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James Whitbrook

@jwhitbrook.bsky.social

Lead Editor at @io9.com and @gizmodo.com. Questionable taste in puns, sci-fi, and video games. ๐Ÿณ๏ธโ€๐ŸŒˆโ”‚He/Him โ”‚Icon by @joehunter.bsky.social โค๏ธ

3,699 Followers  |  378 Following  |  7,765 Posts  |  Joined: 06.06.2023  |  2.23

Latest posts by jwhitbrook.bsky.social on Bluesky

Preview
How 'Magic: The Gathering' Uses the TMNT to Show Off a New Side to Its Hottest New Plane: New York City After the 'Spider-Man' set made the Big Apple a key part of the Magic multiverse, the upcoming 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' set wants to present the city in a warmer light.

did have much time to do a full preview for all the TMNTxMTG cards today, but I wrote up a fun little bit about the design team's approach to what has become the hot new plane of the magic multiverse, New York City, after it debuted in Spider-Man

17.02.2026 22:23 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 4    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Preview
Unmasking the Secrets of the New 'Mandalorian and Grogu' Trailer Our latest look at the next 'Star Wars' movie gives us a better idea of what it's aboutโ€”and, of course, a few familiar faces.

here's my trailer breakdown for Mando Grogu, please commence your leo pointing dot gifs

17.02.2026 19:22 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 13    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 3

star trek "fans" and star wars "fans" in an endless race to the bottom, it's like poetry it rhymes

17.02.2026 15:43 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 18    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 2    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
A screenshot from the Wookieepedia page for Marrok. It reads:

"'Ah, gudtak Marrok.'
โ€•Embo, to Marrok

Marrok was a male anooba and close companion of the Kyuzo bounty hunter Embo during the Clone Wars."

A screenshot from the Wookieepedia page for Marrok. It reads: "'Ah, gudtak Marrok.' โ€•Embo, to Marrok Marrok was a male anooba and close companion of the Kyuzo bounty hunter Embo during the Clone Wars."

for him to say his iconic line, of course

17.02.2026 14:39 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Let's circle back on this when they make Embo an actual character or, the real power play, a radical lesbian

17.02.2026 14:35 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

It's a potentially meaty idea that Mando has tackled before in S3, and tackled mostly well (until it went 'oops, all secret imperials' at the very end of it), so there's precedence and potential there for this to become interesting! Not that I have much hope of that, still, but fool's hope, etc etc

17.02.2026 14:28 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 9    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
A screenshot from The Mandalorian and Grogu. Colonel Ward, an older woman with red hair almost down to her shoulders, wearing an olive New Republic flight jacket, sits across from Din Djarin and Grogu at a table scattered with datapads and a meal.

Her subtitled dialogue reads "This isn't about revenge."

A screenshot from The Mandalorian and Grogu. Colonel Ward, an older woman with red hair almost down to her shoulders, wearing an olive New Republic flight jacket, sits across from Din Djarin and Grogu at a table scattered with datapads and a meal. Her subtitled dialogue reads "This isn't about revenge."

Just so I'm not completely miserable about it all, I will say this is the closes Mando Grogu has come so far to having an idea that interests meโ€”the concept of *some* kind of internal struggle within the New Republic about what fighting the Imperial Remnant is actually about.

17.02.2026 14:28 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 13    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
A screenshot of a gmail subject header that reads "NETFLIX AND MVP ANNOUNCE RONDA ROUSEY VS. GINA CARANO MMA SHOWDOWN".

A screenshot of a gmail subject header that reads "NETFLIX AND MVP ANNOUNCE RONDA ROUSEY VS. GINA CARANO MMA SHOWDOWN".

incredible timing on the part of my inbox

17.02.2026 14:12 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 12    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 2    ๐Ÿ“Œ 1

what circle of hell is "dude from clone wars' terrible homage to seven samurai is now getting movie screentime for some reason"

17.02.2026 14:08 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 21    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 6    ๐Ÿ“Œ 2
Preview
Finally, an Actual New 'The Mandalorian and Grogu' Trailer The galaxy far, far away's journey back to the big screen becomes a little clearer in our latest look at the next 'Star Wars' movie.

That sure is a trailer for something that is ostensibly a major motion picture, alright

17.02.2026 14:04 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 22    ๐Ÿ” 4    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 2    ๐Ÿ“Œ 1
A screenshot from A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. Baelor Targaryen wearing full dark plate armor, walks away from an open door, with a face that's about to realise why he's having one hell of a headache.

A screenshot from A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. Baelor Targaryen wearing full dark plate armor, walks away from an open door, with a face that's about to realise why he's having one hell of a headache.

What day to wake up with a splitting headache

17.02.2026 13:00 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 25    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 2    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
A screenshot of a panel from X-Factor #26. Standing in the ruins of the X-Mansion, Charles Xavier looks very much like Patrick Stewart. His dialogue reads "But Scott, you've got to admit--sending killers after your own son?"

A screenshot of a panel from X-Factor #26. Standing in the ruins of the X-Mansion, Charles Xavier looks very much like Patrick Stewart. His dialogue reads "But Scott, you've got to admit--sending killers after your own son?"

No matter how many times it happens in an X-Men comic, the Patrick Stewart jumpscare will always be funny to me

16.02.2026 17:54 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 24    ๐Ÿ” 3    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

I just think a space sheriff gavan who can dash cancel is neat

15.02.2026 20:48 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 6    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
A screenshot from Super Space Sheriff Gavan Infinity. Gavan Infinity fires his blaster in a kneeling pose, his sword drawn over his back, into the chest of a bulking, clawed monster.

A screenshot from Super Space Sheriff Gavan Infinity. Gavan Infinity fires his blaster in a kneeling pose, his sword drawn over his back, into the chest of a bulking, clawed monster.

watched the first episode of the new space sheriff gavan and it's very fun! great action and vibes so far, and it basically really just is a new sentai show with an electroplated skin

15.02.2026 20:47 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 10    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 1
A screenshot from X-Men #193. Lady Mastermind is chased by Aguja, Fuego, and another member of the Children of the Vault, only to use an illusion of herself and Cable to trick Fuego into burning the others alive. The dialogue reads:

Lady Mastermind: Wow, just look at that! Turns out I'm not really here. You must be seeing things.

And I'm guessing so is your pal with the smoking habit. He's seeing X-Men.

Aguja: Fuego..! No! It's me--Agu--!

Lady Mastermind: Can you say "friendly fire"?

A screenshot from X-Men #193. Lady Mastermind is chased by Aguja, Fuego, and another member of the Children of the Vault, only to use an illusion of herself and Cable to trick Fuego into burning the others alive. The dialogue reads: Lady Mastermind: Wow, just look at that! Turns out I'm not really here. You must be seeing things. And I'm guessing so is your pal with the smoking habit. He's seeing X-Men. Aguja: Fuego..! No! It's me--Agu--! Lady Mastermind: Can you say "friendly fire"?

I think one of the things I like most about Carey's run pre-MC/Legacy is really that it is just a fun group of characters that are allowed to be very funโ€“especially the villain elements of the squad

15.02.2026 19:26 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 4    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
A screenshot from X-Men #192. On the gangway of the X-Jet, Rogue stands with her team of X-Men: Sabretooth, Cable, Lady Mastermind, Iceman, Mystique, Cannonball, and Omega Sentinel.

Rogue's dialogue reads "Well, I chose 'em. Live with it."

A screenshot from X-Men #192. On the gangway of the X-Jet, Rogue stands with her team of X-Men: Sabretooth, Cable, Lady Mastermind, Iceman, Mystique, Cannonball, and Omega Sentinel. Rogue's dialogue reads "Well, I chose 'em. Live with it."

ah yes, to me, my X-Men, including karima shapandar THE OMEGA SENTINEL

an all-timer x-squad

15.02.2026 18:38 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 9    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
A screenshot from X-Men #190. Mystique cradles and kisses a prone, partially crystallised Iceman. Her dialogue reads "Then this will certainly count as a humanitarian gesture. It's a pity there's no one here to see it."

A screenshot from X-Men #190. Mystique cradles and kisses a prone, partially crystallised Iceman. Her dialogue reads "Then this will certainly count as a humanitarian gesture. It's a pity there's no one here to see it."

Admittedly not Bobby's finest hour, but like bringing Rogue to a Drake family dinner, kissing Mystique is still pretty gay

15.02.2026 18:17 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 3    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 2    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

An ABSURD team and I love it to bits

15.02.2026 17:55 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
A screenshot from X-Men #188. Rogue puts her right hand to her ear to communicate with Beast, over a panel of Cyclops and Emma Frost lying unconscious. Rogue's dialogue reads "Emma's down. So is Scott. It may say hospital over the door, but these guys are psi-shielded and armed for bear. You sure there's a mutant in here?"

A screenshot from X-Men #188. Rogue puts her right hand to her ear to communicate with Beast, over a panel of Cyclops and Emma Frost lying unconscious. Rogue's dialogue reads "Emma's down. So is Scott. It may say hospital over the door, but these guys are psi-shielded and armed for bear. You sure there's a mutant in here?"

Time to psi-shield, Mike Carey's favourite words: six pages

15.02.2026 17:46 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 2    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Bullet bit, wonder if I can get this all done within the free trial lol

(This might become a reading thread, it might not, we'll see)

15.02.2026 17:38 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 13    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 3    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
A screenshot from World of Warcraft. Vaerso, a Void Elf Demon Hunter, hovers atop the spring buttefly mount against a backdrop of Love is in the Air holiday decorations in Elwynn Forest.

A screenshot from World of Warcraft. Vaerso, a Void Elf Demon Hunter, hovers atop the spring buttefly mount against a backdrop of Love is in the Air holiday decorations in Elwynn Forest.

getting the new valentine's wow mount to drop the day after valentines... this is my discounted holiday chocolate

15.02.2026 04:32 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 6    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

It's such a shame there's never been an omnibus that collects his adjectiveless X-Men + Messiah Complex + Legacy, if only because I'd love to be able to have all 3 of my X-Men pillars in a physical format between that, New X-Men, and the Krakoa collections

14.02.2026 13:07 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 9    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

woke up with a yearning to re-read Mike Carey's X-Men run and it's kind of crazy how difficult it is to do that legally outside of just biting the bullet on a Marvel Unlimited sub

14.02.2026 13:05 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 11    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 1

awful and I need it

13.02.2026 15:15 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Preview
'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' and 'G.I. Joe' Are Combining Into the Action Figures of Your '80s Fever Dreams (Exclusive) Never afraid to shy away from a crossover, the TMNT are mashing up another group of real American heroes.

I'm not really a classic-style TMNT figure person, and I'm even less of a GI Joe person, but these are very fun!

13.02.2026 15:01 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 5    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
A photo of the Takara Tomy Transformers Evangelion Prime Test Type-01. It is a hybrid mashup of Optimus Prime and the Eva Unit 01, largelt taking Optimus' mechanized form with Unit 01's priple, yellow, and green coloration. The Evangelion Prime wields the lance of longinus in its hands.

A photo of the Takara Tomy Transformers Evangelion Prime Test Type-01. It is a hybrid mashup of Optimus Prime and the Eva Unit 01, largelt taking Optimus' mechanized form with Unit 01's priple, yellow, and green coloration. The Evangelion Prime wields the lance of longinus in its hands.

A photo of the Takara Tomy Transformers Evangelion Prime Test Type-01. The Evangelion Prime plants its feet wide, wielding progressive knives in each of its hands.

A photo of the Takara Tomy Transformers Evangelion Prime Test Type-01. The Evangelion Prime plants its feet wide, wielding progressive knives in each of its hands.

A photo of the Takara Tomy Transformers Evangelion Prime Test Type-01.  The Evangelion Prime holds up the matrix of leadership above its head in both hands.

A photo of the Takara Tomy Transformers Evangelion Prime Test Type-01. The Evangelion Prime holds up the matrix of leadership above its head in both hands.

A photo of the Takara Tomy Transformers Evangelion Prime Test Type-01. The Evangelion Prime plants its feet wide and splays its arms, roaring as it raises its head to the sky.

A photo of the Takara Tomy Transformers Evangelion Prime Test Type-01. The Evangelion Prime plants its feet wide and splays its arms, roaring as it raises its head to the sky.

Oh my god

13.02.2026 00:43 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 13    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 2    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

That one we knew already actually! It was in Empire a couple months back lmao

12.02.2026 23:29 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Preview
Your First Look at Hasbro's 'Mandalorian and Grogu' Figures Is Here (Exclusive) We might not have seen much from the movie itself yet, but would it be 'Star Wars' if we didn't get some hints through some toys?

Sure we've not see much out of The Mandalorian and Grogu in months, but @io9.com has your first look at the next best thing: the Mandalorian and Grogu Black Series figures.

12.02.2026 23:01 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 7    ๐Ÿ” 4    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 3
A screenshot from Star Wars Galactic Racer. Ben Quadinaros races in the Boonta Eve classic, with Sebulba's Pod Racer racing behind him to camera right.

A screenshot from Star Wars Galactic Racer. Ben Quadinaros races in the Boonta Eve classic, with Sebulba's Pod Racer racing behind him to camera right.

somehow ben quadinaros returned???????????????

12.02.2026 22:37 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 25    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

according to the internet she's 5'2'' but this show does a *hilarious* job of making her look even smaller than that

12.02.2026 20:10 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 3    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

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