Album 24 Repackaged!

And the new artwork continues to impress, this time with a redesign of Album 24: Risks and Rewards. It's worth noting that this particular cover originally appeared in the October 2007 edition of Clubhouse magazine. Thoughts?

Album 16 Repackaged!

If you've been perusing the various Odyssey fan sites lately, then you've probably seen the latest repack already. Here we see a unique twist on the cover for Album 16: Flights of Imagination, continuing the trend of replacing the original collage covers with an illustration of a scene from a specific episode. And in case I haven't expressed my appreciation for the new artwork enough -- yes, it's much better than the original. Note that Gary Locke has a cameo in this cover... can you guess who it is?



For an album that had such powerful episodes in "The Mortal Coil" and "It is Well," it's interesting that they decided to draw from Columbus: The Grand Voyage. Plus, Gary's depiction of Lawrence is more how I imagined Jimmy to look like. It's still another excellent cover, however, and I can't wait to get a copy when it releases this December!

Stay tuned for our latest podcast...

Album 21 Repackaged!

As Focus continues to re-release its old albums with the updated layout, I am continually amazed by some of the artwork illustrator Gary Locke continues to produce. I realize there are those who prefer the original artwork, but these new designs seem way more vibrant than the previous ones. Gary's illustrations have the tendency to make the scenes stand out in the same way that a pop-up book makes simple drawings come to life. In Album 21: Wish You Were Here, we see one of our favorite Odyssey duos during their trip through California. I especially like how the truck appears to "jump out" of the picture... it really makes for a visually appealing cover. Much moreso than the original.



This latest repack is scheduled to release in December. Thoughts?

Odyssey News and Updates

While there may not be any new episodes until Fall 2009, that doesn't mean there isn't a ton of Odyssey news to discuss! First, they've come up with the repackaged version of Album 41: In Hot Pursuit. As is the case with albums 36-41, this one is merely a re-framed version of the original. It's definitely an interesting cover, although I'd never really stopped to consider its significance. Is it just me or does Mitch look a bit too... nerdy? Yes, I know he's supposed to be good with computers, but that doesn't mean the guy has to wear glasses. ;o)



As some of you may know by now, The Truth Chronicles is available for purchase... exclusively from Focus on the Family until mid-2009. You can buy a copy for $25 if you're an American resident. However, if you're fortunate enough to be Canadian, you can get it here for only $17.50. You can bet I'll be ordering my copy soon! If you're more of a try-before-you-buy kind of person, you can listen to the first episode of the Truth Chronicles by checking out WhitsEnd.org.

For those of you who are craving for more Odyssey-related content, there's more where that came from... starting, of course, with the Official Podcast. It just released its latest podcast earlier today, so go listen to it! But perhaps the most exciting thing that's out there, the proverbial "new kid" on the block, is the Ceiling Fan. It's a new podcast starring the biggest Odyssey fan, or so he claims. You should check it out. It's pretty sweet. And because I said so.

As far as the Unofficial Podcast goes, we'll be trying to get out an episode out sometime in early October. Stay tuned!

Album 25 Repackaged!

Whenever people are asked to name their favorite collection of episodes, it is inevitable that the Blackgaard Saga will be mentioned. Not only did it bring to the forefront perhaps the most memorable villain in Odyssey history, it also brought one of the most cherished characters to Christ. All while centering around the place where it all started... Whit's End. It isn't hard to see, then, why Album 25: Darkness Before Dawn has been so highly touted by Odyssey fans.

Now the big question is whether or not the listeners will enjoy the redesign! For the record, I'm rather pleased with the updated cover art. But what do you think? :o)



The repackaged album is scheduled to release in November.

The Truth Chronicles

With just over three weeks to go until the live show, it seems like the Odyssey updates are coming in fast and furious! Those of you who heard our recent interview with producer Marshal Younger may remember his reference to The Truth Project, a Christian worldview curriculum for adults taught by Dr. Del Tackett. What some of you may not realize is the fact that The Truth Project is a product of Focus on the Family. To be honest, I missed the connection when Marshal first mentioned it!

Ignorance notwithstanding, it's worth noting that Focus decided to create a special series of Adventures in Odyssey episodes in conjunction with The Truth Project. While The Truth Chronicles will not represent the fifty-first album, it will include characters like Whit, Connie, Wooton, and the Kidsboro kids. But don't mistake this for a regular album. The Truth Chronicles were designed to teach The Truth Project lessons for kids, and as such the morals and messages in this particular album will be more overt than "normal" Odyssey episodes. Regardless, I'm definitely looking forward to this special set. Aside from the three Kidsboro episodes, all of which are included in this album, the remaining eight episodes were written by Paul McCusker. Take a look at the cover art!

New Album Cover Art!

Tyndale has released the updated album artwork for Album 19: Passport to Adventure. Unlike the original artwork, this new version illustrates one of the best three-parters ever written... Aloha, Oy! It's interesting seeing Rodney headline the cover, since he's only had one previous appearance on an album cover. (Bonus points for the first person who can tell me where Rodney first showed up!)

What do you think?



Thanks to Boswell from the Town of Odyssey for the heads-up!

Repackaged Albums Update!

Over a month ago, I posted the front cover art for Album 50: The Best Small Town. We now have the back cover art... I've included both sides for your viewing pleasure!



Here's the latest on the repacks, all of which include new behind-the-scenes booklets.

Out now-- Album 46: A Date with Dad
Out now-- Album 20: A Journey of Choices
Out now-- Album 32: Hidden Treasures
Out now-- Album 33: Virtual Realities
Out now-- Album 35: The Big Picture
June 08 release-- Album 27: The Search for Whit
July 08 release-- Album 17: On Earth as it is in Heaven
Aug. 08 release-- Album 19: Passport to Adventure

Finally, check out the front cover art for the latest repack! Certainly a stark contrast to the original cover art for Album 17. I like the fact the Barclays headline the album artwork... nice touch adding the squirrel, too. Maybe that explains why Jimmy is the only one with his eyes open. Haha.

New Cover Art!

Back in March, I mentioned that Album 27: The Search for Whit would be the next repackaged album. This particular collection of episodes was particularly special because it featured the return of the show's most important character. As such, I had high hopes for the cover art. And the artists did not disappoint!



Compared to the original cover art, I definitely think it's an improvement. That being said, I love the 3D look of the new artwork as compared with the cartoon style of the old artwork. This repackage releases June 2008. Your thoughts?

The Official Guide Cover Art!

For more than 20 years, Adventures in Odyssey has delighted kids (and kids at heart!) with exciting stories and character-building truths. Now you can be part of the real adventure with this behind-the-scenes guide to the people, places, and faces of the world’s #1 family audio drama! Get backstage details on the making of your favorite episodes, books, and animated films; hundreds of photos—including an 8-page color photo gallery; new trivia for 642 episodes; and step-by-step instructions on how to draw the characters. It’s an exclusive guide that no fan can do without!

Slated for a July 2008 release, the new Official Guide promises to be one exciting book... or should I say encyclopedia?

Updated Album 44 Cover Art

If you haven't already gotten the chance to hear The Highest Stakes II, I strongly encourage you to do so. What an incredible ending! I don't think a better resolution could have been scripted. Is it just me, or have the writers at Focus have really done a spectacular job with this past season of Adventures in Odyssey? During our interview, Nathan and Marshal promised they'd be wrapping up some storylines this season and boy have they ever! Let's hope next season, during which time the episodes from the 50th album will be airing, is as exciting as this one!

In other news, Album 44 has been repackaged, with only slight modifications from the original version. Essentially, they've condensed the previous cover into a more compact image. It's more or less the same cover, except made to fit as a regular CD insert.



As a side note, I really think Album 44 was where Odyssey really start to ramp things back up in terms of character and storyline development. While there were numerous episodes prior to this album that I immensely enjoyed, it wasn't until Eugene returned that the stakes were raised. The issues discussed and the messages they conveyed got deeper and more relevant to current culture. We were given a closer look at the family struggles Mandy faced and we were introduced to Kellie and the McKay family. We witnessed the brand new Meltsner arc (it should have been called The Search for Leonard) and were able to see more of Wooton's character. Finally, in this current season, it all came to a head as both Leonard and Grady accepted Christ. What an incredible finish to an amazing run... and there's still the spring season!

Odyssey Returns This Week!

As Odyssey's three-week break comes to a close, I thought it'd be interesting to note that they aired The Chosen One I & II this and last weekend. Typically, whenever there's a break in a season, they'll air episodes that pertain to the upcoming new shows. This occasion was no exception. Over the next three weeks, we'll be hearing the return of both Kelly and Grady to the forefront. According to the Official Site, the next few episodes will be airing on the following dates:

December 1 & 8: The Highest Stakes, Parts 1 & 2
December 15: Chip Off the Shoulder

Which brings me to the Album 49 cover art. I'm pretty certain the kid featured on the front cover is Grady. (What other Caucasian boys between the age of 8 and 12 are there in Odyssey anymore?) However, more interestingly, note the back cover descriptions:

When a long-lost relative returns to Odyssey, a tour of Wooton's house seems like the perfect way to catch up. Who knew that a little secret could make such a big mess?

Any guesses on who that long-lost relative may be? :)

More Album Cover Art!

First things first. Happy belated Thanksgiving to all our American listeners out there. I hope you all enjoyed your meleagridinae on Thursday, or whatever you usually gobble for your holiday dinner.

As we (or you, since we Canadians got on the ball quicker than the rest of you) contemplate the meaning behind the season, I am reminded of the Thanksgiving episode Thank You, God, in which Whit and his friends shared the things for which they were thankful.

That was a particularly poignant episode for me, since it included the powerful story of how Whit became his Christian. In spite of a terrible accident which left his mother blind, she was able to show him what it meant to have faith in God. Through her suffering, she was able to lead Whit to Christ. As a result, Whit says the person for who he is most thankful was his mother, Fiona Donneral. So that leads me to my question...

What person(s) are you most grateful for and why?



I couldn't resist. You gotta love the simple humor in comics. Anyway, leave a comment and let me know what people in your life you are thankful for and why. I'll share my own thoughts at some point next week.

As far as Adventures in Odyssey goes, there are a couples things of note to report. Odyssey has released the album cover art for Album 32: Hidden Treasures, part of the repack series which will include Albums 16 through 35. I must admit I'm liking the new artistic style they're using for the album covers. It certainly has taken a few years to get acclimated to the new designs they've implemented in recent years, but you gotta admit the new version of the Album 32 cover easily trumps than the old one.



Odyssey has also released the album art cover for Album 49, which will include all the episodes from the current season. I'll be posting the front and back covers in an upcoming blog. Enjoy your weekend!

Odyssey News!

It's official! Albums 16-35 are being redone with new cover illustrations and new behind-the-scenes inserts. However, unlike The Gold Audio Series, they're not being released in sequence. New cover art is being done as soon as the old edition is out-of-stock. Album 20: A Journey of Choices was the first to be redesigned. Pretty extreme change from the Original Album #20. This new version should be available for purchase around the New Year.



We also get a closer look at the DVD Game that Digital Praise has released. Click on the image above for the full image. I think it looks pretty snazzy and I can't wait to get my hands on the game. Any thoughts?