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05/25/17 @ 7:36 pm EST
This summer, Dynamite Entertainment and Condé Nast will welcome readers back into the know with the launch of theirlatest incarnation of the classic pulp character the Shadow, in The Shadow: Leviathan. Launching in August, the comic-book series will feature writer Si Spurrier ( X-Force, X-Men: Legacy, Judge Dredd) and artist Daniel HDR ( Superman, Cyborg), who will bring the pulp icon into modern day in a tale full of deadly intrigue, gun-blazing action, and a study of the nature of evil! For the better part of a century, the Shadow's sinister laughter brought the chill of fear to evil-doers - but in our modern times, the streets of Manhattan have gone largely silent. But he is not forgotten. Not by the people he's saved. Mary Jerez, is one of those people. The Shadow saved her from a horrifying school shooting - Mary knows all too well what evil lurks in the hearts of men. So when a horribly burnt man - incredibly strong and fierce, despite these terrible injuries- arrives under her care as a resident at the hospital - she believes she knows who he is, too. Is this mysterious man actually the Shadow - and with Mary's help, will evil-doers again know what it means to fear his terrible justice? Writer Si Spurrier says, "For me - and I suspect for most comics creators - The Shadow is an irresistible property. The hat and scarf, the cold eyes and colder laugh, the wisp of cordite and the flourish of a cape: all plucked wholesale from the noir pulps and radio plays of the 1930's. You don't say "no" to a true primogenitor like that. On the taxonomical chart of Western comics he's a common ancestor for a sizeable chunk of the marketplace. Every street vigilante, every masked crime-fighter, every necessary monster: he's in the DNA of them all. A living fossil, a coelacanth or goblin-shark for the comics world, swimming in waters of ice and ink. And like all perfectly engineered things he endures - he flourishes - amidst newer, cockier, less perfect specimens. Spurrier added, "What I most love about the Shadow is, like all good legends, he tells us even more about the present than the past. In this new story I'm dragging the legend into the modern world, with all its melting-pot problems and changing attitudes. This isn't the world the Shadow was born into, with its pinstripe gangsters and mystic monsters (although we'll be visiting that one too). Instead our main story unravels in a world of corruptions and petty politics, prejudices and hate. A world with a frightening new regime taking control. A world where true power lies not with those who hold the reins, but with those who control the story. How can two guns and a devil's stare fight the 21st Century? I couldn't be prouder to be telling this tale. With the exceptional Daniel HDR by my side, The Shadow: Leviathan is a smart, slick, brutal takedown of today, with nothing less than a living idea holding its finger to the trigger." Simon Spurrier is a writer of comics, novels and TV. His most recent works include Cry Havoc, Doctor Who, X-Men Legacy, Godshaper, and the Eisner award nominated science-fantasy series, The Spire. His latest prose novels are Contract and A Serpent Uncoiled, while his first digital-only project is the "absurdist-noir" novella Unusual Concentrations. Artist Daniel HDR says, "My first contact with The Shadow was during my teens, 15-16 years old, when the character was given a new revamp by Howard Chaykin. Also I was aware of the previous incarnations thru old fanzines. The character and everything that surrounds him is an invitation for any artist to play around with graphic storytelling, and I love that possibility! Also, Si's script is challenging and so damn dynamic! I can't wait for people to read the book!" "We've wanted to work with Si for years, and had not been able to find the right project to match his schedule. In looking to relaunch The Shadow, we wanted a fresh new voice, and we were able to make the schedule work with Si's schedule," says Dynamite CEO and Publisher Nick Barrucci. "Si's story is crisp and takes The Shadow to new depths. And Daniel's (HDR) art is nothing short of magnificent! I cannot wait for fans to read this incredible new series." "We look forward to building on the success of the Batman Shadow crossover with this new series from Dynamite," said Cathy Hoffman Glosser, Senior Vice President, Licensing at Conde Nast. "Going forward, we will continue to tap into our incredible library of famed Street and Smith characters in new and exciting directions." The Shadow began its existence in 1930 as a narrative voice on the Street and Smith radio program Detective Story Hour. The audience thrilled to the serialized adventures of this mysterious figure, whose mythos expanded to include Occidental mysticism, hypnotic powers over weak criminal minds, and twin .45 caliber handguns. With a keen intellect and relentless drive, The Shadow hunted criminals without mercy in an era when gumshoe detectives and bootlegging mobsters was a thrilling yet fearsome reality. The character's popularity has endured for over 80 years, bolstered by appearances in radio serials, novels, comic books, films, and more. In recent years, Dynamite published a groundbreaking and well-received Shadow series launched by comic writer Garth Ennis ( Preacher), with further tales crafted by Victor Gischler and Chris Roberson. Lamont Cranston's grim alter-ego has also appeared in such related series as The Shadow: Year One, Masks, and The Shadow / Green Hornet: Dark Nights. The debut issue of The Shadow features a wide selection of cover variants, providing fans and retailers with the freedom of choice! The cover artwork features the talents of Kenneth Rocafort ( Superman, Teen Titans), interior artist Daniel HDR, Aaron Michael Kaluta ( The Shadow), Brandon Peterson ( Uncanny X-Men), Neal Adams ( Batman, X-Men), and Tyler Kirkham ( Amazing Spiderman, Strykeforce), respectively. Limited variant editions in "Black & White" and "Virgin Art" formats are also available as retailer incentives for comic shops that support the launch issue by achieving stocking thresholds. The Shadow #1 will be solicited in Diamond Comic Distributors' June 2017 Previews catalog, the premier source of merchandise for the comic book specialty market, and slated for release in August. Comic book fans are encouraged to reserve copies of The Shadow #1 with their local comic book retailers. The Shadow #1 will also be available for individual customer purchase through digital platforms courtesy of Comixology, Kindle, iBooks, Google Play, Dynamite Digital, iVerse, Madefire, and Dark Horse Digital.      09/10/24 @ 12:02 pm EST
Tom Holland’s Spider-Man will keep swinging in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” director Destin Daniel Cretton in early talks to helm the film. In addition to the Simu Liu-led “Shang-Chi,” Cretton’s other credits 2013’s “Short Term 12,” 2017’s “The Glass Castle” and 2019’s “Just Mercy.” He was previously set to direct the now-scrapped “Avengers: The Kang Dynasty,” but departed the project in November 2023. Cretton has stayed in the Marvel family and co-created the upcoming “Wonder Man” miniseries, starring Yahya Abdul Matteen II. Cretton has also been developing a sequel to “Shang-Chi,” but a source close to the production says that “Spider-Man 4” is currently the priority for the studio. No further details about the fourth film in the franchise have been revealed yet. (via Variety) 09/09/24 @ 2:08 pm EST
Brainstorm Media has picked up the action-thriller 72 Hours, directed by Christian Sesma and starring Sam Trammell and Twilight actor Cam Gigandet. A Nov. 1 theatrical and on-demand release is planned for 72 Hours, which centers on two brothers — a dedicated FBI agent and a crypto international money launderer — putting aside their differences and joining forces to save their family. But a dangerous mission deep into kingpin territory has them facing life-threatening challenges in a race against time. The ensemble cast includes Nicky Whelan and Jana Kramer (One Tree Hill). (via THR) 09/09/24 @ 1:58 pm EST
Starting today, September 9, all five episodes of Marvel Studios’ I Am Groot Season 2 are coming to Marvel HQ! Full-length episodes will be released each day this week on the Marvel HQ YouTube channel, Marvel’s official family-friendly destination for kids. Released previously on Disney+ last year, the troublemaking twig returns to mischief in the second season of “I Am Groot.” This time, Baby Groot finds himself exploring the universe and beyond aboard the Guardians’ spaceships, coming face-to-face—or nose-to-nose—with new and colorful creatures and environments. Throughout September and October, Groot will take the spotlight on Marvel HQ as part of the Marvel’s Super Heroes Assemble program. Join over 8.8 million other YouTube subscribers around the world to celebrate with action-packed animated series, motion comics, short form content, activations, and unique product collaborations all year long. Families and fans can also get a look at more original content featuring Groot, the Avengers, Spidey and His Amazing Friends, and more throughout the year, as well as full length episodes from Marvel’s animation library such as Marvel’s Avengers Assemble and Marvel’s Spider-Man: Maximum Venom (coming just in time for October’s Halloween season)! Don’t forget to subscribe to Marvel HQ so you never miss an episode and look out for more family friendly fun on the Marvel HQ YouTube Channel! 
09/09/24 @ 1:57 pm EST
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice came in better than expected at $111M after a solid Sunday of $27.4M, -34%. Warner Bros owns four out of the five top openings for September. The movie cost $100M before Prints & Advertising. Also, the Tim Burton directed sequel’s opening is the third largest opening weekend of 2024 after Deadpool & Wolverine‘s $211.4M and Inside Out‘s $154.2M; Warner Bros. fourth No. 1 opening this year and the best start for a PG-13 rated pic in September. The top 10 locations overall were 1. AMC Burbank Los Angeles, 2. AMC Universal Citywalk Los Angeles, 3. Santikos Casa Blanca San Antonio, 4. Regal Riverpark Fresno, 5. AMC Disney Springs Orlando, 6. AMC Grove Los Angeles, 7. AMC Lincoln Square New York, 8. Cinemark Rialto Los Angeles, 9. Harkins Estrella Falls Phoenix, and 10. Harkins Mountain Grove Los Angeles. (via Deadline) 09/08/24 @ 10:11 am EST
Do you remember all the title changes for the Agatha Harkness lead spinoff series? We know it’s going to be Agatha All Along now, but it was introduced as Agatha: House of Harkness, then changed to Agatha: Coven of Chaos and finally Agatha: Darkhold Diaries… I might even have missed a name or two. So where did the idea for the changing title come from? Series executive producer Mary Livanos told the Hollywood Reporter: “Hats off to Jac Shaeffer on that one, and our incredible writers’ room, with the best day of brainstorming I think we’ve ever had, figuring out all those titles. It was a real blast to release crazier and crazier ones as the production went on, and our cast was so game, too. The nature of the stunt felt very Agatha, very liar. So, it felt very on theme, and it was fun to do.” Livanos worked with Jac Shaeffer on WandaVision and now Agatha All Along and while she was willing to reveal that part, any information on the fate of Wanda herself she’s keeping a secret. “ Well, I can tell you that Agatha has been trapped in Wanda’s distorted spell, and of course, after the events of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Wanda was taken off the table. So I think fans will have to tune in to find out more. That’s all I can say.“  09/08/24 @ 9:53 am EST
The switch from network television to streaming has been hitting a rough patch with audiences complaining about series being cancelled uncompleted and expensive series going years between seasons. Some folks are turning back to the longer, more stable network shows for their entertainment and this move was part of why actor Zachary Quinto decided to sign on for the upcoming NBC medical procedural series, Brilliant Minds. The former Heroes and Star Trek star told Entertainment Weekly: “The conversation around network versus streaming has shifted, and the industry has experienced a return to [a type of] television it had departed pretty significantly from. There’s something about the reliability of [network procedurals]. Audiences are more interested in appointment television than they were for a little while.” We can see the evidence of the shift in thinking with the fact that network television still takes up more than 50% of TV consumption annually and you look at the streaming charts and they are filled with Network show being rewatched like Suits, The Office and How I Met Your Mother. Audiences are straying away from new, quirky, eight to ten episode shows and spending time with longer, multi-season shows that they know exactly how many episodes they’ll get.  09/08/24 @ 9:35 am EST
The upcoming film, The Killer’s Game, includes a reunion of two of the Guardians of the Galaxy. Dave Bautista and Pom Klementieff both appear in the new film and the former wrestler turned actor talked with ComicBook.com about the possibility of working with other Guardians actors, possibly over with James Gunn at DC Studios. “I hope so, yeah. That’s kind of my goal. I really want, because I’ve done another project outside of Guardians with Karen Gillan, and I’ve done work with Pom now. I would like to work with Chris [Pratt] and Zoe [Saldana] outside of the Marvel Universe, as well.” Bautista has made it clear that he is open to working with DC as well. “I guess it has to be the right part. But I’m very open to it, and I love James and I would do anything to work with him.” Bautista and Gillan appeared together in the 2019 film, Stuber along with another MCU alum, Kumail Nanjiani.  09/07/24 @ 12:18 pm EST
Marvel Studios is getting a bit stylish with their newest trailer for Agatha All Along. The quick clip is done in the style of a 60s/70s horror film reminiscent of Night of the Living Dead. They give the same film look and even work in the title pun that were standard for the trailers of that era. And in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, actor Joe Locke who will be playing “Teen” in the series, addressed having to keep the secret of his character… and perhaps why rumors and spoilers are bad. Locke said, “One of the things I love about Marvel is you keep all these secrets that are really frustrating at first, especially when you’re doing things like this [press day]. But the reason you keep them is because if you were to tell them, then it wouldn’t have the same effect when it all comes out. The secrets are secrets for a reason, and Teen’s backstory is an interesting one. If I was able to talk about it now, it would ruin the whole point of the show, and that is what keeps me being able to keep a secret. Otherwise, I’d just tell you everything.”  09/07/24 @ 11:46 am EST
With The Penguin debuting on September 19th, more and more information about the series has been coming out. Just last week we learned about the titles and episode lengths for the first four episodes and now we get the final four as well. Keep in mind that one of the big complaints about MCU series have been the short episode run times, I don’t think that will be a problem with this show. Episode 1 which picks up right after the events of The Batman will be called After Hours and runs 1 hour 7 minutes. Episode 2, Inside Man runs 56 minutes, episode 3, Bliss, runs 59 minutes and episode 4, Cent’anni runs 58 minutes. For those curious, Cent’anni is an Italian toast that wishes health and happiness for 100 years. Now the new episodes we’ve learned about are Episode 5, Homecoming, which runs 54 minutes, episode 6, Gold Summit, running 52 minutes, episode 7, Top Hat, the shortest episode at 46 minutes and the season finale, Great or Little Thing which clocks in at 1 hour and 8 minutes. And while I could try and read things into each title, the one that jumps out to me is Top Hat, perhaps a nod to the characters comic book design that originally included a tuxedo, top hat and umbrella. A new image of The Penguin appears on Total Film magazine this week.  09/07/24 @ 11:02 am EST
The Vision series seems to be heating up as The Hollywood Reporter is saying that Picard actor Todd Stashwick is joining the cast. Stashwick recently played Captain Liam Shaw in the third season of Picard, where he worked with writer Terry Matalas, who will be the showrunner for Vision. It’s all about who you know, right? The series has been rumored since the end of WandaVision and is expected to finally tell viewers what happened to the rebuilt, all-white version of the Vision that we last saw in the season finale after having a philosophical discussion about the Ship of Theseus. Word is that Stashwick will play an assassin who is hunting the Vision for his technology. Paul Bettany will be returning as the titular android while it’s also been reported that James Spader will return as Ultron who we last saw in Avengers: Age of Ultron. Both in the comics and the MCU, Ultron is credited for building the Vision, but in the comics he’s imprinted with the brainwaves of Simon Williams aka Wonder Man while in the films, Tony Stark’s AI Jarvis was uploaded into the Vibranium body. This series has not been officially announced as of yet.  |
