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đŸ”„ Creature Commandos & The War of the Rohirrim Take Animation to New Heights

Our exclusive interviews with James Gunn and Phillipa Boyens demonstrate how animation can enhance a beloved franchise.

Author

Michael Ahr
December 04, 2024

Wednesday Edition December 4, 2024

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Animated expansions of beloved properties have become all the rage lately, and it’s easy to see why. In the case of James Gunn’s reinvented DC Universe, it allows for a deepening of superhero lore while also hearkening back to the comics origins of its recognizable lineup of regulars. Not to mention, cartoons were the on-screen lifeblood of comic book adaptations long before live action movies hit the scene!

On the other hand, big screen anime adaptations like Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim is a relative rarity. Will fans of the franchise embrace an animated feature film covering a new part of Middle Earth history?

Fortunately, in our Den of Geek magazine feature stories below, we talk directly to the creators behind these innovative new tales in familiar universes. Enjoy!

— Michael Ahr

TV
James Gunn Reveals Why Creature Commandos Is Launching The New DC Universe

Photo: DC Studios

“You want monsters?” asks one character in and early episode of Creature Commandos, DC’s animated offering that premieres on Max December 5th. “You got monsters!”

So why is James Gunn starting the first chapter of his and Safran’s tenure as the co-heads of DC Studios with a bloody adult animation series about monsters working for the U.S. government? For the answer, we spoke to Gunn and the voice cast of Creature Commandos exclusively for Den of Geek magazine!

THE COLLECTOR’S DIGEST: POWERED BY EBAY
The Best Funko Pop Figures to Buy in Holiday Season 2024

Perhaps no single collectible has had as strong a hold on pop culture over the last decade as Funko Pop. The small, vinyl figures with comically large heads, no mouth, and big dark eyes have taken the world of toys by storm, with almost every IP imaginable receiving the Pop treatment.

One of the best things about Pop figures is their highly displayable size, perfect for any shelf or desk. This also makes them the ideal stocking-stuffer this holiday season. So which Funko Pop figures should you be on the lookout for this holiday? Check out these products available to purchase on eBay at this very moment!

Read more » (sponsored)

TODAY’S QUIZ

Danny Boyle’s zombie apocalypse sequel 28 Years Later is due out in 2025. How many years will it be between its release and that of the original film 28 Days Later?

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MOVIES
How Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim Expands Tolkien’s Great Untold Story

Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures

Another Den of Geek magazine exclusive found us visiting with Philippa Boyens, writer and producer for the ambitious animated project set in J.R.R. Tolkein’s Middle-earth, The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim.

Although we’ve seen Tolkein’s world in animated form before, this will be the first time that we see it transformed into Japanese anime. “We’d been looking at animated films,” Boyens explains, “and we said, ‘What about anime?’ I thought, ‘There is a story that could work really well.’ There’s something about the Rohirrim that speaks to that great tradition of Japanese storytelling.”

FROM OUR FRIENDS AT PROPSTORE (sponsored)
Own a Part of Batman History in Propstore’s 85th Anniversary Live Auction

Propstore and Warner Bros. Discovery Global Archives & Preservation Services are excited to present a live auction of 85 exciting Batman props and costumes in celebration of Batman’s 85th anniversary in comics and film. You can register and bid today at Propstore.com and mark your calendar for the live auction on Friday, December 6th starting at 1:00 PM Pacific Time.

From the first major big-screen Batman in 1989, to the surprise appearance of the Dark Knight in 2023's The Flash, the auction features a collection of props and costumes from across Gotham City. And of course we can’t forget Batman’s Rogues Gallery. We have some of Batman’s greatest villains from 1997’s Bane in Batman and Robin to The Riddler’s legendary green suit from Batman Forever and a collection of costumes from Harley Quinn. 

In addition to the 85 items offered directly by Warner Bros. Discovery Global Archives & Preservation Services, the auction features a ‘bonus’ item – an exclusive VIP Tour for four people of the Archives.

These are just a few of the items available, the full catalog is available now at propstore.com/batman85. You can also watch and bid in the live auction on December 6th at 1pm to get your hands on some incredible pieces of Batman cinematic history, only at Propstore.com.

EDITOR’S PICKS

Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu injects fresh blood into the Dracula story with the most disturbing vampire we have seen in ages.

The first two episodes of Star Wars: Skeleton Crew are full of fun as a band of precocious kids set off on their journey into the unknown.

These are the best gaming and tech gifts for the gamer in your life!

Looking for gift ideas or something to escape into? Here are our writers’ picks of this year’s best books.

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