Upcoming Releases: April 2024

Spring is finally here, and it’s brought a bunch of interesting pop culture releases along with it! Certified Guaranty Company® (CGC®) is eagerly anticipating the latest and greatest releases to hit the market in April, including everything from a new take on Deadpool to the latest Topps Heritage Baseball set. Here’s what we have to look forward to in the coming weeks.

Upcoming Comic Releases

Deadpool #1 (2024) — April 3

Deadpool returns with guns blazing in his ninth volume!

Cody Ziglar and Rogê Antônio — known for their critically acclaimed work on Miles Morales: Spider-Man and Venom, respectively — take on the unpredictable adventures of one of Marvel’s most ostentatious anti-heroes in his newest saga! Deadpool’s latest volume promises the same brand of absurdity and violence that fans have craved since his debut in 1991, complete with thrilling action, deadly drama and crazy humor. According to Ziglar, a new villain is in the wings, ready to stop at nothing until he catches Wade Wilson in his “death grip.” What is Deadpool to do?

Deadpool #1 (2024) drops in on April 3!

Other notable comics releasing in April 2024 include:

• Action Comics #1064 – April 10
• Edge of Spider-Verse #3 – April 10
• Nightwing #113, the Anniversary 300th Issue – April 17
• Ultimate Black Panther #3 – April 17
• Dick Tracy #1 – April 24

Upcoming TCG Releases

Weiss Schwarz: BanG Dream! Girls Band Party! Countdown Collection — May 17*

*Please note: Bushiroad recently announced that the Weiss Schwarz: BanG Dream! Girls Band Party! Countdown Collection has been delayed until May 17. The Countdown Collection was previously scheduled to be released on April 19, 2024.

Everyone’s favorite idols from BanG Dream! Girls Band Party! make an encore in this upcoming Weiss Schwarz set!

Since its worldwide release in 2018, Girls Band Party! has enjoyed critical success in Japan and western territories. What began as a rhythm game on iOS and Android has evolved into a multimedia franchise including a Nintendo Switch port of the game and a spin-off anime. Now, as the mobile game prepares to celebrate its seventh anniversary in Japan, Weiss Schwarz has announced the next set of cards featuring the cast of Poppin’ Party, Afterglow and all of the other bands that fans have come to know and love.

Each Countdown Collection display will include six packs, with three cards in each pack. Collectors will enjoy pulling their favorite idols in the form of their sixth anniversary countdown illustrations, with the chance to pull hot-stamped signed cards of each band member (35 types in total). Additionally, each card in the Countdown Collection can be paired with other cards that have the [BD/] stamp next to the card number.

The Weiss Schwarz BanG Dream! Girls Band Party! Countdown Collection releases on May 17!

Other notable TCGs releasing in April 2024 include:

• Yu-Gi-Oh! Speed Duel Tournament Pack 7 – April 3
• Weiss Schwarz: Saekano the Movie: Finale – April 19
• Cardfight!! Vanguard: Start Up Trial Decks (Dragon Empire, Dark States, Brandt Gate, Keter Sanctuary, Stoicheia, Lyrical Monasterio) – April 19
• Magic: The Gathering: Outlaws of Thunder Junction – April 19
• Yu-Gi-Oh! Legacy of Destruction – April 26

Upcoming Sports Card Releases

2024 Topps Heritage Baseball – April 10

The new 2024 MLB season is officially underway, but Topps Heritage is once again revisiting seasons of the past through one of their most popular vintage-inspired sets. This season, the 2024 Topps Heritage set throws things back to the 1970s, as the series gets its design from one of the most colorful and vibrant sets ever created: the 1975 Topps flagship line.

Boasting a huge 500-card checklist, the newest Heritage series features many of the same collector favorite subsets, including MVPs, League Leaders and more. There are several parallels to look out for as well, including Red Borders, White Borders, Black Borders, Black and White Images, Color Swap, Nicknames, Throwback Uniforms, Error and Missing Facsimile Signature Variations.

Flip Stock, one of the more unique parallels from Heritage sets, returns once again as well. The hobby exclusive cards "flip" the side of the sheet the cards are printed on. Therefore, the fronts of the Flip Stock cards feel rougher, and the backs have more of a glossy finish. In addition, several inserts are available, including Chrome, Autographs and Memorabilia hits that feature legends of the past and modern MLB superstars.

2024 Topps Heritage Baseball turns back the clock to 1975 when it rounds the bases on April 10!

Other notable sports cards releasing in April 2024 include:

• 2023-24 Panini Origins Basketball – April 3
• 2023 Panini Immaculate Football – April 3
• 2023-24 SkyBox Metal Universe Hockey – April 17
• 2023 Donruss Optic Football – April 19
• 2023-24 Panini Recon Basketball – April 24

Upcoming Video Game Releases

Sand Land – April 26

Take the role of Fiend Prince Beelzebub as you work to solve an extreme water shortage in Sand Land, Bandai Namco’s latest console game!

Sand Land tells the story of Beelzebub and his rough-and-tumble gang of friends as they embark on a journey through a vast desert in search of water from the Legendary Spring, hoping to save human- and demon-kind alike from an intense drought. Along the way, they’ll battle monsters, defy kings and learn dark secrets about the world around them.

Sand Land is particularly significant for collectors because it is one of the last works that Akira Toriyama — the legendary mangaka recognized for his works including Dragon Ball, Dragon Quest and Dr. Slump — was involved in before his death in March 2024. Since the announcement, Sand Land has seen a spike in interest and preorders as fans attempt to connect with Toriyama one last time through Sand Land’s release.

Get ready to traverse the desert when Sand Land launches on Xbox Series X|S, PS4, PS5 and Steam on April 26!

Other notable video games releasing in April 2024 include:

• Final Fantasy 16: The Rising Tide DLC – April 18
• Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes – April 23
• Stellar Blade – April 26
• Echoes of the Plum Grove – April 29
• Sea of Thieves (PS5 release) – April 30

Upcoming Film Releases

The First Omen – April 5

Figure out the origins behind the birth of the Antichrist in this thrilling prequel to 1976’s “The Omen” by 20th Century Studios!

Margaret, an American woman sent to Rome to serve as a teacher at a convent school, begins to notice strange and dark things happening in her new workplace. Upon witnessing dark premonitions and grisly deaths, Margaret begins to uncover a sinister plot to bring about the birth of evil incarnate, and they all might be powerless to stop it…

Arkasha Stevenson makes her directorial debut, supported by Tim Smith (“Harry Brown”) and Keith Thomas (“The Vigil,” “Firestarter”). Written by Ben Jacoby, “The First Omen” alludes to a sinister prequel that gives insight to how Damien — the first movie’s child antagonist — was conceptualized and born. Fans of “The Omen” and its franchise are sure to get a thrill out of this newest entry.

“The First Omen” releases in theaters on April 5!

Other upcoming film releases in April 2024 include:

• The Beast – April 5
• Monkey Man – April 5
• Civil War – April 12
• Abigail – April 19
• Challengers – April 26