Pop Culture Safari!

Hear new She and Him album

NPR has a "first listen" of the new LP from Zooey Deschanel and Matt Ward here.

Dark Horse plans to publish Elfquest epic

Looks like Wendy and Richard Pini's beloved series is coming back to print in a new adventure.

From the press release:

ELFQUEST: THE FINAL QUEST

For generations, the Wolfriders sought a safe haven. Now, in the Palace of the High Ones, they have found it. But with security, the elves lose the skills that made them superb survivors in a harsh world. Elfquest: The Final Quest poses dire questions: Who stays? Who goes back to the forest? And what grim price will the Wolfriders pay?

“Dark Horse is a company I’ve admired ever since it sprang on the scene in the 1980s. Somehow, as large as they’ve grown, they’ve retained an independent spirit that Richard and I totally identify with. The quality of their offerings is legendary, and I’m extremely happy that Elfquest is part of their lineup,” said Elfquest cocreator Wendy Pini.

“Mike Richardson and Dark Horse come from the same publishing DNA as our own company, Warp Graphics, and he retains that gut-deep love of getting comics out into the world. We’re jazzed at all the plans, both traditional and new, they have for Elfquest,” added Elfquest editor and co-creator Richard Pini.

“I’ve known Richard from our very first year and read Elfquest from its inception. I’ve also pursued him and Wendy for nearly as long as Dark Horse has existed. Elfquest has been a lifetime project for Wendy, and it is one of comics’ great epics. I am extremely proud to bring their wonderful book to Dark Horse and particularly excited to see what is in store for us over the next three years,” Dark Horse President Mike Richardson continued.

In celebration of the thirty-fifth anniversary of Wendy and Richard Pini’s cult comics classic, Dark Horse proudly welcomes the Wolfriders, the Sun Folk, the Gliders, the Go-Backs, and the High Ones to its own rich history. The first release will be the prologue to an all-new fantasy epic, Elfquest: The Final Quest, arriving in the fall of 2013. Following that, Dark Horse will release this new story alongside all-new editions of the previously published material from this best-loved series.

Music new releases April 30, 2013: Iggy and the Stooges; Blade Runner; Iron Man 3; Essential Harry Nilsson; Latin Psych!

Click the links to order discounted CDs, downloads or LPs from Amazon.

Ready to Die by Iggy and the Stooges

Blade Runner Original Soundtrack (180g Translucent Red Vinyl)

Iron Man 3

Essential Harry Nilsson

The Rough Guide To Latin Psychedelia

DVD and Blu-ray new releases April 30, 2013: Scarlet Pimpernel; Cloud Atlas; Combat!

Click the links to order discounted DVDs or Blu-rays from Amazon.

Scarlet Pimpernel

Cloud Atlas

Combat!: The Complete First Season

IDW announces Bullwinkle, Mr. Peabody and Sherman comics and more

Some refreshing news for those of us who bemoan the lack of for-kids comics titles these days.

From the press release:

IDW Publishing, along with DreamWorks Classics and Bullwinkle Studios, have teamed up to bring Jay Ward's classic characters and stories back to comics! Beginning this fall, fans will see the return of Rocky & Bullwinkle, Boris & Natasha, Snidely Whiplash, Mr. Peabody & Sherman, and Dudley Do-Right, just to name a few.

In anticipation of DreamWorks Animation's 3D comedy adventure Mr. Peabody & Sherman coming to theaters on March 7, 2014, IDW will release a comic series. ,Additionally, IDW is planning a brand-new Rocky & Bullwinkle series for early 2014 release.

While creative details have yet to be announced, there are also plans for reprints of the wealth of previously published comics based on Ward's colorful characters.

"Jay Ward's characters and concepts are landmarks in animation storytelling, and they remain as funny and relevant as ever," said IDW President Greg Goldstein. "The phrase 'fan-favorite' is often overused, but in this case, it's well earned and justified. We're thrilled to add these brands to our ever growing list of all-ages titles."