[adrotate banner=”989″]
Before we say good-bye to June, here’s one last chance to review some of the great new animated DVD/Blu-Ray and animation-related books that caught our attention this month. We’ll have a brand new “Summer Reading” edition for you in a couple of weeks.
Unicorn Wars
From the brilliantly bizarre mind of celebrated Spanish comic artist and animator Alberto Vázquez comes a twisted, technicolor takedown of militarism and zealotry, told as a black comedy about a war between bellicose teddy bears and their unicorn foes. The Goya Award-winning feature comes home with a director interview, feature-length animatic and “Working in Blender” featurette. [Shout! Factory | $23 BD]
Looney Tunes Collector’s Choice Vol. 1
Celebrate hare-raising highlights of Warner Bros.’ 100-year history with this collection of animated gems. Restored, remastered and uncut, Vol. 1 features 20 golden toons from 1945-1959, featuring Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Wile E. Coyote, Foghorn Leghorn and more — including some classics that have never before appeared on home video. [Warner | $22 BD]
The Venture Bros.: The Complete Series
For the first time ever, the bombastic heroes and outrageously outré super villains of Doc Hammer and Chris McCulloch’s Adult Swim fan-favorite come home in a comprehensive set, collecting all seven seasons (82 episodes) on 14 discs. From “Dia de los Dangerous” to “The Saphrax Protocol,” relive the show’s 20-year journey ahead of the new movie debut later this year, complete with all previously released special features. [Warner | $130 DVD | June 13]
The Art of Disney-Pixar Elemental
Take a virtual stroll down the fantastical streets of Element City and explore the behind-the-scenes artistry of Pixar’s newest super-ambitious animated world. Over 170-plus pages, soak up exclusive production artwork, making-of details and stories from the artists and creative leads bringing this ultimate opposites attract tale to screens. Featuring a foreword by Pixar CCO Pete Docter and introduction by director Peter Sohn. [Chronicle Books | $43]
Hidetaka Tenjin’s Artistry of Macross: Macross Frontier Films, Macross Delta & Archives
Pore over the artistic details of the high-flying “variable fighters” from the hit franchise, offering a master class in vehicle and mech design from the longtime Macross illustrator. The hardcover features more than 140 pages of Tenjin’s hyper-realistic work for model kits, magazines, promotional materials and other content for the anime classic, which made its television debut in 1982. [Udon Ent. | $50]
Marvel HQ
An edutainment hub has launched for true believers in training! The new app from Team17 Group’s Story Toys and Marvel Ent. offers kids 4-7 a place to connect with their favorite superheroes through fun activities, image archives and fun facts, digital comics and stories, coloring tool and drawing tutorials, plus videos related to popular Marvel toons like Spidey and His Amazing Friends and Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur [Available from the App Store, Google Play and Amazon.
Timex X Peanuts
Celebrate a timeless comic strip classic with a classic timepiece! This fresh collection offers a wide range of colors, characters and themes, from sporting hobbies to holidays and beyond, with new designs on the way. Prices range from $65 (like the charming Charlie Brown 38mm Fabric Strap Watch) to $109. [timex.com]
Draw Chibi Style
A beginner’s guide to adorable mini characters and effects drawing in 62 lessons, created by popular Vietnamese artist Piuuvy. [Quarry Books | $20]
Shonen Baby
Given the prompt “platinum-selling rapper Lil Baby and AXE body spray have a new collab,” you might not immediately guess it’s an exclusive digital manga for Walmart — but it’s true. It happened. Featuring artwork from Passion Pictures and Future Power Station, can you afford to miss out on this piece of pop culture history? [Available with proof of AXE purchase from Walmart from March 1-June 15, 2023]
