Sandbox World | invaders from mars

Books

Why Moby Dick Still Feels Urgently Relevant in 2026

By Tony M.

A personal look at why Melville’s Moby Dick remains deeply relevant in 2026, exploring obsession, power, climate, truth, race, and humanity.

Macanudo: What’s in the Box?!

By Tony M.

Macanudo: What’s in the Box?! brings together Liniers’ early comic strips in a single collection. Perfect for fans of humor, curiosity, and offbeat adventures.

Peter Pan Before Disney: A Darker, More Complex Story

By Tony M.

The real Peter Pan is darker than the Walt Disney movie. Explore J.M. Barrie’s personal tragedy, psychological depth, and how Disney made it magical for kids.

Seuss Studios and Momo Sees the Sea by Avani Dwivedi

By Tony M.

Meet Seuss Studios, a new Beginner Books line inspired by Dr. Seuss, and discover Momo Sees the Sea, a playful ocean story full of curiosity and wonder.

SpongeBob SquarePants: The Art of an Undersea World!

By Tony M.

The ultimate SpongeBob SquarePants art collection celebrates 25 years of Bikini Bottom with sketches, storyboards, and insights from the creators themselves.

Cartoons

Bob Mankoff on AI and the Future of Human Creativity

By Tony M.

Bob Mankoff shares why human judgment, empathy, and humor remain irreplaceable as AI transforms creativity for artists and creators.

Homer Returns: New Simpsons Movie Slated for Summer 2027

By Tony M.

Disney announces a new Simpsons movie for July 23, 2027, continuing the legacy of Springfield’s iconic family and their unforgettable pop culture moments.

Touche Turtle and Dum Dum: The Complete Series

By Tony M.

Touche Turtle and Dum Dum return! Enjoy every remastered episode of Hanna-Barbera’s adventurous and comedic animated series. Touche, away!

Caroline Cash Named New Cartoonist of Iconic Nancy Comic Strip

By Tony M.

Caroline Cash will become the new cartoonist of Nancy in 2026, following Olivia Jaimes’ acclaimed run. A fresh era begins for the classic comic strip.

Tove Jansson and the Moomins: The Door Is Always Open

By Tony M.

Celebrate Tove Jansson and the Moomins at Brooklyn Public Library's first U.S. exhibition, showcasing art, books, and immersive experiences from June 28–Sept 30.

Food

Nespresso at 50: How Coffee Capsules Changed Espresso

By Tony M.

From an espresso bar to kitchens worldwide, explore the origins of Nespresso and how one espresso breakthrough led to billions of cups enjoyed around the world.

The Surprising Origin Story of Goldfish Crackers

By Tony M.

Goldfish crackers began as a romantic Swiss gift. Discover the astrology, symbolism, and branding that made them iconic.

McDonald’s: Happy Meal and Crayola Launch a Global Creative Universe

By Tony M.

McDonald’s partners with Crayola on a global Happy Meal, blending creativity, space-themed play, and digital experiences to inspire kids worldwide.

Why McDonald’s CosMc’s Failed Miserably as a Starbucks Rival

By Tony M.

From neon space vibes to drink overload, explore how McDonald’s CosMc’s rose fast, fell faster, and became a key innovation experiment.

The West African Origins of Coca-Cola and the Kola Nut

By Tony M.

Learn how the sacred kola nut from West Africa inspired Coca-Cola and influenced one of the most recognized beverages in the world.

Art

Public Domain 2026: What Books, Films, and Songs Are Free

By Tony M.

A guide to the most important books, movies, and musical works entering the US public domain on January 1, 2026, and why they matter for creators and culture.

Cloud Dancer: Is Pantone’s 2026 Color Just White?

By Tony M.

Pantone names Cloud Dancer its 2026 Color of the Year, but is it really just white dressed in poetry? A playful look at the power of paint names.

India Ink Doesn’t Come from India: The True Origins of a Timeless Black Ink

By Tony M.

From ancient Chinese inscriptions to modern art studios, India ink endures as a timeless medium blending creativity, science, and tradition.

Nipper: A Giant Tribute to Music’s Most Famous Dog

By Tony M.

The Huguenot Museum displays a 1937 Nipper painting from HMV’s Oxford Street store, celebrating the iconic His Master’s Voice dog and music history.

Christoph Niemann’s “Market Shift” Skewers Wealth Inequality

By Tony M.

Christoph Niemann’s New Yorker cover, “Market Shift,” hilariously exposes wealth inequality and pokes fun at the casual billionaire style next to common folk.

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Movies

Lav Diaz’s Magellan Rewrites Colonial History on Film

Lav Diaz’s Magellan, starring Gael García Bernal, reimagines the Age of Discovery through a decolonial lens, confronting power, conquest, and myth.

The Death of Robin Hood Reinvents the Legend for 2026

Hugh Jackman stars in The Death of Robin Hood, a dark A24 reimagining that explores guilt, violence, and redemption in the outlaw’s final chapter.

WikiFlix Lets You Stream Free Public Domain Movies Online

WikiFlix streams thousands of public domain movies for free with a Netflix-style interface. No ads, no accounts, no subscriptions. Instant play at zero cost.

Movie Studios Keep Making Unprofitable Sequels? The Tron Franchise as a Case Study

Why does Disney keep returning to Tron? Explore box office losses, cult fandom, merchandise revenue, and the long-term value of the Tron franchise.

Supergirl Trailer: Dark, Edgy Kara Zor-El

Unsure about the new Supergirl movie? The 2026 teaser reveals a darker, angrier Kara Zor-El on a cosmic revenge quest that has fans excited and conflicted.

Comics

Scott Adams Dies at 68: The Complicated Legacy of Dilbert

By Tony M.

Scott Adams, creator of Dilbert, has died at 68. A look at the comic’s cultural impact, global success, and the controversies that ended its run.

Baby Garfield Gets a Purr-fectly Cutesy Origin Story

By Tony M.

Baby Garfield stars in a new BOOM Studios comic series exploring the grumpy cat’s adorable firsts, from first word to first hairball.

Archie Comics Gets a new Reboot With Oni Press in 2026

By Tony M.

Archie Comics teams with Oni Press for a bold 2026 reboot, launching new monthly series that reimagine Archie and Riverdale with fresh creative voices.

The Secret of Wonder Woman’s Invisible Airplane

By Tony M.

Why did Wonder Woman fly an Invisible Plane? Explore its Amazonian technology, mythic influences, alien tech and changing role across DC Comics history.

Planet of the Apes vs Fantastic Four Begins in 2026

By Tony M.

Marvel’s Fantastic Four collide with Planet of the Apes in a four-issue crossover arriving February 2026, blending action, science, and nostalgia.

Batman: 60th Anniversary of the 1966 TV Series

By Tony M.

Celebrate 60 years of the classic Batman TV series with Adam West and Burt Ward, exploring Batmania, fun facts, iconic villains, and TV history.

ImagiNation: The Golden Age of Toronto Kids’ TV by Ed Conroy

By Tony M.

Relive the magic of Canadian children’s TV with ImagiNation: The Golden Age of Toronto Kids’ TV by Ed Conroy by celebrating the shows that shaped a generation.

June Lockhart, Beloved TV Mom, Dies at 100

By Tony M.

Hollywood legend June Lockhart, known for Lassie and Lost in Space, dies at 100. Her roles shaped generations with warmth, humor, and inspiration.

Subtitles are the New Novels: How Gen Z Sparkes a New Reading Renaissance

By Tony M.

Gen Z’s reading revival isn’t in books, it’s in subtitles. From Netflix captions to Julia Child’s “Bon appétit,” the future of literacy is streaming, not shelving.

Netflix: Nobody Wants This Season 2 Trailer

By Tony M.

The beloved comedy Nobody Wants This returns for season 2 on Netflix, starring Kristen Bell and Adam Brody. Love, laughs, and family chaos await!

Weird

Meet Orion Montreal’s Winter Ice Surfer on the St Lawrence

By Tony M.

Meet Orion, Montreal’s legendary ice surfer, navigating freezing waves and drifting ice on the St Lawrence River in the award-winning short film ORION.

Paris Lottery Offers Burial Plots Near Jim Morrison

By Tony M.

Paris offers lottery burial plots near Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, and Chopin in famous cemeteries like Père Lachaise, Montparnasse, and Montmartre.

The Mysterious Death of Harry Houdini in Montreal

By Tony M.

Harry Houdini’s final days in Montreal mix fate, mystery, and tragedy, ending with his death on Halloween 1926 after pain masked a fatal illness.

Charmin’s Forever Roll: A Month Long Toilet Paper Miracle

By Tony M.

How many times have you been caught stranded on the porcelain throne, left high and dry because someone could not be bothered to change the...

Beefeaters, Feminism & Hidden Pubs at the Tower of London

By Tony M.

Only two women have ever become Beefeaters. A.J. Clark, the second, joined in 2017 and later donated her uniform, adding to the Tower of London's rich legacy.