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San Diego Comic-Con 2025, Julien’s Star Wars Auction, Predator: Badlands, Stern Pinball, The Toxic Avenger, Tron: Ares and MORE – Get Ready For The Storm!
Image courtesy Comic-Con International

Hello, fellow Comic-Con attendees!

We are just days away from San Diego Comic-Con 2025! This year is a bit less chaotic than last year’s event, with no major Marvel movie screening like the one the previous year featuring Deadpool & Wolverine. Still, there are always fun things to see and do during the con, both inside and outside the convention center. This year seems to have more anime and games featured. We have not seen that since the writers and actors’ strike in 2023. Some major studios might not have panels this year, but that doesn’t mean their presence will be absent at the Con. Luckily, Hall H will host some great panels on Friday, although there will be very few on Saturday, which is unusual since both days tend to be the busiest.

Image courtesy Kenn of TeamWHR

The Comic-Con Museum also features historic Star Wars movie items from Star Wars: Echoes from the Galaxy. All of the fabulous items up for sale are being done by the legendary Julien’s Auction House.

Visitors can tour the museum located in nearby historic Balboa Park, only a short distance from the convention center to see some of the historic items up for sale before the auction that will be conducted on Sunday July 27, 2025.

Image courtesy Lucas Museum of Narrative Art

This year is historic, as the legendary George Lucas will make his Comic-Con debut with a panel discussing his new Lucas Museum of Narrative Art. The panel will be moderated by Queen Latifah a legend in her own right. I do not doubt that with George Lucas present, Hall H will be even more crowded. The auction will be held at the museum on the last day of the con, Sunday, July 27th, at 10:00 am. Happy bidding!

Image courtesy Troma

Thursday, Day One of the convention, kicks off with ‘Percy Jackson and the Olympians’ opening the Hall H panel in style, followed by a panel featuring two major comedians, Gabriel Iglesias and Jo Koy. This might be the first time comedians host their own panel at Comic-Con.

One panel I am especially excited about is ‘The Toxic Avenger’ with Peter Dinklage. It will be great to see Dinklage back in Hall H, especially since he usually appeared there for the Game of Thrones panels in earlier years.
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Image courtesy Stern Pinball

Another exciting event at the convention is that Stern Pinball is bringing its new machine to the convention. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the iconic shark movie that started it all… JAWS. Stern Pinball is riding that wave and unveiling its JAWS-inspired machine.

Their Stern pinball machines are fantastic and feature some legendary franchises, such as John Wick, James Bond, and The Mandalorian as well as rock and roll icons like Rush and Metallica. They also have their convention room at the Marriott Marquis, where you can try out some of their featured games. I plan to try my luck with the new JAWS machine and will give a report.
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Image courtesy 20th Century Studios

I and everyone I know was eagerly hoping for a ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps‘ panel in Hall H since the movie opens on July 25th, but unfortunately, there will be no Marvel panels this year.

I think the chaos that resulted from the ‘Deadpool and Wolverine’ surprise panel premiere last year at led Comic-Con International and Marvel Studios to decide against a special screening of Fantastic Four: First Steps at this years legendary pop culture convention.
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Image courtesy Disney Studios

Friday at San Diego Comic-Con in Hall H starts with ‘Outlander‘ and its spinoff ‘Outlander: Blood of My Blood,’ followed by ‘Alien: Earth,’ the Stephen King movie ‘The Long Walk,’ ‘Predator: Badlands‘ which has been moved up a month to November 7, 2025 from it’s original December release.

Friday in Hall H concludes with the exciting long anticipated return of Disney Studios Tron franchise starring Jeff Bridges as the fabled Kevin Flynn. I for one am looking forward to the ‘Tron: Ares‘ panel!
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Image courtesy Sparke Films

If Hall H is not an option for you this year, there are still plenty of other fun panels to check out.

Some highlights include the exciting ‘Primitive War‘ set in Vietnam 1968 where a United States recon unit known as Vulture Squad is sent to an isolated jungle valley to uncover the fate of a missing Green Beret platoon. The group soon discover they are not alone.

The Primitive War panel is being presented in second largest venue, Ballroom 20. Featured stars include Ryan Kwanten, Tricia Helfer, and Jeremy Piven.

Also returning to the con is ‘Dexter: Resurrection‘ with Michael C. Hall and the cast, moderated by Jamie Chung.

Friday is always busy, with most panels taking place in the three main spots: Hall H, Ballroom 20, or the Indigo Ballroom at the Hilton Bayfront. Whatever you choose to do during the convention, plan accordingly, as most panels overlap and it can be challenging to see everything you want.
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Image courtesy FX Networks (Click to learn more)
If you don’t have a badge for Comic-Con, don’t worry – you can still enjoy plenty of activities. Every year, Petco Park hosts a variety of exciting attractions. This year’s setup at Petco Park features a gritty underground Gotham City. Adult Swim, Abbott Elementary, will each have installations outside the convention. Most exiting is he soon to be released Alien Earth that will feature an immersive experience known as “The Wreckage” outside the Hilton Bay Front Hotel Thursday through Sunday.

Image courtesy Malibu Barbie Cafe. Click to make reservations

The Gaslamp restaurants will also showcase installations and offer fun food options and swag for fans. Paramount is bringing back “The Lodge”. Fans of Barbie can wear roller skates and roll around the Malibu Barbie Café. Peacock’s Twisted Metal is offering a “Bumper Battle” experience at San Diego Comic-Con. This interactive event allows fans to step into a post-apocalyptic world and participate in a bumper car tournament inspired by the show. Please note that since these activation’s don’t require a badge, lines may be long. It’s a good idea to check wait times on social media.

Image courtesy Netflix

With Warner Bros., Fox Studios, Disney, and Netflix not having panels this year, the panel rooms might be quieter, but that could mean more time for everyone on the convention floor. I am surprised that Stranger Things doesn’t have a panel this year, given that it is their final year, and it has always been a convention favorite. It’s always interesting to see which major series will and won’t be featured at Comic-Con when the schedule is released. I know everyone has their favorites, and it can be challenging, but it’s always fun regardless of the choices.

Image by Kenn of WormholeRiders TeamWHR

One thing that will always remain a staple at Comic-Con is the comics and the artists. No matter where you turn on the convention center floor, you will always see lots of vendors selling comic books or their original art. Take a stroll through Artists’ Alley and discover the amazing art showcased every day. Support these incredible independent artists, whether it’s by buying a sticker or original artwork. Another great way to support these artists is by sharing their content on all your social media platforms. After all, comic books were the original reason why Comic-Con started over 50 years ago.

As I finish this post and get ready for an exciting adventure, I want to remind all fans to support local comic book shops, local artists to keep pop culture, movies, and TV series alive! Importantly, stay hydrated, wear sunscreen, comfortable shoes, pack snacks, and grab as much swag as you can. Bring your enthusiasm! See you soon in San Diego!

Thanks to Kenn for video and image embedding for my feature article and many thanks to you for visiting WormholeRiders News Agency. I will be back reporting with new information as Team WHR heads to San Diego Comic-Con 2025!

Please feel free to leave a comment here or If you prefer, you may also click the social media icons below to share this news article or as many of our readers and visitors often do, visit me on Twitter by clicking the links or images avatars in this news story.

See You on The Other Side!

Until next time,

Regards,

Lori
July 21, 2025
Willow – The Epic Saga Continues!
Welcome Willow lovers

Image courtesy Disney Plus

Growing up in the 1980s, I was exposed to many great fantasy films that have left an indelible mark on my life. One of those films is the 1988 film Willow, directed by Ron Howard with the story by the legendary George Lucas and written by Bob Dolman.

Movies like Willow bring a sense of adventure, wonder, humor, fantasy, and a deep love of storytelling that has been a part of movie making since the beginning. So when I heard whispers about Willow again in the last few years, I prayed to the movie gods that it would not be remade. I was hoping for a sequel.

Image courtesy Disney Plus

Instead, we heard word that there was going to be a series on Disney plus. I was elated to hear that, as the story of Willow and Elora Danan (Ellie Bamber) was far from over. A great aspect of the series is that in the first season conclusion, an alternate version of Elora appeared in a nod to the alternate versions of Fringe characters more than a decade ago. An Elora series would also give the creators and writers more freedom to expand that universe.

Movies with a certain nostalgia for them become a beloved part of the fandom or even a standard by which all subsequent fantasy movies should use as a template. Willow was my The Lord of The Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring before the actual movies came to be. Willow had everything you could have wished for…magic, folklore, good, evil, sorcery, swashbuckling swordsman, humor, adventure, and a reluctant hero who saves the day. Willow is so beloved that I wept tears of joy when I finally saw a teaser trailer for the series. That trailer brought me back to that place decades ago when I first saw Willow and how watching it made me feel. It had all the elements that made the movie great.

Image courtesy Disney Plus

I was also thrilled to see two beloved cast members reprising their roles in the series. Joanne Whalley (Sorsha) and Warwick Davis were back for the Willow, making the series much more wonderful. Of course, the one person fans all wanted to see rejoin the series was Val Kilmer as Madmartigan. Unfortunately, we did not get Val, as he has been sick from throat cancer for the last few years. Madmartigan was such an integral part of the original film that his absence was missed. I am glad the creators decided not to recast him or use deep fake to bring him back but instead chose to keep him in the fold by being mentioned several times throughout the series. The series creators cast Dempsey Bryk (Airk), who bears a resemblance to a young Val Kilmer.

I had the utmost faith in Disney plus because so far, all the series (at least the ones I have seen) have been massive hits, and with Ron Howard as an executive producer, I felt confident the series would be everything the movie was and more. My expectations were higher than they usually would be, considering how much I love the original film. I also had confidence that the budget for creatures, costumes, and sets would be epic, with Disney backing the series.
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Willow The Series:

Image courtesy Disney Plus

Now, onto my review. The first episode was written by creator Jonathan Kasdan whose legacy with Lucas Film is the second generation.

The episode’s opening starts with the beginning of a weathered book titled Willow and the voice-over by Sorsha and what the original story had been. It immediately brought me back to the 80s again, and I remember seeing the movie for the first time.
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Image courtesy Disney Plus

I loved parts of the series, especially the locations and associated cinematography, but sadly, there is more wrong with it (in my opinion) than is right with it. The creators did a disservice to the film by modernizing parts of it. There is enough love of the original film by people of my generation that not updating it would have been fine. I was also expecting more practical effects like in the original movie but it looks like there was more CGI. I was hoping we would not see Elora Danan so early in the series; I was hoping she would show up in episode 3 or 4. The writer, Jonathan Kasdan, made it too obvious who Elora was from the clues he left for the viewer. I wouldn’t say I liked the use of modern slang or language in the series, as most fantasy films/series do not use modern vernacular; it takes me out of the experience.

I did appreciate Sorsha saying to Kit (Ruby Cruz), when she complained about how tough and controlling her mother was, Sorsha replied “If you think I’m tough, you should have met mine,” meaning her mother, Bavmorda (Jean Marsh). I loved that little nod to the original film and how it all tied together with the bloodline. Also enjoyable is that the cast obviously shared many enjoyable moments.
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Image courtesy Disney Plus

I also loved the creatures and how they presented them—especially the one with the whips that reminded me of a scorpion tail. I also loved seeing Sorsha wield her serrated sword again, bringing back to the fold the movie and her skills as a fighter. The original music of the original film again brought back nostalgia and fit perfectly. I also appreciated that characters, Cherlindrea (Maria Holvoe) and Raziel (Patricia Hayes) were mentioned regarding the barrier. Finally, seeing Willow Ufgood (Warwick Davis) was emotional for me; he is such a beloved character, and to see him again was like seeing an old friend.

Image courtesy Disney Plus

The use of modern music didn’t fit in the series for me. I am not sure why contemporary music needed to be incorporated into the series when the music by James Horner was iconic and so recognizable. Hearing modern music took me out of the story and frankly made no sense in the context of the series. Elora Danan (Ellie Bamber) sounded a bit daft when speaking. It also made me wonder if she had any intelligence at all. Growing up in the castle and with the stories of Elora Danan in the ether, you would think that since she found out she was the chosen one, she would have a bit more clarity and responsibility for her destiny.

Image courtesy Disney Plus

In episode 3, written by Wendy Mericle and John Bickerstaff, there is an excellent line by Boorman (Amar Chadha-Patel) “your generation has zero attention span for epic tales” when I heard that, I laughed out loud and thought that is precisely what I think when it comes to the younger generation not knowing older films. I also found it odd that Kit suddenly couldn’t defend herself when she was doing quite well in the first episode against Jade (Erin Kellyman), plus the fact that she is Madmartigan and Sorsha’s daughter. Also nice was the casting of Warwick Davis’ daughter as Mims (Annabelle Davis).

Image courtesy Disney Plus

The two women that Elora encountered in the forest, Hubert (Hannah Waddingham) and Anne (Caoimhe Farren) looked so out of place. Their costumes didn’t fit in the genre. They looked more like they would be in the old west, not in that fantasy era. I was expecting more adventure regarding the fights. I wanted something similar to The Witcher, because the battles in that series spoiled me. If you are going to use a song like “Enter Sandman” by Metallica, use the original version of the song, not a watered-down version. With the bleak ending of episode 3, the original version would have made more sense than the version they used.

Image courtesy Disney Plus

Fast forward to episode 8, titled Children of the Wyrm, written by Rayna McClendon and Jonathan Kasdan and directed by Jaime Childs. Lili’s costume (Rosabell Laurenti Sellers) made no sense in the series. It looked modern and fashionable, not what you would expect for a vessel of the Crone. I was hoping they would use practical effects when showing The Crone (Jane Carr), but it doesn’t look like they did.

The one part that truly baffled me was using the Bruce Springsteen song “I’m on Fire” during Elora’s imagined wedding scene. The song was steeped in controversy when it was released and seems like an odd choice for the wedding scene again; the original version was not used. The last song of the episode was “Money for Nothing” by Dire Straits. “The song talks about the rock star excess and the easy life it brings compared to the people who grind at work 24/7”. Unfortunately, that song has no context for the series. If you intend to use modern music, at least use groups like Rush or Led Zeppelin that wrote about mystical, fantastical themes.

Image courtesy Disney Plus

The end credits scene alluded to a second and possibly third season (volumes, if you will) as the viewer sees a volume of books that read Willow Volume 1, Volume 2, and Volume 3. No word on if this is official from Disney yet, but I am hoping that if there are two more seasons, they will take a hard look at the critiques of die-hard fans and apply what works and take out what doesn’t.

I am not giving up hope yet for the series. I will hold out for a second season and see where it goes. I hope Kasdan will revisit the original film and get Ron Howard to direct the series. I would also love to see Bryce Dallas Howard in the director’s chair; she is a great director and knows that genre well, as her episodes of The Mandalorian are some of the most popular.

I can be a snob regarding beloved films; I am sorry if I come off as harsh regarding this series. I had to speak my mind as a massive fan of the original and hope for a larger budget and finer focus on the Willow mythology.

Thanks to Kenn for video and image embedding for my feature article and many thanks to you for visiting WormholeRiders News Agency. We will be back soon with more analysis about our favorite television series, movies and conventions in this year and beyond!

Please feel free to leave a comment here or If you prefer, you may also click the social media icons below to share this news article or as many of our readers and visitors often do, visit me on Twitter by clicking the links or images avatars in this news story.

See You on The Other Side!

Until next time,

Regards,

Lori
February 1, 2023
Stern Pinball – Making Your Pop Culture Dreams Come True at SDCC 2022!
Hello, My Fellow WormholeRiders Pinball Enthusiasts!

Image courtesy Comic-Con International

With Comic-Con 2022 firmly in the past and me fully recovered from the whirlwind again, I begin my coverage of the Pop-Culture event that returned for the first time in three years when I had the exquisite pleasure of interviewing Jody Dankberg, Senior Director of Licensing and New Business Development of Stern Pinball for Team WHR on July 21, 2022. And what a wonderful Pin-Ball gaming experience it was!

As a child of the 80s, video games and pinball were a staple at the local arcade. I was one of those awkward kids that used to stand for hours and pump quarters into the pinball machines, trying to hit that top score and add your name to the list of legends already there. I have always been a huge fan of pinball, so when the opportunity arose to interview Jody, I jumped at the chance. I include a video sample of the great Stern Pinball games below for your enjoyment.
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Image by Lori Glumac for WormholeRiders News Agency

Stern Pinball specializes in unique and pop culture pinball machines. From classic tv shows and movies like Batman ‘66, Star Trek and The Munsters to ones from music icons such as Rolling Stones, AC/DC and Kiss.

It was so cool to see all the literal bells and whistles that these games come with. The way the player can be interactive with the game is incredible. Just looking at all the cool hidden gems that are part of each game is really a treat for those of us that remember the shows or movies.

The newest Stern Pinball editions are Led Zeppelin and Rush, complete with flashing lights and symbols from their most famous songs. Here in my hometown of San Francisco there are a multitude of bars and arcades that feature many of the incredible games from Stern. We include the the Stern Pinball Rush Edition video below for your enjoyment.
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Image by Lori Glumac for WormholeRiders News Agency

One of the places I have gone to several times is the Emporium, an arcade and bar that features several of these games. I have had the pleasure of playing these incredibly fun games and it is not easy. Pinball requires good hand eye coordination. You must make sure to hit those targets and make the bells ring. Some games, like Stranger Things (video included below), you must get the ball in the Demogorgon’s mouth, no easy task. You get three tries and if not, well then back to the upside down it goes.

Speaking with Jody, who is a guru of pinball, I learned a little more about what pinball is and why it has always been such a fun game to play. There will be an exciting announcement of new games in the Fall and toward Christmas.

My first question to him is why is pinball so popular? His answer was that his “objective was when he became a part of the company 13 years ago that he turns pinball into the popular game it once was” (and frankly in my opinion always has been). There is “such a high demand now for games not only from the core customers but so many casual folks, families, younger fans and even little kids.” He mentioned the folks at The Emporium who are great friends of Stern and from Chicago as well. Their pinball machines are also demanded in places like Nashville and Las Vegas. “They are giving you entertainment and nostalgia; the nostalgia brings you in” Jody had said about why these machines are played more. “It is something, social, it is something fun, it gets you out, it also brings people together. It can be something you do by yourself…” to me this is another reason pinball is so vital to the gaming community.

Image by Lori Glumac for WormholeRiders News Agency

Stern Pinball has a program call the Stern Heads-Up Pinball Invitational which is a competitive show that is available to watch on YouTube for the competitive pinball players. He mentioned that there is the Godzilla pinball being released very soon. There were two rooms dedicated to these incredible pinball machines at the Marriott Marquis. Entering the room was fun and all you could see were the fans playing the machines like Deadpool, Jurassic Park and one of the newest music ones Rush. There was a big Godzilla figure in the room as the hint of what is to come from Stern.

Being a global company that ships all over the world, “when we obtain a license, it must be known all over the world, everywhere. From Australia, to here in the States, to Europe, South America.” Jody stressed that the license being global and widely known makes for a good game. With games like The Mandalorian (video below) with a small Grogu and his force wielding powers or Godzilla there are good guys and bad guys, battles, etc., which makes for a fun game. You want to combine a really A+ title, with fun and that is a winning success. The do have different genres as well, sci-fi, music, retro, tv shows, cultural zeitgeist such as The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, Stranger Things. He mentioned that he is always thinking about what the next one is. He had mentioned the television show The Boys, who knows that will be in the works soon, fingers crossed.
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Image by Lori Glumac for WormholeRiders News Agency

When I asked Jody what his favorite pinball machine was growing up, he mentioned that his grandfather owned an arcade (how perfect) in Tucson, Arizona and he would spend a lot of time there when he was little. He remembers that when nighttime came the older kids would come in, “with their mustaches and long hair, smoking cigarettes,” they would play the pinball machines. He did mention some of the older games that he wished he were exposed to like Flash Gordon, because he loved that movie (I mean who does not love it?). For the time, the Flash Gordon game was an innovative, neat game to have around, made cool sounds and was just very nostalgic for him. I can totally relate to what Jody is saying, it is those nostalgic games, movies, television shows that need to be revived for the simple fact that they will always be cool. It is also another way for the current generation to be exposed to those iconic movies, shows and pop culture of that era. He mentioned that one game he would love to have been the Robocop game. There is one at Logan Arcade in Chicago, so if you are in the Chicago area and want to experience what it is like to be Robocop, stop on by.

I asked Jody out of the current ones that are out right now which one is his favorite. He mentioned that he “comes from the music business and my heart and soul is really into music” two bands he mentioned were Iron Maiden and Metallica. Between those two powerhouse mega metal groups Metallica is his favorite. The music inspired games from Led Zeppelin and Rush, two of the most iconic and beloved bands in the world, held a bit of fond memories for him. Jody remembers his father showing him those albums and listening to the music while sitting on the floor of his home, and now he gets to collaborate with them, talk about dream come true!
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My last question was a bit of a mystery, and I am okay with that. I asked him what would be his “dream themed game.” He said that “people that know me, know the answer to that question, he couldn’t reveal the answer” because well…I will leave it at that. They are working on his dream theme; he could only tell me that it is retro and something from his childhood. I am looking forward to seeing what incredible theme Stern has coming down the pipeline. It is something “dear to his heart, he is really excited about it,” since Jody and I are of the same generation, I am also excited to see what that new dream theme machine that is coming.

This interview was so much fun, and I learned a lot about a game that I grew up with and dearly love. I want to thank Jody Dankberg and Stern Pinball for giving me this very cool and fun interview to start off my Comic-Con 2022 adventure. Please support your local arcades and check out Stern’s Youtube Channel or web site by clicking their banner above to find these incredible games near you!

Thanks to Kenn for video and image embedding for my feature article and many thanks to you for visiting WormholeRiders News Agency. We will be back soon with more analysis about our favorite television series, movies and conventions in this year and beyond!

Please feel free to leave a comment here or If you prefer, you may also click the social media icons below to share this news article or as many of our readers and visitors often do, visit me on Twitter by clicking the links or images avatars in this news story.

See You on The Other Side!

Until next time,

Regards,

Lori
August 6, 2022

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