Earwig and the Witch
Goro Miyazaki’s children’s book adaptation is a magical and curious entry into 3D CGI for Studio Ghibli. Richard E. Grant, Kacey Musgraves, Dan Stevens and Taylor Paige Henderson bring Diana Wynne Jones’ characters to life in this tale of a headstrong British orphan who finds herself the ward of a selfish witch, and sets out to uncover the mysteries of her magical new home. Release includes feature-length storyboards, Japanese cast interviews and making-of featurette. Fans who purchase the Limited Edition SteelBook through the GKIDS Store get an exclusive cotton tote bag while supplies last! [Shout! Factory, $20 DVD / $27 BD / $33 SB]
Order from the Shout! Factory Store.
Thundarr the Barbarian and Josie & The Pussycats in Outer Space
Two walks down retro toon lane arrive on Blu-ray this month from Warner Archive in complete series collections! Running nearly eight hours on three discs, Ruby-Spears’ Thundarr (1980; 21 eps.) chronicles the adventures of the barbarian hero, Ookla the Mok and sorceress Princess Ariel through a savage future Earth rife with wizards, mutants and robots, reborn from the ashes of a cosmic cataclysm. [$25, April 6]
If upbeat teen astronauts are more your jam, Hanna-Barbera’s sci-fi reconceptualization of Josie (1972; 16 eps.) — developed by Joe Ruby & Ken Spears — hits all the right notes. After Alexandra accidentally launches our pop stars into outer space, the gang travels the galaxy searching for the way back to Earth, encountering cat people, space pirates, galactic dictators and more robots across two out-of-this-world discs. [$25, April 13]
Order Thundarr the Barbarian from the Warner Archives store. Josie and the Pussycats in Outer Space available from the TCM shop.
Marvel Comics: The Variant Covers
Feast your eyes on some of the most sought-after comic art in the world in this 200+ page hardcover from veteran Marvel chronicler John Rhett Thomas. The collection showcases more than 400 of the most gorgeous, delightful and humorous takes on iconic characters like Spider-Man, Black Panther and the X-Men produced in the variant cover’s 35-year history, complemented by interviews with leading comics artists and industry experts. And of course, the book features an original, ultimate Marvel mash-up cover by illustrator Mike Del Mundo.
[Insight Editions, $45]
Ask Iwata: Words of Wisdom from Satoru Iwata, Nintendo’s Legendary CEO
This motivational tome delivers sage advice from the analytical yet imaginative mind of the global gaming icon, who led the production of innovative platforms and smash hits like the DS, Wii, Switch and Pokémon GO. Translated by Sam Bett, the programmer turned industry leader’s words are pulled from the “Iwata Asks” interviews with key Nintendo contributors, such as Shigeru Miyamoto (Mario). [VIZ Media, $30 | April 13]
“On my business card, I am a corporate president. In my mind, I am a game developer. But in my heart, I am a gamer.” — Satoru Iwata (1959-2015).
Wind Peaks
Citing Hilda and Gravity Falls as artistic inspirations, the team at Actoon Studio (Brazil) has crafted a hidden object game that follows five scouts through a mysterious wood on the trail of a treasure map. Find-and-click your way through 10 episodes as you solve puzzles and enjoy the 2D scenery. Who doesn’t need a li’l braincation right now? [Nintendo Switch / Steam PC, $15]
NECA Gargoyles Ultimate Goliath
Revel in ’90s goth toon nostalgia with this finely chiseled, fully articulated 8″ action figure, complete with interchangeable heads, hands and accessories (including a jalapeno). The first in a six-figure collection, Goliath ships in July. [necaonline.com]
Available for pre-order at EntertainmentEarth.com.
