|
05/05/22 @ 2:23 pm EST
 DF Interview: Zack Kaplan unleashes a sci-fi techno thriller about grad students who put mind control into an app, in ‘Mindset’By Byron BrewerWhen an introverted tech geek accidentally discovers mind control, he and his friends do something unexpected – they put the science into an app to help users break their technology addiction. But as their Mindset app achieves a dangerous cult following, lies, conspiracies, and murder come to light. Are they helping people or controlling them? From Vault Comics comes Mindset by writer Zack Kaplan and artist John Pearson. The storyline pulled me in immediately, so I paid another visit to friend and scribe Zack Kaplan to chat up this new series. Byron Brewer: Zack, before we begin talking about Mindset, how does it feel to be doing your very FIRST comic for Vault? Zack Kaplan: Vault Comics has impressed me ever since I first met Adrian and Damian and the whole clan at SDCC 2016, which was both my first professional con and theirs. I instantly became an avid Vault reader as they put out one amazing book after the next. Vault has a real special slate of comics, and I’ve been talking with them for years about wanting to do something together, but this was finally the moment when the algorithms synced up. And I think it’s really a perfect match and well worth the wait, especially with the exciting creative team of John Pearson and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou. Byron: As you have said, I do not believe this mag could be more timely. Starting not that many years ago, the situation has grown by leaps and bounds: our own dependency on technology. We even make jokes about it, but it’s true now more than ever. Talk a little as you can about how this is addressed through Mindset? Zack Kaplan: Let me just check my phone first. Yes, the devices are controlling us, but we’re totally okay with it, because we know it’s happening. This seems to be the new phase of humanity response to danger: as long as we know it’s there, it’s okay. What an odd sociological phase! But in fact, the technology is changing who we are and the way we interact with each other, and Mindset explores all of that. How we’ve become obsessed with our own online relevance, how we cannot define ourselves without social media and how we are okay manipulating others for influence. I think that’s what makes it resonant so much, because modern technology is mind control. I can say it’s a sci-fi idea, but it’s actually happening now. How many likes did that answer get? Byron: Haha!… Give readers a kind of overview of the book, or at least this first arc. Zack Kaplan: In 140 characters or less, right? Mindset is a sci-fi techno thriller about a group of grad students who accidentally discover mind control and try to do something good with it by putting it in a meditation app, which goes viral to a billion-user following and results in a twisted power struggle, murder and mayhem, and a dangerous question amongst the group – just who is controlling who? It’s really everything you’d want in a dark thriller about mind control, from a riveting character drama, a modern romance story and a lot of twists and turns. I would just say strap in and get ready! Byron: Introduce us to your protagonists. Zack Kaplan: Ben Sharp is really meant to be all of us who grew up in the shadow of social media, and watched as technology slowly boiled our lives. He kind of started life as a child with this idealism and optimism, but then found his dreams falling flat and his direction in life floundering. It’s juxtaposed with seeing others achieve success without substance through a social media lens, and so really, it’s looking at how technology makes us feel about each other and ourselves. And what do those feelings push us to do? Ben teams up with his two geeky friends Kushal and Josiah, as well as an enigmatic student named Eitan Moses and together they launch their mind control app: Mindset. It’s a very tight knit crew that has some major soul searching to do as they navigate the world of tech start-ups and their rags to riches success story. I’m also excited for readers to meet our love interest, Atlanta Hanna, who is this really strong, authentic vivacious young woman surviving in the world of elite Silicon Valley phonies. Lastly, there’s a VC named Winfield, a billionaire with some secrets, but I’ll leave it there. Byron: The chaos catalyst in Mindset is the discovery of mind control and its placement into an app, ironically designed to help users break their tech addictions. But is there any behind-the-scenes corporation or boogeymen? Or are the featured geek squad their own worst enemies? Zack Kaplan: The story really has a lot of layers to it, and a lot of things are viewed through a very subjective lens. John, Hassan and I really set out to explore a narrative that allowed the readers to dive deeper, to perhaps go back and read it again, and have a thought-provoking experience with the series. I say all of this because I don’t think that anything in the series is black or white, boogeymen or villains. The antagonist is technology and society and the question is how can you use mind control and technological influence in a positive way, or is it destined to lead to manipulative outcomes? My hope is that readers will come for the thriller, stay for the character drama and sleep with the themes. Byron: Elephant in the room: Zack, talk about enslavement (like us all) to today’s tech. Was there any one instance (I can relate several about myself) of tech addiction for you that led to this comic? Zack Kaplan: I don’t think so. There are so many micro experiences, and I think the short-term picture is confusing. Obviously, social media is very talked about right now, and which platforms might be most conducive to the truth or for comfort amongst peers. But take a step back from which platform we’re on. Ten years ago, you could describe yourself as a professional or creative, without the question “Where can people find you?” Now, we must define ourselves by our platforms and the historical record of our posts. I think one thing we explore in Mindset is our predilection to scroll and our need to return to our phones. I try not to check my phone in the morning or right before bed, but it’s a struggle. How many of you go to sleep without your devices? Who do you say good night to last? What is driving that behavior? Byron: Talk about working with Eisner-winning artist John Pearson. Zack Kaplan: He might deserve to win again. His work in this book is that good. I think I had read series like Department of Truth and Blue in Green, and I wanted to play with this level of diversity and duality in comics. I was drawn to John’s work in Blue in Green, and reached out with this idea, and we both had an appetite to really do something in an elevated way that used the themes of mind control and technology’s influence on us. And Hassan on letters and Adrian Wassel on editorial and Tim Daniel on design, we all approached the story to ask how can we identify the emotionality of a moment and really enhance that. John and I especially put together a collaborative approach to the scripts and layouts, going back and forth at both stages to make sure our visions aligned. John is using a digital painting style with texture and a mix of realism and surrealism to really give readers a breath-taking experience. There’s a lot of motifs going throughout the book and levels as to how characters are seen and experienced. Hassan and Tim deserve recognition for some amazing lettering and design as well. I’m very proud of the art work in this series, and I think readers are in for something special. Byron: Zack, you are currently on a roll with your comics series! What else current or coming in the near future of your projects can you tell readers about? Zack Kaplan: I’ll be announcing another series soon which will be my fourth series for the year, and I’m already deep into a lot of exciting things for 2023. It’s crazy that we’re already doing stuff for next year, but you know how comics is. But if readers want to stay in the loop on Mindset and on all my new series, they can find the social media me at @zackkaps and the real me at my newsletter Zack Kaplan’s Technobabble on Substack or my website www.zackkaps.com Dynamic Forces would like to thank Zack Kaplan for taking time out of his busy schedule to answer our questions. Mindset #1 from Vault Comics is slated to be on sale June 29th! For more news and up-to-date announcements, join us here at Dynamic Forces, www.dynamicforces.com/htmlfiles/, “LIKE” us on Facebook, www.facebook.com/dynamicforcesinc, and follow us on Twitter, www.twitter.com/dynamicforces. 06/18/25 @ 4:18 am EST
DC Studios has officially found its Clayface. Welsh actor Tom Rhys Harries has been cast as the titular character in the upcoming standalone film. The announcement was made by DC Studios co-head James Gunn, who praised Harries’ performance as “blowing us away” after what he described as a long and exhaustive search. The film, slated for release on September 11, 2026, will be directed by James Watkins and penned by horror maestro Mike Flanagan, with additional script work by Oscar-nominated writer Hossein Amini. Rather than a traditional superhero flick, Clayface is being developed as a psychological horror tale. The story centers on a struggling B-movie actor who injects himself with a mysterious substance in a desperate bid to stay relevant—only to transform into a shape-shifting creature made entirely of clay. Harries, best known for roles in Suspicion, White Lines, and The Gentlemen, beat out a competitive shortlist of British talent including Jack O’Connell and George MacKay. This marks his first major lead in a blockbuster franchise. While Clayface has traditionally been a Batman villain—first introduced as Basil Karlo in Detective Comics #40 in 1940—this film will reportedly stand apart from the Caped Crusader’s storyline. Gunn has confirmed that Clayface will not appear in The Batman Part II, despite early speculation. Production is set to begin this fall in the UK at Warner Bros. Leavesden Studios. With Superman launching the new DCU this summer and Supergirl following in 2026, Clayface will be the third film in the studio’s ambitious reboot of its cinematic universe.  06/14/25 @ 12:24 pm EST
Amazon Prime Video’s hit action-thriller Reacher is officially returning for a fourth season, and fans are eager to see what’s next for Jack Reacher. Based on Lee Child’s bestselling novel series, the show has captivated audiences with its intense storytelling and gripping action sequences. Season 4 will adapt Gone Tomorrow, the 13th book in Lee Child’s Jack Reacher series. The story follows Reacher as he gets caught in a deadly conspiracy after a chance encounter with a stranger on a train. While the novel is set in New York City, early reports suggest the show’s adaptation may shift the setting to Philadelphia. Alan Ritchson returns as Jack Reacher, leading a cast that includes several new faces: Sydelle Noel as Philadelphia PD detective Tamara Green, Jay Baruchel as small-town policeman Jacob Merrick, Kevin Weisman as journalist Russell Plum, Marc Blucas as U.S. Congressman John Samson, Kathleen Robertson as Elsbeth Samson, Kevin Corrigan as Detective Docherty, Anggun as Amisha Hoth and Agnez Mo as Lila Hoth. Filming for Season 4 is set to begin in mid-2025, with a projected release in early to mid-2026.  06/14/25 @ 12:14 pm EST
Fans of Minecraft can soon enjoy its blockbuster film adaptation from the comfort of their homes. Warner Bros. Discovery has announced that A Minecraft Movie will begin streaming on Max on June 20 and will also air on HBO on June 21 at 8:00 PM EST. Directed by Jared Hess and starring Jack Black and Jason Momoa, A Minecraft Movie has been a massive hit, grossing over $951 million worldwide. The film follows a group of misfits who find themselves transported into the cubic world of Minecraft, where they must navigate its challenges and uncover its secrets. With its impressive box office performance, discussions about a sequel are already underway. Director Hess has hinted at exciting possibilities for expanding the Minecraft universe in future films.  06/14/25 @ 11:54 am EST
Matthew McConaughey is stepping into the shoes of one of literature’s most iconic detectives—Mike Hammer. The Oscar-winning actor is set to star in a new film adaptation of Mickey Spillane’s hard-boiled detective series. Hammer is a tough-as-nails private investigator with a penchant for justice—often delivered with his fists. McConaughey’s previous work in True Detective showcased his talent for playing gritty, introspective roles, making his transition into classic noir feel like a natural evolution. Mike Hammer first appeared in Spillane’s 1947 novel I, the Jury, quickly becoming one of the most recognizable figures in detective fiction. His brutal, no-nonsense approach to crime-solving set him apart from other private eyes of the era. Over the years, Hammer has been portrayed by various actors, including Darren McGavin, Armand Assante and Stacy Keach. The film is being developed by Skydance, with Nic Pizzolatto—creator of True Detective—penning the screenplay. Pizzolatto’s knack for weaving psychological tension and moral ambiguity into his stories promises a fresh yet faithful take on Hammer’s legacy. The production team includes industry heavyweights such as David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, and Don Granger, alongside Max Allan Collins, a key figure in the Mike Hammer literary canon. 
06/08/25 @ 12:47 pm EST
Marvel Comics has taken a surprising turn with its latest storyline in Marvel Knights: The World to Come, introducing a new Black Panther who is—unexpectedly—white. This revelation has sparked intense debate among fans, as the character of Black Panther has long been synonymous with Wakanda’s rich African heritage. The new Black Panther, named Ketema, is introduced in a six-issue limited series written by Christopher Priest and illustrated by Joe Quesada. The story begins with the death of T’Challa, the longtime ruler of Wakanda, setting the stage for a battle over his legacy. Ketema, who claims to be T’Challa’s son, challenges him for the throne and ultimately defeats him. However, the shocking twist comes when Ketema removes his mask—revealing that he is white. The revelation of Ketema’s identity has left many readers questioning how a white character could be the biological son of T’Challa. One theory suggests that Ketema may not actually be the son of Monica Lynne, T’Challa’s former love interest, but rather Nicole Adams, another past romantic connection of the Wakandan king. Some speculate that genetic engineering, cloning, or alternate realities could play a role in this unexpected lineage. Christopher Priest, the writer behind the series, has remained tight-lipped about the deeper implications of Ketema’s introduction, stating that the story is more about how Wakanda arrived at this point rather than the immediate controversy surrounding the new Black Panther.  06/08/25 @ 12:37 pm EST
In a surprising turn of events, Amazon Prime Video has decided to cancel Étoile after just one season, despite its initial two-season order. The ballet drama, created by Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino, followed the lives of dancers and artistic staff from two prestigious ballet companies in New York and Paris. The series was envisioned as a love letter to the art of ballet, but its journey was cut short due to a combination of performance metrics and production costs. The show was filmed on location in New York and Paris, featuring elaborate choreography and a cast of top-tier ballet dancers. Despite its artistic ambition and an 85% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Étoile struggled to gain traction with audiences. The decision to cancel Étoile was largely driven by its performance versus cost. While the series had a dedicated fan base, it failed to chart on Nielsen’s weekly Top 10 for Originals and quickly dropped from Prime Video’s own rankings. The show's expensive production—filming in historic locations and creating an original ballet company—made it a costly endeavor.  06/08/25 @ 12:20 pm EST
There’s a lot of buzz for the new Netflix series Dept. Q, based on the Danish-noir novel series by Jussi Adler-Olsen. With an 83% critics’ score and a 94% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, the question of a second season is already being asked by fans and even the cast. Star Matthew Goode, previously known for Downton Abbey and The Watchmen, talked with Deadline about being the only English person in an almost all Scottish cast and if he would be interested in returning to the character of DCI Carl Morck. “This is such a wonderful company of actors. Even though I was the only English one, and they could have easily hated me, obviously with that lovely Scottish-English situation, it wasn’t the case. And such great personalities, such great talent. And obviously I’m central to the story, so I get to work with everyone. I’d wanted to work with Shirley Henderson—‘ Shenderson’—for years. And Kelly Mcdonald, and then this fairly relatively new actress, Leah Byrne, who is a revelation in this show. It’s very difficult to be talking about some of the things that she has to talk about and make them hilarious. It’s quite a staggering… Well, it’s writing and talent, where they meet, I suppose. I love them all. That’s why we’re desperate to do a second season.” When asked about how many seasons he would be willing to do, Goode said: “I don’t know. There’s 10 books now. It is quite a modern phenomenon, really, as an actor, that you would get to sit in something for time. And now I think I’m at the right age that I’d like to have a character that I can come back to that has great, exciting, dark, hopefully funny stuff happening within the story, but also, how’s this man going to change? Is he going to change? What will be something that will change him? Even if it’s by minutia, there will be certain changes. Even if it’s just my hair color or the girth of my beard.” The beard may be the only downside to the character as Goode explained, “My wife didn’t come near me for six months because she hates beards. Absolutely hates them.” Dept. Q season one is available now on Netflix.  ... 06/07/25 @ 1:07 pm EST
The Merc with a Mouth is making his way into virtual reality, and this time, he’s voiced by none other than Neil Patrick Harris. Marvel’s Deadpool VR, developed by Twisted Pixel Games and Oculus Studios, is set to launch exclusively on Meta Quest 3 and 3S in late 2025. The game promises an original storyline packed with Deadpool’s signature humor, fourth-wall-breaking antics, and over-the-top action. Unlike previous Deadpool games, this VR experience throws players directly into Wade Wilson’s chaotic world. The story kicks off when Deadpool is pulled through a portal into Mojoworld, a twisted media-centric universe ruled by the villain Mojo. After signing a shady contract (without reading the fine print, of course), Deadpool embarks on a multiverse-hopping quest for riches, battling classic Marvel villains along the way. Players will step into Deadpool’s shoes—literally—using dual pistols, katanas, kunai, and parkour-style movement to navigate the game’s action-packed environments. The combat system is designed to reflect Deadpool’s unpredictable personality, allowing for absurd and exaggerated attacks. Expect to punch enemies while holding grenades, throw severed limbs as weapons, and even shove heads into propellers. While Ryan Reynolds has become synonymous with the character, Neil Patrick Harris is bringing his own spin to the wisecracking antihero. Harris, known for his voice work in Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions, delivers a portrayal that is said to capture Deadpool’s manic energy, self-awareness, and comedic timing, making the VR experience even more immersive. Marvel’s Deadpool VR is slated for release in late 2025, exclusively on Meta Quest 3 and 3S.  06/07/25 @ 12:59 pm EST
Dakota Johnson is setting the record straight on the disappointing box office performance of Madame Web. The Fifty Shades star, who played Cassandra Webb in Sony’s Marvel spinoff, has opened up about why the film failed to connect with audiences—and she’s placing the blame on studio interference. In a recent interview with the Los Angeles Times, Johnson explained that Madame Web started as one thing but ultimately became something else due to executive meddling. "It wasn’t my fault," she stated. "There’s this thing that happens now where a lot of creative decisions are made by committee. Or made by people who don’t have a creative bone in their body. And it’s really hard to make art that way". She noted that Madame Web underwent drastic changes after she signed on, leaving her "just sort of along for the ride". Released in early 2024, Madame Web was expected to be a fresh addition to Sony’s Marvel universe. However, the film grossed only $100 million worldwide against a rumored budget of $80–100 million, making it a financial disappointment. It also received overwhelmingly negative reviews, earning a 11% Rotten Tomatoes score and sweeping the Razzie Awards, including Worst Picture and Worst Actress for Johnson. Despite the backlash, Johnson remains unfazed. "Bigger-budget movies fail all the time," she said, adding that she doesn’t regret taking on the role but probably won’t return to the superhero genre anytime soon. 
06/07/25 @ 12:47 pm EST
The Star Wars universe is expanding once again, and this time, it’s bringing in a fresh face to the galaxy far, far away. Acclaimed actress Mia Goth, known for her standout performances in Pearl, X, and MaXXXine, has officially joined the cast of Star Wars: Starfighter, the upcoming film directed by Shawn Levy. Goth will take on the role of the movie’s primary villain, facing off against Ryan Gosling’s lead character. Announced at Star Wars Celebration in Tokyo earlier this year, Star Wars: Starfighter is set five years after the events of Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker. Unlike previous entries, this film will not be connected to the Skywalker Saga, instead introducing a brand-new adventure with original characters. Director Levy, best known for Deadpool & Wolverine, has been developing the project since 2022 alongside screenwriter Jonathan Tropper. The film promises to explore uncharted territory in the Star Wars timeline, offering fans a fresh perspective on the galaxy’s post-Skywalker era. While details about Goth’s character remain scarce, reports indicate that she will play one of the antagonists pursuing Gosling’s character and his young nephew. The role was initially offered to Oscar winner Mikey Madison, who reportedly passed on the opportunity due to salary negotiations. Goth’s casting marks another major milestone in her career, as she continues to take on high-profile roles. In addition to Star Wars: Starfighter, she is set to appear in Guillermo del Toro’s upcoming Frankenstein adaptation alongside Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi. Filming for Star Wars: Starfighter is expected to begin later this year, with a theatrical release scheduled for May 28, 2027.  |
