5 Biggest Things in Superhero Comics in 2016
2016 was another huge, transformative year for superhero comics. The year was marked by major crossover events and relaunches, shocking plot twists and the loss of some beloved creators. From the announcement of DC Rebirth to Spider-Man's Clone Conspiracy, these are the major developments that rocked superhero comics this year.
Warning - this article contains spoilers for recent issues of The Clone Conspiracy!
DC didn't start off 2016 on a particularly strong note. Last year's DC You relaunch might have resulted in some strong, unconventional books (The Omega Men, Prez), but many of DC's core franchises were struggling and the publisher's overall market share was shrinking. DC needed some bold moves to turn things around and win back fans who had grown fed up with the New 52 status quo.
The Secret Origins of Dark Souls
The Best Reviewed Movies of 2016
There were many films that came out in 2016 that IGN reviewed — superheroes fought dangerous enemies, emotional scenes taught us the range of our feelings, and beloved franchises came back, better and more relevant than ever. But of those many movies that hit theaters, these 20 are the ones that we considered the best of the best.
You'll see some overlap with IGN's Best Movie of 2016 nominees, as these films listed below are our 20 best-reviewed movies of the past year:
Free Mafia 3 DLC Adds Races, Car Customization
The latest free update to Mafia III brings unlockable car customization to your in-game vehicles.
Unlocking the customization options involves winning 12 new races across New Bordeaux: "six circuit lap races and six point-to-point races."
Once all the races have been won and the customizations unlocked, you can win the Griffin Marauder. According to the official Mafia III blog, the "only way you can get it is by ruling the race courses."
Unlocked options include "decals, exhausts, spoilers, superchargers and wheels," offering 50 customizations when all is said and done.
This New Game of Thrones Daenerys Figure Looks Crazy Accurate
High-quality collectible toy maker Threezero has revealed a new Daenerys Targaryen figure that looks incredibly realistic and true to the likeness of actress Emilia Clarke.
The figure, which stands just over 10-inches tall, includes a "resin figure of her beloved dragon Drogon." There's also a deluxe set that adds Daenerys’s other dragons, Rhaegal and Viserion, and a "perch to fit the dragon of choice."
Pre-orders for the figure can be placed on Threezero's website. The figure will also be sold in HBO's online store and other retailers "at a later date."
This type of attention to detail doesn't come cheap. The MSRP for the figure is $168 USD, with the deluxe set coming in at $180. If you scrolled through the images in the gallery, you can see just where your money is going. Daenerys' stark blond and braided hair is rooted to the figure's head, and the costume was recreated to "pay respects to the Emmy Award-winning costuming" from the show.
Overwatch Reveals Tracer’s Girlfriend, Emily
Blizzard has confirmed in the latest Overwatch comic that Tracer is the game's first LGBTQ character.
The Overwatch comic, Reflections, opens with Tracer lamenting about how previous years' holidays have been lonely for her, but this year "is going to be different."
Tracer receives a present from a stranger who she helped after failing to buy one herself, and then comes home to a woman named Emily, who she appears to be dating. Emily opens the present — it turns out Tracer was trying to get a gift for her — and then kisses Tracer in thanks in the scene depicted below.
Emily kisses Tracer in the Overwatch comic Reflections
Best Original Music of 2016 Nominees
Crytek Closes Multiple Studios
Crytek is refocusing its business strategy for the future, and as such, the company has announced the closure of several of its studios.
While its Frankfurt and Kiev studios will remain operational and "continue to develop and work on premium IPs," the rest of Crytek's studios are closing up shop. The company has taken measures to "ensure a smooth transition and stable future" for those affected by the closures.
Going forward, Crytek is going to focus on its "core strengths of developing innovative games and game-development technology." As such, CryEngine will continue to serve as a "core pillar" of the company's strategy.
Avni Yerli, Crytek's co-founder and managing director, released the following statement regarding the company's future business plans:
Legion: FX Reveals the Poster for Marvel / X-Men Series
FX has released the official poster for its upcoming X-Men series Legion.
The art was revealed in a post on the show's official Facebook page, and provides a stunning look at the explosive mind of Dan Stevens' David Haller.
January Free Xbox Games With Gold Announced
Microsoft has revealed the four games available for free for Xbox One and Xbox 360 Gold subscribers in January as part of its Games With Gold program.
The full list and periods of availability to download these games for free are:
- World of Van Helsing: Deathtrap — January 1-31 on Xbox One
- Killer Instinct Season 2 Ultra Edition — January 16-February 15 on Xbox One
- The Cave — January 1-15 on Xbox 360 and Xbox One
- Rayman Origins — January 16-31 on Xbox 360 and Xbox One
World of Van Helsing: Deathtrap combines elements of tower defense and action-RPG games for single-player and co-op campaigns, as well as a versus mode as players fend off horrifying foes.