Latest news with #SpongebobSquarepants
Time of India
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Sonic the Hedgehog x Magic the Gathering collab coming soon; Here's everything you need to know
Magic the Gathering (MTG) is adding to its Secret Lair releases with a Sonic the Hedgehog collaboration. The Secret Lair series refers to the trading card game's limited-time releases that feature special artwork and can only be purchased directly from Wizards of the Coast, in contrast to most randomized card packs that are available at local game retailers. Sonic the Hedgehog's collaboration with MTG comes on the heels of several other high-profile Secret Lair drops, including crossovers with Final Fantasy, Spongebob Squarepants and Deadpool. Among the Sonic the Hedgehog collaboration packs is the Turbo Gear, and it will consist of seven preexisting MTG cards, which will be redrawn with Sonic the Hedgehog artwork. The Sonic the Hedgehog cards will be exclusive to Secret Lair's website We're incredibly excited to announce that Sonic the Hedgehog is coming to Magic: The Gathering in the new @MTGSecretLair x Sonic Superdrop!Three unique drops beginning July 14th. Stay tuned! The Sonic the Hedgehog cards can only be purchased via MTG's Secret Lair website. The Turbo Gear drop is expected to occur on July 14, at 9 am PT. The Secret Lair cards are of limited quantity, and will cost $29.99 for the non-foil version, and $39.99 for the foil version. The Turbo Gear drop isn't the only collaboration MTG is doing with Sonic, but, all the drops are meant to complement each other. The Turbo Gear cards are confirmed to be Sonic-themed redraws of seven MTG cards that are as follows: Sonic's Biplane (Weatherlight), Knuckes's Gloves (The Reaver Cleaver), Air Shoes (Swiftfoot boots), Egg Hammer (Myr Battlesphere), Piko Piko Hammer (Hammer of Nazalm), Power Sneakers (Lightning Greaves), Egg Pawn (Myr). Magic the Gathering has done several high-profile collabs Seven more cards from Secret Lair x Sonic! 🌀💨#MTGSecretLair Star City Games (@StarCityGames) June 27, 2025 Seven more cards from Secret Lair x Sonic! 🌀💨#MTGSecretLair Magic the Gathering's Secret Lair series was first introduced in 2020 in an effort to boost direct sales from Wizards of the Coast's own websites. From 2020 to 2023, these Secret Lair releases were print-on-demand, meaning that they had no preexisting inventory and were instead produced as per player demand. Starting in 2024, Secret Lair has shifted to the limited-print model, thus paving the way for several high-profile collaborations with renowned IPs. Among their most ambitious collabs has been with Final Fantasy, where the drops consisted of an entire draftable set of MTG cards.
Business of Fashion
23-06-2025
- Business
- Business of Fashion
Unilever to Acquire Men's Personal Care Brand Dr. Squatch
Unilever will acquire Dr. Squatch from growth equity firm Summit Partners, the company announced on Monday. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, though Dr. Squatch's sales are thought to be in excess of $400 million, according to a person with knowledge of the company. Originally founded in 2013 in San Diego, Dr. Squatch is known for its playful branding, collaborations with television shows such as 'Spongebob Squarepants', and sometimes outlandish marketing campaigns — in May, it unveiled a limited edition soap it claimed was made with the bathwater of the actress and brand ambassador Sydney Sweeney. Its products, such as its $7 soaps and $13 deodorants have an emphasis on natural ingredients and are sold on its e-commerce website, as well as in retailers such as Walmart, Target, and the UK's Boots. In a statement, Fabian Garcia, president of Unilever personal care said the brand has built a solid foundation with its digital engagement strategies in the US, and that the conglomerate would work to scale the brand internationally. The acquisition follows another landmark deal for Unilever, which acquired the British refillable deodorant brand Wild in April. In the statement, Dr. Squatch's chief executive Josh Friedman said the brand would utilise Unilever's infrastructure. 'We're thrilled to… positively connect with more consumers seeking high-quality, natural products around the world,' he said. Sign up to The Business of Beauty newsletter, your complimentary, must-read source for the day's most important beauty and wellness news and analysis. Learn more: Unilever Acquires Refillable Deodorant Brand Wild Rumours had swirled since February that the personal care giant was on track to purchase the British start-up for £230 million.
Irish Examiner
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Children's book reviews: Summer stories to warm up and inspire an eager imagination
Summer is so close we can almost smell the suncream. It's never too early to start thinking about summer reading and lucky for you dear reader, some of our favourite authors and illustrators have been hard at work creating débuts, sequels, series openers, and stories aplenty to keep you turning the pages. Ranging from reality TV penguins to underwater antics, and even a sprinkle of time travel through unexpected worlds, there is something, as always, for every reader to enjoy. Here are our picks for this month but remember for more brilliant book recommendations, simply visit our website: Penguin TV by Owen Churcher and illustrated by Niamh Sharkey (Gill Books) The penguin cam at the zoo's enclosure has become a snorefest, prompting penguin duo Horatio and Myrtle to take matters into their own flippers. What can you expect from Penguin TV? Well, there's swimming, acrobatics, fish, and plenty of penguin-related facts. Gently poking fun at reality TV show antics, this is a story worth tuning in for that will have readers wondering what penguins get up to when humans aren't paying attention. (4+) Badger Books by Paddy Donnelly (The O'Brien Press) After over 52 years in the business, Badger — the proprietor of Badger Books — prides himself on his abilities to find any books his customers desire. But when young Rory makes a specific request for a book about jellyfish on the moon complete with pirate octopuses in a pineapple boat, Badger finds himself stumped. Ideal for the booklovers, booksellers, and storytellers in your life, this is a modern classic in the making with an exquisite level of detailed illustrations that must be seen to be believed. (4+) Dragon Dave the Not So Brave by Alex Latimer and illustrated by Phillip Cullen (Scholastic) Dragon Dave cannot help but feel displeased within the pages of his own story — especially because it ends with him being made into dragon soup. Teaming up with Prince George, this is an enemies-to-friends tale that re-writes itself. Latimer and Cullen are a super pairing in this engaging multi-modal story about taking control of your own narrative with a fairytale twist. This story rewards those keen to re-read and reinterpret their own bedtime stories. (4+) Squid Squad: Nothing to Sea Here by Aoife Dooley (Scholastic) Zany is the word that springs to mind, as readers are invited to explore the underwater world of Nowhere, inhabited by Ollie and Zing — along with their squid squad of sub-aquatic creatures. With four unique episodes, Dooley's first graphic novel for younger readers makes for an excellent intro to the genre. Immersive in more ways than one, vibrant characters and slapstick humour create an underwater caper that will appeal to fans of Spongebob Squarepants. (7+) Amelia Cheeseheart Investigates: Mummy Mayhem! by Cat Weldon and illustrated by Nene Lonergan (Guppy Books) Amelia Cheeseheart is a mouse with a mission. When priceless artefacts begin disappearing from the museum's ancient Egyptian room, a new mystery unfurls for this gutsy mouse to solve. With clues trickled throughout, mini sleuths will adore this graphic novel with a compelling narrative from Weldon — where tension and riddles abound. The warm and winsome illustrations from former Children's Books Ireland's Raising Voices fellow Nene Lonergan make for a strong series starter. (7+) Words Can Fly by Donna Ashworth and illustrated by Eirinn McGuinness (Templar Books) Bestselling poet Donna Ashworth's first collection for young readers is a treasure trove of wisdom. With a focus on resilience building and processing emotions around pivotal moments in a child's life, the warmth of this collection is a balm in a world that can feel increasingly challenging. Eirinn McGuinness' illustrations interspersed throughout elevate this mindful treasury to what is sure to be a beloved keepsake. (8+) Féile: A Twin Power Adventure by Emma Larkin (The O'Brien Press) Twin Power returns. Now in secondary school, Aoife, Aidan, and their friends have the opportunity to take part in Féile: A prestigious Gaelic football tournament. But can the twin power magic work with Aoife and Aidan playing on separate teams? A super progression of this popular series; while the action-packed match scenes will keep readers gripped, the sense of community and comradery found in sport is the true beating heart of this winning tale. (11+) The Brightest Star by Meg Grehan (Little Island Books) In the highly anticipated follow up to The Deepest Breath, Stevie, Chloe, and Andrew are starting secondary school with the usual mix of excitement and worry: Will the friends be able to stay true to themselves and each other in the midst of this big life change? Readers of Stevie's first adventure will be pleased to see this beloved character go from strength to strength when it comes to managing her anxiety and coping with changes. Grehan's sensitivity is her strength, as she reminds readers it's OK to not have it all figured out just yet. (12+) Heartstopper 2 by Alice Oseman, translated by Eoin McEvoy (Futa Fata) Nick and Charlie's love story continues in the second instalment of Alice Oseman's hugely popular series. Picking up where the first story left off, the boys navigate their fledgling romance surrounded by their supportive friend group. Eoin McEvoy's Irish language translation of such a beloved first love story only serves to further enhance this tender tale that will melt the hearts of even the most seasoned cynic. Fingers crossed for more stories like this as Gaeilge representing the LADTAIÉ+ community. (12+) The Doughnut Club by Kristina Rahim (Nosy Crow) In her family of two mums, Quinn has always known she and her brother were conceived using a donor, but when a chance to meet other potential donor siblings arises, her curiosity is sparked. She's always been the odd one out in her outgoing, sporty family; could any of her diblings be like her? Children can be donor-conceived for many reasons; Rahim draws from her experience with her own children to create a strong début on finding belonging and celebrating the bonds that bring families together. (12+) Lady's Knight by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner (Electric Monkey) Lady Isobelle's freedom is in limbo as her fair hand and dowry are the prize in a tournament of Dragonslayers. Gwen has worked as a blacksmith for years and is determined to prove a point to the patriarchy. Could a disguise and a daring plan solve both their problems? Pure entertainment from start to finish, the authors' clever fusion of medieval and modern with a sprinkling of girl power makes for an unmissable tongue-in-cheek romp. (15+) Skipshock by Caroline O'Donoghue (Walker Books) When Margo and Moon's worlds collide (literally) time becomes a commodity they are quickly running out of. Putting a new spin on the phrase 'a race against time', Skipshock is like no other book I have read. Layered, inventive, and expansive, what appears to be a complicated sci-fantasy across various worlds, time zones, and dimensions will effortlessly envelope readers imaginations and swallow them whole. A stunning read. (15+) Ruth Concannon is the publications officer for Children's Books Ireland, the national charity and arts organisation that champions every child's right to develop a love of reading; Their mission is to inspire a love of reading in children and young people in Ireland, to share their expertise and enthusiasm with the adults who guide and influence them, to champion every child's right to excellent books and live literature events and support the artists who make that goal possible across the island of Ireland; See for more. Read More Tots to Teens: Penguins waddle into the limelight in new book
The Independent
23-02-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Trump mocks pushback over Musk's demand to federal workers as Gabbard tells intelligence staff not to respond: Live
Elon Musk 's ultimatum to federal workers asking them to justify their work or risk losing their jobs is being met with pushback from agency and department heads – even those most loyal to President Donald Trump. Hundreds of thousands of employees received an email from Musk requesting they respond with five things they did in the prior week by Monday evening. But many current and former lawmakers have raised questions about the reasonableness and legality of the request. Officials in the State Department also told employees to disregard the email saying, 'No employee is obligated to report their activities outside of their department chain of command'. Earlier on Sunday, Trump mocked those who were criticizing Musk's email by posting a meme on Truth Social that shows the cartoon Spongebob Squarepants making a list similar to the one Musk requested that includes, 'cried about Trump' and 'read some emails'. Musk originally posted. the meme on his X account.
Yahoo
16-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Missouri Comic Con kicks off in Springfield
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — This weekend, thousands are gathering at the Springfield Expo Center for the Missouri Comic Con, which is hosting a number of big names. While at the con, Ozarks First spoke with a unique comic book collector. Frank Facio lives in Springfield and first started collecting comic books when he was a child, but stopped for decades after losing his sight. Now, Facio is back in the game. 'I like comic books so much, I wanted to get back into it,' says Facio. 'I can still enjoy it, even though I can't read it or see the pictures and the covers.' Facio's wife will describe comic books to him, and he can then determine which ones he wants to buy. 'I also like to buy them already graded so that way I know when I'm buying a 9.8 or a 6.0 or something, then I know that's what it is because obviously grading is subjective,' says Facio. Many people who make a living buying and selling comic books are at the con. Mario Russo, who has sold comics since the 80s, says cons like this one make his life possible. 'There are the big shows sure. And there are six, eight, ten, twelve a year. But in between, if you do this full time, you need the smaller venues to do it to make a living out of it,' says Russo. Facio spent some time at Russo's comic book stand. He says his inability to see does not hinder his knowledge of comics. 'He was reading the titles and the numbers in the grade. And of course, I tell him, 'Oh yeah, that's so and so'. That's because these are older books and I know a lot of the older books that I can rattle off,' says Facio. Many notable people are attending this weekend's Comic-Con, including Tom Kenny, the voice of Spongebob Squarepants, Jim Cummings, the voice of Winnie the Pooh and actor Ron Perlman. Caitlin Every says this is something she appreciates about the Missouri Comic Con. 'I think it's a cool opportunity for people locally to meet big celebrities too, that don't normally come to areas like this,' says Every. 'So I think it's cool, People get to meet people they've always looked up or maybe have always watched on TV.' Each person who spoke with Ozarksfirst says the best part about Comic Con is the community. 'It's really good because you can just talk about stuff I know. And even though I can't see the art anymore or whatever, that's okay,' says Facio. 'I mean, knowing that I have it is good enough for me.' Facio also says that nowadays, he has apps that use AI to describe the covers of comics to him. Missouri Comic Con runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, February 16th. A link to buy tickets can be found here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
