Jim Henson's The Dark Crystal Artist Tribute Now Available!

Much like last year's Labyrinth Artist Tribute, Archia's Jim Henson's The Dark Crystal Artist Tribute is now available. 

Experience the world of The Dark Crystal like never before in this art book with over 60 illustrations by some of the biggest names in comics and fantasy art.

Since its original release in 1982, Jim Henson’s groundbreaking fantasy film The Dark Crystal has captured the minds and imaginations of authors, artists, filmmakers, and fans across the world with its ambitious worldbuilding and stunning visuals. Now, return to the world of The Dark Crystal and see the vivid locations, lifelike creatures, and beloved heroes as realized by a collection of uniquely original artistic voices in celebration of one of Jim Henson’s most enduring creations.

The Dark Crystal Artist Tribute features illustrations and testimonials from artist luminaries and newcomers alike, including Jae Lee, David Petersen, Mark Buckingham, Cory Godbey, Jeff Stokely, Benjamin Dewey, and the film’s original concept artist, Brian Froud.

You can order your copy from Barnes and Nobel and Amazon now.

First Look: Fraggle Rock Comic Book #4

The fourth and final issue of Archaia's Fraggle Rock miniseries hits stores today. 

Once again, the studio didn't provide much of a synopsis of the story, only that is a new story from "Katie Cook that uses music to explore every cave and bog of Fraggle Rock like never before."

As you can see, there are three covers this time.

Check out the first few pages below:

Also a nice added touch is that all the subscription covers combine to make a one large panorama of the five main Fraggles:

Fraggle Rock #4 is available now at your local comic shop and on Kindle through Amazon!

You can also pre-order the the entire collection from on Amazon as well. 

Adorkable Rachel Reviews The Happytime Murders!

Our friend Rachel is back with another great review.

Today she shares her thoughts on the gritty world of The Happytime Murders!

Muppet Thought of the Week Finale: Miss Piggy's Age-Old Wisdom!

Today, Miss Piggy delivers a "final sip of wisdom" and brings to a close the Muppet Thought of the Week series.

Piggy delivered the sobering news via her Twitter page:

"It is truly an honor for moi to get to present the final Muppet #ThoughtOfTheWeek!
(As if I'd let anybody else do it.)" 

pic.twitter.com/mrKSBOHB7s

— Miss Piggy (@MissPiggy) August 27, 2018

And now for the final Muppet Thought of the Week...

We're not sure what The Muppets have store for us next on their youtube channel but  here's hoping we see more frogs, and bears, and chickens, and whatevers.

Happytime Murders Review!

While many reviews have not been kind, I think The Jim Henson Company should be very proud of The Happytime Murders. They made an honest to goodness technical marvel. The story is solid, the jokes landed, and it had the audience asking “how did they do that?”

The theater I saw it in opening night was barley packed, had a crew of annoying bros that talked throughout, and yet everyone still laughed when they were supposed to and left the theater with positive vibes. 

The critics that hated it must not have seen the trailers and were expecting some else. This was not a noir spoof, it was a full on P.I. detective comedy done about as straight as you can with puppets. 

I wonder how the reviewers that said the joke of puppets cursing got old after the first few minutes felt about comedies like The Hangover, This is the End, and American Pie?

Oh right, those fim's, filled with same time of crude humor and cursing, currently rank 79%, 83%, and 60% respectively on Rotten Tomatoes, while Happytime actually DECREASED from 25% Friday to 21% Monday. That kind of double standard is even discussed in the film itself. Thankfully the audience score jumped from 41% to 52%, but that is still not going to cut it.  

Typical of a film basted this much by critics it "bombed" at the box office this weekend making only $10 million, which is real sahem because the're so much to like about the film.

I especially loved seeing all the puppeteer cameos and the behind the scenes footage at the end. Everyone who worked on the film should be proud, especially Bill Barretta who seriously put on an Oscar worthy performance as Phil. He’s played so real that even though you know, and he’s referenced as being a puppet, you forget he actually is.

It was also nice to see puppets from various non-muppet, Henson productions used throughout - especially the dreadlocked one from City Kids! 

While it would have nice to see and get to know some of the characters (especially Goofer)  before they were killed, I understand there's only so much you can do in an hour and a half. I would have also liked to see some more Henson-y after the credits, even having the new  Ha! logo again would have been nice. 

Nitpicks aside, this movie’s been a long time coming and it was worth the wait!

Forget get what the "critics" say and go see it for yourself!

More Muppet Babies Toys Coming Soon!

A few days ago we showed you some of Just Play's upcoming Muppet Babies items. Today, we have a few more images thanks to our friends at the The Muppet Collection Page. 


There's a figurine set:

A "Schoolhouse Playset"... Why not the nursery??

2 in 1 vehicle sets:

Do Kermit's arms look oddly long to anyone else?

Plush:

Remember that talking Fozzie we mentioned? Here he is... boxed in! Wocka Wocka!

No dates have have been announced, but we do know they will be available at Target.
Thanks again to our friends at the The Muppet Collection Page for the heads up. 

Happytime Reviews!

The Happytime Murders hits theaters today and by now most critics and even some film goers have seen the fim. 

So far, it isn't doing very well on Rotten Tomatoes having only received a 28% critic score by Thursday. 

Before Thursday's preview night opening

By this morning that number actually dropped to 25% with an audience score of 43%

After Thursday's preview night opening

As such, most of the reviews aren't very positive:

.

That isn't to say there aren't ANY positive reviews:

"An outrageous and gross hodgepodge, the film knows exactly what it is, and you’ll be laughing, mostly, throughout."

- Showbiz411

"Stuffed With Laughs"

- The Wall Street Journal 

"Melissa McCarthy Teams With X-Rated Puppets To Deliver Some Filthy Laughs"

- Deadline

While Screen Dailydidn't find the find as a whole "very arresting"

They did note the film's technical achievements: 

"Henson’s team does good work bringing the puppets to life, and the use of green-screen suits allows Phil to be shown from head to toe, solidifying the illusion that he’s alive. McCarthy proves to be a game co-star, interacting with the puppets with such sincerity and rapport that always feels believable."

 

This guy on youtube clearly enjoyed it:

For all those that think this isn't something Jim Henson himself would do Polygon has a great article about Henson's dark sense of humor.

And for movie fan in your life that doesn't want to see it, just because it has puppets it in, Slashfilm has a brief history of movies featuring both both puppet and humans. 

The Happytime Murders is now in theaters, get your tickets here!