|
07/08/16 @ 3:25 am EST
Ben Fisher, best known for writing Grumpy Cat, is now shifting gears and working on a post-apocalyptic drama series called The Great Divide. He talks with Byron Brewerabout the first issue that will be on sale from Dynamite in September. Cover A by Mike Henderson, Cover B by Adam Markiewicz, Cover C by Kyle Strahm.  BYRON BREWER: Ben, Dynamite readers may know you best as a writer on the tremendously popular Grumpy Cat title, but this is something worlds away. Tell us how you came to create The Great Divide as a concept and how it came to Dynamite.BEN FISHER: As a writer, I’m always interested in exploring how people with different backgrounds and viewpoints interact – particularly if they’re forced to come together under unusual circumstances. That concept holds true whether the premise is comedy or (in this case) post-apocalyptic drama.One day I was standing on an overcrowded bus heading into downtown Portland, uncomfortable and claustrophobic, and the thought occurred to me: how would the world operate if physical contact was literally a death sentence? Could personal relationships exist if just being in the same room as someone else was a potential risk?So I reached out to Adam Markiewicz, who really has a gift for letting human emotion shine through his panels, and together we brought the concept to Dynamite. They were immediately enthusiastic about the idea, and we really couldn’t have asked for better partners. BB: How closely have you Adam collaborated on the look and design for this book? I would imagine atmosphere is important in this type of series.BF: Atmosphere is essential, absolutely. Adam and I had many discussions about how people completely lacking human contact might express themselves in art, and the post-Divide world is filled with examples of that. We also wanted to capture a society at the beginning stages of admitting defeat – of recognizing that its extinction is a foregone conclusion.As a matter of pure aesthetics, Adam (along with Adam Guzowski, the book’s colorist) put a ton of consideration into conveying loneliness in their depiction of the landscape. BB: Tell us, if you will, about the world in which this series takes place.BF: The series is set in the near future, where all of humanity suffers from a mysterious affliction that causes any skin contact to result in agonizing death. But things only get stranger from there: when two people touch, only one dies, and the victim’s memories transfer to the survivor – usually with devastating effects (such as mental instability and the complete loss of the ability to read and write). To make matters worse, the entire planet periodically enters a temporary sleepwalking trance.And nobody has any idea why all of this is happening. (Well, okay, Adam and I might have an idea.)  BB: Simply, what is the “Divide” that occurs?BF: The “Divide” refers to the exact moment when every person simultaneously contracted “dermadik” – a condition that results in instant death upon skin contact. It also refers to the time when “walkabouts” (the unconscious, uncontrollable bouts of migration) first started.It speaks to the gap in genuine human connection that plagues so many of us in real life, only in this world it has become literalized.Wait, was that “simply?” Sorry, I’m terrible at following directions. BB: A post-apocalyptic environment is very popular in today’s comics, it seems. How will The Great Divide set itself apart from those other series?BF: The concept itself is a bit of a departure from traditional post-apocalyptic stories. We’ve created a fairly unique world and populated it with some very non-traditional characters.But truthfully, almost every action/adventure/horror story is “pre-apocalyptic,” with the protagonists valiantly struggling to stop the Really Bad Thing. A “post-apocalyptic” story just happens to take place after the Really Bad Thing has already happened. I think there’s a lot of headroom for both. BB: Who are the protagonists for this horror-fueled sci-fi drama?BF: At the heart of the story are two people who connect in traditional Hollywood romantic fashion: Paul is an aimless wanderer content to run out the clock on his life. At least, until he meets Maria, who immediately beats him unconscious, robs him, and leaves him for dead.During their journey, we’ll be introducing a strange and diverse cast, including a former solider who often serves as the group’s moral compass, a sociopath who collects memories, and a “baredevil” who thrives on the adrenaline rush of over-exposure.  BB: From what I understand, this is a very character-driven story. Was there any particular inspiration for the challenges our pair face?BF: That’s exactly right, and the post-Divide world allows us to focus a spotlight on the fears of intimacy and human connection that we all share. That’s the real inspiration for Paul and Maria’s relationship. Getting too close to another person is – literally – dangerous. And all the voices from your past encounters echo around your head until you aren’t sure if your own thoughts and emotions can be trusted.So it’s the same issues we all face – just with deadlier consequences and the occasional roving marauder. BB: I understand each issue of The Great Divide will also contain unique bonus content. In fact, #1 includes a download code for “Teowawki,” a doomsday-oriented song written and performed by … Ben Fisher! Tell us about it, and some of the other bonus content which may be coming.BF: Adam and I wanted to include additional digital content with each issue as our way of thanking readers who choose to spend time with us. The first issue will include a tongue-in-cheek song I wrote about a doomsday prepper on a first date. It felt like a thematically appropriate choice. The second issue will have downloadable pages to a post-apocalyptic adult coloring book drawn by Adam.We’ve got a lot of fun stuff planned and, as I hope is evident, we’re not letting the dark tone of the book suck all the fun out of the room. The story is filled with bits of humor and lighter moments to offset humanity’s grim situation, and the bonus content will certainly reflect that.In addition to the digital content, our enthusiasm for The Great Divide has spilled over into our other passions. We’re both musicians (Adam in particular has an ear for ambient soundtracks) and we’ve written a full original score for the series, which we’ll make available online (for free!) to help set the mood.
12/06/24 @ 9:38 pm EST
A superhero movie shelved for tax reasons. A disgraced director attempting a comeback. And a shady company rebooting a classic comic book hero. It all sounds very Hollywood 2024 — and that was one of the goals for Alex Segura with his new novel, Alter Ego. Alter Ego, which arrived Dec. 3 from publisher Flatiron, serves as what he calls a “standalone” sequel to his well-received 2022 novel Secret Identity, which focused on comic book culture of the 1970s and chronicled the creation of a hero known as The Lynx. The new novel takes place decades later in the same world as Secret Identity, but can be read on its own. Alter Ego centers on Annie Bustamante, an acclaimed comic book artist and filmmaker who is sent into a tailspin when her new superhero movie gets shelved for tax reasons. She gets a lifeline when a mysterious company hires her to help reboot The Lynx comic and consult on the property (a disgraced filmmaker is directing a Lynx movie as part of a comeback attempt). Annie signs on, but she soon starts receiving messages from someone called Apparition, who warns she is in danger. The novel took life after Flatiron editor Zack Wagman suggested Segura add a modern-day epilogue to Secret Identity, which followed the 1970s exploits of comic book creator Carmen Valdez. (via The Hollywood Reporter) 12/06/24 @ 9:30 pm EST
For Black History Month, Marvel Comics will continue its tradition of highlighting Black characters and uplifting Black voices with a special Marvel’s Voices comic one-shot. This time around, it’ll be centered around one the most groundbreaking super heroes in pop culture—STORM. Just in time for the X-Man’s 50th anniversary, STORM: LIFEDREAM will celebrate the character’s impact with a thrilling saga that revisits her most iconic eras. STORM: LIFEDREAM kicks off when intergalactic historians attempt to update their records on Earth’s Mightiest Mutant—Ororo Munroe! As they dive into Storm’s rich history, they’ll find a woman too powerful to contain – and risk unleashing a side of her no one’s seen before. It’s a whirlwind journey across Storm’s key adventures and greatest feats as a malevolent entity threatens to corrupt her legacy! Spearheaded by superstar journalist and Marvel’s Voices creator Angélique Roché, STORM: LIFEDREAM will include stories written by Curtis Baxter, who recently made his Marvel Comics debut in Miles Morales: Spider-Man Annual #1; Brittney Morris, best-selling author of SLAY and The Cost of Knowing; and Eisner Award winning writer and artist John Jennings, known for his work on Kindred and Silver Surfer. The issue will be drawn by acclaimed Marvel artists Karen S. Darboe (Bloodline: Daughter of Blade) and Alitha Martinez (Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, Black Panther) along with rising star cover artist Edwin Galmon and Charles Stewart III in his exciting Marvel Comics debut. From joining Earth’s Mightiest Heroes in Jed MacKay and Valerio Schiti’s Avengers to the launch of her new solo ongoing series by Murewa Ayodele and Lucas Werneck, it’s shaping up to be a pivotal moment in Storm’s extraordinary history! Fans won’t want to miss this special celebration of her undeniable impact on the Marvel Universe and beyond! Preorder STORM: LIFEDREAM #1 at your local comic shop today.       
... 12/06/24 @ 1:37 pm EST
HBO has made a key hire for its anticipated Harry Potter series in the shape of costume designer Holly Waddington, who recently won an Oscar for her work on Emma Stone starrer Poor Things. The hire has been confirmed to Deadline by HBO, marking the first confirmed creative to join the series since it was announced over the summer with Francesca Gardiner as showrunner and Mark Mylod aboard to direct multiple episodes. Waddington’s star is sky high after Poor Things, which earned her wins from the Academy, BAFTA and the Costume Designers Guild Awards. Her striking costumes for the film went on to be showcased in exhibitions held in London and Athens. She has now landed one of the plumb costume jobs in TV. As revealed yesterday at a Max Showcase in London, the big-budget series retelling of JK Rowling’s novels will film at Leavesden from summer 2025. 12/06/24 @ 1:26 pm EST
You know what time it is! This March, Ben Grimm is back headlining an all-new solo series! THE THING will be a five-issue limited series written by Tony Fleecs, following his acclaimed Marvel Comics debut in Venom War: Wolverine, and drawn by former Fantastic Four artist Leonard Kirk, known for his stellar work on titles like Star Wars: Battle of Jakku and Sabretooth. The saga sees Ben Grimm step away from the Fantastic Four to take down a criminal conspiracy with mysterious ties to his childhood on Yancy Street, fighting his way to the top as a one-man clobberin’ machine! But when the big bad puts out a hefty hit on him, he’ll have to battle a who’s who of classic Marvel villains from Bullseye to the unstoppable Juggernaut! Arriving just ahead of Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four: First Steps this July and perfect for newcomers and True Believers alike, THE THING delivers a timeless, action-packed adventure for one comic books’ most beloved icons. T HE THING CLOBBERS THE MARVEL UNIVERSE! Ben Grimm may be the strongest member of the Fantastic Four, but once upon a time, he was just a scrawny kid from Yancy Street. When an unexpected visitor from his past sends him on a search for a missing child, the Thing must unravel the mystery even if that means becoming a wanted man! Get ready to see the Ever-Lovin’ Blue-Eyed Thing versus every super-powered criminal and bounty hunter in New York City! Fleecs and Kirk give a glimpse into the history of the Thing that reminds you why Ben Grimm is the heart of the Marvel Universe…and why you don’t want to let him hear you say that! “What I love about Ben Grimm is that he's just a regular hardworking guy--who happens to have super powers,” Fleecs shared. “He's Jack Kirby. He's not easily impressed by all of the outlandish, cosmic stuff constantly going on around him. “The fun thing about this book is trying to figure out-- 'okay, then what WOULD surprise the Thing? What WOULD catch him off guard?' In that spirit, we're throwing every villain in the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe at him. Trying to pit him against some opponents that you wouldn't expect. We've got Leonard Kirk drawing The Thing! Believe me, you're gonna see ol' Benjy clobber some guys he's never clobbered before.” “It's been a decade since my run on Fantastic Four and I am thrilled as punch (pun intended) to be working on this series with everyone's favorite orange, pugilistic paragon of heroism, Ben Grimm,” Kirk said. “The villains he goes up against range from the, let's just say, less than serious, to the absolutely iconic, and I am very much looking forward to drawing all of them. The first issue has already been a fun romp and I know I will love the rest.” Check out Nick Bradshaw’s cover and preorder THE THING #1 at your local comic shop today! 
... 12/06/24 @ 1:13 pm EST
An ambitious short film is garnering praise in Hollywood. Ron Howard, Roland Emmerich and 300 producer Gianni Nunnari are among admirers of high-end short Edge Of Space, which is set in 1961 during the height of the US-Soviet space race and depicts the journey of a determined USAF test pilot, who is recruited by NASA for a daring suborbital mission in a X-15 hypersonic rocket-powered aircraft. You can watch the first trailer below. Written and directed by Zurich Film Festival executive and former Roland Emmerich employee Jean de Meuron, the film is inspired by historical events and stars Chad Michael Collins (Sniper film series), Kimberly Alexander, Jackson Robert Scott (It) and Kevin LaRosa II (Top Gun: Maverick aerial coordinator), among others. Edge Of Space was three years in the making and was financed by de Meuron and in large part by an old friend who wanted to help his buddy realize his passion project. It is his second short as a director and has unusually high production values and a deep bench of Hollywood vets among the crew. (via Deadline) Trailer: https://youtu.be/bt7G9Akn7WQ 12/05/24 @ 3:15 pm EST
Elizabeth Olsen (His Three Daughters) has closed a deal to join Julia Roberts in Panic Carefully, a new Warner Bros. film that Sam Esmail will direct from his own script. Described as a paranoid thriller in the vein of Esmail’s Emmy and Golden Globe winner Mr. Robot, as well as The Silence of the Lambs, the film’s logline is being kept under wraps. The project went out to assorted studios and streamers near the top of this year, with Warner Bros prevailing in a heated bidding war, in part due to its commitment to a theatrical run. The film reunites Esmail with Roberts following Leave the World Behind, their hugely popular apocalyptic thriller, based on the 2020 novel by Rumaan Alam, which premiered on Netflix in November 2023 and stands as the streamer’s fifth most popular English-language film of all time, with 143.4 million views. Production is slated to kick off in England in January. (via Deadline) 12/05/24 @ 3:05 pm EST
Today Skybound and Image Comics, in collaboration with leading toy and game company Hasbro, revealed the lineup of variant covers for TRANSFORMERS #16, the two-time Eisner Award winning series from writer Daniel Warren Johnson (Extremity, Do a Powerbomb), artist Jorge Corona (Middlewest), and colorist Sarah Stern (Batgirls). The next chapter of the tentpole Energon Universe story will be available on shelves in comic book shops January 8, 2025. In addition to the main cover by Daniel Warren Johnson and Mike Spicer, the lineup of variant covers for TRANSFORMERS #16 includes an open-to-order cover B by series artist Jorge Corona & Mike Spicer, a 1:10 incentive variant continuing the connecting cover series by Karl Kerschl (Adventures of Superman), a 1:25 incentive variant by cover by Manabu Yashiro (Tank Chair), and a 1:50 incentive variant by cover artist Homare. TRANSFORMERS is the cornerstone of the Energon Universe, the crown jewel of the historic collaboration between Hasbro and Skybound, who has introduced a brand-new era of the TRANSFORMERS and G.I. JOE franchises in one shared comic book universe. Other Energon Universe titles include the ongoing series Void Rivals by writer Robert Kirkman (Invincible, The Walking Dead), artist Lorenzo De Felici (Kroma), and colorist Patricio Delpeche (The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country) and the new G.I. JOE by writer Joshua Williamson (Superman, Dark Ride), artist Tom Reilly (The Thing), and colorist Jordie Bellaire (W0rldtr33). The Energon Universe also includes G.I. JOE miniseries Duke, from Joshua Williamson, Tom Reilly and Jordie Bellaire; Cobra Commander from Joshua Williamson, Andrea Milana (Impact Winter: Rook) and Annalisa Leoni (Oblivion Song); Scarlett, from writer Kelly Thompson (Black Widow, Birds of Prey), artist Marco Ferrari (Frontiersman), and colorist Lee Loughridge (I Hate This Place, Killadelphia); and Destro, from writer Dan Watters (Loki, Universal Monsters: Creature from the Black Lagoon Lives!), artist Andrei Bressan (Dark Ride, Birthright), and colorist Adriano Lucas (Dark Ride, Birthright), which introduce the iconic characters of the G.I. JOE and Cobra factions to the Energon Universe. Fans should expect can’t-miss moments from every issue of the Energon Universe, as secrets are unveiled along the path to answering the BIG questions from some of the biggest franchises in comics today. TRANSFORMERS #16 (Lunar Codes Below $3.99) will be available at comic book shops and digital platforms including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. The full list of variant covers is below: TRANSFORMERS #16 Cover A by Daniel Warren Johnson & Mike Spicer (Lunar Code: 1124IM384) TRANSFORMERS #16 Cover B by Jorge Corona & Mike Spicer (Lunar Code: 1124IM385) TRANSFORMERS #16 Cover C (1:10 Copy Incentive) (Connecting) by Karl Kerschl (Lunar Code: 1124IM386) TRANSFORMERS #16 Cover D (1:25 Copy Incentive) by Manabu Yashiro (Lunar Code: 1124IM387) TRANSFORMERS #16 Cover E (1:50 Copy Incentive) by Homare (Lunar Code: 1124IM388) 
 
... 12/05/24 @ 2:54 pm EST
Since making her big move to the 616 earlier this year, Gwen Stacy’s super hero career has taken a wild turn! New villains, hints of romance, and the overarching mystery behind her permanent dimension hop has made writer Stephanie Phillips and artist Paolo Villanelli’s SPIDER-GWEN: THE GHOST-SPIDER one of the hottest launches of the year. This March, the series continues to go where no Gwen Stacy has gone before in a new arc titled “Ghost-Spider Beyond!” Kicking off in SPIDER-GWEN: THE GHOST-SPIDER #11, the thrilling saga sees Gwen take off on grand quest into the Marvel cosmos! There, she’ll come across unimaginable power and the only thing stopping her from using it to fix all her life’s problems is Loki! During the storyline, Gwen will debut a new space suit designed by SPIDER-GWEN: THE GHOST-SPIDER’s superstar cover artist Mark Brooks. GHOST-SPIDER BEYOND! Gwen has something King Loki wants, and she’ll do everything in her power to keep it from him. The god of lies and deception knows his strength lies in words over brute force, so he intends to convince Gwen to give up the artifact willingly. It’s the most unlikely team-up ever as Ghost-Spider and King Loki embark on an intergalactic adventure for the ages! "I envisioned a Gwen and Loki storyline from the beginning of my work on Gwen, so this arc feels like the culmination of everything we’ve been building toward,” Phillips shared. “Taking Gwen to space has allowed us to explore some unexpected elements of her character, especially as her optimism and hope clashes with King Loki's nihilism. Paolo and I have worked hard to make this a unique sci-fi adventure—one that’s dark and very personal to Gwen." Check out Brooks’ cover along with his design sheet for Gwen’s new look and preorder SPIDER-GWEN: GHOST-SPIDER #11 at your local comic shop today! To catch up on Phillips’ run, pick up SPIDER-GWEN: THE GHOST-SPIDER VOLUME. 1 – HAUNTED, on sale this January!  
... 12/05/24 @ 2:46 pm EST
It’s “Joy to the World” for Doctor Who fans this Christmas as Disney and the BBC unveil a trailer for the latest holiday special (below). Featuring Ncuti Gatwa and Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan, Joy to the World follows the title character checking into a London hotel in 2024. She opens a secret doorway to the Time Hotel — discovering danger, dinosaurs and the Doctor. But a deadly plan is unfolding across the Earth, just in time for Christmas. Gatwa of course returns as the Doctor. Coughlan, who is known globally for her role as Penelope Featherington in Netflix’s Bridgerton, has been trailed to be appearing in Doctor Who for some time. Others to feature include Steph de Whalley as Anita, Jonathan Aris as Melnak, Joel Fry as Trev, Peter Benedict as Basil, Julia Watson as Hilda and Niamh Marie Smithas Sylvia. The Christmas special will precede the second season of episodes of Doctor Who under its regenerated Disney-BBC deal with Russell T Davies back at the helm. That deal is yet to be re-upped beyond its second season. (via Deadline) Trailer: https://youtu.be/B2ndr6SnILI 12/04/24 @ 4:24 pm EST
One of the stars of Daredevil: Born Again confirms there is indeed a time jump from the third season of Daredevil ending on Netflix, and when the upcoming Disney+ show begins. Next spring is the release of Daredevil: Born Again, which brings back everyone’s favorite Marvel street-level characters like Matt Murdock, Wilson Fisk, Karen Page, Foggy Nelson, Punisher, and Bullseye. And Wilson Bethel, who plays the villainous Bullseye, has revealed new details regarding how much time takes place between Daredevil and its coming successor. Speaking at Fan Expo San Francisco, Bethel dropped a bombshell that Daredevil: Born Again will feature a time jump. “So there’s kind of like this funny thing stepping back after five years where Born Again will pick up with that amount of time having transpired." Bethel said. "The show doesn’t pick up the day after we last saw it. It picks up five years later. And so in theory, these are characters who have all lived five years of life and all of the twists and turns that you take in the meantime. So whether or not even those stories are necessarily on screen, there’s just that little extra bit of life in there, which I think is… as an actor, it gives you an opportunity to bring whatever your own journey has been in that time and they get sort of a little longer in the tooth.” Daredevil: Born Again debuts March 4, 2025 on Disney+. (via ComicBook.com) |
