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08/07/14 @ 2:14 pm EST
“Writing Their First Interaction Was Incredibly Delicious” – Del Col And McCreery Talk Sherlock Holmes vs Harry Houdini Posted on August 4, 2014 by Dan Wickline An idea that I’m surprise if no one has ever done before. The great detective Sherlock Holmes meets the escape artist Harry Houdini. The new series from Dynamite is being written by Kill Shakespeare writers Anthony Del Col and Conor McCreery, and Byron Brewer sat down to talk to the pair of creators about the project. BYRON BREWER: First, Anthony, what did it feel like to have your work, Kill Shakespeare, nominated for a Harvey Award? Pretty cool.ANTHONY DEL COL: Pretty cool? Actually, pretty freakin’ cool! It was completely unexpected as this was the first series that Conor and I had ever done. The Harveys are voted on by fellow members of the industry so it made us feel that we had been accepted by the community. CONOR MCCREERY: Weirdly enough at that Harvey Awards dinner we sat beside Nick Barrucci. I remember thinking he was a very sarcastically funny guy and that he seemed to have a great head on his shoulders for the business and that it would be great to work with him one day.And they say dreams don’t come true. BB: Can you describe the process of how you and co-writer Conor McCreery work as a team?C: It’s a fluid thing – like for H&H Anthony took it on himself to bring all these amazing ideas to our first story meeting. I didn’t even open my notebook to mention any of the thoughts I had – his were that amazing! After that we worked together on “breaking” the story and figuring out what the five issues will be. Writing-wise what we usually do is one guy is “lead” writer on an issue and the other guy story-edits and does a pass at the end. A: And then if we have any disagreements we resort to Rock-Paper-Scissors to determine whose idea sees the light of day. We both competed in the first-annual World Rock-Paper-Scissors Championships a number of years ago so we’re both good. Okay, alright, we both throw the same moves so it ends up as a stalemate… C: Anthony’s being modest – he actually was a quarterfinalist and lost to the eventual World Champion. So, given THAT skill set I have an excellent incentive to compromise when I’m being stubborn – GRIN. BB: Have you ever written an adventure of the legendary detective Sherlock Holmes before?A: I’ve always thought that Holmes was an amazing character but never had the nerve or gumption to tackle writing an adventure with him before. I’m so glad that Dynamite has given us the opportunity – he’s a blast to write for! I feel like I’m getting smarter just by trying to get in his mind. C: See, and writing Holmes just makes me feel dumb… wait… that was all the “research” I did for Holmes’ character flaw. BB: How does our master sleuth become involved with the great performer Houdini?C: Well I’d like to say that Holmes is naturally drawn to other people who display excellence and that he seeks out Houdini as a way to test out another exceptional talent. I’d LIKE to say that, but the truth is, well, Holmes is in a bit of trouble when he first meets Harry. I can’t say anything more though. I don’t want to spoil the fun. A: Writing their first interaction was incredibly delicious. Here we have two accomplished, smart and arrogant men in the same room, trying to test the other person. It really felt like scripting a boxing match but instead of punches they’re throwing verbal jabs and witticisms. And everyone else in the room just stands back and watches these two titans go at it. BB: Can you tell us at what point in Houdini’s career this piece takes place? He was a very different man at different points during his career. A: Our story is set in 1900, which is when Houdini is starting to blow up internationally as the master of escape. It’s his first tour of London (the centre of Europe) and he’s hoping to really draw in huge crowds and become an international superstar. It’s interesting that most people think of him as American (and he pretty much believed it to be true) but he was actually born in Europe. C: We’ve also drawn heavily on a couple of other elements of Houdini’s life and sort of planted the seeds in this story. One is his love of film, and the other was his later-life obsession in “outing” spiritualists – who he felt were at best irresponsible, and at worst out and out crooks, for suggesting that there are powers beyond our understanding at work in the world.It’s that viewpoint that’s going to get HARRY in trouble in our story… BB: And the big-bad is … ?C: Oh you can’t expect we’ll tell you that! For shame, well-oiled Dynamite marketing machine! For shame! A: Conor’s right – trying to get us to reveal the big bad this early would be even harder than escaping from one of Houdini’s tricks. We really wanted to come up with a character that was smart as well as physically imposing, and we think we’ve come up with just the right fit… BB: Are you a student of magical history or a fan of the late performer?A: For myself, it’s only lately that I’ve started to become really intrigued by magic. I had the fortune to meet magician Jon Armstrong (who actually created a comic series, Smoke & Mirrors, with IDW) and see a couple of his shows and left each one shaking my head at how he did it. What’s interesting is that when we went last month I could already guess at some of their techniques because of research for Holmes vs. Houdini. C: Do we count liking Gob from Arrested Development as being a “student of magical history?” Then yes. Yes, I am. BB: What would you say about the art of Carlos Furuzono?A: Well, I was disappointed at first that my original pitch of doing the entire series in my poorly-drawn stick figures wasn’t approved… But seriously, Joe, Nick and the team at Dynamite did a great job finding and recruiting Carlos to work on this series. The early pages that I’ve seen are amazing and I think he’s a real talent ready to make it to the next level. C: I was also disappointed about the stick figures… For more on Sherlock Holmes vs Harry Houdini #1, click here. 03/26/25 @ 9:44 pm EST
The long-awaited reboot of Red Sonja has been scooped up by Samuel Goldwyn Films, Deadline is reporting. The distrib will handle U.S. rights with an eye on a theatrical release later this year. This version of the feature take of the comic series is directed by M. J. Bassett who has directed episodes of Iron Fist, Power and Ash vs. Evil Dead. The original movie, released in 1985 during the heyday of the Conan the Barbarian movies, starred Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bridgitte Nielsen in the title role. Captured. Chained. Forced to fight for survival. Red Sonja must battle her way through the blood-soaked pits of a tyrant’s empire and rally an army of outcasts to reclaim her freedom and take down Dragan and his ruthless bride, Dark Annisia. Tasha Huo wrote the screenplay and Matilda Lutz (Daisy Ridley’s Magpie) stars in the title role alongside Robert Sheehan (The Umbrella Academy), Wallis Day (Batwoman), Martyn Ford (Those About to Die), Michael Bisping (Den of Thieves), with Phillip Winchester (Strike Back) and Trevor Eve (Waking the Dead). (via Deadline) 03/26/25 @ 3:16 pm EST
Channel 4 has acquired “The Darkness,” an Iceland-set thriller represented by Paramount Global Content Distribution. The deal was unveiled during a Series Mania session with Lisa Kramer, president of international content of licensing at Paramount Global Content Distribution and Lindsey Martin, SVP of co-Productions for CBS Studios. Based on the Ragnar Jónasson novel of the same name, “The Darkness” stars Nordic superstar Lena Olin as a dedicated investigator who is being forced into early retirement and takes on a final cold case centered on a young Russian asylum seeker. While she investigates the shocking murder case, she’s compelled to come to terms with her own personal traumas. The English-language series was shot in Iceland’s capital Reykjavík with a topnotch cast including Jack Bannon (“Pennyworth”), Douglas Henshall (“Shetland”), Björn Hlynur Haraldsson (“A Gentleman in Moscow”) and Thorsteinn Bachmann (“Katla”), among others. (via Variety) 03/26/25 @ 9:46 pm EST
The Avengers are assembling once again. Marvel is announcing the cast of “Avengers: Doomsday” in a livestream on YouTube and its social media channels. Among the returning cast members are Chris Hemsworth as Thor; Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson, who debuted as Captain America in last month’s “Brave New World”; his co-star Danny Ramirez as Joaquin Torres' the new Falcon; Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes, the Winter Soldier; Paul Rudd as Scott Lang/Ant-Man; Tom Hiddleston as Loki; Letitia Wright as Shuri, who took over the Black Panther mantle in “Wakanda Forever,” and her co-star Winston Duke as M’Baku. Some recent newcomers are also being introduced to the “Avengers” ensemble. They include Vanessa Kirby as the Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn as Human Torch and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as the Thing from this summer’s “The Fantastic Four: First Steps”; “Thunderbolts*” stars Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova, David Harbour as Red Guardian, Wyatt Russell as U.S. Agent, Hannah John-Kamen as Ghost, Lewis Pullman as the mysterious Bob; and Simu Liu as Shang-Chi. In July of last year, Robert Downey Jr. (formerly the now-deceased Iron Man) revealed at San Diego Comic-Con that he will portray the villainous Doctor Doom in the upcoming “Avengers” film. Marvel is releasing “Thunderbolts*” on May 2 and “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” on July 25. “Avengers: Doomsday” hits theaters on May 1, 2026. (via Variety) 03/26/25 @ 2:52 pm EST
Netflix has given an eight-episode series order to a live-action reimagining of Warner Bros.’ classic Scooby-Doo cartoon that will track down the origins of the famous mystery-solving teen gang and their beloved dog. The project, from Midnight Radio, Berlanti Productions and Warner Bros. Television, landed for development at the streamer in a competitive situation last spring with a premium, script-to-series commitment. Written by Midnight Radio’s Josh Appelbaum & Scott Rosenberg (Cowboy Bebop) based on characters created by Hanna-Barbera, the yet untitled Scooby-Doo series crafts an origin story of how the Mystery Inc. group got together and first teamed up to crack the haunting case that started it all. During their final summer at camp, old friends Shaggy and Daphne get embroiled in a haunting mystery surrounding a lonely lost Great Dane puppy that may have been a witness to a supernatural murder. Together with the pragmatic and scientific townie, Velma, and the strange, but ever so handsome new kid, Freddy, they set out to solve the case that is pulling each of them into a creepy nightmare that threatens to expose all of their secrets. Created by Joe Ruby and Ken Spears, the Scooby-Doo! franchise was launched in 1969 with the duo’s first animated series Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! for then-Hanna-Barbera (later absorbed into Warner Bros. Animation). (via Deadline) 03/26/25 @ 2:42 pm EST
Marvel Comics continues to celebrate the Fantastic Four this year with all-new Variant Cover programs! Following recent cover collections focused on the Thing, Human Torch, and Invisible Woman, a legendary Fantastic Four supervillain hogs the spotlight this May—the IMPOSSIBLE MAN! The impish prankster will star in 10 variant covers split into two categories: IMPOSSIBLE! VARIANT COVERS and IMPOSSIBLE POP-UP VARIANT COVERS. In the IMPOSSIBLE! VARIANT COVERS, see surprising takes on classic Marvel imagery as Impossible Man unleashes his unique brand of chaos on Marvel history. The covers pay homage to John Byrne’s Uncanny X-Men #136, Todd McFarlane’s Amazing Spider-Man #300, and Adi Granov’s Invincible Iron Man #1 covers as well as John Romita Jr.’s Wonder Man pinup from Marvel Illustrated – The Swimsuit Issue and Jim Lee’s depiction of Psylocke from an iconic ‘90s X-Men trading card. Then, the Popuppian from the planet Poppup lives up to his species’ name in IMPOSSIBLE POP-UP VARIANT COVERS, which sees the Impossible Man take over the respective issue’s main cover. This latest variant cover program arrives to celebrate the history of the Fantastic Four during a monumental year for Marvel’s First Family. In addition to the release of Marvel Studios’ highly anticipated The Fantastic Four: First Steps film on July 25, the Fantastic Four are undergoing major developments in ONE WORLD UNDER DOOM, a new comic event that kicked off last month, that will lead into an all-new era by writer Ryan North and artist Humberto Ramos in Fantastic Four #1 this July.          
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Casting rumors for Rapunzel and Mother Gothel are heating up for the Disney live-action remake of Tangled. In December 2024, it was reported that Disney was working on a live-action adaptation of Tangled, with The Greatest Showman director Michael Gracey set to helm the project. The film will reimagine the 2010 animated classic, and all eyes now shift to who will play the next Disney princess in live-action. In January, industry insider Daniel Richtman shared that Disney is eyeing star Florence Pugh to play Rapunzel. In addition to the Rapunzel casting rumors, Richtman stated that Kathryn Hahn is Disney's choice to play Mother Gothel in live-action. Casting for the roles has not yet been announced. (The Direct) 03/25/25 @ 5:42 pm EST
Samuel Goldwyn Films has taken North America to the Sundance Film Festival 2024 premiere with The Moogai from Bankside Films. A May theatrical release is in the works. The Australian horror movie comes from Causeway Films which produced such genre hits as The Babadook and Talk to Me. In the movie, Sarah and Fergus, a hopeful young Aboriginal couple, give birth to their second baby. But what should be a joyous time of their lives becomes sinister when Sarah starts seeing a malevolent spirit she is convinced is trying to take her baby. Fergus, who can’t see it but desperately wants to believe her, grows increasingly worried as she becomes more unbalanced. Is the child-stealing spirit real or is she in fact the biggest threat to the safety of their family? (via Deadline) 03/25/25 @ 5:32 pm EST
BOOM! Studios, in collaboration with leading games, IP and toy company Hasbro, today revealed a first look at POWER RANGERS PRIME #6. Groundbreaking POWER RANGERS writer, and scribe behind Darkest Hour Melissa Flores, with returning guest artist Jo Mi-gyeong (Ranger Academy), colorist Ellie Wright, and letterer Ed Dukeshire ushers in a new era into the Rangers Mythos with the new ongoing series POWER RANGERS PRIME! Continuing April 2025. Ryan’s relentless interrogation uncovers a painful past leading up to Mark’s refugee status on Earth! Can our newfound hero endure the harsh conditions of the internment camp to embrace his hidden power within? POWER RANGERS PRIME #6 features a main cover by the incomparable Dan Mora, with variants by Miguel Mercado (Thor), Nimit Malavia (Jim Henson’s Labyrinth), Keyla Valerio (Vicarious), Alessio Zonno (I Heart Skull-Crusher!), and a limited BOOM! Studios Direct Reserve exclusive variant by Bon Bernardo! POWER RANGERS PRIME is the newest release from BOOM! Studios’ eponymous imprint, home to critically acclaimed original series, including BRZRKR by Keanu Reeves, Matt Kindt, and Ron Garney; Something is Killing the Children by James Tynion IV and Werther Dell’Edera; bestselling horror anthology Hello Darkness; Grim by Stephanie Phillips and Flaviano; Stuff of Nightmares by R.L. Stine and A.L. Kaplan; A Vicious Circle by Mattson Tomlin and Lee Bermejo; Ghostlore by Cullen Bunn and Leomacs; Rare Flavours by Ram V and Filipe Andrade; Underheist by David and Maria Lapham; Animal Pound by Tom King and Peter Gross; Minor Arcana by Jeff Lemire; and the upcoming Vicarious by Ryan Parrott and Eleonora Carlini; and The Creeping Below by Brian Azzarello and Vanesa Del Rey. The imprint also publishes popular licensed properties, including Dune: House Corrino from Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson, and Simone Ragazzoni; and The Expanse: Dragon Tooth by Andy Diggle, Rubine, and Francesco Pisa. POWER RANGERS PRIME #6 will be available in comic shops April 30, 2025. It is available for pre-order at your local comic shop. Digital copies can be purchased from content providers, including Kindle, iBooks, and Google Play.              
... 03/25/25 @ 5:25 pm EST
Today Skybound and Image Comics, in collaboration with leading games, IP and toy company Hasbro, revealed a first look at interior pages from G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero – Roadblock #1, the all-new one-shot debuting for Skybound’s Silent Missions month. Written and drawn by Andrew Krahnke (Bloodrik), with colors by Francesco Segala (G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero), this issue hits comic book shops on April 23. The face of comic books changed forever when G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero #21 introduced fans to the “Silent Interlude,” an action-packed story with no dialogue. Now, superstar creators present unforgettable and all-new G.I. JOE Silent Missions throughout the month of April 2025. In this standalone issue from Andrew Krahnke, Roadblock pits his .50 cal machine gun against a Cobra convoy led by the high-flying Wild Weasel. "Andrew Krahnke is one of the most exciting new voices in comics and this issue proves it,” said Alex Antone, Editorial Director at Skybound. “A masterfully crafted silent issue, this is one Roadblock story that G.I. JOE fans won’t soon forget!” In addition to the main cover by Andrew Krahnke, the lineup of variant covers includes an open to order cover by Jorge Fornés (Rorschach), a 1:10 incentive black and white version of Andrew Krahnke’s cover, and a 1:25 incentive foil letter version of Fornés’ cover. G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero – Roadblock #1 is the fourth of five all-new Silent Missions one-shots, each releasing on a Wednesday this April, from a murderer’s row of creative talent also including Phil Hester, DANI & Dan Watters, Leonardo Romero, and Wes Craig. In celebration of Silent Missions month, Skybound will also be releasing a “Silent Missions” edition of the historic “Silent Interlude,” G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero #21, which includes a new letter from Larry Hama. G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero, the currently running, smash hit series from legendary series writer Larry Hama (Marvel’s Wolverine), artist Chris Mooneyham (Nightwing, Sgt. Rock and the Unknown Soldier) and colorist Francesco Segala (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers) is a cornerstone of the historic collaboration between Skybound and Hasbro, alongside the shared Energon Universe that features ongoing series Void Rivals by Robert Kirkman (Invincible, The Walking Dead) and artist Lorenzo De Felici (Oblivion Song), TRANSFORMERS by writer Daniel Warren Johnson and artist Jorge Corona (Middlewest), and G.I. JOE by writer Joshua Williamson (Superman, Dark Ride) and artist Tom Reilly (The Thing). G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero – Roadblock #1 ($3.99) will be available at comic book shops and digital platforms including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. The full list of variant covers is below: G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero – Roadblock #1 Cover A by Andrew Krahnke (Lunar Code: 0225IM292) G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero - Roadblock #1 Cover B by Jorge Fornés (Lunar Code: 0225IM293) G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero - Roadblock #1 Cover C by (1:10 incentive) (Black & White) by Andrew Krahnke (Lunar Code: 0225IM294) G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero – Roadblock #1 Cover D (1:25 Incentive) (Foil Letter) by Jorge Fornés (Lunar Code: 0225IM295)
   
   
... 03/25/25 @ 5:15 pm EST
Laia Costa has joined Jack Reynor in The Mummy, a new take by writer-director Lee Cronin. New Line Cinema is behind the feature that has horror powerhouses Atomic Monster and Blumhouse producing. Doppelgängers, the banner run by Cronin, is also producing. Cronin previously made horror hit Evil Dead Rise for New Line. Production begins this week in Ireland. Mummy is set for an April 17, 2026 release. Plot details are being kept in the sarcophagus but it is understood that Costa and Reynor are playing a married couple who, along with their daughter, cross paths with mummy dearest. (via THR) |
