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06/12/15 @ 8:54 am EST
Writer’s commentary by David Avallone for Legenderry: Vampirella #5Legenderry: Vampirella was my first series as a comic book writer, and I have to thank Allison Baker, Chris Roberson, Bill Willingham and Joseph Rybandt for pushing me to do it, recommending me for it, and having the faith that I could pull it off. I hope they were satisfied with the results. And so here we find ourselves in the final issue. In Chapter Four I tried to set up all the elements for the climax, and now the curtain rises on my (hopefully) Grand Finale. What follows will have some MAJOR spoilers, including the really big twist I’ve been building up to: this is best read AFTER you’ve read Legenderry Vampirella Chapter Five.  Page 1: Mercy and Rudolf Rassendyll riding to the rescue of Vampirella, and arriving to see her handiwork. On the one hand I always want to stress that Vampirella doesn’t want anybody’s assistance. On the other… we could all use a little help from our friends.  Page 2 & 3: A beautiful two-page splash from David Thomas Cabrera. I take every chance I get to say nice things about DTC, because his work on this book has been extraordinary. He’s used every piece of photo reference I threw at him, and graciously accepted my occasional small tweaks on framing and layout. The title of this issue is HEARTS OF LIGHT AND DARKNESS: the reference to Jospeh Conrad (already present in the “Kurtz” character) is obvious. The reference to Roger Zelazny’s craziest novel is a little more obscure. The last page of the previous issue teased this issue’s title as THE VAMPIRE STRIKES BACK, but that was a joke.  Page 4: Vampirella has been previously established (long before I started writing her) as invulnerable. But… she’s made of matter, and a disintegrator (or “demolecularizer”, as my characters like to call them) is going to disintegrate matter. The glancing blow here isn’t quite enough to make her disappear in a puff of smoke, though. The sizzling glow where the beam hit is her body replacing cells at almost the same speed that the beam is burning them off. It’s worth mentioning here that in Chapter Three I tried to make it clear that I favor her original “Planet Draculon” sci-fi origin story, in all of its insane glory. No Biblical hoo-hah here.  Page 5: In my first drafts, I rarely gave the Clones any lines. When I see David’s art I am invariably moved to give them something to say. They’re pawns, and what’s really going on is always above their pay grade. Still, they see what’s happening and react like any confused pawn does when the important pieces start moving (and wiping them out.) Page 6, Panel 5: Doing a book set in a world populated by legends, you want to work with iconic characters. Bill Willingham, when he created the world of “Legenderry”, brought together a fantastic group of the Dynamite Comics characters and reimagined them in fun and interesting ways. When I was asked to spin-off a series with Vampirella, I was given a lot of freedom to add new characters to this setting. Working with turn-of-the-century public domain characters is not a new idea, and Alan Moore worked these fields rather thoroughly in his LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN, so I had to take to my shelves to find characters I loved and wanted to write, given this opportunity. (I also took a moment to check with the irreplaceable Jess Nevins that Alan had not exploited any of these characters already in his books.) In this panel you see three at once: Kurtz, The Emperor Jones, and Rupert of Hentzau. In this “alternate universe” of Legenderry, I postulate that MY Kurtz – rather than dying – opens a trade route to the Jungle and becomes a very rich man, with some of the personality traits of a certain other famous billionaire whose initial is “K”. Likewise, the Emperor Jones survives his nightmarish flight from revolution, and finds refuge in the Council. The Devil-may-care Hentzau is much as he was at the end of The Prisoner of Zenda: out of a job, and pretty pissed off at Rudolph Rassendyll. I have loved writing these three guys, and hope I get a chance to use them again. Page 6, Panel 6: Valcallan returns, with an electro-rifle. We all know who the “mad old Sikh” is, right?  Page 8: I intended these panels to mirror each other, but left that out of the script. I thought the framing wouldn’t work. David Cabrera read my mind and did it anyway. Rassendyll is probably flashing back to his desperate assault on Zenda. His memory is hazy, though… because… (spoiler!) he’s not really Rassendyll. Page 9: The constable is named Sennett. Of course he is. Later, this man will go on to form the Keystone Kops, klearly. Page 10: I hate to send Mercy away from the big finale, but that’s how it worked out. She’s based on a pulp character from the late fifties, but I won’t say who… maybe next time.  Page 12: I love the “climbing the airship tow-rope” action beat. So did the producers of A VIEW TO A KILL. I think we’re BOTH ripping it off from a 1971 Michael York WWI movie called ZEPPELIN. And here’s a little more chatter from the Clones, for laughs. I think they’d definitely be talking about the death toll this one lady has racked up among their ranks. Page 14-15: Here we go. I’m genuinely curious if this worked… if people saw it coming. Naturally, Rupert figures it out before everyone else.  Page 16: It could be argued that Black Mass saving Vampirella here is a deus ex machina moment… but I did my best to set it up. It’s not random. Black Mass has been there all along, and he saves her because he loves her. It’s a love story. I’m pretty sure in the solicits for the first issue I mentioned that. You just forgot, in all the violence and fun. Page 17: The moment in the previous issue, where Rassendyll is looking at himself quizzically in the mirror, should come to mind here. Black Mass lost himself for a bit. The disguise was too perfect, including susceptibility to knock-out drugs. Page 18: This is a good time to mention Dave Lanphear, letterer and Robby Bevard, colorist. Like a bad movie director, all I told Dave about anything in this series was “it would be nice if there was a cool lettering treatment” (when Kurtz is orating, or Black Mass is speaking). I didn’t give him a single useful idea other than “make it cool”, and he did. In this issue, it was Robby Bevard’s idea to have the sun slowly setting, and the sky turning colors, as the story progressed. A perfect idea, beautifully pulled off, that helps the story – indeed TELLS the story – magnificently. Robby’s work on the whole series has been stunning, and always in service of the narrative. Page 19: In issue one, the story began on the airship platform of Kurtz tower. It ends there, too. I like that sort of thing.  Page 20: Last issue, Kurtz said “Exterminate the brutes!” Here he gets to use his most famous catchphrase. Page 21: Vampirella hasn’t had a reason (or a chance) to extend her wings in this series… I thought it would be lovely to do it here, at the end. I always listen to music when I write, and soundtrack nerds might find it interesting that I listened to “Taarna Forever” from Elmer Bernstein’s score for Heavy Metal when I was writing this sequence. (No one else will care.) Page 22: Our story ends, for now, with a joke from Citizen Kane, a hopeful ending not unlike Here Comes Mr. Jordan and the final payoff of the running gag about Rudolf’s silly name. I hope you enjoyed the ride… For more on Legenderry: Vampirella #5, click here.
07/01/25 @ 3:12 pm EST
Jim Shooter was a towering figure in the comic book industry—both literally and professionally. He began his career at just 14 years old, writing for DC Comics, where he made a splash with stories for the Legion of Super-Heroes. His early creations included characters like Karate Kid, Ferro Lad, and Princess Projectra, as well as the villain group Fatal Five. Here’s a snapshot of his legacy: <!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]--> DC Comics: Started as a teenage writer, contributing to Adventure Comics and Action Comics. <!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]--> Marvel Comics: Rose to become Editor-in-Chief from 1978 to 1987. Under his leadership: <!--[if !supportLists]-->o <!--[endif]-->Oversaw iconic runs like Uncanny X-Men by Claremont & Byrne, Daredevil by Frank Miller, and Thor by Walt Simonson. <!--[if !supportLists]-->o <!--[endif]-->Introduced creator royalties and launched the Epic imprint for creator-owned work. <!--[if !supportLists]-->o <!--[endif]-->Created the first major crossover event: Secret Wars. <!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]--> Valiant Comics: Co-founded the publisher in the early '90s, bringing characters like Solar: Man of the Atom and Harbinger to life. <!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->Also founded Defiant Comics and Broadway Comics, though both were short-lived. Shooter was known for his strict editorial style, which helped Marvel stay on schedule but also led to clashes with many creators. Despite the friction, his tenure is credited with revitalizing Marvel during a critical period. Jim Shooter passed away on June 30, 2025, at the age of 73. His influence on comics—both in storytelling and industry practices—remains profound. 
07/01/25 @ 2:50 pm EST
In the ever-watchful world of fandom sleuthing, even a simple Instagram follow can ignite a firestorm of speculation. That’s exactly what happened when filmmaker and DC Studios co-head James Gunn followed actress Adria Arjona on Instagram—a move that fans quickly interpreted as a hint she might be cast as the next Wonder Woman. But Gunn was quick to clarify: “ I followed Adria on Instagram, but everybody came out, ‘He just followed her, that means she’s Wonder Woman!’” he said in a recent interview with Extra. “ She’d be a great Wonder Woman, by the way. But she was in a movie that I made seven years ago. We’ve been friends and have known each other since that time. I followed her then, I didn’t just follow her.” The film Gunn referred to is The Belko Experiment (2016), which he produced and in which Arjona appeared. Their professional relationship and friendship date back to that project, making the social media follow less of a casting clue and more of a long-standing connection. Still, Gunn’s comment that Arjona “ would be a great Wonder Woman” has only fueled fan enthusiasm. With a new Wonder Woman film currently in development and the DC Universe undergoing a major reboot, speculation remains high—even if Gunn insists fans shouldn’t read too much into his Instagram activity.  06/28/25 @ 2:09 pm EST
In a move that blends personal branding with practical necessity, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia star and co-creator Rob McElhenney has officially filed to change his name to Rob Mac. The decision, confirmed by McElhenney himself, marks a significant shift for the actor, writer, and entrepreneur whose surname has long been a source of confusion—and comedy. McElhenney, whose last name has famously stumped fans and media alike (despite Ryan Reynolds’ musical pronunciation tutorial), cited global business expansion as the primary reason. As his company, More Better Industries, continues to invest internationally—including ventures in Colombia and Mexico—he found that “McElhenney” was often mispronounced or misunderstood. “As our business and our storytelling is expanding into other regions of the world and other languages in which my name is even harder to pronounce, I’m just going by Rob Mac,” he told Variety. Interestingly, the name “Mac” isn’t just a simplification—it’s also a nod to his iconic Always Sunny character, known simply as Mac. It’s a full-circle moment that blends his personal identity with his pop culture persona. The name change is already being reflected in FX press materials for both It’s Always Sunny and Welcome to Wrexham, the Emmy-winning docuseries chronicling McElhenney and Reynolds’ ownership of Wrexham AFC.  06/28/25 @ 1:59 pm EST
ABC has officially pulled the plug on Doctor Odyssey, the high-concept medical drama from prolific creator Ryan Murphy, after just one season. The show, which followed a team of doctors navigating emergencies aboard a luxury cruise ship, will not return for a second voyage. Premiering in fall 2024, Doctor Odyssey starred Joshua Jackson as Dr. Max Bankman, alongside Phillipa Soo, Sean Teale, and Don Johnson. The series blended medical drama with high-seas spectacle, drawing comparisons to The Love Boat with a modern, campy twist. Its trailer broke records with 77.8 million views in 48 hours, and the premiere drew 13.6 million cross-platform viewers. Despite the flashy debut and a loyal cult following, the show struggled to maintain momentum. Ratings dipped over the season, and its linear performance lagged behind other ABC dramas. While ABC has yet to issue a formal cancellation statement, the cast contracts are expiring on Monday with no sign of renewal and the sets are being dismantled. And while the ship has sailed on ABC, Ryan Murphy retains creative control and could potentially revive the series elsewhere, such as Hulu, where it performed well on streaming platforms.  06/27/25 @ 2:45 pm EST
Is The Batman Part II script finally done? It appears so. Writer/Director Matt Reeves just posted to social media a blurry picture of himself and co-writer Mattson Tomlin that shows the title page for a script with the logo from The Batman and appears to have the title "The Batman: Part II". Co-head of DC Studios James Gunn said recently that he was expecting to get the script soon but denied that the deadline had already passed. If the script is complete and ready to move forward, it is still in plenty of time to make the current release date of October 2027. This should be good news to fans of the director and franchise and also to actor Robert Pattinson who had commented recently that he was worrying he was going to age out of the role if it took too much longer.  06/26/25 @ 3:35 pm EST
Prime Video’s hit action-thriller Reacher is shaking things up for its fourth season, and one of the most notable changes is the addition of Christopher Rodriguez-Marquette to the cast. The Barry actor steps into the role of Jacob Merrick, a small-town policeman, in a recasting that follows the departure of Jay Baruchel due to personal reasons. Rodriguez-Marquette’s casting came together at lightning speed—he was reportedly selected the same day the role breakdown was released and flown to set within days. His character, Merrick, is said to play a significant role in the upcoming season, which adapts Lee Child’s 13th Jack Reacher novel, Gone Tomorrow. The story kicks off with a tense encounter on a train that spirals into a deadly conspiracy involving powerful enemies. Season 4 also welcomes a host of new faces, including Sydelle Noel, Agnez Mo, Anggun, Kevin Corrigan, Kevin Weisman, Marc Blucas, and Kathleen Robertson. Alan Ritchson returns as the titular Jack Reacher, with Maria Sten reprising her role as Frances Neagley. Rodriguez-Marquette brings a diverse résumé to the series, with recent appearances in Barry, Mozart in the Jungle, and indie films like Grind and Fear, Inc..  06/26/25 @ 3:28 pm EST
In a move that’s sending ripples through both Hollywood and Her Majesty’s Secret Service, acclaimed filmmaker Denis Villeneuve has officially been named the director of the next James Bond movie. This marks the first 007 installment under Amazon MGM Studios’ creative leadership, following their acquisition of the franchise’s rights in 2022. Villeneuve, the visionary behind Dune, Arrival, and Blade Runner 2049, brings a reputation for cerebral storytelling and breathtaking visuals. His appointment signals a bold new chapter for the Bond saga—one that may blend the franchise’s signature espionage thrills with a deeper, more atmospheric tone. “Some of my earliest movie-going memories are connected to 007,” Villeneuve said in a statement. “I grew up watching James Bond films with my father, ever since Dr. No with Sean Connery. I’m a die-hard Bond fan. To me, he’s sacred territory. I intend to honor the tradition and open the path for many new missions to come”. The film will be produced by Amy Pascal and David Heyman, with Villeneuve also serving as executive producer alongside Tanya Lapointe. While no release date has been announced, production is expected to begin after Villeneuve completes work on Dune: Part Three, slated for release in late 2026. As for who will don the tuxedo next, speculation continues to swirl. Aaron Taylor-Johnson remains a frontrunner, but no official casting has been confirmed.  06/22/25 @ 1:53 pm EST
Oscar-winner Russell Crowe has officially joined the upcoming Highlander reboot, stepping into the iconic role of Ramirez — the immortal mentor originally portrayed by Sean Connery in the 1986 cult classic. Crowe will star opposite Henry Cavill, who leads the film as Connor MacLeod, a centuries-old Scottish warrior caught in a secret war among immortals. The film is being helmed by John Wick director Chad Stahelski and is set for a theatrical release under Amazon MGM Studios and United Artists. As Crowe himself cryptically posted on social media: “Yes... it’s true... I shall be returning to the highlands... with a sword... it has been a few centuries... there can be only one”. The reboot aims to reimagine the Highlander mythology for a new generation, blending historical flashbacks with modern-day action. Stahelski has teased a sweeping narrative that spans from the 1500s Highlands to futuristic cities like New York and Hong Kong, promising a mix of martial arts, swordplay, and emotional depth. Production is slated to begin this fall in London, with a release window eyed for 2026.  06/21/25 @ 2:46 pm EST
As production nears completing for DC Studios’ upcoming HBO series Lanterns, director James Hawes is offering fans a glimpse into what’s shaping up to be one of the most ambitious entries in the new DC Universe. Helming the first two episodes, Hawes describes the show as a genre-bending blend of grounded mystery and cosmic spectacle — a “buddy cop movie” with a distinctly American heart. In recent interviews, Hawes emphasized that while the series begins with a gritty, earthbound tone reminiscent of True Detective, it eventually “goes intergalactic”. “The scripts have so much wit, so much character,” he said, likening the tone to a fusion of Fargo, No Country for Old Men, and yes, True Detective — but with Green Lanterns who can fly. Set in Nebraska, the story follows veteran Lantern Hal Jordan ( Kyle Chandler) and his new recruit John Stewart ( Aaron Pierre) as they investigate a seemingly isolated murder that spirals into a much larger conspiracy. Hawes promises that the show won’t disappoint longtime fans of the Green Lantern mythos, while also inviting in a new audience by introducing the characters in a “rooted way” before launching into the cosmic unknown. The cast is stacked with talent, including Nathan Fillion reprising his role as Guy Gardner, Kelly Macdonald as a small-town sheriff, and Ulrich Thomsen as the iconic rogue Sinestro. The series is co-written by Chris Mundy ( Ozark), Damon Lindelof ( Watchmen), and Tom King, with Hawes praising the writing team for crafting a sophisticated narrative that balances humor, character, and high-stakes drama. Lanterns is slated for an early 2026 premiere on HBO and will consist of eight episodes with filming expected to wrap soon.  06/21/25 @ 2:37 pm EST
Marvel Studios has officially announced that Jake Schreier, known for his work on the film Thunderbolts, has been tapped to direct the highly anticipated X-Men reboot. Schreier's appointment comes after months of speculation and rumors. His previous work on Thunderbolts received critical acclaim, despite the film's mixed box office performance. The decision to bring Schreier on board signals Marvel's commitment to revitalizing the X-Men franchise with fresh perspectives and innovative storytelling. The X-Men have a rich history in both comics and film, and fans are eager to see how Schreier will interpret these iconic characters. The director's vision for the X-Men is expected to blend the classic elements that fans love with new and exciting twists. One of the key challenges Schreier will face is balancing the expectations of long-time X-men fans with the need to attract new audiences. The X-Men films have a dedicated fan base, and any changes to the beloved characters and storylines will be closely scrutinized. In addition to directing, Schreier will be working closely with Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige and screenwriter Michael Lesslie on the script. As the MCU continues to expand, the introduction of the X-Men is a significant milestone. The mutants' arrival in the MCU opens up a wealth of storytelling possibilities and potential crossovers with other Marvel characters. The release date for the X-Men reboot has not yet been announced.  |
