Graphic Novel #9 Announced

9: To Die Or Not To Die the latest in the Hardy Boys graphic novel series has been announced for release in June 2007.
At a nationwide drama competition, Frank and Joe Hardy must go undercover to discover which contestant has been knocking off the competition by any means possible – including deadly force!
Like all the other graphic novels, this one is available in Hardcover and Paperback.

Shaun Cassidy Joe Hardy Watch

This watch, a collectable from the 1970s TV series, turned up on eBay recently.
There's no indication of the manufacturer, though it probably was made by M.Z. Berger as were other Hardy Boys watches of this period.

The Creature Of Kapu Cave

NEW: The Creature Of Kapu Cave

You, as Nancy Drew, go to Hawaii to serve as a research assistant to Dr. Quigley Kim. A devastating scourge is destroying the pineapple crop causing residents to whisper that a local research compound has awoken the legendary Kane 'Okala. Upon arriving, she discovers the camp ravaged with Dr. Kim missing. Coincidentally, the Hardy Boys are also on the Island to complete top secret mission, but it's up to Nancy to uncover this intricate web of mysteries.

For the first time, you can play as either Nancy Drew, Frank Hardy or Joe Hardy!

Undercover Brothers Super Mystery #2 Announced

Kidnapped At The Casino - Super Mystery #2 has been announced for a release in early May 2007.

Mickey Mouse Club "Tower Treasure" Coming On DVD In December

The Original Hardy Boys TV Series From The Walt Disney Mickey Mouse Club!
This will be a "limited" edition and is now available for pre-order from Amazon.com:
Hardy Boys Tower Treasure

Graphic Novel #8 Artwork

8: Board To Death Hardcover - Paperback

Due March 2007

The undercover brothers, Frank and Joe Hardy, go undercover at a major skateboarding contest in Venice, California to find out which competitor is trying to kill off the competition-literally!

2007 Undercover Brothers Titles

2 new Undercover Brother titles have been announced and are available for pre-order from Amazon.com

Hazed (#14)
Death and Diamonds (#15)

Collegeville Prototype Shaun Cassidy Mask

This showed up on eBay recently with the seller stating:

The Original Hand Painted Prototype Mask of SHAUN CASSIDY from THE HARDY BOYS/NANCY DREW MYSTERIES!!

Is it real? Is it fake? I have no idea but here it is. You decide!

Hardy Boys Graphic Novel #8 Announced

Board To Death, the 8th novel in the Hardy Boys graphic novel series has been announced for an early 2007 release.
Once again, the author is Scott Lobdell but there is a new artist, Paulo Henrique.
As usual, this title will be available in hardcover & paperback formats.
I will post the cover art and other details as soon as they become available.

Casefiles Recycled as Undercover Brothers

Cave Trap (Casefile #115) and Darkness Falls (Casefile #89) are apparently going to be released as Undercover Brothers titles.
According to Amazon.com, they have a 7/3/06 release date but are currently listed as "Out Of Stock".
Casefiles have been recycled as Undercover Brothers in Great Britain and it would seem as if that is going to happen here.
UPDATE: British Hardy Boys fan Ian Regan reports that these are, in fact, British editions. Why Amazon is listing them is a mystery.
7-22-06 UPDATE: Amazon is no longer listing these items. Truly a mystery worthy of Frank & Joe!

Old Hardy Boys Collectible Ad

This old advertisment showed up on eBay recently. Note the prices for the Hardy Boys guitar ($9.99) and the record player ($28.96).

1995 Hardy Boys TV Series On DVD

The 1995 Hardy Boys TV series by Nelvana is now available on DVD in Canada only.
US residents can order a copy from Amazon Canada (amazon.ca).

Corgi Hardy Boys Figures

Several unpainted Hardy Boys figurines from the animated series Corgi Rolls Royce recently were offered for sale on eBay.
All the characters were available as separate lots for a few dollars each (plus several dollars postage from England.)

Graphic Novel #7 & Box Set Artwork

Due in October, now available for pre-order from Amazon.com.



7: The Opposite Numbers Hardcover - Paperback
Vols. 1-4 Box Set Volumes 1-4

"Sea You, Sea Me!" now shipping

Graphic novel #5: Sea You, Sea Me! is now shipping from Amazon.com:
Hardcover - Paperback
Frank and Joe go undercover to investigate a series of suspicious mishaps on deep sea fishing boats.
I'll post a review as soon as I get my copy...

Undercover Brothers 12 & 13

The final two 2006 releases for the Undercover Brothers series are available for pre-order from Amazon.com:

Trouble In Paradise (#12) - Available late September

The Mummy's Curse (#13) - Available late November

Graphic Novel Library Editions

Paul Mular reports:
A second publisher has gotten involved in the Papercutz Graphic Novels!
Spotlight Publications, the School & Library distributor for Papercutz, is now publishing their own textured-hardback versions.
These versions lack the book number on the covers and have the "Spotlight" name on the back cover.
A Table of Contents page has been added listing the chapter numbers and the pages are now numbered.
The ads in the back for other Graphic Novels & Aladdin books have been deleted.
Volumes 1-3 are available in a shrinkwrapped set from Amazon.com

Applewood #19 "The Disappearing Floor" Announced

19: The Disappearing Floor - Coming 9/06
The Hardy Boys smash Duke Beeson's robbery gang using the weird inventions of Aunt Gertrude's former classmate, Eben Adar.

Many fans consider this one of the worst written stories in the canon yet it remains a favorite due to its dream-like surreal atmosphere.


UPDATE: Applewood has ceased reprinting Hardy Boys stories and this volume will not be released. :(

Undercover Brothers Cover Art Revisions

Simon & Schuster has revised the cover art to be used on the upcoming Hardy Boys: Undercover Brothers Blown Away (#10), and Wanted - Super Mystery #1.

Graphic Novel Boxed Set Announced

The Hardy Boys Boxed Set: Volumes 1-4 Hardcover by Papercutz has been announced for an October 2006 release.
Available for pre-order from Amazon.com.

90s TV series coming to DVD

Ian Regan reports that Amazon Canada has begun taking orders for the DVD of the 90s Hardy Boys starring Colin Gray and Paul Popowich.
The Nancy Drew adventures will also be available.
Amazon USA has not yet listed these items.
More to follow...

HB Graphic Novel #7: "The Opposite Numbers" Announced

The Hardy Boys Graphic Novel 7: The Opposite Numbers is now available for pre-order from Amazon. com: Hardcover - Paperback
No art or description is available yet.

Disney "Applegate Treasure" coming to DVD

Paul Mular reports:

"UltimateDisney.Com" has posted that DISNEY will be releasing the HARDY BOYS serial "APPLEGATE'S TREASURE" on DVD this coming December 2006! Here is their posting:

"Last Friday, we passed along information that the first season of "The Mickey Mouse Club" serial The Hardy Boys was expected to be making its way to DVD in this year's wave of Walt Disney Treasures. We've now gotten confirmation of this, as well as new information on the three other Treasures sets that are due, from a forum post made by someone involved in their production. The post hints that follow-up sets Silly Symphonies, Volume 2 and The Complete Pluto, Volume 2 are definitely in place, while the fourth set, tentatively titled Your Host, Walt Disney is currently in the process of having anthology episodes selected which prominently feature Walt himself beyond the introduction. Read the post and share your thoughts right here on the UD forum. Click here for more on the expected Wave 6 Treasures."

New Undercover Brothers Titles

Bob Nelson reports that the following titles for the new Undercover Brothers have been announced:
12. TROUBLE IN PARADISE (10/06)
13. THE MUMMY'S CURSE (12/06)
14. HAZED (2/07)

The Secret of the Stratemeyer Syndicate

The Secret of the Stratemeyer Syndicate by Carol Billman starts with a good, if brief, overview of the Stratemeyer Syndicate and its founder, Edward Stratemeyer.
It then moves on to examine in detail four mystery series created by the Syndicate: Ruth Fielding, the Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew and the Happy Hollisters.
Of the four, the Ruth Fielding chapter is the most detailed but all contain valuable information on their respective series.
There are a few minor factual errors, such as the author's claim that Edward wrote the early Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew books, among other minor gaffs.
Despite this, this book remains a valuable resource to researchers of the Syndicate and is a good read for fans of the series mentioned.
RATING: 4 1/2*