01/16/16 @ 12:25 pm EST
 This is a bittersweet commentary for me to put together, since I'm covering John Carter: Warlord of Mars #14, the final issue of the current series. As I've said before, this is a series, and a set of characters, that I've wanted to write since I first discovered the original Edgar Rice Burroughs Mars series when I was a kid. I'm disappointed that we've come to the end of the run, but I've loved every minute of this job. PAGE 1It's not unusual for me to open an issue with some kind of cinematic sequence, something to draw the reader into the story. In this case, the story literally comes to the reader as John Carter and Dejah Thoris draw near in their flyer over a series of panels. PAGES 2-3This is probably not the kind of double-page spread that artists dream about: "Draw a whole city!" But I felt like we needed a shot to convey the scope -- and emptiness -- of Helium, which is deserted in this story. Artist Ariel Medel admirably rose to the challenge of a thankless task and provided the lines, with Nanjan Jamberi adding the color. This spread contains a huge amount of work, created over painstaking hours. I hope readers spend some time poring over and appreciating the artwork here. PAGE 5The four panels here are intended to give the reader a sense that John and Dejah explore various areas of Helium, finding all of them deserted. In the script I requested four horizontal panels, each the same size, so the visuals have an even, measured rhythm to them. No panel is given more or less importance than another, each is a snapshot of a different place and moment. Ariel did a nice job of varying angles, and using John and Dejah's figures to move to reader's eye around the page. PAGE 6Drawing monthly comics is a brutal grind, especially if you're penciling and then inking yourself. Ariel Medel nailed every deadline since he took over the series with issue #7, eight issues in a row without a fill-in. That's a hell of an accomplishment, especially for someone working on his first U.S. series, especially when each issue is 22 pages, rather than the now-standard 20 pages. Obviously, Ariel has a tremendous work ethic. He's also very smart about utilizing shortcuts where he can. This page is a great example of choosing wisely to save time and stay ahead of deadline doom as it rockets down the tracks. Panel 1 features a long shot and small figures, relatively quick to draw once the perspective is figured out. Dropping the background in panel 2 saves time, and also serves to really pop the figures of John and Dejah. Panel 3 doesn't waste effort on background that was going to be covered by balloons anyway. Panels 4 and 5 crop John and Dejah's figures effectively, both heightening the intensity of the scene, and making for less to draw. All together, it's a visually appealing page, as well as a smart one. PAGE 10You'll often see comic pages that contain figures of relatively the same size in most if not all of the panels. Pull out a comic, flip to random page. Are most of the heads on that page about the size of your thumb print? If so, the artist -- and by extension, the writer -- constructed the page poorly (unless there's a specific cinematic effect at play). Comics are visual documents. A page should be visually enticing to the reader, and one way to do that is varying angles and figure sizes. There's some great acting on this page as John and Dejah come to grips with what's happened to them. The choice of extreme close-ups in panels 3 and 4 really lends variety to the page. And I adore the shot of John and Dejah with their foreheads touching in panel 5. PAGES 12 & 13These two pages cut back and forth between tight shots and long shots, panel for panel. I love the beat-for-beat rhythms that comics offers creators. Here we alternate between scope and human drama, until they come together in a literally explosive moment. PAGE 14The story changes abruptly here, and so does the color palette. Nanjan brings a darker sensibility to this sequence, subtly communicating that the story has taken an drastic turn. We start the page with a close-up of John, inviting the reader to experience the shocking transition as John does, then pulling back in panel 2 to reveal more of the surroundings. PAGE 19When Ian and I kicked around the idea of revealing John and Dejah had been trapped in an evil mastermind's dream world, I wanted to leave open to the reader's interpretation exactly what was real and what wasn't. I like stories that don't provide pat answers, and leave something for the audience to ponder. That's the intent here; you're free to decide how much or how little was "real." PAGE 22We come to the end, with John, Dejah, Tars Tarkas, Kantos Kan, and of course Woola turning to face the future. There are always more stories to tell. I hope I get the chance someday. There's a long list of people who deserve Barsoomian thanks: my co-writer Ian Edginton; artists Abhishek Malsuni, Ariel Medel, Zsolt Garisa, Nanjan Jamberi and Roberto Castro; the many cover artists who have graced the series; my editor, Joe Rybandt; and Dynamite publisher Nick Barrucci. I have been dreaming of Mars since I was a boy, and all of you helped that dream come true.
02/05/25 @ 8:55 pm EST

Ben Affleck is ramping things up on his upcoming Netflix thriller Animals. He not only will direct the pic but star as well, Deadline is reporting. Insiders add that Gillian Anderson also is aboard. The plan is for the film to shoot in Los Angeles from a script by Connor McIntyre and Billy Ray. Plot details are being kept under wraps other than the film revolving around a kidnapping. Affleck was eyeing this film as his next directing outing last year but was only planning to direct, with Matt Damon in line for the starring role. A holdup with the rights delayed start of production, and Affleck ultimately had to move on to a sequel to The Accountant with Animals pushing. Affleck still wanted to make Animals, and after starring alongside Damon in another Netflix and Artists Equity crime thriller RIP, which will bow later this year on the streamer, saw an opportunity to make Animals his next movie.
02/05/25 @ 8:58 pm EST

BOOM! Studios today revealed a first look at WYND: THE POWER OF THE BLOOD #3. Eisner and GLAAD Award Winner James Tynion IV, visionary artist and GLAAD Award Winner Michael Dialynas, and letterer AndWorld Design continue the much-anticipated adventures in the years-long, Eisner and GLAAD Award-nominated fantasy series with WYND: THE POWER OF THE BLOOD, with the third issue of the much-anticipated new bi-monthly series continuing in March. The Teen Vamp and Yorik must rescue Wynd from Zedra and the malignant machine that is harvesting his blood. But to do so, they’ll have to contend with the forces of Zedra’s army and her vampiric guards! WYND: THE POWER OF THE BLOOD #3 features main cover art by series artist Michael Dialynas and variant covers by acclaimed illustrators Frany (The Neighbours) and Tula Lotay (Faithless). WYND: THE POWER OF THE BLOOD is the newest release from BOOM! Studios’ eponymous imprint, home to critically acclaimed original series, including BRZRKR by Keanu Reeves, Matt Kindt, and Ron Garney; Something is Killing the Children by James Tynion IV and Werther Dell’Edera; bestselling horror anthology Hello Darkness; Grim by Stephanie Phillips and Flaviano; Stuff of Nightmares by R.L. Stine and A.L. Kaplan; A Vicious Circle by Mattson Tomlin and Lee Bermejo; Ghostlore by Cullen Bunn and Leomacs; Rare Flavours by Ram V and Filipe Andrade; Underheist by David and Maria Lapham; Animal Pound by Tom King and Peter Gross; Minor Arcana by Jeff Lemire; Vicarious by Ryan Parrott and Eleonora Carlini; The Creeping Below by Brian Azzarello and Vanesa Del Rey; and the upcoming Bronze Faces by Shobo, Shof, and Alexandre Tefenkgi; and In Bloom by Michael W. Conrad and John J. Pearson. The imprint also publishes popular licensed properties, including Dune: House Corrino from Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson, and Simone Ragazzoni; Power Rangers Prime by Melissa Flores and Michael YG; and The Expanse: Dragon Tooth by Andy Diggle, Rubine, and Francesco Pisa. WYND: THE POWER OF THE BLOOD #3 will be available in comic shops on March 5, 2025. It is available for pre-order at your local comic shop. Digital copies can be purchased from content providers, including Kindle, iBooks, and Google Play. Wynd: The Power of the Blood #3 A: Main: JAN250050 Wynd: The Power of the Blood #3 B Variant: JAN250051 Wynd: The Power of the Blood #3 C: 1:10 INCV JAN250052 Wynd: The Power of the Blood #3 D: 1:20 INCV JAN250053 Wynd: The Power of the Blood #3 E: Unlockable Variant JAN250054         
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02/05/25 @ 6:25 pm EST

While Sony’s universe of Spider-Man spinoff films may have collapsed, there are still plans for Spider-Man TV series spinoffs in the works. The first of these projects will be the live-action TV series Spider-Noir starring Nicolas Cage, who is reprising his role as the Spider-Man Noir character from the animated Spider-Verse films. The cast of Spider-Noir has been growing as the show has been in production. Today two new names have been added to the cast: Amy Aquino (best known for playing Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan’s therapist in Marvel’s The Falcon and the Winter Soldier) and Andrew Robinson (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine). Character details for both actors are being kept under wraps. The series is set in an alternate reality of Marvel’s New York City, 1930s era, where we find Spider-Man Noir is an aging private investigator and the only superhero the city has. Spider-Noir will stream exclusively on MGM+ before expanding to Amazon Prime Video. (via ComicBook.com)
02/05/25 @ 3:01 pm EST

Universal has unveiled the trailer for “Jurassic World Rebirth.” This feature will mark the seventh film in the 31-year-old cinematic franchise. The official synopsis for “Jurassic World Rebirth” reads: “Five years post-‘Jurassic World Dominion,’ an expedition braves isolated equatorial regions to extract DNA from three massive prehistoric creatures for a groundbreaking medical breakthrough.” Scarlett Johansson plays Zora Bennett, a covert operations expert hired to lead an expedition to secure genetic material from three dinosaurs. The cast also includes Jonathan Bailey, Rupert Friend, Ed Skrein, Mahershala Ali, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Luna Blaise, Philippine Velge, David Iacono, Audrina Miranda and Bechir Sylvain. “Jurassic World Rebirth” filmed in select locations in Thailand, London and California. The film will be distributed by Universal and is set for a theatrical release on July 2. (via Variety) Trailer: https://youtu.be/jan5CFWs9ic
02/05/25 @ 2:54 pm EST

L-R: Byron Mann, Milo Ventimiglia, Ashley Greene and Anson Mount Byron Mann (Wu Assassins), Milo Ventimiglia (This Is Us), Ashley Greene (Twilight) and Anson Mount (Star Trek: Strange New Worlds) are set to topline Kill Him ‘Til He’s Dead, a sci-fi action film from writer-director Michael Winnick (Guns, Girls & Gambling), which has wrapped production. Fivel Stewart (The Recruit) rounds out the cast. The film follows a broken-down hitman (Mann) who finds himself waking up in different bodies as he tries to save the love of his life (Greene) from a ruthless tech titan (Ventimiglia) and his deadly associates (Mount & Stewart). Lan Kay (Bob Trevino Likes It) is producing via Lankis Entertainment, alongside Winnick, Mann, Charles Berg and John Zhang. (via Deadline)
02/04/25 @ 1:41 pm EST

Jurassic World Rebirth is expected to be one of the biggest movie trailers to drop during Super Bowl LIX, and Univeral Pictures has let the hype train out of the station for an early promotional run. Today brings a teaser for the upcoming trailer, featuring stars Scarlett Johansson and Mahershala Ali in what look to be some dire straits. This first promotion seems to be selling director Gareth Edwards’ (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story) dark and thrilling vision of the Jurassic World franchise. Jurassic World Rebirth has a theatrical release date of July 2nd. (via ComicBook.com) Teaser: https://twitter.com/i/status/1886807176242462981
02/04/25 @ 1:24 pm EST

The first trailer for The Fantastic Four: First Steps teases a retro-future world and an impending threat from Galactus, one of Marvel’s most famous antagonists. The Fantastic Four is one of the most anticipated Marvel movies in some time, as fans have waited years for the Kevin Feige-led studio to make a film starring Marvel’s First Family, as the team is known. The Fantastic Four are a cornerstone of the Marvel Universe in the comics, with writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby’s 1961 Fantastic Four No. 1 launching the universe. But the property has never had its due on the big screen. It spent decades at 20th Century Fox, which made a pair of middling movies in the 2000s and a universally reviled 2015 feature. (A 1994 Roger Coreman-produced Fantastic Four was famously never released). The Fantastic Four: First Steps has a July 25 release date. (via The Hollywood Reporter) First official trailer: https://youtu.be/AzMo-FgRp64
02/04/25 @ 1:14 pm EST
Oni Press – the multiple Eisner and Harvey Award-winning publisher of groundbreaking comics and graphic novels since 1997, is proud to present an extended look inside PLAGUE HOUSE #1 — the FIRST ISSUE of a deep and disorienting reinvention of the haunted house genre from acclaimed writer Michael W. Conrad (Wonder Woman, Double Walker) and 2024 Ringo Award-winning artist Dave Chisholm (Miles Davis and the Search for the Sound)! On April 2nd, it’s not the house that’s haunted… It’s the soul of America itself when PLAGUE HOUSE #1 makes its damnable debut! “I've always loved horror books, movies, and comics--the weird, the occult, and ghost stories are part of my DNA--and so I am incredibly pumped to get to make this book with Michael and Bess Pallares and everyone at Oni Press,” said artist Dave Chisholm. “Michael's story works on so many levels--it's got great characters, it's got a fresh take on the haunted-house genre that's relevant--and it's scary, shocking, and fun all at the same time. I'm really bringing everything I've got to this art, too, and I can't wait for this book to keep people up at night.” “As I’ve worked on this PLAGUE HOUSE I’ve discovered things about myself that I’m not entirely comfortable with, and perhaps that’s where true horror lives,” said writer Michel W. Conrad. “PLAGUE HOUSE is a story about haunted locations, how they work, and the demands they make of the living. It’s a story about violence, revenge, and the petty vulgarity that can get trapped in locations soiled by violence. PLAGUE HOUSE is a horror story about us, and the specters created in the wake of our most selfish deeds.” Thirteen years ago, Orin McCabe was a family man living a privileged life in the suburbs. Today, he’s condemned to death row for murdering his entire family in an unexpected fit of hammerwielding brutality. In the aftermath of his heinous crime, it’s fallen to a trio of eclectic, but dedicated, ghost hunters—Jacob, the holy man; Holland, the skeptic; and their leader, Del, a true believer in the occult and worlds beyond—to surveil the abandoned McCabe home in search of proof for the existence of the undead . . . and whatever supernatural source may have possibly fueled McCabe’s inhuman massacre. But this ill-matched and uneasy squad of investigators is about to discover something much more terrifying than any ordinary spirit. . . . Something much more pernicious, much more contagious, that if not contained, could take full advantage of America’s unquenchable appetite for violence and deliver a plague of blood unto us all . . . These never-before-seen preview pages usher you into a strange and dangerous world stained with blood, fear, and the deepest depths of the unknown... In addition to the issue’s main cover by Dave Chisholm, PLAGUE HOUSE #1 will feature variant covers from Brian Level (Star Wars: Vader – Dark Visions), Noah Bailey (Wonder Woman: Black and Gold, Tremor Dose), Nathan Ooten (Neptune), and Alex Eckman-Lawn (Mouse Guard: Legends of The Guard, Art Brut). The infection is coming, whether you’re ready or not, when PLAGUE HOUSE #1 begins to spread this April! PLAGUE HOUSE is the next chapter in Oni Press’ genre-colliding slate of must-read titles for Spring 2025 that also includes MINE IS A LONG, LONESOME GRAVE #1 by Justin Jordan & Chris Shehan (February), FREE FOR ALL #1 by Patrick Horvath (March), OUT OF ALCATRAZ #1 by Christopher Cantwell & Tyler Crook (March), and THE GODDAMN TRAGEDY #1 by Chris Condon & Shawn Kuruneru (April.)
      




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02/03/25 @ 9:50 pm EST

Those rumors of Marvel Studios re-casting the part of T’Challa in the Marvel Cinematic Universe appear to have been greatly exaggerated. The rumor popped up last month and stated that Marvel is reportedly looking to replace Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa for future appearances, such as Black Panther 3. ComicBook.com spoke to Nate Moore, the VP of Production & Development at Marvel Studios, in support of Captain America: Brave New World. When asked about the rumors of finding a new T’Challa to play Black Panther, Moore shot them down. “The truth is, there’s no truth to those rumors. Never say never to anything, we haven’t really had a lot of creative conversations with Ryan Coogler yet, because he’s finishing his film Sinners, which comes out this year,” Moore said. “We’ll get into it later this year, but everything you read online is not true, if for no other reason than we just haven’t started [working on it].” One person we know who will be starring in Black Panther 3 is Denzel Washington. The famed actor revealed he’d be a part of Black Panther 3 in November while promoting Gladiator II, although it’s unclear what his role in the movie will be.
02/03/25 @ 9:35 pm EST

In every generation, there is a chosen one — again. Variety is reporting that a sequel series to the beloved show “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” is nearing a pilot order at Hulu. Sources say that Sarah Michelle Gellar is in final talks to once again play the iconic title character in the untitled project, although it would focus on a new Slayer and Gellar would appear in a recurring role rather than leading the series. “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” has proven to be a massive cult hit and highly influential since its debut. The series is credited for helping to popularize ongoing story arcs in television while also building a show around a strong female lead. It is frequently cited as one of the best television shows of all time.
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