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Preparations at S.P.A.C.E Headquarters have been in full swing for weeks – and the big moment is almost here. On Friday, we're taking on the long journey to the Ruhr region once again, because this Saturday marks the fourth TOYPLOSION at the Europahalle and Stadthalle in Castrop-Rauxel. And, of course, we'll be at the Most Powerful Retro Toyshow once again!

You can find us in the Europahalle at the same booth we've had in previous years. As always, we've got a ton of awesome collectibles ready to transport you back to your childhood: MOTU, Turtles, M.A.S.K., Garfield, and many other cool themes will be featured at our booth. And for the bargain hunters among you, we've prepared something truly special: In our huge S.P.A.C.E Outlet section you'll find mass amounts of action figures by Mattel, Super7, NECA and McFarlane Toys starting at 10 € a piece. Stop by and fill your bags!

However, the absolute highlight will undoubtedly be the brand-new action figures we're excited to showcase. We're not only bringing along the first four figures from Realm Toys' Brutal Realm line and the bloody savage Drevarthi Sentinel from Harvinger Studios' Savage Crucible line, we're also celebrating the world premiere of the 1/12 Scale Dejah Thoris figure from Icon Collectibles by Frazetta Girls!

Be sure to stop by our booth – we look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at TOYPLOSION! By the way, for those deciding at the last minute, tickets will also be available at the door.

We ask everyone else for a little patience and understanding. Our office will be lightly staffed on Friday, and we'll be busy cleaning up and unpacking right after the show. As a result, there may be slight delays in communication and shipping for a few days starting Friday.

Sixty years ago today, on September 8, 1966, the first episode of »Star Trek«, created by Gene Roddenberry, aired on the American network NBC. This marked the beginning of one of the most influential, enduring, and financially lucrative media franchises of all time. The "United Federation of Planets" multiverse now encompasses nine live-action series, several animated spin-offs, 13 feature films, a streaming movie, and a lavishly produced audio drama podcast.
These series and films shaped the science fiction genre, particularly the concept of utopian futures. Many elements of Star Trek became part of pop culture, and social progress was not merely depicted but actively explored – on the bridge of a starship, where, as early as 1966, things were a given that were still being fought for on the streets of the USA by the civil rights movement.

The 1960s and 1970s: A Slow Start and a Resurrection

Star Trek was far from an overnight success; it was saved from cancellation due to poor ratings only by an unprecedented letter-writing campaign from fans. The final episode of the original series aired on June 3, 1969, shortly before the Apollo 11 moon landing. That global event fueled public interest in space exploration and helped the series become a staple of television programming in the 1970s. Endless reruns fostered a unique subculture that pioneered phenomena such as fan conventions and the genre of fan fiction. In 1976, following a fan petition, NASA even named its Space Shuttle prototype "Enterprise".

The 1980s and 1990s: The Golden Era

Following a successful, Emmy-winning animated interlude, a new live-action series launched in 1987, marking the franchise's commercial breakthrough. »Star Trek: The Next Generation«, featuring Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart), placed greater emphasis on diplomatic negotiations and explored profound philosophical themes. In contrast, »Deep Space Nine« (premiering in 1993) attempted a more dramatic narrative approach. With »Star Trek: Voyager«, a woman took the lead role and command of a ship for the first time. This peak period came to an end in 2005 with »Enterprise«.

2009 to 2016: The Kelvin Compromise

J.J. Abrams' reboot turned Star Trek into a blockbuster franchise, trading some of its philosophical depth for stunts, spectacular effects, and a faster pace. While the films were immensely successful, they arguably had a far smaller cultural impact on society. However, this directly paved the way for a resurgence of the IP, because...

Since 2017: The Streaming Era

...»Discovery« continued the original timeline, combining modern production values ​​with the philosophical inquiries of the early series. Paramount launched a real explosion of new franchise entries. Alongside »Discovery«, six new projects were initiated: »Picard«, »Lower Decks«, »Prodigy«, »Strange New Worlds«, and »Starfleet Academy«. It was perhaps too much and too chaotic; it is already becoming clear that we are heading toward the end of another Star Trek era.

Utopia as a Casting Choice: The Characters of the Star Trek Universe

Amidst the multitude of series and films, the greatest consistency lies in the choice of characters, all of whom symbolically embody the aspirations of a utopian, pluralistic society.

In 1966, Nyota Uhura (Nichelle Nichols) was a Black woman in a position of authority, at a time when roles for Black actors in the US were almost exclusively subservient. Hikaru Sulu (George Takei) was an officer of Asian descent, free of accents or stereotypes.
Spock is the blueprint for all Star Trek outsiders: caught between two cultures, fully at home in neither. Leonard Nimoy gave the character a signature gesture – the Vulcan salute – borrowed from a Jewish priestly blessing he remembered from childhood.
The lineage continues with Data, the machine seeking humanity and self-determination; Worf, the first Klingon Starfleet officer navigating the space between his heritage and his adopted home; and Geordi La Forge, whose blindness symbolized a progressive approach to disability. Seven of Nine was initially conceived as a sexualized "ratings grab" for the fourth season of »Voyager«, only to become the franchise's most precise study of trauma.
In 2017, Michael Burnham became the first Black woman to headline a Star Trek series; the actress who played her, Sonequa Martin-Green, became the target of a review-bombing campaign that demonstrated just how relevant the conflicts of 1966 remained sixty years later. Finally, in »Lower Decks«, Mariner and Boimler flipped the perspective: utopia looks very different from the bottom up, even if "the bottom" here simply refers to the night shift.

What now?

The verdict on the anniversary is mixed. Following the completion of the Skydance acquisition, Star Trek was declared the new corporate leadership's priority – the reality, however, looks different. »Starfleet Academy« is ending with its second season and »Strange New Worlds« with its fifth; for the first time in a decade, not a single new Star Trek series is in production or has been ordered. A new feature film has been announced, though it is an announcement fans have heard in various forms since 2016.
On top of that, there's the irony of a capitalist corporation selling a utopia of cooperation and a post-consumer society.
But Star Trek survived once before, back in 1969, because the audience was louder than the network. Who knows what that means for the future and the next 60 years?

For collectors, we highly recommend the fantastic 1/6 scale Star Trek figures from EXO-6, such as the Kobayashi Maru version of Captain Spock, which is currently available for pre-order.

The alarm goes off, the weekend is over, and your mood plummets to rock bottom. Our September postcard captures this exact feeling – featuring, of course, the master of Monday misery himself: Garfield! 🐱

Armed with a grumpy scowl and his "I HATE MONDAYS!" mug, he hits the nail on the head once again: Mondays just aren't for cats (or for us humans, if we're being honest). Marco captured the lazy feline for our card using an action figure from Boss Fight Studio. And he really went the extra mile for the presentation, draping the card right on top of (and inside of) a delicious, freshly cooked lasagna. That certainly makes the start of the week a little more bearable! 😋

So, together with Marco, we're sweetening up this Monday with our September postcard – included, as always, as a little freebie in every package we ship out to you this month.

📸 by @stan_qbrick

We stand on the shoulders of giants

When a young Ray Harryhausen, aged 13, saw »King Kong« and Willis O'Brien's stop-motion animation for the first time, that trip to the cinema was a transformative experience; he knew exactly what he wanted to do with his life. Many years later, a seven-year-old boy watched »The 7th Voyage of Sinbad«, featuring Harryhausen's special effects. His name was Phil Tippett. He, too, would go on to leave his mark on film history...

Phil Tippett is inextricably linked to »Star Wars« and films such as »RoboCop« and »Starship Troopers«. In 1984, he won his first Oscar for Best Visual Effects for »Return of the Jedi«. He played a pivotal role in creating and animating creatures like Jabba the Hutt and the Rancor monster. He received his second Oscar as "Dinosaur Supervisor" for »Jurassic Park«.


The only constant is change

For »Jurassic Park«, Tippett was originally responsible for the dinosaur effects and developed elaborate Go-Motion models – mechanical dinosaur puppets that were moved during filming. However, during production, it became apparent that certain movements could be executed more convincingly and flexibly using digital technology. When Steven Spielberg saw the initial CGI tests from Industrial Light & Magic, he decided to create the large dinosaurs primarily using digital effects. Consequently, Tippett lost the central role in animation he had originally been slated for. Yet Spielberg also recognized that Tippett's decades of experience with dinosaur movement, anatomy, and animation were far from superfluous. Tippett and his team were integrated into the CGI production, helping the ILM animators make the digital dinosaurs move in a believable way. Although stop-motion never completely disappeared, ironically, a film about dinosaurs was the first to signal the looming threat of extinction for this filmmaking technique.

After nearly 40 years in the film industry, Phil Tippett announced last week that his studio in Berkeley, California, was closing due to insolvency proceedings. A massive clearance sale was held over the weekend. Props from classic films and franchises such as »Star Wars«, »Jurassic Park«, »RoboCop«, »Ghostbusters«, and »Starship Troopers«, as well as »Hellboy« and »The Mandalorian«, went under the hammer. It is a somewhat sad occasion, almost like a film museum closing its doors forever. There was a huge turnout of fans eager to secure a piece of cinematic history. You can view the list of items offered at the studio liquidation auction here:
https://estatesales.org/estate-sales/ca/berkeley/94710/oscar-winner-artist-master-animator-2458900/gallery?page=1

But this isn't the end. The studio announced that while the Berkeley location is closing, operations in Toronto, Canada, will continue, and the company itself is not shutting down. In an interview with Berkeleyside, Tippett explained that over the years he had to make "many painful decisions" for his company as practical effects became increasingly less significant in film production. Despite the sale, Tippett has no plans to retire. He told CBS News: "I will die with my sword in my hand," said Tippett. "We had almost a 40-year run. It was a good run."

We ourselves have experienced the magic of practical effects time and again during countless trips to the cinema. Giants like Willis O'Brien, Ray Harryhausen, and Phil Tippett taught us the meaning of wonder. And while we may be enthusiastic about many a digital effect, our hearts will always beat for handmade cinema.

Speaking of handmade: 2021 saw the release of »Mad God«, a stop-motion passion project that Phil Tippett had spent 30 years working on. The film was financed primarily through independent means, using personal funds and a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign, and is available on DVD and Blu-ray.

Creatures of the night, your time has come: Today is the release of »The Blood of Dawnwalker«! With this extensive dark fantasy action RPG powered by Unreal Engine 5, Polish studio Rebel Wolves celebrates its debut. Graphics, combat system, open world, and story look more than promising. The Corruption system as well as the day-night cycle bring unique mechanics into the game. The immersive single-player experience is expected to offer about 50 to 70 hours of gameplay. The launch trailer provides you with breathtaking insights into an indescribably grim world:
https://youtu.be/FC_bDk-I7F4

You step into the shoes of 19-year-old Coen. His family suffers under the tyranny of the ancient vampire lord Brencis. During a blood mass in his home village, Coen is involuntarily turned into a so-called Dawnwalker. Brencis imprisons his family and will sacrifice them after 30 days and nights at his coronation ceremony. Coen has that much time to grow stronger and find allies in order to save his family. As a half-vampire, he has the advantage of not burning to ash during the day, instead regaining his human form, but at night his vampiric instincts and powers awaken. Whether he turns into a monster and ascends to become a dark ruler, or holds onto his humanity and finds an honorable path to achieve his goal, is entirely the player's choice.

Which path would you choose in »The Blood of Dawnwalker«?

The countdown to the Christmas season is kicking off not just in supermarkets, with the arrival of the first gingerbread, but on HBO Max as well. The Harry Potter series reboot is set to launch there this Christmas, and a new, magical teaser trailer was released yesterday:
https://youtu.be/1RnyZgfN-JY

We are excited for this first season, which brings the story from the book »Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone« back to our home screens – complete with additional details and scenes, as the trailers have already revealed! A second season, intended to adapt »The Chamber of Secrets«, has already been ordered.

This May, we got to see one of our favorite Star Wars duos on the big screen for the first time in »The Mandalorian and Grogu«. In the film, Din Djarin and his young charge hunt down Imperial war criminals for the New Republic. If you missed the film back then, you can catch up on Disney+ starting today. So grab a snack, kick back on the couch, and treat yourself to »The Mandalorian and Grogu«!

To go along with it, you'll find plenty of fitting collectibles in our shop – ranging from the adorable statues in Iron Studios' »Grogu Collection« to various high-quality 1/6 scale figures from Hot Toys. Be sure to check out the movie category in our shop!

Twenty-five years ago this week, from August 31 to September 3, 2001, »The Devil's Backbone« screened at the Telluride Film Festival in Colorado, introduced by the director in person. It was the North American premiere; Guillermo del Toro's third feature had already been playing in Spanish theaters since April. A box-office hit it was not, and it was no great festival sensation either. Interest simply kept growing quietly, among insiders, year after year. Real attention arrived only five years later, on the back of its spiritual successor »Pan's Labyrinth«, and today the film counts as a key work in del Toro's career and as one of the most beautiful ghost stories ever put on screen.

The road there was bitter. After his acclaimed debut »Cronos« (1993), del Toro's Hollywood excursion »Mimic« (1997) collapsed into a battle with the Weinsteins over the final cut. Shortly afterward his father was kidnapped in Guadalajara and held hostage for weeks; James Cameron helped out with the ransom money. Del Toro left Mexico with his parents and siblings shortly after. What rescued the passion project he had been carrying around since film school, »The Devil's Backbone«, was Spain: El Deseo, the production company of Pedro and Agustín Almodóvar, brought him to Madrid. Joining the cast was Marisa Paredes, an icon of Spanish cinema and for decades Pedro Almodóvar's most important actress.

The next part contains a few spoilers, so go and watch the movie before reading further!

Spain, 1939, the last year of the civil war. Young Carlos (Fernando Tielve) is dropped off at the remote Santa Lucía orphanage. An aerial bomb sits in the courtyard, undetonated, upright like a headstone. The children insist you can still hear it ticking. The headmistress Carmen (Paredes) and Dr. Casares (Federico Luppi) are keeping Republican gold out of the hands of Franco's men, which the ill-tempered caretaker Jacinto (Eduardo Noriega) is after as well. And at night something whispers in the hallways. "The One Who Sighs," the boys call it.

Santi's ghost is no jump-scare machine but an image of painful beauty: the drowned child's split skull trailing blood that curls through the water like smoke, guiding us through the story. This is where del Toro lays the foundation of his idea of horror. The ghost is victim, witness, warning. Evil, by contrast, is human and real. That inversion runs through his entire body of work, right up to »Crimson Peak«, where the dead protect the heroine and the living want her gone. Del Toro has said many times that he despises authority and doctrine, and it shows in his sense of good and evil. The war itself is a lead character in the film. It never appears on screen directly and is everywhere all the same: in the bomb, in the supplies that stop arriving, in Jacinto's brutalization. A very real fear, against which the supernatural feels almost consoling.

All of it is carried by an ensemble that brings an unusual tenderness to horror. Fernando Tielve as Carlos and Íñigo Garcés as Jaime play without a trace of child-actor cuteness, with an aloofness you rarely expect from kids. Above all, though, Federico Luppi and Marisa Paredes stand out as the two who run the orphanage: aging people with an unspoken love between them, keeping a house full of other people's children with a warmth that simply does not occur in horror films. Luppi's Casares is tired, gentle and powerless in a war already lost for his side, and he is given what may be the finest prologue in the genre: "What is a ghost? A tragedy condemned to repeat itself over and over?"

Both actors have since died, Luppi in 2017, Paredes in December 2024. Their scenes together, and above all the strangely heroic way they go out, now play like an obituary filmed some twenty years too early.

Cinematographer Guillermo Navarro bathes the days in dusty amber and the nights in a cold, watery green, a stylized contrast that would come to mark much of the work the two men did together. Javier Navarrete's score forgoes tension-loaded string stabs and reaches instead for dreamy, almost lullaby-like motifs that instill a sad calm rather than jump scares. Five years later he carried that tone over into »Pan's Labyrinth«, all the way to an Oscar nomination. Tielve, Garcés and Luppi turned up in the labyrinth as well, the two boys as unnamed maquis who do not survive the war – a fate that could easily have awaited the boys of the orphanage after the credits. Del Toro himself calls the two films siblings: here the war, there its aftermath under Franco. On October 11, »Pan's Labyrinth« turns twenty. We cannot think of a better excuse for a double feature.

»The Devil's Backbone« is streaming on Amazon Prime Video in Germany, and anyone with a public library card can watch it for free on Filmfriend. It belongs on the shelf anyway. Wicked Vision has released the film here in several editions, and StudioCanal's new 4K restoration, out in April to mark the 25th anniversary, finally gives Navarro's colors their full due.

For collectors, the beautiful but sold out Santi figure from the Guillermo del Toro Signature Collection by NECA, is of course also very interesting.

With our 💥 Product of the Month 💥 for September 2026, we aim to celebrate an action figure in the popular 1:12 scale while simultaneously paying tribute to the fantasy genre and the legendary Frank Frazetta. We have chosen Darkwolf – Version 2, a figure from ICON Collectibles by Frazetta Girls, based on the animated film »Fire and Ice«:
https://bit.ly/sf_pdm_sep26

Frank Frazetta (1928–2010) is considered one of the most influential fantasy and science fiction illustrators, holding immense significance for fantasy and popular culture. His standing within established art history is also increasingly being recognized.

His images have played a pivotal role in shaping how pop culture envisions Conan, barbarians, monsters, warriors, witches, and fantastical worlds. Consequently, his impact extends far beyond the original function of his images as book covers.

»Fire and Ice« is a fantasy animated film from 1983, directed by Ralph Bakshi with the involvement of Frank Frazetta. As he had done with his animated »Lord of the Rings« film, Bakshi employed the elaborate rotoscoping technique, in which live actors are filmed and then traced over frame by frame. Many of the characters, including Darkwolf, were created by Frank Frazetta.

At the time, the work was a financial failure. While critics praised the dynamic animation, the flick fell short in terms of the story. The screenplay was criticized for relying on shallow fantasy stereotypes and for being as banal as it was predictable.

Perhaps expectations for a movie involving Frank Frazetta were simply too high. His images stir our imagination and transport us to fantastical worlds; unfortunately, the film itself failed to capture that same depth. And today, more than 40 years later, the animated film – judged by modern standards – has clearly aged.

Just as Frazetta's images fire our imagination, so do action figures. On their long journey from mere toys to collectibles, they transport us into a world of magic and adventure.

In recent years, the 1:12 scale and similar formats have become a popular choice for fantasy figure lines such as Mattel and Mondo's »Masters of the Universe«, Harvinger Studios' »Savage Crucible«, Four Horsemen's »Mythic Legions« (slightly larger than 1:12), and, of course, ICON Collectibles. The latter is the official collectibles line from Frazetta Girls, the family-run business dedicated to preserving the fantasy artist's legacy. Frazetta Girls was founded in 2013 by Frazetta's daughter Holly and his granddaughter Sara; today, the company is led by Sara Frazetta and Joe Weber.

Launched in 2023, ICON Collectibles is a relatively new player in the collectibles market. The crucial difference is that this is not a manufacturer simply purchasing a Frazetta license. ICON is developed and overseen directly by the Frazetta family – specifically, the Frazetta Estate. Beyond Frazetta's own characters, Frazetta Girls also collaborates with the rights holders for Conan, John Carter, Vampirella, and others.

The »Fire and Ice« figures are particularly interesting because they do not merely represent generic Frazetta characters; instead, they are based on the world designed by Frazetta and made famous by Ralph Bakshi's animated film. In addition to Darkwolf, figures of Teegra and Nekron have also been released.

Our Product of the Month, Darkwolf, appears as a muscular, primal fantasy warrior with a bare, bronzed torso. Particularly striking features include the black wolf-head headdress, the long fur mane, the bone necklace, and the fur and leather attire. A wide, studded leather belt with a prominent metal plaque and a fur loincloth complete the barbaric, prehistoric look.

Darkwolf is armed with his signature large double-bladed axe as well as a bow and arrow. It was the very first ICON Collectibles release, produced three years ago in a relatively small run, and consequently sold out quickly. In addition to the masked head, which comes with three interchangeable lower face parts featuring different expressions, the current V2 reissue includes an unmasked head, inspired by Frank Frazetta's original design. The intricate fur, leather, and metal textures create a level of detail that is remarkable for such a relatively small scale. Pair him with Teegra or recreate the battle against Nekron!

The gaming world has been turned upside down and the hype is enormous, because after 13 years the next installment of one of the best-known game series is finally in the starting blocks. Whether that's warranted or not is definitely up for debate, but there's simply no getting around the whole »Grand Theft Auto« topic:

On Thursday, at the same time as Gamescom, an extended look special running about 26 minutes was shown on Netflix, presenting gameplay and story of »GTA VI«, which is set to finally be released on November 19, as in-game footage captured on the PlayStation 5. It looks spectacular, of course, and alongside the open-world action stories it's also clear that the RPG aspects have been expanded considerably compared to the previous game – you have direct influence on the relationship dynamic between the two protagonists, for example:
https://youtu.be/tJbzMqJGH4k

That news naturally overshadowed the many other announcements and presentations from the expo, even though Rockstar Games didn't have a booth there – so here's a quick run-through of what we think were some of the most exciting Gamescom highlights:

»The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remastered« and »Songs of the Past«
Eleven years after the original release, CD Projekt RED is surprising us with a remaster, that's supposed to be released on September 29 and free for everyone who already owns the game, plus a completely new, large story expansion, which will come out next year:
https://youtu.be/G3kuMWediSQ

»Fable«
A gorgeous reboot of the beloved fantasy action-RPG series, with life-sim elements, which will be released on February 23:
https://youtu.be/vjQNvjTF56o

»Tides of Annihilation«
A very dark action-adventure based on the legends surrounding the Knights of the Round Table, with a gorgeous art style:
https://youtu.be/FEUjBGWiUa4
An official release date is yet to be announced.

»Stuntman: Hollywood«
After 20 years, the »Stuntman« racing series is back – this time with real movie licenses like »Fast & Furious«, »Knight Rider«, »Back to the Future« and »Jurassic World«:
https://youtu.be/LEKt2lX4Xxs
No release date has been announced yet.

»Rainbow Six Tactics«
The new entry in the »Rainbow Six« series, which will be released next year, is the first pure single-player game in the franchise: turn-based, from a tactical top-down view, instead of a multiplayer first-person action shooter:
https://youtu.be/HoDIxvqQfxQ

»Orbitals«
A couch co-op game for two, with a gorgeous art style inspired by '80s and '90s anime like »Sailor Moon«, »Dragonball Z« and »Ghost in the Shell«:
https://youtu.be/IBqFf2mXV9Y
You can play »Orbitals« starting this thursday.

»1001 Threads of Mizan«
Hailed by many attendees as the surprise hit of the Gamescom: a co-op action-adventure based on »One Thousand and One Nights« that looks absolutely stunning:
https://youtu.be/9boclMow7JA
A release date is yet to be announced.

»Warlock: Dungeons & Dragons«
And last but not least, a game that wasn't actually presented at Gamescom, but still got its first proper trailer last week alongside the fair – and could well turn out to be a real highlight of next year:
https://youtu.be/pNw0sh481bA

Will you be playing »GTA VI«, and which of the new reveals are you looking forward to most?

Yesterday marked exactly 40 years since David Lynch's »Blue Velvet« celebrated its world premiere at the Montréal World Film Festival in Canada. While the work received a largely positive critical reception, it also sparked some festival controversies. Initially, the critics' acclaim was not reflected at the box office. However, it gradually won over audiences; today, it is regarded as one of the great classics of the 1980s and a must-see movie.

One can simply experience »Blue Velvet« as a thriller, yet there is much more beneath the surface. A closer look reveals a story rich in dream logic and depth, inviting viewers to interpret its meaning or simply immerse themselves in a bizarre world.

The opening images immediately captivate us: blue velvet ... the soundtrack plays the song »Blue Velvet« sung by Bobby Vinton, accompanied by a deep blue sky, a brilliant white picket fence, and blood-red roses. It is no coincidence that these three colors also appear on the flag of the United States.

An old fire truck, with a friendly, waving firefighter, drives past in slow motion. It feels as though we have stepped into an idyllic Norman Rockwell painting. An overweight man is watering his lawn with a garden hose. Moments later, he collapses in pain. He lies helpless in the grass, the hose still in his hand. A toddler in the background and a small dog playing with the jet of water ensure that, despite the accident, the atmosphere retains that reassuring Rockwell-esque quality.

Then, the camera dives down into the grass and soil, and the frame is suddenly teeming with insects and black beetles. Close-ups make them look like monsters – a hidden underworld lurking beneath the idyllic surface. And a taste of the hell awaiting the protagonist, Jeffrey.

After his father (the man in the garden) suffers a spinal fracture, young Jeffrey Beaumont (Kyle MacLachlan) takes a leave of absence from college and returns to his hometown Lumberton, North Carolina, to visit his father in the hospital and help out with the family business.

On his way back from the hospital, he discovers a human ear in a vacant lot. He hands it over to Detective John Williams (George Dickerson), a police officer who lives in the neighborhood. The discovery piques Jeffrey's curiosity, and he begins to investigate on his own, aided by Sandy Williams (Laura Dern), the detective's daughter.

Through her, he is led to nightclub singer Dorothy Vallens (Isabella Rossellini). Shortly thereafter, he witnesses the psychopath Frank Booth (Dennis Hopper) raping Dorothy. Jeffrey learns that Frank has kidnapped Dorothy's husband and son and is holding them captive. The ear Jeffrey found belongs to Dorothy's husband ...

The story is rife with symbolism, Oedipal dynamics, sex, and violence – a nightmarish yin and yang of an idyllic surface and the underworld lurking beneath. The plot and its ambiguous imagery lend themselves to a multitude of interpretations, and one could spend hours attempting to decipher their possible meanings.

Kyle MacLachlan and Laura Dern turn in strong performances and are excellently cast, yet Isabella Rossellini, and even more so Dennis Hopper, completely dominate their scenes. Hopper portrays one of the most repulsive villains of 1980s cinema; the phrase "the man we love to hate" hardly does justice to his performance.

»Blue Velvet« is not currently available on streaming services. However, it is an essential addition to any well-curated film collection. Here's a preview:
https://youtu.be/k_BybDB_phY

Today, »The Dog Stars« by prolific filmmaker Ridley Scott opens in cinemas. The British director, responsible for masterpieces such as »Alien«, »Blade Runner«, and »Gladiator«, shows no signs of retiring, even as he approaches the age of 89.

The film is based on the novel of the same name by Peter Heller. The story is set in a post-apocalyptic world in the year 2035, after a deadly flu has wiped out the majority of humanity. Hig (Jacob Elordi), a mechanic, and Bangley (Josh Brolin), a former Marine, have made a home for themselves at an abandoned airfield in Colorado, where they must repeatedly defend the site against bandits. One day, Hig picks up a radio transmission. Accompanied by his dog Jasper, he takes his Cessna up to search for the signal's source, eventually encountering fellow survivors Cima (Margaret Qualley) and her father, Pops (Guy Pearce).

Early reviews of »The Dog Stars« have been quite favorable. However, audiences shouldn't expect an action-packed spectacle; on the contrary, the film unfolds at a rather elegiac, leisurely pace. The world-building and landscape cinematography have garnered particular praise. Incidentally, filming did not take place in Denver or the Rocky Mountains, but in Italy – specifically in the Dolomites and the Abruzzo region. The scenes depicting a ruined Denver were created in and around Rome, with various shots filmed at the famous Cinecittà Studios as well as at Pinewood Studios in England.

We don't expect Ridley Scott to match his greatest past successes here – those are likely unsurpassable. Nevertheless, the master's latest work is certainly worth a trip to the cinema, and we are also looking forward to the cast.

You can get a first glimpse of this dystopian world by watching the trailer:
https://youtu.be/-xSxaE1ClEE

And another icon has left this world: British actor, voice actor and singer Tim Curry died on August 25th in Los Angeles, also at the age of 80. The character performer, known to most as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in »The Rocky Horror Picture Show« and as the demonic clown Pennywise in »Stephen King's It«, had used a wheelchair since a 2012 stroke and struggled with a range of health problems from then on.

His career began in 1968 with the musical »Hair«, where he met Richard O'Brien – who would later write the stage musical »The Rocky Horror Show« and then it's screen adaptation »The Rocky Horror Picture Show«, in which Tim Curry took on the role of Dr. Frank-N-Furter. That the character became what it is today was Curry's doing: O'Brien had originally conceived the eccentric scientist as a German in a lab coat – it was Curry who turned that into a corset, fishnet stockings and an English upper-class accent. The gender-ambivalent creation made him world-famous overnight. Countless films followed, often with Curry as the villain: Mr. Hector in »Home Alone 2: Lost in New York«, Darkness in Ridley Scott's »Legend«, Cardinal Richelieu in »The Three Musketeers«, Bill Sikes in the 1982 television adaptation of »Oliver Twist«, and a magnificent turn as the wizard Trymon in »The Colour of Magic«, adapted from Terry Pratchett's novels »The Colour of Magic« and «The Light Fantastic«. Especially his appearance as Long John Silver in »Muppet Treasure Island« was legendary.

His epic and distinctive voice made him a beloved voice actor above all, for example in his Emmy-winning performance as Captain Hook in the series »Peter Pan & the Pirates«, or as Darth Sidious / Palpatine in »Star Wars: The Clone Wars«.

Tim Curry never married and had no children, but his legacy is enormous. His theatrical, at times almost cartoonishly outsized approach to acting made him an icon of pop culture and of horror in particular. Above that, he also championed social justice throughout his life.

Float on to your next adventure, dear Tim – and when we're up there with you, we'll float too!

Tomorrow, two great games celebrate their release. A prequel draws us even deeper into the »A Plague Tale« lore, while we must prove ourselves as strategists in the »Star Wars« universe.

RESONANCE: A PLAGUE TALE LEGACY
Following its two hit titles »A Plague Tale: Innocence« (2019) and »A Plague Tale: Requiem« (2022), developer Asobo Studio takes you about 15 years into the past with »Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy«. You step into the shoes of 22-year-old Sophia, whom many of you already know as the pirate captain from »Requiem«. Her journey begins in Venice and leads to the Greek Minotaur's Island. While Sophia uncovers the secrets of her past, she encounters the origins of the devastating Macula rat plague. Visually, the prequel is truly beautiful to look at, and there will be noticeably more action than in the previous installments. Furthermore, the development studio has designed »Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy« in a way that prior knowledge of its predecessors is not strictly necessary. The action-adventure game will be released for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Here is the trailer for a great sneak peek:
https://youtu.be/8sHJhrFF4V0

STAR WARS ZERO COMPANY
Also launching tomorrow for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC is »Star Wars Zero Company« from Bit Reactor, in collaboration with Lucasfilm and Respawn Entertainment. This turn-based tactics game centers around the "Zero Company", a crew of mercenaries, outcasts, clone deserters, and former Separatists. You play their leader, Captain Hawks, who has fallen out of favor with the Republic, and you must stop a cult from spreading a mysterious biological threat called the shadow plague across the galaxy. For a strategy game, it is visually a true highlight, but unfortunately, you can only enjoy it in single-player mode. As the trailer shows, an exciting adventure awaits you in the familiar »Star Wars« universe:
https://youtu.be/Q-pQE8dUV_g

Not to be forgotten: Gamescom 2026 starts today in Cologne – the annual highlight for gamers in the German-speaking region! Will you be there in person or do you prefer to watch it all from the comfort of your own home?

Dolly Parton is dead. The wildly successful singer, songwriter, entrepreneur and philanthropist died yesterday at the age of 80 following a brief battle with cancer. With her, a truly singular figure has left us. She didn't just have an enormous impact on country and pop music – her song »Jolene« has been covered hundreds of times, and her own »I Will Always Love You« became Whitney Houston's biggest hit – she also shaped three generations of media and pop culture in the United States. Few people of our time have been as universally loved and respected as the rhinestone-studded "blonde bombshell". Her line "If I hadn't been a woman, I'd be a drag queen for sure" became a catchphrase in the LGBTQ+ community and her song »9 to 5« an anthem for working women, while her gospel number »He's Alive«, still plays across the evangelical South every Easter and the decidedly christian conservative movie »Coat of Many Colors« became one of TVs most viewed films. She could hold both because she refused to take sides: she turned down the Presidential Medal of Freedom three times to avoid being claimed by either party, and whatever read as progressive she never justified politically, but through the faith she grew up with. In her later years she was known above all as a benefactor, using her fortune to give books to millions of children and do her part for literacy. President Donald Trump has ordered flags across the country to fly at half-staff for one week – somehow a clear symbol of her uncontroversial popularity.

Rest in peace, Dolly. We will always love you!

The new Kratos for the »God of War« series has been chosen! Due to a severe injury sustained by Ryan Hurst, Dave Bautista will now take on the lead role.

Following the failure of a planned film adaptation of the hit game franchise, a series adaptation was announced in 2022, produced by Sony Pictures Television and Amazon Studios in collaboration with PlayStation Productions. The series is set to adapt the two games based on Norse mythology: 2018's »God of War« and 2022's »God of War Ragnarök«. Ryan Hurst, who voiced Thor in the latter game, had been confirmed for the role of Kratos in January of this year. Shortly thereafter, filming began on the two commissioned seasons, which were scheduled to be shot back-to-back.

However, after Hurst suffered a torn bicep during a stunt in late June and it became clear he could not continue, the rumor mill began to churn. Who would step in to play the Greek God of War? The names of many former WWE stars circulated online, with Braun Strowman and current WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H frequently mentioned. Ultimately, Amazon and Sony opted for a different ex-wrestler: Dave Bautista, who was known in the ring as "The Animal" or Batista, but who has recently been active primarily as an actor.

Production can now start again – the four episodes already shot will be reshot – and it remains to be seen whether unleashing Batista upon the gods was the right choice. Our own Tobi is somewhat skeptical about the recasting and would have preferred Triple H. Which actor do you think would make the ideal Kratos?

A few days ago, Netflix released the first teaser for the second season of »Blue Eye Samurai«, which is set to premiere in January 2027:
https://youtu.be/3oCx6HcYz9k

This news instantly made our day, as »Blue Eye Samurai« is currently one of the best animated series for adult audiences. Here are ten great reasons why the show is so magnificent and why we are incredibly excited for the second season:

Mizu and the Path of Vengeance
In Edo-period Japan – a time when the country had cut itself off from the outside world – four Europeans remained in the land, secretly conducting business with the Shogunate. They were involved in the trafficking of weapons, opium, and young women. One of the four raped Mizu's mother; Mizu is the child born of that rape. Her mixed heritage makes her an outcast. She hides her blue eyes behind tinted glasses and, disguised as a man, embarks on a path of vengeance. Mizu is a highly complex, morally ambiguous character. At the start of the story, she is a lone wolf, consumed by rage and self-loathing...

Character Depth and Development
We find depth and development not only in Mizu but also in all the key supporting characters, each of whom is wonderfully fleshed out. Ringo, the optimistic cook born without hands, becomes the story's moral compass. Taigen, initially an arrogant swordsman, is driven to restore the honor Mizu wounded, eventually becoming an ally. Princess Akemi begins as a nobleman's spoiled daughter and matures into a strong, responsible woman.

The Beauty of the World – "Every Frame a Painting"
This phrase applies perfectly to the series. The design of the Japanese landscape, the architecture of the villages and cities, and the interiors are incredibly rich in detail and texture, creating a tangible sense of the history and the era in which the story unfolds.

Meticulous Research
From the costumes and the characters' movements to the cuisine of the period, the meticulous research conveys a highly authentic atmosphere. Everything feels tangible and real. You become completely immersed in this world – an invitation to binge-watch that even we couldn't resist.

The Animation
The blend of 2D and 3D animation fuses into a cohesive artistic masterpiece. The editing and pacing are highly dynamic, with many scenes evoking the classic samurai films of Akira Kurosawa. The sword fights are brilliantly choreographed with the help of stunt performers.

Not for Children
This series is definitely not for children. It features deadly intrigues and addresses themes such as opium addiction and depravity. There is plenty of bloodshed, as well as nudity and sexual content. Yet, none of this is gratuitous; it always serves the story and character development.

Artful Flashbacks
The masterful and artistic use of flashbacks is also fantastic. In Episode 5, »The Tale of the Ronin and the Bride« (IMDb: 9.5!), a Bunraku puppet performance at the Shogun's court, Mizu's battle against an overwhelming force attacking the teahouse, and a tragic episode from Mizu's past are artfully interwoven – cinematic brilliance!

The Music
The series' score, composed by Amie Doherty, also deserves mention. It combines traditional Japanese instruments, such as the shakuhachi, shamisen, and taiko, with a modern orchestral film score sound. Many action scenes incorporate popular songs in a style reminiscent of Quentin Tarantino. The result is incredibly entertaining!

London Calling
At the end of the season, Mizu sets off for distant London. We are very curious to see how the city in the 17th-century will be portrayed in the series, how this other side of Mizu's heritage will affect her, and how her journey and further development will unfold.

Many Secrets Left
There are also secrets waiting to be revealed back in Japan. For instance, a character long thought dead is expected to reappear.

We are now eagerly awaiting the continuation of the story. Have you watched the first season? If not, you definitely should – you're going to love it! And if you've really developed a taste for it, we highly recommend the »Blue Eye Samurai« figures from Dark Horse:
https://www.space-figuren.de/Series/Blue-Eye-Samurai:::4682_5669.html

We sincerely hope that other manufacturers will also snap up a license for this fantastic series.

The anticipation for these new releases was bone-chilling. They already turned heads at the Four Horsemen booth during this year's San Diego Comic Con – and now, you can finally secure them for your collection: the Skeleton Warriors! The reboot of the 1994 Playmates Toys line, based on the animated series of the same name, combines barbaric fantasy with futuristic technology and awesome firepower.

Re-imagined by Four Horsemen Studios in collaboration with Lay Carnagey Entertainment, these newly sculpted 1:12 scale action figures – Dr. Cyborn, Aracula, Claw, and Bone-Zai – along with their accessories, impress with terrifying skeleton detailing, metalized body armor, and intricate craftsmanship. As part of the Infinite Legions line, individual components of these fantastic collectibles can be swapped and combined with one another, as well as with figures from the Mythic Legions and Cosmic Legions series. Remember, mortals: Skeleton Warriors aren't just dangerous... they're back to the bone!

Pre-order the figures from Wave 1 now – either individually or as a complete four-figure bundle:
https://www.space-figuren.de/Mehr/Skeleton-Warriors:::4687_5690.html

The sun is giving us no respite, so we are escaping into the next dark Soulslike game: Today marks the release of »Mortal Shell II«! It is launching on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. While the first installment by developer Cold Symmetry was still an insider indie tip, you can clearly see the sequel's beefed-up budget. Back then, the world was characterized by rather linear areas, but now players can expect an immersive open world that includes over 60 handcrafted dungeons, temples, forests, and citadels. The campaign's playtime clocks in at 20 to 30 hours, which is more than double that of its predecessor. Review scores so far have been highly positive. Visually, the title can definitely hold its own against other giants of the genre. Check out the launch trailer here:
https://youtu.be/MIEHUDi6DwU

Bizarre enemy designs and a twisted atmosphere define »Mortal Shell II«. The grim world is dominated by the divine Revered Mother, who lies dying and threatens to drag all of existence down with her. As a soulless Foundling, you must recover the lost ova of this Revered Mother so that a new divine cycle can begin. To be able to fight in the physical world, you inhabit the bodies of fallen warriors whose destinies are intertwined with that of the Revered Mother. However, grotesque monsters, false gods, and decayed creatures will stand in your way, seeking to exploit the ova for their own ends.

Who among you will claim their new Shell in »Mortal Shell II« and set out on the quest?

When the term "animated film" comes up, most people immediately think of the big players: Pixar, DreamWorks, and, foremost among them, of course, Disney. There is no question that these studios have given us wonderful and unforgettable films over the years. However, the sheer volume of movies that the latter studio especially churns out – take a look at our news regarding the D23 event held last weekend – including countless sequels (not to mention the live-action remakes), leaves many longing for original, handcrafted films. That is precisely what you get from the stop-motion studio Laika; while no longer an obscure insider tip among animation fans, the name likely doesn't ring a bell for a lot of the general public. Laika's debut and most famous work, 2009's »Coraline«, has since become something of a cult classic. Today, that very studio released the first official trailer for its long-awaited sixth feature film:
https://youtu.be/dtr5JL1zkiM

»Wildwood« is based on the book of the same name by Colin Meloy and tells the story of young Prue. Together with her classmate Curtis, she must venture into a magical forest to search for her little brother, who has been abducted by a flock of crows. As the trailer reveals, an epic, dark adventure awaits, featuring a host of fascinating characters. On top of that, the highly emotional clip is accompanied by a beautiful cover of Avicii's »Wake Me Up«. The immense hype surrounding the project was already evident with the teaser trailer, which racked up over 80 million (!) views in a very short time a few months ago. Let's hope that success translates to the box office starting October 23rd! By the way, the film was directed by Travis Knight, the studio's current CEO, who already sat in the director's chair for Laika's »Kubo and the Two Strings« as well as this year's live-action »Masters of the Universe«.

Apart from how impressive this art form is (it is well worth checking out the making-of and behind-the-scenes videos on the official LAIKA Studios YouTube channel!), stop-motion films such as »Mary & Max«, »My Life as a Courgette«, »Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio«, and Laika's »Coraline« have repeatedly demonstrated over the last few years that animation is not a genre but a medium capable of telling serious, adult stories. »Wildwood« also appears to strike a darker tone – we are very excited to see it!