Universal Epic Universe Unveils Dark Universe: A Horror Lover’s Paradise

Universal’s upcoming theme park, Epic Universe, is set to open in 2025, and today they revealed thrilling details about one of its immersive worlds: Dark Universe. As one of five unique lands, Dark Universe promises to captivate guests with its spine-tingling attractions and legendary horror characters.

Welcome to the Dark Universe

Epic Universe will feature five distinct worlds, starting with Celestial Park, which serves as the gateway to the other four realms: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, Super Nintendo World, How To Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, and the much-anticipated Dark Universe. Leveraging Universal’s rich history in the horror genre, Dark Universe will be a hauntingly immersive experience.

A Stroll Through Darkmoor

As soon as guests pass through the electrified portal, said to harness the dark energy of Darkmoor, they’ll find themselves in a ravaged village teeming with Frankenstein’s monstrous experiments. The atmosphere combines family-friendly fun with intense thrills, perfect for horror enthusiasts of all ages.

Key Attractions in Dark Universe:

Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment: This ride takes guests deep into the catacombs of Frankenstein Manor, where Dr. Victoria Frankenstein’s attempts to control monsters go awry, leading to a heart-pounding escape from Dracula, The Wolf Man, and other classic creatures.
Curse of the Werewolf Coaster: Inspired by The Wolf Man, this spinning family coaster has guests racing through the forest to escape the werewolves.
Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience: Here, guests can transform into their favorite monsters with elaborate face paint and temporary tattoos in Dr. Pretorius’ converted lab.
Meet the Monsters: Get up close and personal with the likes of Dr. Victoria Frankenstein’s Monster, the Bride of Frankenstein, The Invisible Man, and more as they roam the village.

Universal’s Ambitious Vision

Brian Roberts, CEO of Comcast, expressed immense excitement about Universal’s fourth theme park during a recent earnings call. Describing it as “completely original” and “the most exciting project” since NBCUniversal was acquired, Roberts highlighted the substantial investments being made to enhance the park’s infrastructure. With new hotel rooms and a dedicated fleet of electric buses, the park is gearing up to accommodate the anticipated influx of visitors.

Dark Universe at Universal Epic Universe is shaping up to be an unparalleled horror experience, blending iconic legends with innovative new stories and attractions. Horror fans and thrill-seekers alike should prepare for an adventure unlike any other.

Sources:

Universal Pictures
Comcast Earnings Call
Deadline

Catch more about this exciting development on the next Geek Freaks podcast!

Sticks and Stones Holiday Special Brings Family, Mystery, and Heart to the Table | Interview with Aaron Cohen and Alex Schumacher – Geek Freaks

Frank sits down with Aaron Cohen and Alex Schumacher to talk about Sticks and Stones: Holiday Special, a new comic centered on the Feynman family and their holiday misadventures. The conversation gets into how Passover, Hanukkah, and Purim shaped the book, why Ben makes such a strong lead, and how the team blends Jewish specificity with themes that feel familiar to anyone who grew up in a loud, loving family. Aaron and Alex also break down the book's comic strip DNA, the warmth behind its humor, and why this world has room to grow far beyond holiday stories. Timestamps and Topics 00:00 Introduction and welcoming Aaron Cohen and Alex Shoemaker 00:37 What Sticks and Stones: Holiday Special is about, the Feynman family, and why releasing during Passover feels right 02:12 Representation, family traditions, and how the story connects Jewish identity with universal family experiences 03:29 Visual inspiration behind the book, including Sunday newspaper strips, classic cartooning, and old-school comic energy 05:41 Family memories, Passover traditions, and how real holiday experiences shaped the tone of the story 07:37 Why Passover felt like the perfect setup for a mystery story 08:09 Comic strip storytelling, all-ages humor, and the influence of books the whole family can enjoy together 09:45 Ben's deeper motivation and why wanting a seat at the adult table gives the story emotional weight 11:09 Ben's oversized suit, kid noir energy, and how his design reflects a child trying to act bigger than he is 12:18 Why Ben became the center of the story and how his imagination drives the whole book 15:03 Expanding the Feynman family, new characters, and future story possibilities 16:26 Protecting family, immigrant community parallels, and why the book feels relatable beyond one specific culture 22:38 Ralph's coloring, visual warmth, and how the page design supports the story's emotional center 28:47 Future plans for Sticks and Stones beyond holiday stories 32:30 Final thoughts on Ben and the larger story potential of this world 32:54 Rapid fire questions, favorite characters, and what holiday the family should tackle next Key Takeaways Sticks and Stones: Holiday Special uses Passover, Hanukkah, and Purim to tell one connected family story. Ben works as a lead because he sees himself as the star of his own detective movie, which gives the book a playful inner voice. The creative team wanted the comic to feel deeply Jewish while still speaking to anyone who has experienced a big, chaotic family gathering. The visual style pulls from classic newspaper strips, animation, and old all-ages comics. Humor is treated as an act of love, not just a punchline, which gives the book its warmth. The team clearly sees this family as a long-term storytelling world, not just a one-off holiday concept. Future stories could move beyond holidays and into everyday family life, school stories, and more character-focused adventures. Memorable Quotes "There's something universal in specificity." "Ten people around a long table for two hours is a great place for a murder mystery." "What he really wants ultimately is to be respected and be a part of the family and to be at the adult table and be taken seriously." "You don't joke with someone and you don't gag with someone who you don't care about." Call to Action If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, leave us a review, and share the episode on social media using #GeekFreaksPodcast. That support helps more listeners find the show and keeps these conversations going. Links and Resources GeekFreaksPodcast.com This is the source of all news discussed during our podcast. Check out Sticks and Stones: Holiday Special Follow Us Follow Geek Freaks for more interviews, reviews, and geek culture coverage. Instagram: @geekfreakspodcast Twitter: @geekfreakspod Threads: @geekfreakspodcast Facebook: Geek Freaks Podcast Patreon: Geek Freaks Podcast Listener Questions Have a question, guest suggestion, or topic you want us to cover in a future episode? Send it our way and let us know what you want to hear next. Sticks and Stones, Holiday Special, Aaron Cohen, Alex Shoemaker, comic books, indie comics, Jewish comics, Passover, Hanukkah, Purim, family comics, all ages comics, Geek Freaks Podcast