Ahoy, Matey

Ahoy there, pop culture plunderers—

San Diego Comic-Con has been boarded! This week’s issue sails straight into the heart of fandom mayhem with pirates prowling the convention halls, a real floating pirate bar docked in the bay, and a comic book so rare it’ll cost ye a chest full of doubloons.

Grab yer lanyard, your sword, and maybe a bottle of rum—we’re going full fandom raider this week.

—Captain Blackquill
Live from the convention chaos

⚓ But First - This Week in Pirate History

⚔️ July 21, 1721 – The Hanging of Pirate Walter Kennedy

Walter Kennedy, once a ship’s boy turned mutinous mariner, met his end at Execution Dock in London. Raised in a rough part of Ireland and fluent in deception, Kennedy joined the crew of Howell Davis and later sailed under the infamous Bartholomew Roberts. But unlike his disciplined captains, Kennedy had a taste for chaos.

After being entrusted with command of the Rover while Roberts was ashore, Kennedy did the unthinkable—he sailed off with it. His reign as captain was short and sloppy, marred by brawls and botched plunders. When he returned to England, posing as a gentleman, he was soon recognized, arrested, and convicted.

At his hanging, he reportedly cursed the crowd, shouting defiance to the very end. So passed Kennedy—coward to some, pirate to all, and a reminder that not all buccaneers go out in glory. Kennedy, once a crewman under Howell Davis and Bart Roberts, swung from the gallows at Execution Dock in London. His crime? Piracy on the high seas—and his trial drew crowds eager for a glimpse of justice served pirate-style.

🌊 July 25, 1715 – The Spanish Treasure Fleet Sets Sail… and Sinks

Twelve treasure-laden galleons of the Spanish Treasure Fleet set out from Havana, destined for Spain with fortunes in gold, silver, emeralds, and pearls. But barely a week into their voyage, a monstrous hurricane—unforgiving and unrelenting—slammed into the fleet off Florida’s eastern coast.

The sky turned black. Masts snapped like twigs. Ship after ship was torn apart by monstrous waves, their cargo swallowed by the sea. Nearly 1,000 lives were lost, and only one ship made it through unscathed.

The wrecks lay hidden beneath the sands for centuries, until modern treasure hunters, led by names like Mel Fisher and the Real Eight Company, began uncovering their secrets. Even today, coins and artifacts wash ashore after storms, sparking dreams of riches and ghostly echoes from the past.

It remains one of the richest—and deadliest—treasure disasters in history. Twelve treasure ships departed Havana, bound for Spain, laden with riches from the New World. But fate had other plans. A hurricane struck off Florida’s coast, wrecking nearly the entire fleet. Hundreds died—but the real story begins after, as salvagers, divers, and modern treasure hunters seek the lost gold to this day.

📓 Captain Blackquill’s Comic-Con Log

Day 1 (Preview Night): Spotted 2 Jack Sparrows, 1 Anne Bonnys, and parrot a parrot named Brian. Promising.

Day 2: Acquired a Kraken plushie and a cursed comic book. Missed a panel on treasure maps. Regret level: medium.

Day 3: Found a secret stash of pirate stickers. Was offered rum by a Luffy cosplayer. Declined (it was mango soda). Found a Peter pan statue, rooting for Hook, of course.

Day 4: Yet to happen. No sign of actual gold yet. Will continue the hunt. If not back by sunset, check Hall H.

🏴‍☠️ Plunder Pick of the Week

Fantastic Four #5 — The First Appearance of Doctor Doom… and Pirate Thing!

Yo ho, comic collectors! Feast yer eyes on this legendary booty: Fantastic Four #5 (1962)—a Silver Age treasure where Marvel’s rock-fisted bruiser, The Thing, dons a tricorne hat, hoists a cutlass, and becomes a full-blown pirate thanks to a time-twisting trap set by none other than Doctor Doom.

But beware, ye scallywags—this isn’t just a sea yarn. It’s a holy grail of comic lore, with pristine copies listed at $145,000 or more. Aye, you heard right. One hundred and forty-five thousand gold doubloons!

💎 Key Features:

• First appearance of Doctor Doom

• Pirate-themed time travel adventure

• Stan Lee & Jack Kirby brilliance

• Possibly the most expensive pirate comic in existence

🛒 See it here if you’ve got a treasure chest to spare:
Fantastic Four #5 – eBay Listing

🍻 SD Comic‑Con Offsite Spotlight

Voodoo Ranger Pirate Ship Bar – July 24–27, 2025

All hands on deck—Voodoo Ranger IPA is back with their legendary “San Salvador” pirate ship, docked behind the San Diego Convention Center for SDCC 2025! From Thursday, July 24 through Sunday, July 27, landlubbers and sea dogs alike can climb aboard the floating tavern for music, games, and frosty brews—no Comic-Con badge required.

🧭 What awaits aboard:

• Access to Voodoo Ranger’s flagship IPA and fest brews (21+ only)

• Live entertainment and pirate shenanigans

• A floating hookah of cosplay, music, and missed con panels

• Proceeds benefit AbleGamers/LANFest, celebrating their mission of inclusive gaming communities

A pirate ship party on San Diego Bay, courtesy of Voodoo Ranger IPA—your Comic-Con offsite afloat.

Captain’s Advice:
Arrive early—ship holds around 60 guests at a time—and expect lines. But the lore, the music, and the memory‑making make it worth the wait!

🛡️ Event Spotlight: Pirate Viking Summer Festival

Dates: July 27–28, 2025
Location: Menifee, California

It’s a drive further north than San Diego Comic Con but two mighty worlds collide—pirates and Vikings—at this immersive summer festival in Southern California. Expect:

• Live combat and reenactments

• Artisan markets and themed food

• Pirate and Viking cosplay contests

• Music, mead, and mayhem

Raise a horn or a cutlass, but prepare to pillage in peace. Full details here

Well, that be all for this episode but mark me words—this is only the beginning.
Captain Blackquill be on a mission to chart more pirate waters through Comic-Con’s crowded seas. More panels. More cosplay. More treasure. The goal?
A full-blown Pirate Con takeover.
Until then, I’ll keep flyin’ the flag from the fringes... and plannin’ next year’s raid.

Stay salty. Stay rebellious.
—Captain Blackquill, signing off from the Convention Coast

🗣️ Share the Spoils, Matey!

Know a landlubber who’d love tales of treasure, ghost ships, and real pirate history? Don’t keep the gold to yerself—send ‘em our way!

📜 Sign up here → https://www.piratefanclub.com/weeklynewsletter-thepiraterepublic

Fair winds and full inboxes!

Sail with us across the digital seas:
📜 TikTok: @thepiraterepublic
▶️ YouTube: The Pirate Republic

🎖️ Thanks for Embarkin’ on the Voyage

We set sail every Friday, storm or shine. Keep yer spyglass pointed at the horizon...
and may yer week be full o’ plunder, parlay, and just the right amount o’ mutiny.

Share this letter with yer crewmates, an if ye find treasure or tales worth tell’n, send them to [email protected].

 Disclosure: Some links in this newsletter are affiliate links, which means we may earn doubloons (aka a small commission) if you make a purchase—at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting The Pirate Republic, ya savvy sea dog!