Kickstarter.com, and being shown for the first time at New York Toy Fair, Anchorman: The Game - Improper Teleprompter is an adult party game from Barry & Jason Games and Entertainment based on Will Ferrell and Adam McKay's hit comedy, which also stars Steve Carell, Paul Rudd, Christina Applegate, David Koechner, and a host of other comedians.

The game is inspired by Ron Burgundy's susceptibility to read whatever is written on the teleprompter, no matter how strange or inappropriate. Players compete by sabotaging other anchors' news stories with ridiculous magnetic words and phrases to try and get them to laugh while reading the news.

Toy Fair 2020: Wicked Cool Toys Pokemon Preview

Fans of the iconic Pokémon brand are in for a treat as Wicked Cool Toys, a Jazwares company, plans to introduce new products at New York Toy Fair. As the global toy master licensee (ex-Asia) for the brand, Wicked Cool Toys is celebrating the new generation of Pokémon with new products for the world’s #1 entertainment franchise. The line also covers figures, role play, plush, electronics and more.

My Partner Eevee ($19.99)
Play with Eevee like never before! My Partner Eevee has a built-in microphone and touch sensor technology that lets you and Eevee communicate in a new and fun way. With over 50 different reactions to your touch, your voice, and even music, watch My Partner Eevee come alive as its head and tail moves! My Partner Eevee has 20 iconic sound effects and expressions. My Partner Eevee lets you bring the thrill of becoming a Pokémon trainer into the real world! Gotta Catch ‘Em All!™
Available: August 2020 Ages: 4+

Toy Fair 2020: Diamond Select Fulfills Your Every Pop Culture Wish

And you thought FUNKO was all in on the licensing! Diamond Select have always been there to champion the underserved geek licenses we dreamed would be little plastic people some day. Movies, TV, Cartoons, Retro, Modern...Diamond Select is there, watching what we watch and loving it all as much as we do, as is evident in the products they crank out yearly. How many products you ask? HOLY GEEZ..it's a lot! Today we'll take a peek at some items Diamond Select will be bringing to New York this weekend for Toy Fair 2020...

The annual New York International Toy Fair is fast approaching, and Diamond Select Toys and Gentle Giant Ltd. have hundreds of new items on their way to the Big Apple to show off to toy buyers and press. So now it’s time for a sneak peek! New items from Marvel Comics, DC Comics, the Black Widow movie, the Justice League cartoon, Ghostbusters, IT, Predator 2, The Exorcist, The Nun, Annabelle, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, and The Mandalorian can be seen below (most shipping this fall), and look for more new items to be revealed at the show! Pre-order through your local comic shop or at shop.diamondselecttoys.com!