Speculative Fiction Links of the Week for July 28, 2023

It's time for the latest weekly round-up of interesting links about speculative fiction from around the web, this week with all the news and reveals from the 2023 San Diego Comic Con, season 2 of Foundation, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds and Star Trek in general, Secret Invasion and the Marvel Cinematic Universe in general, season 3 of The Witcher, season 2 of Good Omens, season 5 of The Dragon Prince, season 5 of What We Do In the Shadows, Barbie and the "Barbenheimer" phenomenon, the return of Futurama, They Cloned Tyrone, Talk To Me, Haunted Mansion, The British Miracle Meat, the ongoing WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, the debate about AI writing and much more.

Speculative fiction in general:

• Jason Ray Carney wonders whether we are seeing a glut of new sword and sorcery.
  
• James Davis Nicoll shares five SFF novels about going on vacation.
• Erin A. Craig shares nine gothic horror novels to read this summer. 
  
• John Mauro shares ten horror novels for fans of grimdark fiction.
  
• Angel Luis Colón shares a brief introduction to body horror. 
• Kalynn Bayron shares five horror books about fearsome final girls. 
• Chelsea Davis talks about Silicon Valley Gothic.
  
• Rachel Ayers explains why competence porn is so comforting. 
• James Davis Nicoll shares five science fiction novels about science unimpeded by safety concerns.
  
• James Davis Nicoll shares five SFF stories featuring therapists.
  
• Kit de Waal explains to Jessica Murray why the arts are important. 
• Gareth L. Powell shares an introduction to Iain M. Banks. 
• Jonathan Thornton shares his appreciation for the work of Kelly Link.
  
• Damon C. Sasser takes a look at Robert E. Howard's work for the so-called Spicy pulps. 
• Cristina Orlando talks about gender fluidity in A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab. 
  
• SFF fan and costumer Bill Laubenheimer has died. 
• Fanzine publisher and fan writer Jerry Lapidus has died aged 75.
  

Comics and Art:

• Robin Marx reviews the Free Comic Book Day edition of Conan the Barbarian by Jim Zub and Roberto De La Torre.
• Brad Hawley reviews Night Fever by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips. 
• Suyi Davies Okungbowa talks about Captain Africa, the first African superhero comic to receive international attention.
  
• G.W. Thomas takes a look at the early sword and sorcery comic art of Jeffrey Catherine Jones. 
• Brad McDevitt shares his appreciation for the fantasy artwork of Philippe Druillet. 
• Sabina Graves reports that Iman Vellanu, the actress who plays Kamala Khan in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, will now also write the Ms. Marvel comics.
  
• Aaron Couch reports that J. Michael Straczynski has a contact with Dark Horse over several creator-owned comic books of his own choice.
  
• Spanish cartoonist Francisco Ibáñez Talavera has died aged 87
  

 

Film and TV:

• Roseanna Pendlebury declares that Nimona has adapted a great comic into an equally great movie.
• Jenna Scherer shares her thoughts on season 4 of Harley Quinn.
  
• Alasdair Stuart shares his thoughts on Bird Box Barcelona and Insidious: The Red Door.  
• James Whitbrook declares that Shin Kamen Rider has the best portrayal of superspeed ever in an SFF movie. 
• William Hughes calls Twisted Metal a messy post-apocalyptic comedy.
  
• Leslie Felperin calls Mavka: The Forest Song a fetching animated Ukrainian folk tale of sprites resisting invaders 
• Cath Clarke calls Children of the Corn an unscary Stephen King remake. 
• Cath Clarke shares her thoughts on the French animated superhero movie Miraculous: Ladybug & Cat Noir: The Movie.
  
• Rich Pelley interviews writer and actor Mark Gatiss who has worked on Doctor Who, Sherlock, League of Gentlemen, Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning and many others. 
  
• Jonathan Russell Clark interviews Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, screenwriters of The Boogeyman.
• Dad-at-Arms interviews Rob David, Vice President for Creative Content at Mattel, and producer of Masters of the Universe: Revolution.
  
• Marlow Stern interviews Abigail Disney, great-niece of Walt Disney.
  
• Elayne Audrey Becker praises the performance of Bernhard Hill as Théoden in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. 
• Fiona Moore revisits the 1968 horror movies Frankenstein Created Woman and The Blood Beast Terror. 
• Joe Reid revisits the 1968 fantasy adventure film The Lost Continent.
  
• Peter Bradshaw reports that the 1978 animated movie Watership Down has been upgraded to a PG rating, though it will probably still traumatise children. 
• Dennis Hartley shares fifteen anti-nuclear war films.
  
• Steve Vertlieb shares his appreciation for the works of film composer Jerry Goldsmith. 
• Naman Ramachandran reports that the decision to cast Hugh Grant as an Oompa Loompa in Wonka rather than an actor with dwarfism has been criticised by British actor George Coppen, who fears actors with dwarfism may be pushed out of the film and TV industry.  
  
• Ben Child reports about production troubles besetting Aquaman and thhe Lost Kingdom. 
• Gavia Baker-Whitelaw reports that the beloved Halloween cartoon Over the Garden Wall is being removed from HBO Max.
  

 

Comments on season 2 of Foundation:

• Paul Levinson shares his thoughts on "A Glimpse of Darkness", the latest episode of Foundation.
• Stars End share their thoughts on "A Glimpse of Darkness". 
• Joseph Kolacinski shares his thoughts on "A Glimpse of Darkness". 
• Cora Buhlert shares her thoughts on "A Glimpse of Darkness".
  

 

Comments on Star Trek: Strange New Worlds and Star Trek in general:

• Keith R.A. DeCandido shares his thoughts on "Lost in Translation", the latest episode of Star Trek Strange New Worlds.
• Paul Levinson shares his thoughts on "Lost in Translation". 
• James Whitbrook shares his thoughts on "Lost in Translation". 
• James Whitbrook shares his thoughts on "These Old Scientists", the Star Trek: Strange New Worlds and Star Trek: Lower Decks crossover. 
• Keith R.A. DeCandido shares his thoughts on "These Old Scientists". 
• Paul Levinson shares his thoughts on "These Old Scientists". 
• Adam B. Vary interviews Jonathan Frakes, who played Commander William Riker in Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek Picard and who also directed many Star Trek episodes over the years. 
  
• io9 interviews Celia Rose Gooding who plays Nyota Uhura in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. 
• James Whitbrook reports that Star Trek: Strange New Worlds will have a musical episode.
  
• James Whitbrook reports that the unaired episodes of the cancelled Star Trek Prodigy are available for purchase. 
• Keith R.A. DeCandido revisits the Star Trek Enterprise episode "Storm Front, Part 1".
  

 

Comments on Secret Invasion and the Marvel Cinematic Universe in general (spoilers): 

• Keith R.A. DeCandido shares his thoughts on "Home", the final episode of Secret Invasion. 
• Sam Barsanti shares his thoughts on "Home". 
• Linda Codega shares her thoughts on "Home". 
• Andy Welch shares his thoughts on "Home".
  
• C.T. Phipps shares his thoughts on Secret Invasion. 
• Germain Lussier discusses the character of G'iah in Secret Invasion. 
• Germain Lussier shares everything you need to known about Secret Invasion, if you didn't watch the show.
  
• Gavia Baker-Whitelaw wonders whether the underwhlming performance of Secret Invasion spells the beginning of the end for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. 
• Stuart Heritage also wonders whether the underwhelming performance of Secret Invasion masks the end of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. 
  
• Watch a trailer for The Marvels.
  

 

Comments on season 3 of The Witcher:

• Jen Lennon declares that Henry Cavill deserves a better exit than what season 3 of The Witches gave him.
  
• The G shares his thoughts on The Witcher from the POV of a fan of the books byAndrzej Sapkowski.
• Watch a trailer for volume 2 of season 3 of The Witcher.
  

 

Comments on season 2 of Good Omens: 

• Cindy White declares that season 2 of Good Omens offers a smaller scope and more fan service. 
  
• Vanessa Armstrong interviews Maggie Service and Nina Sosanya, who play shopkeepers Maggie and Nina in season 2 of Good Omens.
  

 

Comments on Barbie (and Barbenheimer):

• Emmet Asher-Perrin calls Barbie an existential delight. 
• Rich Juzwiak reports that Barbie pulls off a clever dressing down of the patriarchy. 
• Charles Bramesco shares a spoilerish look at Barbie, patriarchy, existentialism and capitalism. 
• Emma Flint notes that Barbie's body diversity message shortchanges Ken. 
• Stuart Heritage praises the performance of Ryan Gosling as Ken in Barbie and declares that Gosling steals the film.
  
• Greg Evans explains the final line of dialogue in Barbie.
  
• Matt Grobar interviews Greta Gerwig, director of Barbie. 
• Patrick Ryan interviews Greta Gerwig. 
• Kyle Buchanan interviews Great Gerwig.
  
• Rebecca Ford interviews America Ferrera who plays Gloria in Barbie.
  
• Lauren Mechling interviews audiences watching Barbie. 
• The Guardian also interviews various audience members after watching Barbie.
  
• Eve Livingston reports that audiences in Glasgow, Scotland, are far more interested in Barbie than in Oppenheimer. 
  
• Stuart Heritage attempts to watch the so-called "Barbenheimer" double feature of Barbie and Oppenheimer and reports that he does not recommend it. 
• Haley Zapal also shares her thoughts on the so-called "Barbenheimer" double bill. 
• Owen Gleiberman points out that the real meaning of the "Barbenheimer" phenomenon is that if you make exciting movies, audience will watch them.
  
• Rebecca Rubin interviews Josh Goldstine, president of global marketing at Warner Bros about the remarkable marketing campaign for Barbie.
  
• William Hughes reports that Barbie has the best US box office opening of 2023. 
• Nadeem Badshah reports that Barbie and to a lesser degree Oppenheimer have given the UK cinema chain Vue its best weekend since covid. 
• Rebecca Rubin reports that the "Barbenheimer" double bill has resulted in the fourth best box office weekend in history and the highest grossing opening for a movie directed by a woman ever. 
• Hilary Lewis shares comedian Amy Schumer, who was involved with an earlier attempt to make a Barbie movie, to Barbie.
  
• Marisa Kabas reports about a far right backlash against Barbie, which fails to get what Barbie is.
• Laura Bassett also reports about the rightwing backlash against Barbie and how it has made her more eager to watch the movie. 
• Andrew Pulver reports about director Greta Gerwig's response to the rightwing backlash against Barbie.
  
• Tyler Austin Harper finds some surprising parallels betwen Barbie and Oppenheimer, since Barbie dolls and nuclear bombs both produce waste, though one is much more dangerous than the other.
  
• Abigail Tulenko explains what physics can teach us about Barbie's world. 
• Shaad D'Souza reports how Barbie, Oppenheimer, Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning and other movie focus more on practical effects and less on CGI.
  
• Elizabeth Wagmeister reports about other Mattel toys based movies in the works after the success of Barbie.
  

 

Comments on season 5 of The Dragon Prince: 

• Emmet Asher-Perrin declares that season 5 of The Dragon Prince provides intense horror vibes. 
  
• Emmet Asher-Perrin interviews Aaron Ehasz and Justin Richmond, creators of The Dragon Prince.
  

 

Comments on season 5 of What We Do In the Shadows:

• William Hughes shares his thoughts on the latest episode of What We Do In the Shadows.
• io9 interviews the cast of What We Do In the Shadows.
  

 

Comments on the return of Futurama: 

• Sam Barsanti calls season 11 of Futurama pure comfort TV. 
• Cheryl Eddy calls season 11 of Futurama equal parts nostalgic and very 2023.
  

 

Comments on They Cloned Tyrone: 

• Timothy Cogshell calls They Cloned Tyrone a science fiction comedy that tackled blaxploitation tropes. 
• Peter Bradshaw calls They Cloned Tyrone a satire turned goofy caper.  
• Todd McCarthy calls They Cloned Tyrone a grim but gutsy genre mash-up 
• Gavia Baker-Whitelaw calls They Cloned Tyrone a stylish science fiction mystery that deserved better than being buried by "Barbenheimer".
  
• io9 interviews Teyonah Parris, star of The Marvels and They Cloned Tyrone.
  

 

Comments on Talk To Me:

• Peter Bradshaw calls Talk To Me a terrific creepy-hand horror that offers a blast of wild punk energy
• Debbie Zhou interviews Danny and Michael Philippou, directors of Talk To Me.

 

Comments on Haunted Mansion:

• Luke Y. Thompson calls Haunted Mansion another frightfully unfunny Disney movie.
• Peter Bradshaw calls Haunted Mansion a joyless Halloween movie.
• Sabina Graves interviews Justin Simien, director of Haunted Mansion.
  

 

Comments on The British Miracle Meat: 

• Lucy Mangan calls The British Miracle Meat a neat if unsubtle satire.
• Stuart Heritage wonders if The British Miracle Meat is the most disturbing TV satire ever. 
• Steve Rose shares the story behind The British Miracle Meat.
  

 

Comments on the ongoing WGA and SAG-AFTRA strike:

• Gene Maddaus reports that there are no talks in sight to resolve the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes.
  
• Nadia Khomani reports that many British actors have held a rally in Leicester Square, London, UK in support of their striking US colleagues. 
• Noam Schreiber explains how TV writing became a dead end job. 
• David Smith reports about the many issues facing the film and TV industry in the wake of covid and the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes.
  
• Ken Klippenstein reports that even as studios claim that they cannot pay actors and writers more, Netflix has advertised a 900000 US-dollar per year job for a single AI product manager.
  
• Linda Codega notes that the massive worldwide success of the unlikely Barbie and Oppenheimer double bill means that the studios need to make a fair deal with WGA and SAG-AFTRA. 
• George R.R. Martin weighs in on the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes.
  
• James Whitbrook reports that season 2 of Andor had to shut down filming due to the SAG-AFTRA strike just weeks from wrapping production.
  
• Andrew Pulver reports that Warner Bros is considering delaying Dune Part 2 due to the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. 
• Germain Lussier reports that Disney is delaying several movies in the wake of the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes.
  
• Matt Grobar reports that the crime drama King Ivory was able to continue filming in spite of the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes due to an interim agreement. 
• Paul Dailly reports that the soap opera General Hospital has brought in non-union temporary writers to be able to continue filming through the WGA strike.
  
• Andrew Pulver reports that actor Dwayne Johnson has given a seven figure donation to the SAG-AFTRA strike relief fund.
  
• Justin Carter reports that NBC Universal has been given a ridiculously low fine for illegally pruning trees outside its headquarters in Los Angeles, California, to harrass picketers during the current heatwave.
  
• The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) is also voting to authorise a strike which might shut down Broadway and touring production next week.
  
• Charles Pulliam-Moore reports that animation workers at Cartoon Network and Warner Bros are trying to form a union.
  

 

Awards:

• The finalists for the 2023 World Fantasy Awards have been announced.
  
• The shortlist for the 2023 British Fantasy Awards has been announced.
  
• The winners of the 2023 Eisner Awards have been announced. 
• The finalists for the 2023 Subjective Chaos Kind of Awards have been announced. 
• The finalists for the 2023 Silver Falchion Awards have been announced.
  
• The finalists for the 2023 Mike Resnick Memorial Award have been announced.
  
• The winners of the 2023 First Fandom Awards have been announced.
• The winner of the 2023 Wales Book of the Year Award has been announced.
  
• Camestros Felapton shares his thoughts on the 2023 Hugo finalists for Best Novel.
  
• Alex Hormann explains why he is leaving the Self-Published Science Fiction Competition after two years as a judge.
  

Writing, publishing and promotion:

• Leah Schnelbach shares writing advice from Chuck Tingle. 
• Lincoln Michel shares some tips about dialogue tags. 
• Jessica Ward talks about writing a nuanced take on mental illness.
  
• Nadia Khomani explains why translators are battling for recognition. 
• Kristine Kathryn Rusch talks about applying niche marketing.
  
• Brian Murphy talks about the problem with reviews. 
• Molly Templeton asks what people want from the bookish internet.
  
• Victoria Strauss reports about problems at the Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction.
  
• Jim Milliot reports that Harper Collins is closing down its YA imprint Inkyard Press.
• Rebecca F. Kuang reports about problems with the book rating site Goodreads. 
• Helen Lewis reports about review bombing and harrassment on Goodreads.
  
• Katie Goh reports about the pioneering LGBTQ bookshop Lavender Menace in Edinburgh, Scotland.
• Bookseller and publisher Tom Schantz has died. 
  

 

Comments on the AI controversy: 

• The Authors Guild has posted an open letter to the various AI companies urging them to stop using writers' work to train large language models without permit nor compensation.
• Elizabeth Minkel explains why AI won't disrupt books. 
• Rebekah Valentine reports that someone used ChatGPT to draft the two remaining A Song of Ice and Fire books. 
• io9 interviews Chloe Gong about AI in writing.
  

 

Interviews:

• Paul Semel interviews Sharon Lee and Steve Miller.
• The Guardian interviews Juno Dawson. 
• io9 interviews Chloe Gong.
  
• Runalong the Shelves interviews Lorraine Wilson. 
• Michael Colbert interviews Rebecca Turkewitz.
  
• David A. Riley interviews Steve Dilks.
  
• It's Jan interviews Brian Murphy. 
• Arley Sorg interviews several finalists for the 2023 Nebula Awards.
  

 

Reviews:

• Gary K. Wolfe reviews Silver Nitrate by Silvia Moreno-Garcia 
• Blue Book Balloon reviews Silver Nitrate by Silvia Moreno-Garcia 
• Emily Hughes reviews Silver Nitrate by Silvia Moreno-Garcia 
  
• Camestros Felapton reviews Legends and Latte by Travis Baldree. 
  
• Gayle Surrette reviews Salvage Right by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller.
• Marlene Harris reviews Emergent Properties by Aimee Ogden
• Arturo Serrano reviews The Last Gifts of the Universe by Rory August.
  
• Blue Book Balloon reviews Beyond the Reach of Earth by Ken MacLeod  
• Adrienne Martini reviews The Road to Roswell by Connie Willis 
• Lesa Holstine reviews The Road to Roswell by Connie Willis 
  
• Runalong the Shelves reviews The Genesis of Misery by Neon Yang. 
• Camestros Felapton reviews Nettle and Bone by T. Kingfisher. 
• Runalong the Shelves reviews The Spear Cuts Through Water by Simon Jimenez 
• Lesa Holstine reviews For Love of Magic by Simon R. Green 
• James Davis Nicoll reviews Abeni's Song by P. Djèlí Clark.
  
• Marlene Harris reviews Ebony Gate by Julia Vee and Ken Bebelle
• Liz Bourke reviews Labyrinth’s Heart by M.A. Carrick 
• Clara Cohen reviews Starling House by Alix E. Harrow  
• James Davis Nicoll reviews Rose/House by Arkady Martine.
  
• Judith Tarr reviews Selkie Girl by Laurie Brooks.
  
• Molly Templeton reviews Flight and Anchor by Nicole Kornher-Stace. 
• Bill Capossere reviews Light Bringer by Pierce Brown. 
• Liz Bourke reviews The Jasad Heir by Sara Hashem
  
• Rob Bedford reviews The Justice of Kings by Richard Swan
  
• Mark Yon reviews Blade of Dream by Daniel Abraham.
• Chris Kluwe reviews The Combat Codes by Alexander Darwin
  
• Sally Berrow reviews The Hunters by David Wragg 
• Clara Cohen reviews The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd 
  
• Marlene Harris reviews Montego by Brian McClellan. 
• Colleen Mondor reviews The Making of Yolanda La Bruja by Lorraine Avila
• Alex Brown reviews A Guide to the Dark by Meriam Metoui
  
• Blue Book Balloon reviews Hokey Pokey by Kate Mascarenhas
• Linda Codega reviews Camp Damascus by Chuck Tingle. 
• Skulls in the Stars reviews Sister, Maiden, Monster by Lucy A. Snyder
  
• Paul Di Filippo reviews The Dead Man and Other Horror Stories by Gene Wolfe 
• Russell Letson reviews Ragged Maps by Ian R. MacLeod 
• Ian Mond Reviews The Last Vanishing Man by Matthew Cheney
  
• Runalong the Shelves reviews No Happily Ever After by Phil Sloman
• Arturo Serrano reviews Our Shadows Have Claws, edited by Yamile Saied Méndez and Amparo Ortiz
  

 

Classics reviews:

• Anne M. Pillsworth and Ruthanna Emrys revisit the 1898 science fiction horror story "The Stolen Body" by H.G. Wells.
  
• James Maliszewski revisits the 1935 cosmic horror story "The Shambler From the Stars" by Robert Bloch. 
• Sandy Ferber revisits the 1936 horror novel The Whistling Ancestors by Richard E. Goddard 
• Brian Collins revisits the 1953 fantasy story "The Goddess on the Street Corner" by Margaret St. Clair
  
• Brian Collins revisits the 1953 science fiction story "Captive Audience" by Ann Warren Griffith.
• James Wallace Harris revisits the 1955 dystopian story "The Public Hating" by Steve Allen. 
• The PorPor Books Blog revisits the 1955 anthology Science Fiction Terror Tales, edited by Groff Conklin
  
• B.V. Lawson revisits the 1958 gothic romance Nine Couches Waiting by Mary Stewart.  
• The PorPor Books Blog revisits the 1965 dystopian novel The Quality of Mercy by D. G. Compton
• James Davis Nicoll revisits the 1967 science fiction novel The Productions of Time by John Brunner.
  
• James Wallace Harris revisits the 1968 science fiction story "The Muse" by Anthony Burgess. 
• Kris Vyas-Myall revisits the 1968 science fiction anthology Orbit 3, edited by Damon Knight, and issue 7 of Famous Science Fiction. 
• Gideon Marcus revisits the August 1968 issue of The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction.
  
• James Wallace Harris revisits the 1975 dystopian novel The Shockwave Rider by John Brunner.  
• MarzAat also revisits The Shockwave Rider by John Brunner.
  
• James Davis Nicoll revisits the 1975 non.fiction book The Hot-Blooded Dinosaurs: A Revolution in Paleontology by Adrian J. Desmond 
• Alan Brown revisits the 1986 non-fiction book The Making of the Atomic Bomb by Richard Rhodes. 
• Joe Kenney revisits the 1990 Doomsday Warriors post-apocalyptic novel America’s Sword by Ryder Stacy 
  
• James Tivendale revisits the 2000 Malazan epic fantasy novel Deadhouse Gates by Steven Erikson.  
• Natalie Zutter revisits the 2001 epic fantasy novel Kushiel's Dart by Jacqueline Carey.
  

 

Crowdfunding:

• Shelterwood, a suburban gothic horror podcast, is looking for funding.
• The Super 7 Thundercats Ultimates Cat's Lair playset is looking for backers. 
• Hasbro is crowdfunding the Ghost from Star Wars Rebels.
  
• The Endeavour Awards are looking for funding to keep going.
  

 

Reports about the 2023 San Diego Comic Con:

• Borys Kit reports that the 2023 San Diego Comic Con was very good, in spite of the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes making it impossible for actors and screenwriters to attend, and that there was more focus on comics and toys. 
• Rob Kutner also explains about the impact of the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes on the 2023 San Diego Comic Con and how it was positive in many ways. 
• io9 lists the winners and losers of this year's San Diego Comic Con. 
• Eric Amaya reports about the Red Sonja fiftieth anniversary panel at San Diego Comic Con.
  
• James Whitbrook reports about the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem panel at the 2023 San Diego Comic Con in San Diego, California. 
• Germain Lussier reports about a panel featuring directors Gareth Edwards, Justin Simien and Louis Letterier at the 2023 San Diego Comic Con.
• Devan Coggan reports about a panel at the 2023 San Diego Comic Con in which voice actors discussed the exploitation risk of AI and the current SAG-AFTRA strike. 
• Adam B. Vary also reports about the voice actors panel at the 2023 San Diego Comic Con.
  
• Isaiah Colbert lists every big anime announcement at the 2023 San Diego Comic Con. 
• Germain Lussier reports about the Star Wars Outlaws panel at San Diego Comic Con.
  
• Sabina Graves share her favourite cosplay photos from the 2023 San Diego Comic Con.
• Sabina Graves shares even more cosplay photos from San Diego Comic Con. 
• Sabina Graves shares yet more cosply photos from San Diego Comic Con.
  
• SyFy Wire also shares cosplay photos from San Diego Comic Con.
  
• Sabina Graves reports about an immersive Interview With the Vampire and Mayfair Witches experience at the 2023 San Diego Comic Con. 
• Sabine Graves reports about an immersive Jurassic Park experience at the 2023 San Diego Comic Con.
  
• Watch a recording of the Mattel Masters of the Universe toy panel at San Diego Comic Con. 
• Watch a recording of the Hasbro G.I. Joe Classified panel at San Diego Comic Con.
  
• Watch a recording of the ToyTubers Unite! panel at San Diego Comic Con.
  

 

Other con and event reports:

• Juan Sanmiguel shares a three part post about his adventures at Pemmi-Con in Winnipeg, Canada, the 2023 NASFIC.  
• Dana Vadeboncoeur reports about Pemmi-Con.
  
• Cheryl Eddy shares her adventures travelling to Pemmi-Con in Winnipeg, Canada.
• Mike Glyer reports that the 2024 NASFIC will take place in Buffalo, New York. 
• Mike Glyer shares the guests of honour for the 2024 NASFIC in Buffalo, New York. 
• Michael Dirda reports about the 2023 Readercon in Quincy, Massachussetts.
  
• Melanie Stormm reports about a panel on the problem of AI-generated fiction submissions at the 2023 Readercon in Quincy, Massachussetts. 
• Scott Tong and James Perkins Mastromarino report about the 2023 Blerdcon in Arlington, Virginia.
  
• Srinarahari Mysore reports about the 2023 annual conference of the Indian Association for Science Fiction Studies, Bangalore, India
• Tarpley Hitt reports about the 2023 BarbieCon in Orlando, Florida.
  
• Chris M. Barkley reports about the Bricktionary Lego Exhibition in Cincinnati, Ohio. 
• Dave Itzkoff reports about Back to the Future: The Musical, which is currently playing on Broadway in New York City.
  

 

Science and technology:

•  Isaac Schultz reports that a magnetar in deep space is emitting radio waves every 22 minutes. 
• Cassidy Ward reports that NASA is planning a mission to the asteroid Psyche, which apparently consists largely of gold.
  
• Constance Hays Matsumoto talks about the continuing risk of nuclear war. 
• Léonie Chao-Fong liveblogs about the so-called "UFO hearings" in the US Congress.
  

 

Gaming: 

• Ryan Howse reviews Final Fantasy XVI
  
• Linda Codega offers a look at Magic the Gathering's new Doctor Who themed set.
• Linda Codega shares vampire themed tabletop games.
  

 

Toys and collectibles:

• Pixel Dan shares a close-up look at the Super 7 Thundercats Cat's Lair.
• Pixel Dan interviews Brian Flynn of Super 7 about their new Silverhawks line of vac-metallized action figures.
  
• Pixel Dan interviews Josh Graham, brand manager for Masters of the Universe.
• Iain Delaney reviews the Star Wars: Obi Wan Kenobi  L0-LA 59 Animatronic Edition
• Germain Lussier interviews the team behind Hasbro's crowdfunded Star Wars: Ghost project.  
• Sabina Graves shares a look at some of the geeky merchandise revealed at the 2023 San Diego Comic Con. 
• Geek Dad Live shares the best and worst toy reveals of the 2023 San Diego Comic Con. 
• Robert Wilonsky reports about a unique collection of Batman toys going on auction.
  

 

Free online fiction: 

• "Red Red Rose, Bare Bare Bones" by Françoise Harvey in The Dark.
• "Merciful Even to Scorpions" by Kay Chronister in Beneath Ceaseless Skies.
• "Between Gasp and Ground, I See" by Julie Reeser in Beneath Ceaseless Skies.
  
• "Muna in Barish" by Isha Karki in Lightspeed.
  
• "The United Systems Goodwill Concert Series and the Greatest Performance of All Time" by James Van Pelt in Lightspeed.
  
• "What Remains, the Echoes of a Flute Song" by Alexandra Seidel in Clarkesworld.
• "The Orchard of Tomorrow" by Kelsea Yu in Clarkesworld.
• "Six Months, Three Days" by Charlie Jane Anders in Tor.com. 
• "What It Means to Be a Car" by James Patrick Kelly in Tor.com
  
• "River Mumma Remembers" by Tonya R. Moore in If There's Anyone Left...
• "All That Burns Unseen" by Premee Mohamed in Slate: Future Tense.
  
• "Birds Are Not the Village" by Merri Andrew in Luna Station Quarterly. 
• "Master Craftsman's Apology" by Magdalena Daleziou in Wyldblood. 
• "What It Means to Be a Car" by James Patrick Kelly in Tor.com
  
• "The Meat And The Metal" by Steven Lebow in Mystery Tribune. 
• "You Without Me" by Endria Isa Richardson in Apex Magazine.
  
• "Blue" by Margaret Jordan in Fantasy Magazine. 
• "Why Are You Haunted?" by Joan Tierney in Nightmare Magazine.
• "Waltzing on a Dancer’s Grave" by Kristine Kathryn Rusch.
  
• "Control.exe" by Neda Aria in Punk Noir Magazine.
  

 

Trailers and videos:

• Watch a trailer for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.
  
• Watch a clip from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem. 
• Watch a trailer for the live action One Piece.
  
• Watch a trailer for Kalki 2898 AD. 
• Watch a trailer for Castlevania Nocturne.
  
• Watch a trailer for 30 Coins. 
• Watch a clip of Doctor Who companions Tegan and Nyssa reuniting after almost forty years. 
• Watch a trailer for Gen V.
• Watch a trailer for Invasion. 
  
• Watch a trailer for season 2 of the new Interview With the Vampire. 
• Watch a trailer for Legend of the White Dragon. 
  
• Watch a trailer for The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live 
  
• Watch a trailer for The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon.  
• Watch a trailer for The Exorcist: Believer.
  
• Watch a trailer for season 2 of Invincible. 
• Watch a trailer for Invincible: Atom Eve. 
• Watch a trailer for Lazarus. 
• Watch a trailer for Uzumaki.
  
• Watch a trailer for Migration.
• Watch a trailer for Adventure Time: Fionna & Cake. 
• Watch a trailer for season 4 of Solar Opposites.