Hello and welcome to the first edition of the It’s A Stampede! newsletter. What is unfolding before your eyes is a semi-regular newsletter which will talk about a whole range of subjects, from new movies and TV shows, to talking points in the news, discussions about toys and comics, and even some info about what goes on behind the scenes at It’s A Stampede! HQ.
The newsletter is going to be eclectic and maybe a little bit experimental. The aim is to offer more expansive material, build upon the regular posts, and give you something interesting to read.
So, one week the newsletter might do a deep dive on a new film, while another week it might go off on a tangent about something unexpected. Let’s not have too many rules, we’ll just see how things play out and take it from there.
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Summer blockbuster season is almost here
Now, onto something which is imminent: The summer blockbuster season is almost here. It all kicks off at the beginning of May with films such as The Devil Wears Prada 2, The Sheep Detectives, and Mortal Kombat II, amongst others, and I couldn’t be more excited.
When it comes to new films, the summer blockbuster season is my favourite time of the year. Tentpole films pop up on a weekly basis, and many of the year’s most entertaining pictures are unleashed at the cinema (and occasionally on streaming).
It’s the time of the year when anything goes! Many films which are considered to be sure-fire hits fall short, hidden gems are unearthed, and it becomes difficult to predict which movies will become the big success stories of the season. You can put money on the films you think will be amazing, but often it’s the movies you’re not paying attention to which turn out to be the best.
The summer blockbuster season is also a period when some legendary IPs are given a couple of hours to shine on the big screen, and when friends and families head to the cinema to load up on popcorn and kick back for a couple of hours of escapism. Those of us who go to the flicks on a regular basis, including during the quieter months of the year, know there is a real buzz of excitement at this time, cinemas are busy, and there is always something special playing every day.
Of the big films on the horizon this summer, the three films I’m most looking forward to are The Mandalorian and Grogu, Masters of the Universe, and Spider-Man: Brand New Day. The Mandalorian arrives in May, Masters in June, and Spidey in July, so there is much to get excited about across the summer.
Outside of these three films I’m very much interested to see Disclosure Day (surely you can’t go too far wrong with a sci-fi Spielberg film?); I look forward to Supergirl; and I’m intrigued by Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey. Oh, and the preview trailer for Evil Dead Burn looks the business, so hopefully this one will deliver too.
Of course, you’ll be able to read reviews for all of these movies and more in future editions of Movie Reviews 2026 – your weekly, indispensable guide to film. And if you’re not already reading Movie Reviews 2026 on a weekly basis you should, because it’s useful, and informative, and FREE and stuff.
The summer blockbuster season begins next week, so now is a good time to hop on board the reviews train. Let me advise you of what to watch, what to consider watching, and what to avoid.
And speaking of informative guides, you should also check out the Big Summer Preview which covers many of the big movies heading to the screen over the next few months. I put this together a couple of months ago, and it gives you a rundown of some of the heavy hitters which are on the way to a cinema near you soon!
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Spider-Noir, Little House, X-Men ‘97, and TV highlights
As well as big movies there are a number of noteworthy television shows heading our way this summer including the live-action Spider-Verse spin-off show, Spider-Noir; the DC Universe series, Lanterns; and Netflix’s revival of Little House on the Prairie. Will it beat the Michael Landon classic of yesteryear? I guess we’ll have to wait and see.
The X-Men are also expected to make a return very shortly for a second helping of X-Men ‘97. Following on from the cliffhanger conclusion of Season One, Marvel’s merry mutants are scattered across time and they are going to require some help to get home.
Presumably, they will.
A third season of the show is apparently in the works, and hey, if we are lucky more will follow. Expect some deep dives on X-Men ‘97 episodes as and when they arrive.
I loved the first season, and can’t wait to watch and talk about the second.
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Comics ahoy!
Speaking of X-Men ‘97, a new five issue X-Men ’97 comic is set to arrive this June from Marvel, as a tie-in accompaniment to the cartoon’s second season. So, if X-Men ’97 is your thing, then you may wish to reserve the new issues at your local comic shop or pick it up digitally.
Back in 2024, the first season was also accompanied by a comic, and I gave each issue a look-see. Hopefully I’ll do the same with the new books.
And if you’re after more X-Men stories, a five-issue X-Men: Outback comic also lands in June. Meanwhile, other big comics hoping to entertain this summer include the five-part Avengers: Armageddon, as well as the five-part Civil War: Unmasked.
I know, I know, another Civil War comic. Yes, it might seem as if Marvel has already rinsed 2006’s Civil War for all it is worth (and it possibly has), but Unmasked does sound fairly interesting, so let’s see how it pans out.
The comic promises to tell untold tales from the iconic crossover event, which could shine a new light on why certain characters were motivated to make certain choices. Of course, it could just be rubbish. But let’s hope it’s not.
Anyway, other comics which might lick your lolly this summer include M.A.S.K; the continuing adventures of Matt Fraction and Jorge Jiménez’s Batman (which I really rather like); and Image Comics’ Corpse Knight. Plus, the recently concluded nine-part Spider-Man/Venom crossover, Death Spiral is still in shops, should you want to dive in to something which is already available.
It’s not bad, if you’re a fan of Spidey crossover stories, but Marvel needs to calm down on all the symbiote-swapping that goes on these days. Mary Jane is currently Venom? Eddie Brock temporarily became the host of Carnage? Jeez, it’s all getting a bit messy.
Anyway, there are plenty of comics out this summer to get lost in. So, pick some up, head out to somewhere sunny, and go wild with your favourite characters.
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The end… is here
And that brings us neatly to the end of the first edition of the It’s A Stampede! newsletter. How was it for you? Good, right?
This edition has been quite preview heavy, other editions will differ, but hey, the ball is rolling. Another newsletter will arrive in due course.
For now prepare for the summer ahead. You’ve got movies and TV shows on the horizon, as well as comics to read. What more could you want?
Alex
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