Category: Pop Culture

Jem and the Holograms Comic Update!

On By Amy Lordan-TrippIn Comic Books, Pop CultureLeave a comment

If you were a fan of the fantastic, gorgeous Jem and the Holograms comics from BOOM! Studios, you’re in luck: BOOM! Direct Reserve has launched the JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS: TRULY OUTRAGEOUS COMIC COLLECTION Kickstarter campaign. This will mark the first time that these fabulous comics will be collected in their entirety in deluxe hardcover editions. If you’re a fan of the original cartoon series and missed out on the comics, now is your chance to reserve your copies. Rewards range from the deluxe hardcover of volume 1 at $60 to the $1500 “Ultimate Battle of the Bands Collection,” which includes The Stingers Sound Set, The Misfits Music Set, and Jem and the Holograms Starlight Set (with each volume 1 signed by Kelly Thompson and Sophie Campbell). This project has already reached its goal, so you have until Thursday, December 4, 2025 at 2:00 PM EST to back it.

‘Love Stories (The Taylors Version #1)’ by Elizabeth Eulberg: Book Review

On By Amy Lordan-TrippIn Books, Music, Pop CultureLeave a comment

This book is a must for Taylor Swift fans. I compulsively read Love Stories (The Taylors Version #1) because I was so consumed with the characters, the drama, and the Taylor Swift Easter eggs. There’s even a nod to one of my favorite (non-Taylor) singers! Elizabeth Eulberg does an excellent job with the characters’ individual voices. I’ve been using Love Stories as a benchmark for other young adult novels with multiple narrators. The recommended age for ‘Love Stories’ is 12-18, and the content does skew young (they’re high school freshmen), so one should feel comfortable sharing with mature middle grade readers who have read Jen Calonita’s companion book The Taylors.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Future Looks Bright for Jem and The Holograms

On By Amy Lordan-TrippIn Pop Culture, TelevisionLeave a comment

Earlier this month, BOOM! Studios, in collaboration with Hasbro, announced that it has licensed the publishing rights to the fabulous ’80s IP Jem and The Holograms! Here’s what BOOM! Studios detailed in a press release:

Fans can look forward to all-new stories with Jem and all her friends coming from BOOM! Studios in 2026, along with a BOOM! Direct Reserve Campaign collecting the historic run of JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS comics launching on Kickstarter this November.

The news arrives during the brand’s milestone 40th anniversary, following the debut of new dolls from The Loyal Subjects, marking an exciting new era for the iconic franchise.

“I was part of the team that brought JEM & THE HOLOGRAMS back to comics in 2015 and saw first-hand the positive impact our stories had on a broad and diverse community of readers,” said Michael Kelly, Publisher of BOOM! Studios. “I could not be happier than to be working with Jerrica, Kimber, Stormer and the rest of the group (yeah, even Pizzazz) once again.”

Note that the new dolls from The Loyal Subjects are available to pre-order from their website. Some are even scheduled to ship before the holidays (Hint, hint). For continuing news on Jem and The Holograms and more from BOOM! Studios, stay tuned to this blog.

Bandcamp Friday Picks March 2025

On By Amy Lordan-TrippIn Music, Pop Culture, Shoegaze, Synth PopLeave a comment
  • Winter Gardens – “Anthropocene” This fantastic synth wave/shoegaze single is such a tease. I want a full-length album from this UK outfit!
  • Andy Bell – Pinball Wanderer Shimmering dream pop plus some groovy Madchester-sounding tunes from Ride’s Andy Bell. Includes a heavenly cover of The Passions’ “I’m In Love with a German Film Star” featuring Dot Allison and Michael Rother. It’s on one of my favorite labels-Sonic Cathedral.
  • Saint Etienne – The Night Somehow, I missed this chill album when it came out in December of last year. It’s a shift for the band, moving to a more ambient, atmospheric vibe.
Travels With Brindle | Photo by Vintage Girl Studios
  • Travels With Brindle – No. 1 In Heaven Starring Travels With Brindle This fully-licensed Sparks covers album takes the original Giorgio Moroder-produced disco gems and gives them a lovely, twee second life. Recommended for fans of The Magnetic Fields.
  • Various Artists – Los Angeles Rising Nick Cave, PJ Harvey, Jarvis Cocker, and others have donated previously unreleased tracks for this fundraising compilation to aid those affected by the Los Angeles fires.
  • Die Feen – Dinner & Drinks & Desserts Addictive dark wave with a touch of new wave on Die Feen’s latest two tracks.
  • SPC ECO – Hello The prolific Dean Garcia (Curve) and his daughter, Rose Berlin, have manifested another electronic opus with gorgeous layered synths.
  • Chalk – Conditions III I am obsessed with Chalk. As I said in my “Favorite Music of 2024” list, Chalk would’ve fit in perfectly on Wax Tracks in the ‘90s. They’ve released another EP of thrumming industrial rock. I’m dying to see them live.