Tag Archives: netflix

Raydar Media teases new partners for pre-school hit Buddi as season two lands on Netflix

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Raydar Media, the rights holder and licensing management business for the early pre-school property, Buddi, is poised to reveal a slate of new consumer product partners throughout this year’s Festival of Licensing, as the series prepares to return to Netflix for season two this month.

Season two of Buddi sees PAW Patrol creator, Keith Chapman return to the early pre-school scene and join forces with Unanico Studios and series creator, Jason Jameson, as the trio continue to develop the series and its focus on emotional intelligence in younger years children. As well as exploring feelings throughout each episode, the second season will also feature special night-time episodes, as well as explore new lands.

Buddi is a non-dialogue show in which the characters express themselves with giggles and coos, giving the show universal appeal, and allowing its pre-school audience to apply their own versions of the character’s conversations to the show by using their imaginations.

It’s billed as an inclusive show with diverse character shapes and vibrant colours that uses teamwork and positivity to help the Buddis overcome problems as they interact with one another. Season two of the show will launch worldwide on Netflix from September 11th, bringing eight new episodes to Buddi fans.

The look and style of Buddi takes inspiration from the landscapes and nature of Scandinavia, taken from creator Jason Jameson’s own time spent in Finland. As a result, the Buddis all have secret Finnish names.

Raydar Media is currently managing the rights to Buddi in collaboration with Unanico, Keith Chapman, GCI Film, FroG-Land Productions, Shanghai Motion Magic, and Spider Eye Studios. Raydar has stated that it is Buddi’s ownership of its early pre-school credentials, ‘combined with its stunning and unique visual style,’ that has triggered the strong reaction from broadcasters and consumer products partners.

Raydar is now preparing to announce a sweep of partnerships for the pre-school property in the follow up to MIP Junior and this year’s Festival of Licensing.

The Last Kingdom fans can now own a replica of Uhtred Ragnarsson’s iconic sword thanks to Jalic Blades

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Spotlight Licensing is calling its The Last Kingdom kinsmen to arms with the news that fans will now be able to wield an exacting replica of the sword of Uhtred Ragnarsson himself, thanks to a new partnership with Jalic Blades.

The officially licensed display replica comes with the sword’s fullered blade and distinctive amber pommel, marking itself as the trusted weapon carried by Uhtred, the hero of The Last Kingdom series on Netflix, and focus of pop culture iconography in recent months.

It’s now thanks to a collaboration brokered by Spotlight Licensing on behalf of Carnival Films with Jalic Blades that fans will be able to re-live the adventures of the hero from the comfort of their armchairs.

“During filming of The Last Kingdom’s most recent season, Jalic was able to pull dimensions from the actual screen used prop and get detailed, high-resolution photos to be used for reference,” said Spotlight Licensing president, Carole Postal. “The result – drawing upon Jalic’s years of expertise and experience in creating movie and television replica weapons – is a truly beautiful and amazing replica.”

“Knowing how important this unique sword is to Uhtred as a character and to the overall story, we wanted to make sure we got the look and feel of this replica right for our fellow fans,” said Jalic Blades owner Chris Beasley.

Jalic’s 1:1 scale replica of Uhtred’s Sword is over three feet long with a stainless steel blade, antiqued nickel-plated cast handle, faux leather wrap and a custom molded acrylic pommel gem with faux inclusions. Uhtred’s sword will be available online and through specialty retailers.

Each sword will be serial numbered and come with a special display plaque featuring a silkscreened design based on Uhtred’s armor.

Sanrio’s Aggretsuko is returning to Netflix for a third season this week

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Sanrio’s heavy metal karaoke-loving character, Aggretsuko is making its return to Netflix for a third season this week, with its latest run of 10 x 15-minute episodes ready for streaming from today.

Having made her debut as a Netflix original short animation series in 2018, and her initial launch to the UK in 2017, Aggretsuko has become a global hit with audiences and animation fans the world over. The series follows the adventures of Aggretsuko, a 25-year-old red panda who finds herself frustrated with her nine to five office job.

Aggretsuko copes with her daily struggles by belting out heavy metal karaoke after work. Previous seasons have seen Aggretsuko face a many number of problems. But they’re not over, as the latest installment introduces her to an indie girl group OTM Girls and the group’s manager Hyodo to contend with.

Sanrio announced Aggretsuko as the newest of its more than 400 character roster in 2017.  The series depicts Aggretsuko’s life as an office associate in the accounting department of a trading company in Tokyo, who faces her daily stresses and conflicts in a comical way.

The series has attracted not only anime fans, but also millennials who resonate with her struggles. In addition to receiving praise, the series has inspired Aggretsuko fan art and cosplay from around the world.

Sony Pictures CP details Cobra Kai product line-up as the series heads to Netflix this month

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Sony Pictures Consumer Products has detailed a comprehensive line-up of products and partners for the two-time Emmy nominated series Cobra Kai, just as the show prepared to enter a new dojo on August 28 when the first two seasons land on Netflix.

Spanning gaming, apparel, accessories, collectable toys, publishing, costumes, home goods, and more, select products are now available in the US, with additional products being released throughout the year and into 2021. The range will be found across major retailers including Amazon, Box Lunch, FYE, GameStop, Hot Topic, Spencer’s, and Walmart.

“We are super excited to bring the first two seasons of Cobra Kai to Netflix’s massive, global audience, with a third season on its way in 2021. We are taking the show beyond the screen and into the hands of consumers through a variety of merchandise offerings, and we are honored to have such a fantastic roster of licensees to help make that happen,” said Jamie Stevens, EVP, Worldwide Consumer Products, Sony Pictures Entertainment.

“With even more help from our showrunners themselves who make sure we are staying true to the DNA of Cobra Kai, we’re confident that fans everywhere will be proud to show ‘no mercy’ for their fandom by sporting these epic show-themed products.”

This year, Cobra Kai is getting the gaming treatment with a new mobile game published by Boss Team Games coming this autumn, along with a new console game from Gamemill called Cobra Kai: The Karate Kid Saga Continues, which launches October 27.

Bioworld has apparel including sleepwear, headwear, hoisery and accessories available now, while Contenders Clothing has launched its boxer briefs, hats, shirts, sweatshirts, and tanks. Funko’s action figures, phone accessories, backpacks, keychains, belts and buckles and hats are out now, as is the first in the comic book series from IDW Publishing.

NECA has launched a line of collectables, Party City has a Johnny Lawrence adult costume, and Spirit Halloween has a variety of adult costumes themed Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence. Surreal Entertainment has water bottles, stickers, duffle bags, wrist and headbands, while Teespring has apparel and accessories.

The Araca Group has the official Cobra Kai store featuring apparel, home decor, and accessories, while Trends International has a line of posters to collect.

Sony Pictures Consumer Products is also taking Cobra Kai beyond the US with the following international licensee collaborations: Caprice apparel (Australia, New Zealand) and Ecell Global phone and tablet accessories (France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain, and the UK).

Zippy, Furchester Hotel, Gremlins and more to star in Pop-Up Palladium supporting puppeteers across the arts industry

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The iconic Zippy, characters from The Furchester Hotel, Gremlins, and the talent behind the puppets of Netflix’s Dark Crystal Age of Resistance, The Seed of Chucky, and the Muppet films will be coming together for a new virtual puppet theatre launched to support puppeteers across the arts industry in the time of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Acts taking part in the Pop-Up Palladium’s first two shows on Friday, September 4th and Friday, September 18th have now been detailed, as the campaign prepares to launch across Zoom with the aim of ‘whisking audiences away from the doom and gloom’ with a mystery tour of nostalgia.

Pop-Up Palladium will be hosted by the Welsh puppeteer, Emily Morus-Jones, and each show will feature an eclectic selection of types of puppetry, showcasing individual performances, followed by exclusive interviews. It will look to offer a behind the scenes look into the full spectrum of puppetry in theatre, TV, and film.

Included in the first mix of shows are accomplished puppeteers including Shadowography with Drew Colby, The Puppet Barge with Stan Middleton, Artistic Director of Curious School of Puppetry Sarah Wright, The Lips by Puppets with Guts, Toybox with Kamarai Romeo, BGT’s Patsy May, Mademoiselle Lychee with Aya Nakamura and BAFTA and Emmy winning Director Julian Kemp.

Further acts for future shows are yet to be announced.

The Pop-up Palladium host and puppeteer Emily Morus-Jones, said: “My hope is that this event will go some way to keeping struggling performers afloat, give them a bit of hope and inspiration for the future, and help audiences to discover what a wonderful, broad church the world of puppetry really is.”

With theatres having been left out in the cold by lockdown easing, and TV productions being slower to start up, it has been a notably difficult time for puppeteers who usually work in close proximity. The Pop-Up Palladium was conceived as a way to help the industry across the whole spectrum of puppetry showcase their work and learn about the different approaches to this rich and varied art form.

Funds raised will be split between the puppeteers performing, utilising the online platform to support artists through these challenging times while Theatres and TV productions are just getting back on their feet.

The Pop-Up Palladium has been funded by The Arts Council Wales in addition to being sponsored by The Curious School Of Puppetry and Talk To The Hand Puppets.

 The line up is as follows:

Friday 4th September, 7.50pm for 8pm start:

HOST – Emily Morus-Jones

A Welsh Puppeteer and Puppet Maker for film, TV, and live events. Emily trained as a TV puppeteer on the Sesame Workshop and BBC production The Furchester Hotel in addition to completing training at The Curious School Of Puppetry.

Emily has performed with puppets on shows for ITV and CBBC, short films, and commercials in addition to working with high profile clients in the music industry that include Ed Sheeran, Calvin Harris & Dua Lipa, The Brit Awards, Rag’nBone Man and Jam Baxter.

Additionally she has built puppets for The Handspring Puppet Company, KneeHigh Theatre, Nick Barnes Puppets, John Lewis and the band Iron Maiden.

SHADOWOGRAPHY with Drew Colby

Drew Colby has worked with puppets in the UK and Southern Africa for over 30 years. His first professional work started at the Playhouse Puppet Company at Durban, South Africa. Work spanned traditional double bridge, long string marionette shows, open stage tabletop puppetry, and performances with mixed styles of puppetry, acting, mask work, and dance.

He later returned to work in the UK at the Little Angel Theatre, notably alongside Steve Tiplady, which led him to start exploring ‘instant puppetry’ where there are no purpose built puppets – only objects brought to life. This in turn led him to shadow work where the theatre is created out of the absence of light, the puppeteers ability, and the audience’s imagination – ‘the ultimate instant puppetry’.

Drew has travelled across the globe performing shadows in addition to creating shadow sequences for Danny Boyle, Nintendo, B&Q, Lodotra, Suso, the RSPB, BBC, Channel 4, V&A Museum, and The Royal Opera House.                                    

THE PUPPET BARGE – Stan Middleton

The Puppet Theatre Barge has been putting on a programme of unique and magical shows on a converted Thames barge for over 30 years.

Stan Middleton is a third-generation puppeteer who has been performing professionally since the age of nine. Stan specialises in marionettes and runs The Puppet Theatre Barge, a fifty-seat puppet theatre inside a converted barge based in London. The Puppet Theatre Barge was started by Stan’s grandparents who originally trained at the Little Angel Theatre with John and Lyndie Wright.

Stan is a regular puppetry tutor at Central School of Speech and Drama and The Curious School of Puppetry. Other performance credits include ‘The Oddissy’ Paper Cinema and Battersea Arts Centre, ‘Venus and Adonis’ RSC and Little Angel Theatre, ‘Jabberwocky’ Little Angel Theatre. ‘Angelo’, Little Angel Theatre.

 ZIPPY & RONNIE LE DREW

Zippy is one of the UK Children’s TV heavy weights and most iconic childhood characters. No virtual puppet theatre would be complete without him!

Ronnie Le Drew is one of the UK’s most respected puppeteers, and recipient of the prestigious Harlequin Award, the Oscar of the puppetry world. He has operated many of the most iconic children’s puppets of the twentieth century – Sweep, Muffin the Mule, Bill and Ben, Brains from Thunderbirds – as well as working on classic puppet films such as Labyrinth, Little Shop of Horrors and The Muppet Christmas Carol. Muppet Treasure Island, and the new Netflix series Dark Crystal Age of Resistance. He continues to work regularly as a puppeteer in TV, theatre and advertising and also teaches at the Curious School Of Puppetry, London School of Puppetry, and at The Little Angel Theatre in London.

SARAH WRIGHT

Sarah is a master Puppeteer and Puppet Director who served as an additional Muppet performer on 1996’s Muppet Treasure Island and puppeteered Vogons and other aliens in the 2005 Creature Shop-effects film The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.

Sarah is a veteran London theatre Puppeteer, founder of the Curious School of Puppetry, and Director of her own company Invisible Thread. Her stage credits include work with the Royal Shakespeare Company on The Tempest and directing Sleeping Beauty, The Adventures of Curious Ganz, and Hansel and Gretel. She puppeteered on the TV series Sooty (as occasional character Scampi) and the film Seed of Chucky (operating all three lead doll characters).

Sarah will be talking to us about her life growing up in the Little Angel Theatre and prolific career as a Puppeteer, Director, and Headmistress.

Friday 18th September, ‘doors’ open 7.50pm for 8pm start

 THE LIPS BY PUPPETS WITH GUTS

A dazzling & surreal big puppet outdoor sing along, The LIPS are a chorus of delightfully deviant divas whose mouths have escaped from their bodies! The LIPS reanimate our favourite songs, celebrate our shared love of popular music and uphold our freedom to speak out, through a pop-puppetry performance that is seductive yet subversive. The LIPS are highly expressive, they change colour at nighttime and are best performed after sunset as a musical finale show stopper for festivals or events.

Puppets with Guts is a daring big puppet theatre company. Puppets with Guts are devisers of dazzling big puppet theatre experiences that inspire and delight. We animate and inhabit outdoor and unusual spaces through spectacular creative adventures that surprise and captivate our audiences. We create spectacular shows for outdoor events and festivals and provide professional services in puppetry, creative consultation and design and making for theatre, corporate events, film and television.

TOYBOX – KAMARI ROMEO                          

A 22-minute visual spoken word album with music & puppetry, looking at experiences of British childhood. Produced and created by Kamari Romeo. Written and performed by Kamari Romeo, Sirena Reynolds, Tobi, Tiahnna, Maya TOYBOX is about taking experiences, playing with them and putting them back together with a better understanding.

This project, made in April 2018 over a period of 9 months endeavours to bring honest conversations into sharp focus via a series of short, filmed poems, performed to original music in collaboration with 5 care leavers aged between 20-27. These original workshighlight how childhood experiences and traumas may affect us, shaping the people we become.                            

PATSY MAY – LAURA BACON

Patsy May is a talented singer and all round diva who reached the semi finals of Britain’s Got Talent. Before her audition she was seen flirting with other male contestants claiming she was almost chosen to play Elizabeth in Pride and Prejudice. She’s sassy, funny and brings a whole load of attitude into all her endeavours.

Patsy May is performed by Laura Bacon a gifted singer, writer, and puppeteer.

Previously described as the Banksy of puppetry, Laura performs several other characters of her own creation both on screen and in live shows. In addition to writing her own characters she has previously worked on the 2018 Solo: A Star Wars Story, The Truffles, and The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance.

MADEMOISELLE LYCHEE – AYA NAKAMURA

Probably the smallest burlesque dancer in the world. Watch as she embarks with the audience into a sensual and glamorous world of corset, feather, velvet and satin silk leaving you either horrified or laughing at the end of your unforgettable experience.

Aya is a Japanese theatre-maker, puppeteer, and puppet maker who is based in London. She has created many shows for the Rouge28 Theatre, who’s primary interest lies in puppetry for adult audiences.

                                                           

 

 

 

 

 

JULIAN KEMP

Julian’s career began at the age of thirteen as a founder member of the Central Junior Television Workshop, which led to a number of acting roles in children’s television series such as Murphy’s Mob, Dramarama, Your Mother Wouldn’t Like It and Palace Hill. He trained at RADA before becoming a director on the children’s factual programme Wise Up for Channel 4. He directed three series, winning 2 BAFTAS, 2 International Emmys, an RTS, and a Peabody award.

Julian is a seasoned pro at directing TV puppetry having directed The Fimbles, The Roly Mo Show, Roger and The Rotten Trolls, Diddy TV, The Diddy Movies, and the BBC/Sesame Workshop Production of The Furchester Hotel.

Julian will be talking to us about the trials and tribulations of Directing puppetry for TV and film he has encountered across of the course of his career.

                                                           

Mattel Television to launch new musical Barbie movie to Netflix, Barbie Princess Adventures

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Mattel Television has partnered with the animation studio Mainframe to launch a new animated musical adventure to Netflix this year in the shape of Barbie Princess Adventure. The new feature animation will launch with its own soundtrack which will be made available across all streaming platforms on August 28th.

The new adventure feature follows Barbie and her friends as they are chosen by their school to travel the country of Floravia to meet Princess Amelia, who, nervous about becoming queen, is looking for an escape and devises plans to trade places with Barbie. When a rival prince finds out what has taken place, Barbie and her friends must team up to stop him, and rescue the princess in time for her coronation.

“Barbie is an iconic character who provides endless storytelling opportunities. She inspires the limitless potential in all kids, and this brand purpose resonates deeply with children and parents alike. Barbie Princess Adventure builds on that purpose with a focus on empowerment, self-discovery and finding your voice in the age of social media,” said Adam Bonnett, executive producer, Marvel Television.

“Barbie Princess Adventure captures a range of musical genres which enables the audience to connect with the story in a variety of ways. Original music will continue to be an integral part of Mattel Television content moving forward – for Barbie as well as other brands.”

Barbie Princess Adventure features songs by Matthew Tishler and Andrew Underberg, with score and additional songs by The Math Club. The musical numbers are animated to the choreography of Paul Becker.

The digital soundtrack includes “Try It On,” “Somewhere New,” “(Not) A Picture Perfect Girl,” “Life in Color,” “King of the Kingdom” and “This Is My Moment.”

Unanico Group to bolster content development, production and licensing under new CEO Leanne Preston

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The international independent media company, Unanico Group is looking to bolster its content development, production and global partnership and licensing strategies with the appointment of a new Producer and CEO in the form of Leanne Preston.

The former Nickelodeon executive is set to head up the award-winning team and bring her over 14 years of animation experience to the role as Unanico continues on its mission to expand across the US.

During her time at Nickelodeon, Preston worked on the BAFTA-nominated House of Anubis, before moving into her role as head of development at Red Kits Animation. It was there that she spearheaded the development of the award-winning DreamWorks Classics property George of the Jungle, now airing in over 125 countries, and Ella Bella Bingo, recently sold to over 25 countries.

Prior to joining Unanico, Preston has served as head of production development, animation for Citizen Skull Productions, working on Nickelodeon’s LEGO City Adventures, Youku and international pre-school series Emmy & GooRoo, and Tencent hit Mini Mind Warriors.

Preston also had a stint as director of animation development for production at Gaumont Animation US.

Founded in 2009 by producer Paul Laikin and creative director Jason Jameson, Unanico Group is dedicated to the creation of original 2D, 3D and CGI animation, with a focus on developing and producing in-house IPs, as well as co-developing and co-producing animated IPs from selected partners.

Unanico Group creates long-form series, films, shorts, illustrated books, casual games, apps, interactive experiences, AR, VR, MR and licensed merchandise. Previous projects include: One Night In Hell, an award-winning animated short film in collaboration with Queen’s guitarist Brian May, the All Dead, All Dead Queen music video (3M+ views on YouTube), and the animation of all three seasons of CBeebies four-time BAFTA-nominated series, Apple Tree House.

Preston is joining Unanico Group following the release of its pre-school series Buddi in March of 2020. Buddi is streaming worldwide as a Netflix Original Series, with executive producer Keith Chapman. Unanico Group is currently in development of multiple other original series and feature films and has industry partnerships in Japan and in China, where the company has successfully distributed Apple Tree House and Koala Brothers to platforms such as Tencent Video, Mango TV and Jetson Huashi and produced Buddi with Motion Magic of Shanghai Media Group.

“Unanico Group is thrilled to welcome Preston to the team, and excited for her collaboration and leadership on their upcoming development slate and productions, including exciting new IPs and music partnerships,” read a statement from the firm.

“Unanico is dedicated to creating quality animation and forming strategic partnerships, with several new projects underway with major companies leading the IP. We’re excited for the upcoming developments from Preston and her team.”

Nelvana and Spin Master secure raft of new broadcasters including Netflix for the hit Bakugan franchise

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The children’s animated and live action content distributor, Nelvana and kids’ entertainment company, Spin Master have secured a raft of new broadcast partners for both seasons one and two of the hit Bakugan franchise.

The new distribution deal for both Bakugan: Battle Planet and Bakugan: Armored Alliance includes Netflix in the US and Canada, Pop in the UK, 9Go! in Australia, and Dreamia in Portugal for the second season, as well as Televisa in Mexico, Dreamia in Portugal, Nelonen Media in Finland, Dexy Co in Serbia, and Talent Show in Croatia for season one.

These new distribution deals are in addition to the previously announced broadcast partners including TeleToon in Canada, Cartoon Network in the US, Cartoon Network in Spain, Italy and Middle East, Gulli and Canal J in France and Africa, and Pop in the UK, alongside a host of others.

“Bakugan is a revered franchise with a loyal fan base that has achieved great popularity worldwide as the series continues to enthrall and capture the attention of young audiences,” said Mellany Masterson, head of Nelvana Enterprises. “The momentous addition of these leading international broadcasters elevates this powerful franchise to the next level and allows Bakugan to be shared and enjoyed by many more brawlers around the world.”

Thom Chapman, senior director, sales and distribution, Spin Master, added: “The continued influx of international distribution deals is a strong testament to the franchise’s reigning popularity.

“Bakugan is an exemplary franchise for Spin Master proven in its long-lasting brand affinity. We look forward to bringing the epic world of Bakugan to more fans with this expansion.”

Bakugan: Armored Alliance is the second season of Bakugan: Battle Planet. The anime adventure series follows the adventures of Dan Kouzo and his best friends as the first kids on Earth to bond with the mysterious alien creatures known as Bakugan. The fate of not one but two planets rests in the hands of this new breed of Bakugan Brawlers.

The new season launched earlier this year on Cartoon Network in the US, and TeleToon in Canada.

Along with the new season, Spin Master launched Bakugan: Armored Alliance toys in North America in Spring 2020, with a new wave of products launching this autumn in US and Canada. Additionally, the children’s entertainment company will be rolling out their Bakugan: Armored Alliance toy line internationally this autumn.

 

Mattel has the power in new Masters of the Universe toy line reveal featuring UNO, Fisher-Price and Mega Construx

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Mattel has unveiled a new generation-spanning collection of toys, action figures, tabletop games and even a themed version of its popular card game UNO all based on the Masters of the Universe franchise, proving that the global toymaker really does ‘have the power.’

Revealed at this year’s virtual edition of Power Con, Mattel finally shed light on the much anticipated Masters of the Universe toy line for 2021, a launch that will coincide with the arrival of a new Masters of the Universe series on Netflix. And it’s a range designed to truly bring generations together.

For the first time, Masters of the Universe is launching in to the pre-school space with a line of Fisher-Price toys under the Little People moniker. The line-up of four figures features He-Man, Skeletor, Man-at-Arms, and Beast Man.

Mattel then begins to transition up the age groups with the introduction of a new action figure line from its Imaginext collection. The Fisher-Price Imaginext Masters of the Universe XL Action Figures line features a collection of super-sized 10-inch action figures including He-Man, Skeletor, and Beast Man.

Mega Construx comes roaring into play as the brand expands its Masters of the Universe offering with a reissue of last year’s Pro Builders Series Castle Grayskull. The 3,508-piece building set includes three floors featuring the Throne Room, Command Centre, Dungeon, Power Sword-activated Jawbridge, and more. It also includes six collectable micro action figures.

Meanwhile, the Mega Construx Masters of the Universe Skeletor Skull Assortment comes with three collectable Skeletor heads, each containing micro action figures and building materials.

Skeletor and Panthor signature sets complete the line up, alongside a Battle Ram vehicle with Tri-Klops and Mekaneck micro action figures.

Mattel has also got the gaming sector covered with a Masters of the Universe themed version of its hit game UNO. The new launch features vintage artwork from the franchise’s archives of oil paintings created by Williams George and Ruby Obero in the 1980s, tapping into the retro-revival with vintage appeal.

Finally, Mattel has also detailed the first tabletop roleplaying game to feature Masters of the Universe, introducing players to Legends of Grayskull. The launch is the result of a multi-year licensing deal with Fandom – the team that developed D&D Beyond – to produce a roleplaying game complete with a 250 page hardcover guidebook with pull-out maps, a digital companion app and toolset, a community content creation and sharing platform, and a ‘play programme that gives fans the chance to participate in a connected, living story with other players around the world.’

 

Dark Horse Comics teams with Studio71 Games to launch The Umbrella Academy card game

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For everyone who enjoys a bit of pop culture nerdery, Dark Horse Comics is looking to provide your latest fix with the launch of a new battling card game based on the hit comic series-turned Netflix series, The Umbrella Academy. The news arrives as season two of The Umbrella Academy readies to land on Netflix this July 31.

The card game has been developed by the comic book publisher in partnership with Studio71 Games, a Red Arrow Studios company, and aims to bring the fantastical and dysfunctional world of The Umbrella Academy to life in the living room.

“We are thrilled with the continued fan response and reception to The Umbrella Academy. Our love for these stories and characters is what makes us excited for you all to get to experience them firsthand with the Studio71 Umbrella Academy Card Game,” said Gerard Way and Gabriel Bá, creators of The Umbrella Academy comic series.

The game brings together your favourite seven siblings to defeat hordes of villains in cooperative battle. Play as Five, Séance, Space Boy, The Rumor, The Horror, The Kraken, or Vanya, each with their own unique powers. These abilities give players a powerful strategy to follow during the game.

Players will battle deadly villains like Carmichael, Dr. Terminal, Perseus X and Medusa, Hazel & Cha Cha, and more. Based on the number of players, shuffle and place the indicated number of villain cards in the middle of the play area, face down. Those villains will use villain attack cards to battle against the siblings.

‘An Umbrella Academy game would be nothing without a little dysfunction, brothers will fight, there will be confrontation, hopelessness, you might even hit rock bottom,’ reads the game’s description. ‘Throughout the game, dysfunctional family cards bring the comic themes to life and affect each round. The siblings are victorious when all the villain cards are defeated, but if the villains overwhelm the siblings the world will be destroyed.’

The Umbrella Academy Card Game is available to pre-order now.