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An image from 2002's Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four
Esports

The Fantastic Four: First Steps reveals new look at “phenomenal” Galactus

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It’s clobberin’ time! The Fantastic Four: First Steps just got its final trailer, bringing with it a new look at the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Galactus.

On July 25, 2025, Marvel’s first family will be making their MCU debut, with Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Joseph Quinn leading the cast, as Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Ben Grimm, and Johnny Storm.

Julia Garner is playing the Silver Surfer, while Ralph Ineson will be stepping in as the big bad of the new movie, Galactus.

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The cosmic devourer looms larger than ever, teasing a planet-sized threat unlike anything the MCU has faced. Check it out:

More to follow…



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There's a fantastic, fan-made Sonic fighting game in the wild, and you can play it right now
Game Reviews

There’s a fantastic, fan-made Sonic fighting game in the wild, and you can play it right now

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Did you know there’s a 3v3 Sonic the Hedgehog fighting game? Well there is! It’s called Ultimate Sonic Smackdown, and you can play it right now.

Indie studio Arcforged has released the game to the public for free. In an announcement trailer released today, you can see a variety of Sonic characters duke it out in 2D. All you’ve got to do is join the game’s official Discord server and get playing!

You may have guessed it from the title, but Ultimate Sonic Smackdown is actually a drastic overhaul of an older fan game: Sonic Smackdown. That game was a traditional 1v1 fighter, and has been playable online via Itch.io or at US tournaments for a while now.

Check out the trailer here!Watch on YouTube

This iteration, four years in the making, is a wilder evolution of the game. A tagging system means more hectic fights, more options for offence, and the opportunity to team up your favourite Sonic characters in your chosen squad. It’s the latest in a sparse scattering of Sonic the Hedgehog fighting games, first established by the official, Sega-developed Sonic the Fighters released in arcades in 1996. Its Sega Saturn port was cancelled.

As a tag fighter, Ultimate Sonic Smackdown joins a bizarrely packed collection of similar games coming out soon. You’ve got HunterxHunter NenxImpact coming in July, 2XKO which is bound to come out sooner or later, c’mon guys. Then you’ve got Invincible Vs coming next year, as well as Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls! So suddenly, a style of fighting game that had basically no modern representation is stacked with incoming options.

Sonic has a rich history of fan games. Famously, Sega hired Christian Whitehead to be lead developer on Sonic Mania, following his work on unofficial ports of older Sonic games. There’s also a fan-made PC port of Sonic Unleashed which is rad, and a 16-bit makeover of Sonic Triple Trouble from a few years back.



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Six New Fantastic Four Figures Launching Next Month, Preorders Live
Game Updates

Six New Fantastic Four Figures Launching Next Month, Preorders Live

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At long last, the Fantastic Four are making their return to the big screen with Fantastic Four: First Steps on July 25, and maybe the fourth time will be the charm for Marvel’s first family. Naturally, Marvel is launching a bunch of official merch to coincide with the film, including a new batch of Fantastic Four figures joining the Marvel Legends line. The first wave includes six-inch figures based on the core Fantastic Four team, including Mister Fantastic, the Invisible Woman, the Human Torch, and The Thing, as well as the version of the the Silver Surfer from the new movie. There’s no sign of Galactus yet, but that’s probably going to be a BIG figure when it eventually arrives. Marvel Legends Fantastic Four: First Steps figures launch on July 13 for $25 each. They stand inches tall and include a selection of accessories. They also come in window box packaging with movie-inspired branding. Preorders are available now at Amazon.

All Marvel Legends – Fantastic Four: First Steps Six-inch Figures

$25 | Releases July 13

Reed Richards, the leader of the Fantastic Four, is based on the likeness of actor Pedro Pascal, and it comes with two very long arms to replicate Mister Fantastic’s stretching. There’s also a pair of fists that you can attach to either his regular or stretchy arms.

$25 | Releases July 13

The powerhouse of the Fantastic Four, Sue Storm, comes with an invisible force-field effect part–complete with bullet holes–and an alternate set of hands.

$25 | Releases July 13

This new set of Fantastic Four collectibles includes two Human Torch figures. The first showcases Johnny Storm in his regular human form dressed in his Fantastic Four costume. It includes a pair of alternate hands and two fire effects to replicate the moment he chooses to flame on.

$25 | Releases July 13

The second Johnny Storm figure features the hotheaded hero engulfed in his trademark flames. The figure is made of translucent plastic, which creates a flame when you shine a light through it. The figure also comes with an alternate set of hands.

$25 | Releases July 13

Yancy Street’s favorite son, Ben Grimm AKA The Thing comes ready for clobberin’ time with his six-inch action figure. The figure features an impressive sculpt that accurately captures his rocky exterior, 20 points of articulation, and a pair of alternate hands.

$25 | Releases July 13

Finally, the set also includes a Silver Surfer figure. Like the upcoming film, this version of Galactus’ herald is Shala Bal–who comic fans will know as the lover of the original Silver Surfer, Norrinn Rad–which raises some interesting questions about the Silver Surfer’s backstory in Fantastic Four: First Steps. The figure comes with the Surfer’s iconic cosmic surfboard, an alternate set of hands, and an energy blast effect piece.

Lego Marvel Fantastic Four vs. Galactus Figure

If you’re looking for more official Fantastic Four: First Steps collectibles, you can grab the Lego Marvel Fantastic Four vs. Galactus Figure for $60 at Amazon. The centerpiece of he 427-brick set is a very big version of the cosmic force of nature, Galactus, and it comes with minifigures of the Fantastic Four.



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Framework Laptop 12 review: plastic fantastic
Product Reviews

Framework Laptop 12 review: plastic fantastic

by admin


Framework finally made a touchscreen laptop, and the convertible 2-in-1 is one of the coolest-looking computers ever made. It doesn’t have top-tier specs, but its two-year-old 13th Gen Intel Core i3 processor isn’t on its last legs just yet. Like Framework’s Laptop 13, the new Laptop 12 has modular ports and fully repairable innards. And you should be able to upgrade it to a newer chip eventually, given Framework’s business model of selling new parts for older laptops.

But charm aside, you’re still paying extra for repairability and upgradability. The Laptop 12’s $799 starting price, along with its middling webcam, keyboard, and chunky bezels still make it feel like a laptop for the true believers; others may have a hard time turning down similarly priced laptops with little to no repairability but better specs.

$799

The Good

  • Easy repairs and potential upgrades
  • Fun design
  • Rubberized TPU edges make it more resilient for kids
  • Modular ports with internal “child locks”

The Bad

  • Not exactly cheap, especially with more RAM and storage
  • Aging processor, starts with 8GB of RAM
  • Chunky bezels
  • No Windows Hello unlocking

The Laptop 12 is one of the most striking laptops I’ve ever seen. Its pink and blue “bubblegum” color scheme is particularly fantastic. The pastel colors are vibrant and the gray-on-gray keyboard pulls it together nicely, with left-aligned keycap legends giving it a slightly retro look.

  • Screen: B
  • Webcam: C
  • Mic: C
  • Keyboard: C
  • Touchpad: B
  • Port selection: A
  • Speakers: C
  • Number of ugly stickers to remove: 0

The exterior is plastic, with edges clad in thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) for added resistance to dings and scratches. It feels well built with minimal flex, likely due to its rigid metal internal frame. I described its overall feel to a colleague as “thoughtful plastic.”

As with the Framework 13, I recommend the DIY Edition (which is how you get the more fun color options). It’s easier to assemble than the 13, with the keyboard connecting via pogo pins like the Laptop 16 instead of a delicate ribbon cable. You don’t even need a tool to install or replace the M.2 SSD. I had our unit assembled and installing Windows 11 off a USB flash drive in about 30 minutes.

Fire it up and you’re treated to a 12.2-inch screen that’s bright, crisp, and very responsive to touch or an optional stylus. Though, it has massive bezels on all sides. While the 1920 x 1200 resolution and 60Hz refresh aren’t anything special, the dead-simple replacement procedure is. Screen replacements this easy could be clutch for classroom deployments, or for giving it to a teen. The trackpad feels better than the one on the Framework 13, and nearly as good as the excellent mechanical one on the Surface Laptop 13-inch, only lacking the Surface’s satisfying ka-chunk sound.

Few laptops turn heads in public like this bubblegum color combo does.

The keyboard looks amazing, but I’m less enthused by its typing feel. Its tactile feedback is slightly muted, and on rare occasions, it missed a letter I thought should have registered. It has the same 1.5mm key travel as the Laptop 13, but it doesn’t have the same juice. It isn’t backlit.

The side-firing stereo speakers and built-in mic are serviceable. I didn’t mind listening to music or playing videos on the Laptop 12, especially with the convenience of kickstand tablet mode to prop it up with the keyboard out of the way. But the webcam is mediocre, looking nice in good lighting but smeary and bad in any indoor setting that isn’t bright.

Its biggest omission is support for Windows Hello; there isn’t even a fingerprint sensor, so get used to typing your password or PIN every time you wake it like it’s 2014. Framework confirmed this was a cost-saving measure, but dang, do I sorely miss it. As for battery life, it can get you through a full school day or even a lengthier, eight-hour work day of light use, though a lengthy video call or two can noticeably shorten that.

Matching ports are the way to go.

Though the new transparent ones are a close second.

I wanted to test the entry-level configuration of the Laptop 12, but the review unit I received had 16GB of RAM instead of 8GB in its single DIMM slot and a 1TB SSD to go with the base Intel Core i3 1315U chip. With all the included expansion ports and a Windows 11 Home license, our config costs $1,086 — significantly higher than the $799 starting price. The 13th-Gen Intel chip is still a solid performer for light loads but it occasionally shows its age. You can hear the Laptop 12’s fan working pretty frequently — not at an annoying volume, but just a noticeable one (and a couple of times while the lid was closed for some reason). It isn’t difficult to bog the Laptop 12 down multitasking across many Chrome tabs while on a video call. I just fear what that 8GB entry-level might be like.

System

Framework Laptop 12 / Intel Core i3 1315U 6C / 16GB / 1TB

Framework Laptop 13 (2025) / Ryzen AI 7 350 8C / 32GB / 1TB

Microsoft Surface Laptop 13-inch / Snapdragon X Plus 8C / 16GB / 512GB

MacBook Air 13-inch M4 / 10C / 10C / 16GB / 512GB

Geekbench 6 CPU Single2243289924373775Geekbench 6 CPU Multi6810135681142714899Geekbench 6 GPU (OpenCL)1030724981939130701Cinebench 2024 Single93116109171Cinebench 2024 Multi267832682736Sustained SSD reads (MB/s)5276.385279.213840.782910.04Sustained SSD writes (MB/s)4944.674967.273476.622115.57

This isn’t my laptop of choice for heavy photo editing, but folding it into tablet mode and processing images in Lightroom with a stylus is an enjoyable way to work on a handful of pictures casually. Though, high-resolution RAW files are painfully slow to import, and the keyboard deck inverted on your lap gets a little warm when the laptop is under load. Framework’s color-matched styluses are coming later, so I used a Metapen M2 sent with the review unit, which worked great.

1/9The TPU borders offer added protection, but the textured plastic everywhere else feels fairly resilient too.

I love that the modularity of its four ports allows me to choose a full-size SD card reader, something you don’t normally find on modern thin-and-light machines. Plus, if you opt to load it up with four USB-C ports (which can be matched to the colorful chassis), each one is capable of charging the laptop. And if you fear a child may fidget with the expansion cards by popping them in and out, there are internal screws you can tighten to prevent external tampering.

Our DIY Edition review unit, pre-assembly. The matching screwdriver is a nice added touch.

It’s hard not to love the Framework 12, but its drawbacks, like low starting RAM, an okay processor, and a slightly soft-feeling keyboard, are hard to swallow when it costs $799 and easily ramps up to over $1,000 with upgrades. At that price, it competes with much more powerful laptops such as the M4 MacBook Air (which, to be fair, lacks a touchscreen) and both the Surface Laptop 13-inch and Surface Pro 12-inch. The Framework could one day be upgraded to surpass those machines, but there’s no guarantee. The Laptop 13 has turned out to be the shining example of repairability and upgradeability, but the big-boy Laptop 16 is currently in a weird spot.

If Framework delivers on the Laptop 12’s upgrade path like it has on the 13, then it could be worth the price, either for a student who can grow with it or for just about anybody who wants a tinker-friendly touchscreen 2-in-1. The Laptop 12 has the potential to become more than a quirky experiment for kids. It could be one of the best examples of a laptop in this form factor.

Framework Laptop 12 (as reviewed)

  • Display: 12.2-inch (1920 x 1200) 60Hz IPS touchscreen
  • CPU: Intel Core i3 1315U (13th Gen)
  • RAM: 16GB DDR5
  • Storage: 1TB
  • Webcam: 1080p (with privacy switch)
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth
  • Ports: 2x USB-A 3.2, 2x Thunderbolt 4, HDMI 2.1, 3.5mm combo audio jack
  • Weight: 2.87 pounds
  • Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.42 x 0.73 inches
  • Battery: 50Wh
  • Price: $1,086

Photography by Antonio G. Di Benedetto / The Verge





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I Have Questions About the Official 'Fantastic Four' Pizza
Gaming Gear

I Have Questions About the Official ‘Fantastic Four’ Pizza

by admin


Giving the foodie world a spin is Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four: First Steps, and here’s a preview of the upcoming snack tie-ins at major chain restaurants and snack companies. If you thought that AMC Theaters’ Herbie popcorn robot was peak—well, let us introduce you to a four-quadrant pizza inspired by Marvel’s First Family being released at Little Caesars.

© Little Caesars

What’s so audacious about the flavors of each section is what they say about Marvel’s Fantastic Four heroes. Obviously pepperoni and jalapeño is Johnny Storm because of his flame powers, and Italian sausage and bacon gives a rocky texture like Thing. But between pepperoni and cheese, we’re seeing that Sue could very well be just plain cheese since there’s no visible ingredients (get it, invisible woman) and Reed is pepperoni. I mean the cheese is stretchy but it’s all over the pizza, so it sorta works if you stretch your imagination.

The perplexing pizza pie conundrum is almost as hilariously bonkers as Fantastic Four blue milk.

Yes, blue “Fantastic Berry” flavored milk.

© TruMoo

From the makers of the Star Wars “May the Fourth” branded blue milk, TruMoo is now hawking berry-flavored half gallons for families or the curious childless nerd. Personally, I’m more of a vanilla blue milk fan so not even Pedro Pascal catering calcium could get me to drink this. Each half-gallon features a different member of the Fantastic Four team. And what better to go with milk than cereal?

© General Mills

Retro-style cereal boxes are back for a variety of General Mills grocery store aisle faves. These are less interested in having each member of the team correspond with an element of each cereal but we love the throwback art. The cereal boxes are perhaps the tamest of the tie-ins because the other breakfast and snack food offering is a special edition Pop-Tarts release which brings back a retired flavor.

Fans of frosted blue raspberry will be happy to see its comeback in special packaging and Marvel comics designs, alongside classic flavors frosted strawberry, frosted brown sugar cinnamon, and frosted s’mores. Watch this ridiculous ad, which takes the wild Pop-Tart mascots and turns them into substitute superheroes “The FanTASTEic Four” who are no help at all when Galactus is coming and you’re in need of a frosted bite.

Adding on to the fantastically weird are the Snapple Fantastic Four flavor releases. Included in the lineup are Mister Fantastic on the apple flavor (because a Pedro Pascal a day would keep the doctor away); the Thing’s kiwi-strawberry juice; and the Storm siblings’ peach tea juices. We’ll leave you with a look at the Sue Storm bottle design:

© Snapple

Do any of the tie-ins entice you? Let us know in the comments.

Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.



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Insta360 Link 2C on top of display
Product Reviews

Insta360 Link 2C review: a fantastic 4K webcam with sharp video quality and fleshed-out feature set

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Why you can trust TechRadar


We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

Insta360 Link 2C: review

The Insta360 Link 2C is a webcam that has pretty large shoes to fill. When the Chinese camera company released its predecessor a few years back, it was lauded as a top-tier, premium option, thanks to its excellent 4K video and smart use of AI. So now comes the Insta360 Link 2C, which aims to offer even more AI capabilities and superior noise cancellation among other things. So, does it deliver?

Well, before I answer that definitely, I want to start by exploring picture and video quality on the Insta360 Link 2C. Now, whether I was taking a video call on Google Meet or simply messing around with the camera app on my Windows laptop, I always looked ultra clear, with finer details – including individual hair strands, facial hairs, and markings on my face all bubbling to the surface.

That’s largely thanks to the Insta360 Link 2C offering up 4K resolution – something we always look for in our hunt for the best webcams. Of course, that premium quality isn’t going to come through on all video calling software, but if you’re a content creator or simply want top-tier performance, 4K support is going to be a must-have. For reference, this webcam also supports lower resolutions, such as 1080p, 720p and 360p, at varying frame rates.


You may like

Yes, if you’re taking a video in 4K, for example, you’re going to get 30fps – more than enough for some, but 4K 60fps is available on models like the pricey Elgato Facecam Pro. 60fps is available on the Link 2C, though you’ll have to drop the resolution to 1080p or 720p.

When holding up objects like an earbuds charging case or a piece of paper, the webcam was also excellent at shifting focus onto them. That’s thanks to enhanced Phase Detection Auto Focus, which speedily captures details on anything you want to highlight to your colleagues, students, or family on a video call.

And there are so many more features to uncover too, many of which can be found on the free-to-download Insta360 Link Controller software. Here, you’re able to mess around with a range of picture settings like exposure and white balance, as well as try out different filters – stuff like blur, bokeh, and even a makeup tool. I felt that the Link 2C could be a bit better in low-light conditions, but this doesn’t have to be the case if you drill into the settings in this companion. Simply jump in and activate HDR while also flicking brightness up and you’ll see a big improvement.

Insta360 Link Controller also lets you toggle gestures on and off – something I was really looking forward to using. If you hold your hand up – you know, like those big red hands on crossing lights – you can frame the shot to you. There’s also a whiteboard option, which will keep whatever you’re writing on squared and in focus. Both of these work well, and I found them useful when making a video call or just having a bit of fun in the companion software.

But one option that didn’t work so seamlessly for me, was the zoom in and zoom out gesture. You have to make an ‘L’ shape with your hand, which will make the webcam’s green LED light flash. After this, you can move that L shape up or down to zoom in or out respectively. But I found this to work a little more sporadically than I’d hoped. A good amount of the time, it worked well, but I often found that I had to make the L shape multiple times before it was registered, or the zooming would end a little prematurely.

Still, the vast majority of features worked without question on a very consistent basis. Stuff like auto-framing and AI tracking followed my movements with ease – ideal for an especially fidgety person like myself. Meanwhile, the 2C adds pause-track areas, which help the webcam to recognize areas that it shouldn’t track you – perhaps if you don’t want to show under your desk, say.

(Image credit: Future)

One of the improvements that the Link 2C is intended to bring is superior noise cancelling. That’s something you’re gonna want if you’re taking calls in a busy office environment, for example. I asked a colleague to make some noises while I called my friend and the results were decent, all things considered. Clapping, for instance, was still very much audible, but stuff like typing and light chatter was dulled nicely.

There are three modes: Voice Focus, Voice Suppression, and Music Balance – but none of these are going to offer the clarity you’ll get from the best microphones for streaming. Ultimately, my voice didn’t sound ultra-crisp on the 2C, but it will plate up clear enough quality for more casual users.

Still, audio is handled pretty well by webcam standards. But something that’s truly fantastic about the Link 2C is its design. It has a real premium metallic feel and finish, diminutive magnetic clip-stand and discreet detailing around the lens. It’s also ultra practical thanks to its compact size, slider for covering the camera and USB-C connectivity. There’s no gimbal or tripod for the 2C model, but if you’re after that, you can grab the standard Link 2 model.

There’s only one way I can tie all of this together and that’s by talking about price. Now, my mind was genuinely blown by the price of the original Insta360 Link – it was almost $300 / £320 / AU$570! But the Link 2C is far more affordable, while still offering some improvements over its predecessor, including better noise cancelling and a sleeker look. This newer webcam will set you back just under $150 / £150 / AU$250, and given the overall performance and quality of the product, I’d say that’s strong overall value for money.

So, at the end of it all, would I recommend the Insta360 Link 2C? Yes, definitely! You get super sharp video, responsive auto-frame adjustment, decent audio (well, by webcam standards), and really neat companion software for fine-tuning everything to your liking. In honesty, the Link 2C has given my setup the facelift I didn’t even know it needed – I’m seeing more detail and fluidity than ever, in each video call. And that’s something I’ve really grown to appreciate.

Sure, the zoom in/out gesture could be a little more reliable and I’d still be inclined to purchase a separate mic for the best speech clarity. But from the upgrade I’ve seen to my work the Insta360 Link 2C is still a fantastic all-round package.

(Image credit: Future)

Insta360 Link 2C review: price & availability

  • $149 / £149 / AU$249
  • Launched in September 2024

The Insta360 Link 2C launched alongside the Link 2 in September 2024, two years after its predecessor. The Link 2C carries a list price of $149 / £149 / AU$249, which is drastically, and I mean drastically, cheaper than the original model cost at launch. Yep, the original Insta360 Link released with a list price of $299 / £319 / AU$569 – woah. But don’t be fooled: the 2C has made some improvements over its predecessor, with better noise cancelling, AI features and a prettier build. I know which one I’d pick!

It’s worth noting, by the way, that the Link 2C comes in two color variants: Arctic White; or the version I tested, Graphite Black. The version you pick should have little to no bearing on the price you pay.

Insta360 Link 2C review: specs

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Supported resolutions

4K at 30fps, 1080p / 720p at 60fps, 360p at 30fps

Sensor

1/2-inch

Lens

Not specified

Focal length

26mm

Aperture

f/1.8

Focal length

26mm

Field of view

79.5 degrees

(Image credit: Future)

Should you buy the Insta360 Link 2C?

Swipe to scroll horizontallyInsta360 Link 2C webcam report card

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Design

Practical, diminutive and premium-feeling build, sleeker than original.

5/5

Performance

Great video quality, plenty of settings to play with, some gesture issues.

4/5

Value

Huge price-cut over original, not too pricey against competition.

4.5/5

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

Insta360 Link 2C: also consider

Swipe to scroll horizontallyHeader Cell – Column 0

Insta360 Link 2C

HP 960 4K Streaming Webcam

Obsbot Meet SE

Price

$149 / £149 / AU$249

$219.99 / £180 / AU$295

$69 / £65 / AU$119

Supported resolutions

4K at 30fps, 1080p / 720p at 60fps, 360p at 30fps

4K at 30fps, 1080 / 720p at 60fps

1080p at 100fps, 720p at 150fps

Sensor

1/2-inch

Not specified

1/2.8-inch

Lens

Not specified

18mm

Not specified

Focus range

0.1m to ∞

0.1m to ∞

0.1m to ∞

Aperture

f/1.8

f/2.0

f/1.8

Focal length

26mm

Not specified

26mm

Field of view

79.5 degrees

78 / 90 / 100 degrees

78 degrees

How I tested the Insta360 Link 2C

(Image credit: Future)

  • Tested in a one-week period
  • Made video calls and experimented with photo and video independently
  • Exhausted range of features and settings in companion software

I had the Insta360 Link 2C connected to my work setup across a one-week period, testing out its various features and functions. Well, actually, I’ve kept it in my setup beyond initial testing – I’ve enjoyed using it that much!

In order to assess the Link 2C’s quality I tried making a number of video calls, taking photos, and playing around with picture settings in the Insta360 Link Controller software. I compared it to my laptop’s inbuilt camera, tried out gesture controls and also tested quality in both natural and low-light conditions.

Speaking more generally, I’ve tested a huge quantity of products here at TechRadar as a resident Reviews Writer. That covers everything from the latest TVs through to electric shavers – I’ve got experience right across the board.



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New Fantastic Four Popcorn Bucket Costs More Than Most Games
Game Reviews

New Fantastic Four Popcorn Bucket Costs More Than Most Games

by admin



Image: Marvel / AMC / Kotaku

AMC and Marvel’s new Fantastic Four: First Steps popcorn bucket now has a price tag, and if you want to get your hands on this massive Galactus-shaped popped corn vessel, you’ll need to spend $80. Yikes.

Black Ops 7, Invincible Vs & More — Here Are The 5 Games That Stole Microsoft’s Show

I’ll admit that I was genuinely surprised when, earlier this month, Marvel and AMC first teased and then unveiled the Galactus popcorn bucket. The thing is bonkers and seems way too big to actually be used as a popcorn bucket in a crowded movie theater. The Galactus bucket is 17 inches tall and covered in a faux-metal outer skin. It looks pretty good and even includes LED lights in the eyes. But something this big and fancy doesn’t come cheap. And if you want one of these big heads, you’ll have to spend the same amount of money on it as you would on a copy of Mario Kart World.

The new AMC Galactus bucket is listed on the website for an eye-watering $79.95, and that’s before tax! This high price was officially revealed a few days ago, but has started making the rounds via social media and Reddit as people react to the idea of spending $80+ on a bucket of popcorn. But hey, AMC does confirm that the container includes a free large order of popcorn. Honestly, it should come with a free drink, too.

“Motherfucker, I work at a theatre and we can BARELY sell the $20-$30 novelty buckets until we start discounting them because they don’t sell for shit,” said one user on Bluesky. I’ve heard similar stories while talking to other AMC employees about these gimmick buckets for a future report.

Many tell me that they will sit around for ages, and sometimes are sold for a few dollars a few weeks after the movie hits theaters. Although at the same time, I’m also told that there are people out there who collect these buckets and will call ahead to procure one and not even watch the movie it’s based on. So, as always, when you incredulously ask, “Is anyone going to buy this?” the answer is still yes.

.



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Kevin Feige Is Trying to Throw Us off the Scent of That 'Fantastic Four' Tease
Gaming Gear

Kevin Feige Is Trying to Throw Us off the Scent of That ‘Fantastic Four’ Tease

by admin


We all saw what happened after the credits of Thunderbolts. We jumped ahead a few months into the world of Avengers: Doomsday, and in a scene directed by Doomsday helmers Joe and Anthony Russo, Yelena and the rest of the New Avengers saw something very unique flying toward Earth. The movie is pretty upfront with what it wants us to think that is, but in a new interview, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige is making us second-guess ourselves.

As we’ve discussed previously, in the end credits scene, New Avengers get word of an “extra-dimensional” ship entering Earth’s atmosphere and see a ship with a giant “4” on the side flying through space. This is accompanied by a few notes of Michael Giacchino’s score to The Fantastic Four: First Steps, the only Marvel movie coming out between Thunderbolts and Doomsday. And, since all of the Fantastic Four and all of the New Avengers are in Doomsday, it doesn’t take a genius to connect the dots. This is the Fantastic Four leaving their dimension and coming into the MCU.

Or is it? Speaking in Empire Magazine (with a quote that isn’t online yet but is apparently in print), Feige said the following in regards to the Thunderbolts/New Avengers end credits scene. “Their ship is the Excelsior, and there is a Fantastic Four ship entering the MCU … But I’m not sure they’re the same ship,” Feige said. Which means one of two things. One, Feige is just being Feige and trying to make people argue and debate about his movies with his trademark vague but admittedly fun statements. Or, two, he’s giving us a new, crucial piece of the puzzle.

For the record, we’re guessing it’s the first one. Clearly, Feige loves messing with us and sparking debate. He’s been doing it for years and is all but impossible to get a straight answer out of, especially in terms of future movies. If there is any doubt about something, Feige will lean into it. So while the most obvious implication is that this is the Fantastic Four, we do not see any of the characters. There is, if you want to be literal, a bit of a grey area there.

For argument’s sake, let’s say Feige’s implications are real. This is a ship owned by or related to the Fantastic Four, but they aren’t on it. What else could be happening? Maybe a character has stolen one of their ships? Maybe this is a later piece of the story and it’s being sent empty for another reason? Or, is this a whole other multiversal Fantastic Four team? There are a million potential explanations, any one of which could be true.

Or, because Yelena doesn’t know what she’s watching, because their computer system isn’t aware of it, because we see the “4” and because we hear the music, it is indeed the Fantastic Four.

Which way are you leaning? If Feige messing with us or setting us on the right path? Do you think we’ll find out in Fantastic Four: First Steps or will we have to wait till December 2026 and Avengers: Doomsday? Let us know below.

Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.



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Fantastic Four Director Denies Doom's Involvement In His Film
Game Reviews

Fantastic Four Director Denies Doom’s Involvement In His Film

by admin



Image: Disney

Ever since Robert Downey Jr. blew our multiversal minds at San Diego Comic-Con last year when he revealed he was returning to the MCU as Doctor Doom, Marvel fanatics have been trying to figure out just when Victor Von Doom would appear. After the Thunderbolts* post-credit scene appeared to hint at Dr. Doom’s arrival in the upcoming The Fantastic Four: First Steps, director Matt Shakman has emerged to slightly crush those dreams.

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In an interview with Empire Magazine, Shakman plainly asserted that “Doom is not a part of my film, and therefore not a part of my purview.” That should be it, right? Wrong. Fans in denial (and delusion) are interpreting Shakman’s statements as technically true but not the full truth.

Some fans are focusing on how Shakman specifically mentioned that Doom is not part of his film or his purview. That sounds, they argue, like an attempt to establish plausible deniability, given how Marvel has separated certain duties on its films. After Thunderbolts* director Jake Schreier revealed to ComicBook.com that the film’s post-credit scene was filmed weeks before the theatrical release, the Russo Brothers confirmed they were the ones who filmed it, rather than Schreier himself. That told Marvel fans that a film’s director doesn’t have to be involved with any post-credit reveals, which would align with Shakman’s assertion that Doom has nothing to do with his efforts on the film.

In the Thunderbolts* post-credit scene, the New Avengers get a notification that an unidentified aircraft had entered Earth’s atmosphere before we see the iconic “4″ logo of the Fantastic Four emblazoned on the side of the ship. Doom has hijacked the Fantastic Four’s ship multiple times in the comic books, so it’s not far-fetched to believe he might do the same in the MCU.

We’ll have to wait until July 25 to see if these theories are anything more than just fanboy fantasies.





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Aventon Level 3 Review: A Fantastic First Electric Bike
Gaming Gear

Aventon Level 3 Review: A Fantastic First Electric Bike

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I love step-through ebike frames, not just because it allows my much-shorter wife to borrow the bike when she’s wearing a skirt but also because when a bike is this heavy (67 pounds), it makes it much easier to balance and hop on and off. I never felt sketchy hitting an intersection or trying to keep my bike upright when I had a saddle bag full of groceries.

The gearing and drivetrain is entry-level Shimano Altus stuff and includes an 8-speed trigger-controlled transmission. It also comes with decent Kenda tires that provide plenty of grip, even on slippery Portland roads.

There is a built-in 4G connection that allows you to GPS track the bike—nice for thefts and also in case you, like me, forget where you parked your bike at the Portland Timbers game. The 500-watt motor was more than powerful enough to get me over hills, even with gear or food in tow.

Even for my large, 210-pound body, the range proved more than enough for long commuting rides. I took it over 20 miles across town in a single session, over big hills, and still ended at my destination with over 20 percent battery. If I hadn’t run the bike at full speed the entire way and had pedaled more on the flats instead of using the thumb throttle, I would easily have made it with half my battery left.

Good for Most

Photograph: Parker Hall

Most folks aren’t riding 40 miles a day on their ebikes. They’re riding just a few, and this bike is more than capable of doing that. The included charging brick easily charges the bike in a few hours. You will really need to charge only once a week if you’re doing a shorter commute or just riding a bit around town.

There aren’t a lot of downsides to this model, but the main one is the gearing. I just wish that the top gear allowed me to keep up with the 20-mile-per-hour speed limit on the motor with more ease; I sometimes felt like I was pedaling like a crazed hamster when trying to go max speed.

At lower speeds and assistance rates, the gearing works just fine, so you’re better off riding slower when you want to pedal, then using the thumb throttle to go full speed. I generally prefer mid-drive ebikes for this reason; they use the actual drivetrain of your bike rather than a motor on the hub of the rear wheel to deliver the power, so things pair better together. That said, it’s nice to have the option of a thumb throttle when you’re feeling lazy and just want a glorified electric scooter to take you home, which isn’t offered by mid-drive ebikes.

For daily commuting, trips to the farmers market, and occasional long weekend rides, the Aventon Level 3 is a great choice. The price is right, the specs are solid, and it’s a confidence-inducing ride that has every feature most folks will need. Just snag a good helmet and a solid bike lock. These bikes look more expensive than they are.



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