05/27/16 @ 11:21 pm EST
David F. Walker has brought one of the iconic characters of the seventies back to the spotlight with his first Shaft mini-series for Dynamite. He continues that work with the latest series, Shaft: Imitation of LIfe and we have his writer’s commentary for issue #4 that came out this week. The cover below was done by Matthew Clark and interiors byDietrich Smith.
Page 1
The first issue of Shaft: Imitation of Life started with a sequence from the original Shaft novel by Ernest Tidyman, and I wanted to make sure that this final issue of the story made some kind of passing reference to where it all started. Hence, the flashback in Panel 3. This actual scene never occurred in the book (or the movie), but I needed a way to explain how Shaft would have so much cash on hand, and it made sense (at least while I was writing it).It’s also important to note that in every issue of Shaft, his first person narration was an integral part of the story. But with this issue, it was very difficult for me. The first draft had no narration, and I struggled with what to have Shaft say, because it just felt like this issue didn’t need him blabbering on an on. But at the same time, the precedent had been set, and not have him narrate would be weird. Some of you may notice that there is less narration in this issue.
Page 2 The supporting character of Tito didn’t start out as important as he ended up being. In fact, in the original outline, he was only in the first two issues, but as the story grew and evolved, so did the character. I specifically asked Dietrich to draw a Volkswagen Beetle for this scene, because it seems like the least badass car Shaft could be driving. I find it funny, but I don’t know if anyone else will appreciate the humor.
Page 3 I loved working with Dietrich Smith on this series. He had an incredible way of bringing my scripts to like, but the thing I like best is the way he captured the little details that were very important. On this page, the single most important detail is that Tito is taking the gun from the bag. There is nothing else that the reader absolutely has to know, but they need to know this, and they need to know that Shaft doesn’t know. Dietrich made this one bit of information truly sing.
Page 4-5 In the original script, there was only dialog in the giant panel. After seeing Dietrich’s art, I felt that there were missed opportunities on this page, if I left the remaining panels silent. I struggled with what to have the characters say. I knew I wanted Tito talking to himself in Spanish. The problem was that the character is Puerto Rican, and I wanted to make sure that what I had him saying “sounded” right for someone from Puerto Rico, because not all Spanish-speaking languages say things the same way. I think (or hope) that I got it right. If it is wrong, I apologize. As for what Shaft says, I just wanted to play around with the idea that he knows this case was a bad move.
Page 6 This mini-series has an odd history. Originally, I had written a self-contained Shaft story that was supposed to be some kind of annual, but it never got published. When Dynamite asked for a second story-arc, I decided to use material from that other script, and combine it into a second story. Essentially, Shaft: Imitation of Life is a combination of a one-shot style story, that was repurposed and combined with a second story. What we are seeing here is one of the few scenes from that original one-shot that made it into this series completely unaltered. There’s actually a certain amount of symbolism on this page, mostly in the last panel, as it represents Shaft about to enter a very absurd world.
Page 7
To the best of my knowledge, this was not how porn movies were made in the 1970s. To be honest, I have tried to keep Shaft somewhat grounded in fact, and with this, my tenth issue of the character, I have ventured into a complete and total land of make believe. That’s part of why this series is called Imitation of Life.
Page 8 If you’ve been reading this story from the start, you know that Shaft was originally hired to find this kid, Mike Prosser. The case involving Mike, and the introduction of Tito, was all part of secondary story that came about when the one-shot story was expanded. The original one-shot story was nothing more than Shaft working as a film consultant. This particular scene was never in that story, because the character of Mike wasn’t in that story. I needed away to bring both of those cases together, and thanks to the sleazy world or porn…here it is.
Page 9 The character of Lou “Lollipop” Peraino is fictional. In real life, however, there was a mobster name Anthony “Big Tony” Peraino, who was a huge player in the porn industry. Big Tony was part of the Columbo crime family, and he financed the porn film Deep Throat, which changed the world of pornography. In the world of Shaft, Lollipop Peraino is the nephew of Big Tony, which is how he got into porn.
Page 10 I try to give my artists reference material for when they have to design key characters. I don’t expect them to make the characters look exactly like the reference, but it helps the artist to get an idea of what a character can look like. For Lollipop Peraino, I sent Dietrich photos of several actors, including John Saxon, Jack Palance, and Henry Silva. To me, Peraino looks like a cross between Palance and Silva.
Page 11 It’s hard to believe that originally, Tito was a throwaway character that only appeared in the first two issues. At some point, I grew attached to him, recognized that he had a lot of potential, and even came to understand that this story is as much about him as it is Shaft.
Page 12 This scene is wrong on so many levels, and I wrestled with keeping it. I knew it would offend some people. And then I thought, “Well…f*ck ‘em.” I always wanted to take this story someplace outrageous, sleazy, over-the-top, and exploitative. I wanted to evoke the balls-to-the-wall aesthetic of some of the more outrageous grindhouse films of the 1970s, and this is how I decided to do it. I love this page. I love this scene. Dietrich captured it all beautifully.
Page 13 Of all the things in this issue that I could be worried about, this is the page that concerns me the most. I worry that people will miss the fact that Shaft is reaching for his gun in the bag, and that is not there. Perhaps I should be concerned that we are implying that Shaft is about to anally assaulted with a sausage, but that doesn’t matter to me. I just want people to realize the gun is missing.
Page 14 I love how Dietrich brought the action to life on this page. As I pointed out, there is much less narration in this issue, and I knew that at some point Shaft would have to start telling his story again. The point of the narration has always been to give the reader insight into Shaft that works either in conjunction with what is on the page or, in some cases, beyond what is on the page.
Page 15 And here we are essentially where Issue #2 started. This scene is directly from the original one-shot that never got published.
Page 16 Here we see the two different cases of this story coming together, but also a bit more than just that. Once again, Shaft: Imitation of Life was originally supposed to be a self-contained one-shot. It was the story of Shaft working as a film consultant, and was meant to be absurd, over-the-top, and, quite possibly, a bit offensive. The second storyline, the one that came about when I was asked to write another series, was the missing persons case involving Mike Prosser. That story was about Shaft failing on the case, with someone else finding the person he was looking for. That story went through many changes—especially considering that Mike was originally a teenage girl, and the character of Tito didn’t exist. But things change and stories evolve, and in some cases, two stories come crashing together in more ways than one.
Page 17 I don’t do much lettering (because I’m not that good at it, and because I don’t have the time). But I love lettering Shaft, because it allows me to play with the dialog (and even the story) up until the very last moment. This page is pretty much as I wrote, except for the second panel. The dialog was slightly different, and when I saw the emotions on the characters’ face as Dietrich had drawn them, I saw a great opportunity to add just a bit more to the story.
Page 18 I absolutely love what Dietrich did with this page. In the original one-shot story, I never showed how Shaft and Rockman escaped. But when the story expanded, and Tito was brought in, I had to have some kind of action-packed ending. I also love the use of Volkswagen. Much of this story was in response to the announced Shaft film reboot, which was announced last year, and was reported to be comedic in nature. I don’t think Shaft should be done as a comedy. But if it is going to have comedic elements, it should be him killing a warehouse full of pornographers, then jumping out of a window, and landing on the hood of VW. That is comedic gold, my friends.
Page 19 This is what we call an “expository dump.” You’ve gotta wrap up a story some way. I just wanted to end on a note that held some kind of promise of more adventures with Tito. Honestly, I’d love to write a story just about him.
Page 20 Here we have not one, but two homages. The first is to the film Midnight Cowboy. The second is to Taxi Driver. In my own twisted mind, this entire story is a bizarre mash-up of Midnight Cowboy and Taxi Driver, starring John Shaft. No one else may see it, but I know that it is there.
Page 21 This page may or may not be some kind of thinly veiled commentary on the upcoming Shaft film, or it may be some kind of deeper commentary on how film portrays black masculinity, or it just may be the end of the story.
Page 22 I love this page. I really do. At the same time, I recognize that I used the character of Honee in a way that was lacking in originality or complexity, which is a sign of my shortcomings as a writer. If there is one thing about this story that I look back on with any regret, it’s the fact that I didn’t try harder to make Honee more than just a sex object. Unfortunately, sometimes you don’t see these things until after they are done, and then all you can do is work to grow as a writer, so that next time, you don’t do it again. That said, I really love this page.
04/16/24 @ 9:01 pm EST
Elektra isn’t done with the Daredevil mantle just yet! Spinning out Saladin Ahmed and Aaron Kuder’s thought-provoking run of Daredevil, Elektra will embark on an all-new solo adventure this July in DAREDEVIL: WOMAN WITHOUT FEAR. The series will mark writer Erica Schultz’s return to the character, following her work on Daredevil: Gang War. Schultz will be joined by her Hallows’ Eve collaborator Michael Dowling. Elektra as Daredevil has been a celebrated evolution of the character, and her latest mission promises to be her most intense yet as she heads to the deadly streets of Madripoor to take on Crossbones, the new Punisher, and more. Readers will learn what pushes Elektra towards this quest in July’s DAREDEVIL #11, a show-stopping issue where Matt and Elektra’s will have a brutal showdown with Bullseye and Kingpin! After the stunning events of DAREDEVIL #11, Daredevil’s allies are left more vulnerable than ever before. If they’re able to survive, it will fall to Elektra and Matt Murdock to not only save their city as Daredevil, but also protect the people they love the most as they’re targeted by some of the most dangerous, violent elements the Marvel Universe has to offer! “To say that I am excited about writing Daredevil again is an understatement, Schultz shared. “I love the mantle of Daredevil, but I really love Elektra as Daredevil. Having written both Matt and Elektra wearing the red DD, I kind of lean toward the latter now!” Check out the covers for both DAREDEVIL #11 and DAREDEVIL: WOMAN WITHOUT FEAR #1 now and preorder them at your local comic shop.
04/16/24 @ 8:56 pm EST
James Gunn’s “Superman” has cast veteran character actor Pruitt Taylor Vince as Jonathan Kent aka Pa Kent, TheWrap is reporting. Jonathan Kent is Superman’s adopted father who finds the superhero when he first arrived on Earth as an infant in a Kryptonian spaceship in the fields of Kansas. The role was previously played by Kevin Costner in the 2013’s “Man of Steel,” and Glenn Ford in 1978’s “Superman.” “Superman” is the inaugural DC Studios film which is currently in production, which is part of “Chapter One: Gods and Monsters” of the relaunch of the new DC Universe. “Superman” will be released on July 11,2025.
04/16/24 @ 2:24 pm EST
Skybound and Image Comics today unveiled a chilling first look at Dark Ride #12, the epic series finale from the iconic Birthright team of writer Joshua Williamson (Duke, DC’s Superman), artist Andrei Bressan (DC’s Justice League Incarnate), colorist Adriano Lucas (DC’s Nightwing), and letterer Pat Brosseau (Creepshow). The finale of the acclaimed amusement park horror series arrives in comic book shops on May 15, 2024. "Thank you to everyone who bought the Dark Ride series,” said Joshua Williamson. “It has been great to find so many readers who were looking for a series that mixed two things that I'm obsessed with...horror and amusement parks. From the start the series was about horror and sacrifice, but it was really about family and letting go. Andrei, Adriano and Pat have done fabulous work on this series, and this is our second go around with doing a book from start to finish together. They are a team that I would ride a rollercoaster into hell with, and I look forward to our next projects together. Keep your arms and legs inside the ride vehicle, because this last issue is a dangerous one." Arthur Dante’s most haunting creation yet is brought to life, and a final sacrifice must be made to take control of Devil Land. But who will it be? Dark Ride #12 concludes the impressive variant cover lineup that has run throughout the series. In addition to the main cover by Andrei Bressan and series colorist Adriano Lucas, Dark Ride’s Cover B variant features a frightening collage of Halloween and Danny D. Evil with an issue #12 cover by Caspar Wijngaard (Home Sick Pilots), while Cover C spotlights Devil Land’s femme fatale and horror aficionado, Halloween, by Luana Vecchio (Lovesick). Additionally, megastar creator Tony Fleecs (Stray Dogs, Star Wars Adventures) continues art directing the classic homage poster variant program that has run throughout the course of the series. The 1:25 incentives now span the Cover D slot of Dark Ride’s third arc, with Jay Fosgitt (Star Trek) at the helm for issue #12. "I can’t wait for readers to take one final ride and finish our saga at Devil Land!” said series editor, Amanda LaFranco. “From the very beginning, Josh has been weaving a tale of family horror and laying down the pieces for this big finale, from Arthur’s very first deal with the Devil, to the sacrifice now placed in the hands of each member of the Dante family. The entire creative team has been on fire for this final arc, and Josh, Andrei, Adriano, and Pat have been hellishly delighting on every page. I’m excited for readers to see what we’ve been building to.” Dark Ride #12 (Lunar Codes below SRP: $3.99) will be available at comic book shops and digital platforms including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, comiXology, and Google Play on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. The full list of covers is below: Dark Ride #12 CVR A by Andrei Bressan and Adriano Lucas (Lunar Code 0124IM243) Dark Ride #12 CVR B by Caspar Wijngaard (Lunar Code 0124IM244) Dark Ride #12 CVR C by Luana Vecchio (Lunar Code 0124IM245) Dark Ride #12 CVR D (1:25 Incentive) by Jay Fosgitt & Tony Fleecs (Lunar Code 0124IM246)
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04/16/24 @ 2:19 pm EST
Warner Bros Pictures Animation is heading to the Discovery vault to adapt its Animal Planet series Meerkat Manor into an animated feature. Think Happy Feet: That George Miller-hatched franchise, which centered around tap-dancing penguins, raked in over a half-billion dollars at the global box office.Warner Bros. Discovery’s Animal Planet first aired Meerkat Manor in 2005, with the series becoming the network’s highest-rated show over its four seasons. The Emmy-nominated series reached 204 million households in more than 160 countries on the Animal Planet platform alone.The docuseries followed the Whiskers, a family of meerkats, as they struggled to survive in South Africa’s Kalahari Desert. Similar to Happy Feet, Warner Bros Pictures Animation will use photoreal animation to capture the Whiskers for their feature film debut.The Meerkat Manor movie will be produced by Seth Green and Tracy Falco of The Green Room. The film’s EPs are original series creator Caroline Hawkins as well as Clare Birks of Oxford Scientific Films. OSF is owned by ITV Studios. (via Deadline)
04/16/24 @ 2:15 pm EST
In the X-Men’s upcoming From the Ashes era, one of the team’s most crucial members goes solo! Announced last week, Jean Grey will become a galaxy-traversing super hero in Stephanie Phillips and Alessandro Miracolo’s PHOENIX. Emerging from the explosive finale of Krakoa with renewed purpose, Jean embraces what was always hers: the breathtaking power of the Phoenix Force. Alone in space, she not only must do what no one else can: she yearns to. Whatever Jean does – or fails to do – will bring darkness to the universe and haunt her in ways she can scarcely imagine… Today, fans can see her reborn on an assortment of new variant covers for the debut issue! Best-selling cover artists Aka and Rose Besch spotlight Jean’s new Phoenix costume, designed by series artist Miracolo. Both pieces will also be available as virgin variant covers. In addition, iconic Phoenix artist Greg Land reminds readers how terrifying the Phoenix can be with an incredible depiction of Dark Phoenix. Check out all three covers now and preorder PHOENIX #1 at your local comic shop today!
04/15/24 @ 9:43 pm EST
Keanu Reeves (John Wick franchise) has been tapped to voice the role of Shadow in Paramount Pictures‘ Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Deadline has confirmed. Paramount had no comment, but Reeves joins an ensemble led by Ben Schwartz, who plays Sonic. In all three films, James Mardsen plays Sonic’s human ally, Sheriff Tom Wachowski, with Jim Carrey as the mad scientist Dr. Robotnik. The Sonic the Hedgehog franchise launched with a 2020 film of the same name, which grossed over $319M worldwide and was followed up with a hit sequel in 2022. Jeff Fowler has served as the director for all three films, with the newest to hit theaters on December 20.
04/15/24 @ 9:41 pm EST
Over the last few years, readers have gotten to experience all-new mutant sagas from the mastermind behind the X-Men’s most influential stories—Chris Claremont! The groundbreaking writer has introduced a multitude of hit limited series that fill in the gaps of X-Men canon, answering dangling questions and adding further depth to his historic and unparalleled run on the franchise. To celebrate Wolverine’s 50th anniversary this year, Claremont is back with artist Edgar Salazar for an all-new Wolverine story set during one of the X-Men’s most beloved eras in WOLVERINE: DEEP CUT! WOLVERINE: DEEP CUT sees Claremont return to the period when the X-Men operated out of the Australian Outback, and Wolverine was jetting off on secret adventures around the globe in his first solo series, also penned by Claremont. Now, witness Wolverine’s untold hunt before the Reavers’ brutal attack brought the X-Men’s time in Australia to a tragic end in Uncanny X-Men #251. OUT OF THE OUTBACK ON A LIFE-AND-DEATH MISSION! Logan sets off from the outback, leaving behind what was left of the X-Men, for a mysterious mission. After decades of mystery, Claremont reveals just what Wolverine got up to before his unforgettable battle with the Reavers! Featuring sinister revelations and claw-to-claw confrontations with Sabretooth, this is an ideal entry-point Wolverine story for new and long-standing fans alike that simply cannot be missed! “One of the amazing things about Chris Claremont’s work is how rich and multi-layered his X-Men stories have always been,” Editor Mark Basso shared. “In Uncanny X-Men #246, he had to move Wolverine off-stage to get to the plethora of other characters and plotlines he had going. DEEP CUT is going to finally step back and show what there just wasn’t time or space to show of Wolverine before he returned in #251, and make good on that title in all senses of the word! And, in true Marvel fashion, the story here will stand completely on its own, so if you have no idea what those plots entailed, rest assured you’ve got a complete adventure in this series.” WOLVERINE: DEEP CUT will be Claremont and Salazar’s latest “retro pick” adventure with Wolverine, following the Wolverine: Madripoor Knights series that launched earlier this year. Check out Phillip Tan’s WOLVERINE: DEEP CUT #1 cover and be there for the next Chris Claremont-penned mutant saga with this untold story of Wolverine’s most personal mission! ...
04/15/24 @ 12:37 pm EST
As it crossed the $1B international box office milestone this past weekend, Warner Bros again owned the frame with Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire and its third session haul of $33.7M from 71 markets. That was good for a 47% drop from the previous weekend and lifts the overseas cume to $278.6M and global to $436.6M. Meanwhile, WB and Legendary’s other major title in the marketplace, Dune: Part Two, now has a shot at getting to $700M worldwide. While 2024 may end up down on 2023, coming out of last week’s CinemaCon exhibition conference, it’s not all doom and gloom — something heard in a refrain — as several titles continue to post solid numbers. There’s also plenty of local play doing great business, notably in Japan this frame where the 27th movie in the Case Closed series, Detective Conan: The Million-Dollar Pentagram, has opened to a franchise best launch of $21.8M, including $1.5M from only 50 IMAX screens. Universal/DreamWorks Animation’s Kung Fu Panda 4 added five markets this weekend, kicking up another $25.9M in 81 total (just 39% down in the holdovers). The offshore cume is now $279M for $452.6M global. Excluding China and Russia, KFP4 has topped Kung Fu Panda 3 overseas and is now the second biggest global DWA franchise behind Shrek. (via Deadline)
04/15/24 @ 12:26 pm EST
The 30th anniversary of the original animated film version of “The Lion King” will be celebrated at the Hollywood Bowl next month with a live-to-film concert/screening that will include cast members from both the movie and theatrical versions — and beyond — including Jeremy Irons, Nathan Lane, Billy Eichner, Ernie Sabella, Jason Weaver and Bradley GIbson. The shows will take place at the Bowl May 24-25 and be produced by Disney Concerts, Fulwell 73 Productions, AMP Worldwide and Live Nation-Hewitt Silva. The general on-sale begins Friday at 10 a.m. via Ticketmaster, with an American Express cardholder presale starting Tuesday at 10 a.m. (via Variety)
04/15/24 @ 12:25 pm EST
This summer may mark the end of Krakoa, but Forge’s mission is just beginning! Announced last week, Forge will lead the all-new iteration of mutantkind’s deadly strike team in Geoffrey Thorne and Marcus To’s X-FORCE. Set in the X-Men’s upcoming From the Ashes era, X-FORCE kicks off with Forge unlocking an Omega-Level aspect of his one-of-a-kind power of invention. Witnessing everything broken in the world, he builds the ultimate solution—X-FORCE, a team of handpicked mutants for off-the-books missions so dire, so integral to the fate of the Marvel Universe, there’s no time to stop for permission! Today, fans can see this elite team on an assortment of new variant covers for the debut issue! Superstar artist Clayton Crain returns to the world of X-Force with his own line of character-focused variant covers, starting with the team’s leader, Forge. Acclaimed Excalibur artist Mahmud Asrar draws mutantkind’s hottest new couple, Betsy Braddock and Rachel Summers, in action. And Tony Daniel assembles the entire squad including former New X-Men leader, Surge; the mastermind behind Krakoa’s X-Force, Sage; and Tank! Wait… Who? Plus, like all of Marvel’s major launches, X-FORCE #1 will shine on stands with a special FOIL COVER. The title will frequently feature A-List guest stars that Forge recruits for specific missions, starting with regenerating degenerate, Deadpool! See him steal the spotlight in an outstanding piece by best-selling cover artist David Nakayama. Check out all four covers now and preorder X-FORCE #1 at your local comic shop today! ...
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