If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy.

Sports comedies, Star Treks and Supermen make mid-summer fly by: Popverse Playlist for July 18-24, 2026

Two pop culture icons make their return this week as Superman comes back to comic books and Star Trek comes back to our screens - but we're distracted by pickleball, of all things

Guides by Graeme McMillan, Editor

Published on Tue Sep 22 2026

Summer is most definitely here, and the time is right for dancing in the streets — the streets of San Diego, that is, with next week bringing the annual pop culture pilgrimage to Southern California’s San Diego Comic-Con. Popverse will be there, of course, keeping you up to date with the latest news from comic publishers and movie studios alike, but news alone cannot keep a soul satisfied. So… what else can you get up to across the next seven days to maximize your time? This is Popverse Playlist, so we happen to have three specific suggestions we believe can help.

This week: a modern sci-fi classic returns, a comic book classic celebrates a milestone, and we try to work out whether or not silly sports make the best comedies.

If you only watch one show this week, then it really has to be… Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 4

There’s only two more seasons’ worth of boldly going for this Star Trek prequel that embraces the infinity diversity inside the potential of the franchise, but we’re going to enjoy every last bit of it while it lasts. So far, SNW has offered up everything from a musical episode, tense alien sieges, romantic comedies and more — so where is the purposefully playful Trek going to take us in its fourth season? Judging by promo for this season, the answer is “puppets.” Oh, and dinosaurs, as well.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 4 begins on Paramount+ on July 23, 2026.

If you only check out one move this week, then it should be… The Dink

For those who have trouble taking pickleball seriously, I have a question: is it the name? Because ‘pickleball’ is certainly not a word that necessarily convinces anyone about athletic ability or hardcore fitness regime, but that’s part of the fun, surely? Certainly, any sport that was taken too seriously wouldn’t be able to anchor a comedy like this, in which the always-watchable Jake Johnson goes from tennis ace to injured and disgraced washout trying to restore his reputation in the only way available: by becoming a true and mighty pickleball champion. Sound silly? Well yes, but that’s the entire point. You couldn’t do this kind of movie with a sport that people take seriously.

The Dink starts streaming on Apple TV July 24, 2026.

If you can only pick up one comic this week, then make sure it’s… Action Comics #1100

Look, up in the sky! Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s the latest comic book anniversary for Superman, who marks the occasion of his 1100th issue of Action Comics with a grand return after being absent from DC Comics for the past few months following the end of DC K.O. Where has Superman been? What has he been up to? Expect some answers here in this bumper issue by the writers of all of DC’s current Superbooks, which also sets up the next big storyline for the Kryptonian titles. (Spoilers: we should probably be kneeling for it.)

Action Comics #1100 will be in comic stores July 22, 2026.

Want to know what's coming up next in pop culture? Check out Popverse's guides to:

Follow Popverse for upcoming event coverage and news

Graeme McMillan: Popverse Editor Graeme McMillan (he/him) has been writing about comics, culture, and comics culture on the internet for more than two decades at this point, which is terrifying to admit. He completely understands if you have problems understanding his accent.