I have been on an Indiana Jones high ever since Christmas when Dave3 gave me The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones, Volume One – The Early Years. Well, if you ask my Dad, he’ll say I’ve been on an Indy high since he took me to see Raiders of the Lost Ark in 1981, so I’ll say on a super-high since Christmas.

Just yesterday, UK Doomer Dizzy Alien and I were talking about how beyond stoked we both are for the fourth film, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Diz wanted to call dibs on the movie review, which I totally understand, her being such a great fan of Steven Spielberg and George Lucas (as am I). But as it turns out, I’ve had hypothetical, theoretical, and actual dibs on the review since the first moment of any hint of a fourth movie was rumored.

I’d better save up my personal days at work, because I plan on taking the day off on May 22, 2008, for the previous night’s midnight showing which will precede the opening-day three-in-a-row viewings (like I did for the original Star Wars special editions theatrical release; the Star Wars prequels; and the Lord of the Rings trilogy).

But before I start waiting in line, let’s take a look at some of the upcoming Indiana Jones-related movie promos and tie-ins …

Books

There’s tons of Indy-related books coming out, all of which are going on my Amazon wishlist:

• Random House/Del Rey will be releasing The Complete Making of Indiana Jones: The Definitive Story Behind All Four Films, written by Lucasfilm’s J.W. Rinzler (author of Making of Star Wars), which will cover the making of all four films, including the upcoming Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. StarWars.com has revealed the front and back covers of the book, which will be released on May 22, 2008, the same day the fourth Indy adventure hits theaters. (See covers here at top, click for larger view). I really thought I had put this on my Amazon wishlist already, but it seems I accidentally added it instead to my Amazon shopping list. This book is a must-have for fans of the franchise, and I really do need it the minute it’s published.
• Why Did It Have To Be Snakes: From Science to the Supernatural, The Many Mysteries of Indiana Jones by Lois H. Gresh and Robert Weinberg from Wiley Publishing.
• The Lost Journal of Indiana Jones, which is listed at Amazon under the author “Henry Jones” (Henry ‘Indiana’, Jr. Jones on Amazon UK). How very cute.
• Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull hardcover novelization by James Rollins from Del Rey Publishers.
• Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull paperback comic book adaptation by George Lucas, David Koepp, John Jackson Miller, Luke Ross, Fabio Laguna, Dan Jackson from Dark Horse Publishers.
• Indiana Jones and Kingdom of the Crystal Skull: A Photographic Journey, a paperback book from Insight due out on September 2, 2008. I can’t find anymore information on this, but chances are it’s a look at the design of the film through photographs (whether it’s costumes, sets, locations, or a combination of all of the design aspects).
• Indiana Jones: The Ultimate Guide from DK Publishers, due April 21, 2008. (Hardcover)
• The Indiana Jones Handbook: The Complete Adventurer’s Guide by Denise Kiernan and Joseph D’Agnese from Quirk Books due March 26, 2008 May 14, 2008. A complete hardcover guide to adventuring Indy-style, which includes step-by-step instructions, helpful diagrams, and full-color photography from the Indiana Jones films.
• Indiana Jones — Off the Beaten Path: An Unofficial Expedition (paperback) by George Beahm from Hampton Roads Pub Co. due out May 2, 2008. Separates fact from fiction in the films while exploring Indy’s world — exotic ports of call worldwide, lost worlds, and legendary cities, real-world film locations for the Indiana Jones films; includes an overview of the character, an in-depth look at each of the films, a synopsis of each installment of The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, the Walt Disney experience (Indy’s stunt spectacular show at Disneyworld and the themed thrill rides worldwide), how to dress like Indy, and more.
• Indiana Jones Omnibus Volume 1 by William Messner-Loebs, Dan Barry, Lee Marrs, Dan Barry, Leo Duranona, Karl Kesel, Andy Mushynsky by Dark Horse Publishers due out on February 8, 2008. Collects the long-out-of-print stories, “Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis,” “Thunder in the Orient,” and “Indiana Jones and the Arms of Gold.”
• The Adventures of Indiana Jones (paperback) by Campbell Black, James Kahn, and Rob Macgregor from Del Rey Publishers due February 26, 2008. This collects the previously released novelizations of the original three films, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, and Indiana Jones and the Lost Cruisade. I probably don’t need to get this one, since I have these books already, but a former friend borrowed my copy of Raiders and spilled water all over it and didn’t replace it for me — and really, doesn’t it suck when a book gets waterlogged? See kids, lesson learned: Don’t share your shit. I guess I’ll be picking this collection up as well.

Clothing

• The StarWars shop is offering, exclusive Crystal Skull t-shirts in Men’s Black; Men’s White; and BabyDoll T-Shirt (since this is a babydoll tee and I’m quite buxom, I’ll take an x-large … hint hint).

Toys and Collectibles

• Crystal Skull will get its own set of TOPP Heritage Trading Cards, which will include limited-edition autograph cards featuring the signatures of the stars of various films in the Indiana Jones franchise. I’m a little tempted to get these, just to go along with my Raiders and Temple of Doom trading cards, which I’ll admit, are in no way still in “collectible” condition — but hey, I got these as a child and I actually played with them. If I bought the new set, the cards would probably just sit in a box untouched (another reason why adulthood sucks).
• We already know about the LEGO Indiana Jones Videogame, but what about actual LEGO sets. Yup, they’re coming! Now, before you click to the link to view them, know that the images AND the set titles could be considered as SPOILERS, so please be warned: Images for three of four LEGO sets can be found online at Brickset.
• Gentle Giant — the sponsors of our highly successful Pirate 3 giveaway — have opened an Indiana Jones section on their site, which so far includes an Indiana Jones on Horse Statue and an Indiana Jones Mini Bust (no image for mini bust yet), both of which have a July 2008 release date. Hmm … maybe our pals at GG will be so kind as to send these to us for an Indy 4 contest (more hints).

Misc

• The Spanish fansite indianajones.es has published the first photos of Kingdom of the Crystal Skull promo displays found at the Kinepolis film theater in Madrid, Spain. [via TheRaider.net]. Wouldn’t it be cool to see theater displays like this in the U.S.? I never see cool displays like this near me. Good thing, I guess, since I’d be tempted to walk right out of the theater with it.
• Variety reported back in June that LucasFilm’s licensing division made tie-in promotional deals with Burger King and Mars North America; Hallmark will produce a line of greeting cards; Hasbro and LEGO will create action figures and toys; and Random House, Scholastic, and DK Publishing will publish lines of Indy-related books (see “Books” section above). You know how many times I went to KFC/Taco Bell to get those Star Wars prequel cups with Watto on the lid? Great, now I have to haul my ass to Burger King of all places.