Godzilla on Blu-Ray
Criterion's special edition, HD release of Gojira and Godzilla KOTM is one of those dreams come true that still doesn't quite feel real to me even though I've known it's coming for quite some time. I can't wait to hunker down and do some serious watching! Then there will be Media Blaster's Megalon release, hopefully coming soon after those rights issues are cleared up. As for other kaiju, this year should see HD releases of Daimajin, and hopefully and new version of Gamera 3 with corrected subtitles.
Brave
To be honest, the crops of new movies haven't had me too interested for a few years, but despite the creative (but by no means financial) stumble of Cars 2 Pixar still has an excellent track record and Brave looks to be their most ambitious film since Wall*E.
Community
Community's struggle to exist has been the stuff of legend, well, if not legend then the stuff of much internet discussion. On the one hand there is low ratings, on the other a passionate fanbase and critical praise. There are two facts that fans have clinged to: NBC isn't doing well in the ratings department anyway, so at least a critically successful show brings prestige; and Community is produced by Sony, who have in the past gone to great lengths to keep shows going for four seasons to reach a number of episodes appropriate for syndication (where the good money is, just ask The Office and Scrubs). Although many fans cry out "six seasons and a movie!" (the mantra of fan favorite character Abed) the realistic goal is to get four seasons so that the characters can finish their years at this college and the story lines can all be wrapped up.
... so many fans were upset that the show has been benched for the first few months of the year, not returning to finish it's 3rd season until the Spring. A forth season is in doubt, but there's one thing that isn't, and that's that several of the episodes before the winter break were some of the best the show has offered, and even if Community doesn't return for another year I'm sure the rest of season 3 will be a treat.
Indecision 2012
No matter who wins this year's presidential election there's one thing that I'm fairly sure of: the brilliance of The Daily Show and The Colbert Report's election coverage will remain constant. This is when those guys really get to shine. Their live coverage of '08 was actually what informed me of Obama's victory. Fake news became real news for me at that moment and I'll never forget it.
Red Dwarf Series X
It's been over a decade since this UK sci-fi sitcom has had a new season, and that's reason enough for rejoicing, but even better: the show returns to being filmed in front of a live audience. Now, I'm not usually a fan of "laugh tracks," but in the case of Red Dwarf they're essential to the feel of the show. At its best you really do feel like part of an audience watching a play, not alienated by artificial laughter.
Adventure Time
Not much to say about this one, other than new episodes start in a few week and the third season has been great so far. There's also a first season DVD set in the pipe, which is great because Cartoon Network is notoriously crap about DVD releases and the fact it's happening is a testament to the show's success. I missed out on a lot of the first season episodes, so they'll be new to me.
Hellboy in Hell
Mike Mignola had been writing Hellboy for over a decade before he informed us all that Hellboy's story would be told in three acts - and that the second act would be drawn by other artists - but now here we are, at the third and final (and hopefully longest) act of Hellboy's life with Mike back at the drawing table as the primary artist of his creation. Thankfully, he's keeping the roster of great collaborating artists on to draw the many side stories and one-offs that the series is known for.
Stan Sakai's 47 Ronin and Usagi: War of the Worlds
Stan Sakai hasn't taken a break in a lifetime. He's been writing and drawing Usagi on a regular schedule for over 25 years, but in 2012 he's taking a break. A break to rest his weary drawing hands? No, silly! A break to create his own comic adaptation of Japan's most famous samurai story - and when he gets back to doing Usagi (which would probably happen near the end of this year if not the next) he's embarking on a story arc his hinted at for some time, one which incorporates H.G. Wells invasion from Mars.
Uncle Scrooge: Only A Poor Old Man
This is actually a hardcover collection of comics over fifty years old, and for me it couldn't have come at a better time. I've become a fan of the legendary cartoonist Carl Barks over the previous year, mostly due to reading The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck, an epic tribute to Barks done in the 1990s by cartoonist Don Rosa. The problem is that Barks is mostly out of print, and it would take thousands of dollars and a whole lot of time and effort to make anything close to a complete collection for yourself, which is why I squeed with joy when Fantagraphics announced their complete Carl Barks hardcover series. The first was released a few months ago, and it was great - but those stories focus on Donald Duck, a character I like, but... well, Scrooge is so much cooler. This 240 page hardcover will collect the first few years of Scrooge's adventures, including several best-loved stories.
Adventure Time and Popeye
Two of my favorite cartoons (one new, one vintage) will be going to the comic pages this year. Hopefully I won't be disappointed like with IDW's Godzilla comics!
I'll definitely see any new Ghibli film, so I'm looking forward to Arrietty. Doctor Who starts back next Fall, and I think we're due for another season of The Venture Bros. I'm a new fan of Carla Speed McNeil's comic Finder, but even though I haven't read all the previous graphic novels I'm still excited for a new one coming this year called Torch.
