LEGO Unveils New York Comic Con Exclusive

This coming weekend is the East Coast's largest pop culture phenomenon New York Comic Con and although the Fandads will not be there we are able to show you the LEGO NYCC Exclusive set that they will be selling there. 

Viewing Vacation Pictures on my Television with the Amazon Fire TV #sponsored

Disclosure: The Fandads were provided with an Amazon Fire TV Stick for this post. Thanks to Amazon for sponsoring this post. All thoughts and opinions are our own. 

When I was younger, I would remember friends wanting to show me pictures of what they did on their summer vacations. I remember it being either an exciting thing or a tedious thing. Depending on where they went it was fun to look at their pictures, but imagine 4 or 5 people huddled around a photo album looking at printed pictures of different sizes. Come to think of it now, it wasn't that much fun to do.

Hofbräuhaus Chicago is the place to celebrate Oktoberfest this year

Disclaimer: The Fandads were invited to attend the opening of Oktoberfest. All thoughts, opinions and full stomachs are our own. 

Last Friday the Fandads were invited to celebrate the beginning of Oktoberfest at Hofbräuhaus Chicago in Rosemont, IL. This is the second time that we were invited to this event and it was a lot of fun and let us tell you about it if you have never been.

Wizard World 2017 in the Books

Disclaimer: The Fandads were given a pass to attend Wizard World Comic-Con. All thoughts and opinions are our own.

Wizard World Comic-Con 2017 came and went and the Fandads were there on Sunday to take in as much as we could. I usually try to hit all days of the show, but this year I had prior engagements and could only attend Sunday's events. Even though it was only one day, my family and I took advantage of it and had some fun. Let me share some of the highlights with you. 

Star Wars Rebels Season 3 Review

When Star Wars Rebels first started I was excited about a new Star Wars show that would not only give us new characters, but it would also be considered cannon for the movies that came before and after it. I remember watching it and immediately loving the fact that there were two strong female characters in the show and those two: Hera and Sabine instantly became my daughter's favorite characters. 

Learn about the Science of Speed with Acceleration Nation by NASCAR

Disclaimer: The Fandads were compensated for this post to talk about the new NASCAR Acceleration Nation App. All thoughts and opinions are our own. 

Since watching the Cars movies with my children they know a little about NASCAR and motorsports, but they never really learned much about the science of racing. What does a blue flag with a diagonal yellow stripe mean? What is the difference between "downforce" and "drag"?

If you have your children asking you questions like this then you need to download the new Acceleration Nation app by NASCAR. The website and app, which is available on Android and iPhone, features fun games, info on races, details on cars, and learning materials about the science of racing!

Get Ready to play with Hasbro at HASCON

What happens when Hasbro, a toy company know for making some of the most iconic toy lines, decides to host their own convention for their fans? You get the 3 day family extravaganza know as HASCON! Hascon will be the first time that hasbro has done an event like this and they are going all out for their fans. Continue reading to see all of the amazing things that will be available for fans to see and do in September. 

Get Ready to have fun with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 #GOTGVol2

Disclaimer: The Fandads were provided with a copy of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 for review. All thoughts and opinions are our own. 

I remember when I first heard that they were making a Guardians of the Galaxy movie I thought it was not going to do well. A talking tree and raccoon is not going to be an easy take for those that are not familiar with the comic and boy am I glad I was wrong. Guardians of the Galaxy is one of my favorite series of movies from Marvel Studios and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 has picked up where the last one left off. The movie was just released on Blu-ray this past week and it is a blast to watch at home. 

Get ready to Find the Force on Force Friday UPDATED

Ok, friends, with the upcoming release of Star Wars: The Last Jedi in December, you know there is going to be a lot of new toys coming out with all the characters you love and new characters that you will love too. On September 1 get ready to Find the Force, a global augmented reality (AR) event rolling out to commemorate the worldwide launch of new products inspired by STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI.

Take home The Lion King and Born in China with Disney

Big announcements from Wizard World

Q&A sessions with standout celebrities David Tennant (“Doctor Who,” “Jessica Jones”),  John Barrowman (“Arrow,” “Doctor Who”), Michael Rooker (Guardians of the Galaxy , “The Walking Dead”) and casts of “Firefly” and “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” and WWE® Superstars, sci-fi speed dating, anime, cosplayer and comics creator sessions, adult and kids costume contests and more highlight the programming offerings at the 20th annual Wizard World Comic Con Chicago, August 24-27 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center. Most programming is included as part of the standard event admission and is in addition to the live entertainment options (magic, dancing, music, etc.) all weekend.

Some highlights of the more than 120 hours of panels scheduled include:

Interactive Q&As with David Tennant (Saturday, 1:30 p.m.), John Barrowman (Sunday, 1 p.m.), Michael Rooker (Friday, 1 p.m.), Dean Cain (“Supergirl,” “Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman,” Saturday, noon), Paul Bettany (Avengers: Age of Ultron, Saturday, 11:30 a.m.), Danny Trejo (Machete, Death Race: Inferno, Sunday, 2:15 p.m.), Gene Simmons (KISS frontman, Saturday, 10:30 a.m.), John Cusack (Say Anything…, HIgh Fidelity, Saturday, 4:30 p.m.), Christian Kane (“Leverage,” “The Librarians,” Sunday, 11:30 a.m.), Loni Anderson (“WKRP in Cincinnati,” Sunday, 2:30 p.m.) and many others Group sessions with the casts of “Firefly” (Summer Glau and Jewel Staite, Saturday, 2:30 p.m.), “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” (Cobie Smulders and Elizabeth Henstridge, Saturday, 12:30 p.m.), “Doctor Who” (Alex Kingston, Jenna Coleman and Catherine Tate, Sunday, noon) and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” (Nicholas Brendon and Charisma Carpenter, Saturday, 5 p.m.)

Wrestling talk with WWE® Superstars Roman Reigns™ (Thursday, 5 p.m.), Alexa Bliss™ (Thursday, 6 p.m.),  Kevin Owens™ (Friday, 3 p.m.), Charlotte Flair™ (Friday, 4 p.m.) and The Hardy Boyz™ (Saturday, 4 p.m.)

Creator-themed hours featuring industry superstars Rob Schamberger, Clinton Hobart, Mike Grell, Dean Haspiel, Barbara Slate, Alex de Campi, Trevor Muller, Danny Fingeroth, Joe Harris, Steve Geiger, Lani Sarem, Genese Davis, Maggie Thompson, Dr. Travis Langley, Victor Dandridge and more

Anime-themed sessions with Wizard World’s own Mogshelle and Laycee and others

“Nothing Stays Dead in Comics,” featuring Wizard World Editor in Chief Brian Walton on the cyclical death and rebirth of comics and the relaunching of Wizard

Wizard World Concert: Performed By World Of Warcraft Composer Jason Hayes and Video Game Band “Critical Hit” (Saturday, 5:30 p.m.)

Sci-Fi Speed Dating sessions (tired of lookin' for love in Alderaan places?) (Thursday 6 p.m., Friday 4, 6 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.(LGBTPQ), 1, 3:30, 6 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.(LGBTPQ), 1, 3:30 p.m.)

Kids programming all four days, including story time, face painting, puppet shows, dance parties, magic, learn to draw, (and Kids 10 and under are free every day with paid adult)

World-famous Wizard World Comic Con Adult Costume Contest, Saturday at 7 p.m. and Kids Costume Contests on Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m.

Cosplay with special guests Brit Bliss, Mogshelle, Papa Bear, Princess Morgan, Termina Cosplay and more, throughout the weekend

Unless noted, programming events take place in the designated General Programming Rooms or show floor stages at the convention center. VIP tickets or additional costs may apply to ensure access to select activities, as noted.

A full list of Wizard World Comic Con Chicago programming is available at http://wizardworld.com/programming-entertainment/chicago (subjects, guests, times and rooms subject to change).

Wizard World Comic Con events bring together thousands of fans of all ages to celebrate the best in pop culture: movies, television, gaming, live entertainment, comics, sci-fi, graphic novels, toys, original art, collectibles, contests and more. Show hours are Thursday, August 24, 4-9 p.m.; Friday, August 25, noon-7 p.m.; Saturday, August 26, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday, August 27, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Kids 10 and under are admitted free with paid adult.

In other big news...

As the saying goes: “Nothing stays dead in comics.” Pop-Culture leader Wizard World, Inc. today announced the digital re-imagination, re-conception and re-launch of Wizard, as part of a new digital initiative which includes WizPop, a daily pop-culture news service reporting on the biggest stories of the day in pop-culture, entertainment, and fandom. WizPop will also feature a weekly round-table reviewing the relevant news of the week. Bridging video, editorial and convention operations, the revitalized Wizard digital initiatives will speak to fans worldwide in Wizard’s distinctive snarkily-smart voice.

The predecessor to the re-constituted Wizard was Wizard Magazine: The Guide to Comics, had a wildly successful run for nearly two decades as the respected and widely-followed voice of comics and fandom.

Brian Walton, the former Editor In Chief of Nerdist and Vice President of Editorial Operations at Legendary Digital Networks will serve as Editor In Chief of Wizard in addition to his role as Director of Content for Wizard World. Luke Y. Thompson, formerly of Nerdist, Topless Robot, Deadline, and OC Weekly, has joined Wizard World as Associate Editor. 

WizPop the daily video news service will share the uniquely authoratiative point-of-view of Wizard covering the larger universe of all things pop-culture.

In addition to standing as a daily digital presence, plans are in the works to return to publishing Wizard as a premium quarterly magazine.

From “Casting Calls” to “The Drawing Board,” classic Wizard Magazine columns will be revived as web-based articles and regular video features. Wizard and WizPop will feature news and reviews of the latest in comics, tech, movies, gaming, TV, music, and toys. Also returning will be the hallmark in-depth feature interviews with some of the biggest names in the comics and entertainment industries.

“To a generation of fans the Wizard name has stood at the intersection of entertainnment and pop culture. By introducing Wizard and WizPop as vibrant digital incarnations, Wizard World will expand its pre-eminent position in the industry to connect and interact with millions of fans every day,” said John D. Maatta, Wizard World President & CEO. “With the triumverate of Wizard, WizPop and the Wizard World live convention platform we have created a 24 hour a day digital and live experiential platform serving the fans of pop culture—the Wizard experience and the on-going conversation doesn’t stop when a Wizard Comic Con ends.”

On August 25, at the 20th annual Wizard World Comic Con Chicago, Wizard and WizPop will launch at www.wizardworld.com.

Check out the first episode of WizPop at http://wizd.me/7ge0.

Moving forward one word at a time

Every week it is the same routine with my son and my wife. I pack my backpack with my laptop and he hands me his water bottle to hold on one of the side pockets designed to hold water bottles. We get in the car and make the 15-20 minute drive to the children pediatric center for his appointment. We walk into the office and check in at the front desk and take a seat until it is his turn.

Man vs Child: One Dad's Guide to the Weirdness of Parenting Book Review

I remember the time before my children were born I would read a lot. I would grab a book and spend a few hours sitting down just reading. I loved going on journeys to different worlds and just enjoying the pleasure of reading. Sometimes, I would finish a book in a day or two because I had the time to do it, then my children were born.

HBO's Latest Home Offerings #giveaway

Disclaimer: HBO has provided the Fandads with copies of these shows for review. All thoughts and opinions are our own.

Today HBO Home Entertainment has released two outstanding series on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD and we want you to win a copy of one of them, but before we do that let's talk a little about Crashing and Big Little Lies.

Pushing myself to the Limit (Sporty Dad 109)

In mid-June I did something that I did not think I would ever do: I ran the Spartan Super and Spartan Sprint on the same weekend. Completing these two races is a big deal for me because there was a few times during the Super that I just wanted to stop and not do it anymore, but I had a goal for myself and that was to finish no matter what. Not only was finishing these races important to me, but I felt I had to prove something to myself.

Cars 3 Coloring Sheets and giveaway

Disclaimer: The Fandads have partnered up with Fandango for this giveaway and receive compensation for this team up. All thoughts and opinions are our own. 

We previously did a post with some activity sheets for Cars 3 and we have some coloring sheets to keep you and your children busy if you want to relive revisit some of your favorite characters from the hit movie. There is also a giveaway, but you must keep reading.

Transformers: The Last Knight Premiere and Review

Last week the Fandads were invited to the U.S Premiere of Transformers: The Last Knight. The premiere was held at the Civic Opera House in downtown Chicago and had everything you could ask for in a premiere: a red carpet, inflatable Transformers and celebrities. This was the first time that the Fandads have ever been invited to a premiere of a movie and it was a pretty memorable experience. 

The Adventure Continues, #ThanksBaby

Disclosure: The Fandads have partnered with Life of Dad  and Pampers for this promotion. 

Remember those mornings when you would just wake up and not want to get out of bed? There have been many times in my past that I would wish that the days would just fly by. A lot of the times I would not want to get out of bed, but I knew that I had classes to attend and a job to go to, so I did it. I would go through those monotonous days and just feel like this is what my life was going to be. To quote Aesop Rock "Wake, Work, Sleep" and that is not what I wanted for my life.

Resident Evil Vendetta One night only Screening

Hey friends, what's better than playing Resident Evil on a big screen television? How about watching a Resident Evil movie at the theaters. Yes, friends Fathom Events is having a special one night only screening on June 19th of Resident Evil:Vendetta. Now, while this is not the Milla Jovovich Resident Evil, this is the third in a series of computer animated Resident Evil movies.

Cars 3 Activity Sheets and Screening

Lighting McQueen is heading back to the big screen in Cars 3 later this month and to get your ready for that day we have some cool activity sheets for you and your children. From a race track maze to building an actual race track to race with your children, we have got you covered. For our friends in Chicago, we have something extra for you, keep reading to find out what.