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08/13/16 @ 12:39 pm EST
In his latest project, Michael Uslan has combined to classic radio show characters with a familial link into one series. Now he talks to Byron Brewer about Lone Ranger/Green Hornet #4, on sale in October from Dynamite. Cover art by Jan Duursema.  BYRON BREWER: Michael, this book seems to be stacking up the great reviews amid fandom. Your reaction?MICHAEL USLAN: I am humbled by the overwhelming wonderful reviews that have poured in. Gio and I have put our hearts into this family saga spanning three generations. We love and respect these characters and their mutual creator, accepting the responsibility as the first ones in 80 years who are legally permitted to tell this story. The readers seem to appreciate the extensive historical research done here by both Gio and me. We also love how Pete, our colorist, and Troy, our letterer, and John and Jan, our cover artists, are being acknowledged for their massive talents. BB: Wow! So Kato was trained by the older Tonto! Was that a fun concept to invent and write for these iconic sidekicks? Tell us about each’s importance in the role of their hero, in your mind.MU: “The Lone Ranger & Tonto!” “The Green Hornet & Kato!” The latter is the modern era, urban version of the former. Since I only have five issues to tell the multi-generational tale of the Reid family, I could not as a writer “rob” John, Dan and Britt Reid of their “screen-time,” meaning I could not give Kato and Tonto a quantity of time, so had to concentrate on giving them “quality” time. In doing so, it was clear to me that Tonto needed to become Kato’s “Yoda.” If I say anything more, this will become a spoiler. So you’ll just have to read the upcoming issues to see what happens. BB: I don’t think I am revealing spoilers when I mention that a death is coming in October’s issue #4. Without spoilers, Michael, you are so close to these characters as a writer and fan, was this a particularly difficult issue for you to pen?MU: Not difficult. Emotional. What I do not believe in in our comic book industry is the concept of the gimmick. By this I mean the publisher’s move to draw the attention of the general public and mass media to a title by showing the “death” of a major character. By now, almost every superhero I have ever read has been killed. Of course, we fans know what the general public does not, that each of these characters will be back in one year. In our Lone Ranger/Green Hornet opus, if anyone dies, they are not… And I repeat, NOT… coming back. BB: I know from past interviews you do a ton of research on not only characters but the periods of history in which your protagonists share adventures. This has been such an important title for you. Tell us what was the fun – the dessert, if you will – when it came to your research.MU: I’m a history major and history buff. Most of what I read for pleasure are books about history. When I travel the world, I go out of my way to visit historic sites. I particularly love the period of the 1930s and ‘40s. I revel in scenes as simple as the opening of issue #1 where the kids in 1936 leave school, race through the park, and head to the police horse stables to hear tales of the Old West told by the old Lone Ranger. Yet I equally love scenes of action in conflict involving the Nazi threat and all it represents. That pure evil is the closest thing we have to the concept of an ultimate comic book super-villain. BB: Artist Giovanni Timpano is hitting on all cylinders during this series. Is he also a big fan of the Ranger and the Hornet?MU: This man, this artist is awesome! He started out great yet seems to get better and better with each page. His work is stunning both in terms of contemporary graphic story-telling and illustration. He is able to register tremendous emotional range on the face of each character he draws. And he does his homework! Not only does he research every detail extensively, he challenges me on my script references or any photo or art reference I send him, and has, to my sheer delight, managed to correct me on some occasions. We are a team. BB: Michael, what is going on with you these days outside Dynamite?MU: I’m excited about the upcoming Lego Batman Movie, great upcoming Batman animation, the upcoming Batman solo movies, Doc Savage, and the exciting Thunder Agents! Sometime in the next few months, we’ll be making a major announcement about my plans for my future in movies and television. In the world of writing comic books, my next project will be something near and dear to my heart and will be the beginning of the rebuilding of, perhaps, my favorite brand franchise of all time! Beyond that, I have all the faith in Nick Barrucci at Dynamite that he will make possible three more “dream” projects of mine that have been sitting at the top of my bucket list for many years. I also hope to do something more with Turner Classic Movies, my favorite cable network! 01/17/25 @ 6:54 pm EST
A dark new threat is coming to the galaxy far, far away, but true Star Wars fans know he’s been around much longer than anyone might expect! Inspired by unused Return of the Jedi concept art, ATHA PRIME was planned to be the main villain for an unreleased Kenner toy line in the ’80s, one that was intended to continue the success of Star Wars action figures following the release of the Original Trilogy films. Now, decades later, ATHA PRIME will officially debut in Marvel’s upcoming STAR WARS: JEDI KNIGHTS comic series. Emmy Award-winning screenwriter and acclaimed Star Wars comics writer Marc Guggenheim and rising star artist Madibek Musabekov will introduce the character as a mysterious planet’s tyrannical ruler who boldly opposes the Republic and the Jedi Order. Befitting his legacy, ATHA PRIME is spotlighted on John Tyler Christopher’s Action Figure Variant Cover for STAR WARS: JEDI KNIGHT #1 and will also be featured on Ramon Rosanas’ Foil Variant Cover. ATHA PRIME was also previously teased on Rosanas’ “Sneak Preview” variant cover for Star Wars: Legacy of Vader #1. “While developing the series, Marc discovered this deep cut—the antagonist from Kenner’s unrealized The Epic Continues toy line,” Editor Mark Paniccia explained. “We saw the original design and were immediately sold. What a cool character to bring into canon and what a perfect book to do it in!” Hitting stands on March 5, STAR WARS: JEDI KNIGHTS takes place before The Phantom Menace and stars legendary Prequel Trilogy icons like Qui-Gon Jinn, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Yoda, and more, including fan-favorite characters and all-new Jedi. Each thrilling issue follows a different Jedi duo on pivotal missions throughout the galaxy, with an overarching threat binding them together. Who is the mysterious new villain targeting Qui-Gon Jinn for death, and how will it force the Jedi Order to evolve for a new age? “I love the idea that the Jedi are the guardians of peace and justice in the galaxy,” Guggenheim said. “But there are surprisingly few examples of that out there — mainly because the Jedi get sucked into the Clone Wars. I’m as much of a fan of the Clone Wars as the next guy, but I really craved seeing the Jedi doing their thing on a non-war footing. That’s the great appeal of this new Jedi Knights series: We really get a chance to see what the Jedi did before the Clone Wars and their eventual fall.” Preorder STAR WARS: JEDI KNIGHTS #1 at your local comic shop today! 
... 01/17/25 @ 6:47 pm EST
David Krumholtz, who was recently part of the all-star cast of Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, and British actress Emily Beecham have joined the space-faring cast of Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, which Craig Gillespie is directing for Warner Bros. Discovery arm DC Studios. The feature, which began shooting this week in DC’s UK production hub of Leavesden, is inspired by the Tom King and Bilquis Evely comic book mini-series and stars House of the Dragon‘s Milly Alcock playing Kara Zor-El, the cousin of Superman. It’s unclear how faithful the script by Ana Nogueira is to the comic, which eschewed the traditional good vs. bad tropes and instead was a cosmic character piece, spanning many worlds and alien cultures. The Eisner-nominated 2021 story was told from the perspective of a young alien girl named Ruthye who enlists the aid of Supergirl is a quest of revenge against Krem of the Yellow Hills, the man who killed her father. Eve Ridley is on the call sheet as Ruthye while Matthias Schoenaerts is Krem. Jason Momoa is due to cameo as alien bounty hunter Lobo. Krumholtz and Beecham will play Supergirl’s parents. (via THR) 01/17/25 @ 6:35 pm EST
Following the hotly anticipated debut issue of ThunderCats Lost, Dynamite and Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products are excited to debut another exciting new character in the ThunderCats mythos in the second chapter!
ThunderCats Lost #2 is set to release April 2 and there's no fooling here! The creative team of Ed Brisson (New Mutants, Predator) and Rapha Lobosco, who started their 'Cats contributions with the Apex special, have cooked up a mysterious new character for fans to get excited about.
"Coming into ThunderCats: Lost, we were pretty confident with the new cast members that Rapha and I introduced in the first issue (Niko and Ligon), but wanted to make sure that our cats had a formidable foe," said writer Ed Brisson. "For certain, Captain Shiner and his army are a force to be reckoned with, but his right-hand, personal mercenary Scorpius is on a completely different level. A one-man army and hunter who knows the danger that cats present for his world and will stop at nothing to ensure that each and every cat is dead and buried. This murder machine is a threat unlike anything that the ThunderCats have faced before."
The lost Thunderan warriors led by Commander Bengali find themselves crashed behind enemy lines in the kickoff to the series. So far they've managed to evade capture, taking refuge in a nearby town. These lands are firmly under the thumb of Captain Shiner and his forces. The only hope that Bengali and the Lost crew have for being rescued is if they can break through Shiner's defenses to return to their damaged ship.
Their big problem is that Shiner's mercenary forces are hot on their collective tails, and being led by one of the most fearsome of all foes. The mysterious and ruthless mercenary Scorpius is living his life by one overriding mission: kill every ThunderCat in his path!
The hunt is on, with the ThunderCat killer on the loose!
ThunderCats Lost #2 features covers by Declan Shalvey, Clayton Henry, Meghan Hetrick, Mark Bagley, and Jae Lee.     ... 01/17/25 @ 6:31 pm EST
 BOOM! Studios, in collaboration with leading toy and game company Hasbro, today revealed a first look at POWER RANGERS PRIME #4. Groundbreaking POWER RANGERS writer, and scribe behind Darkest Hour Melissa Flores, along with acclaimed artist Michael YG (Iron Fist), colorist Fabi Marques, and letterer Ed Dukeshire ushers in a new era into the Rangers Mythos with the new ongoing series POWER RANGERS PRIME! Continuing February 2025. An epic battle ensues between the new Prime Red Ranger and powerful VR Troopers, but not without a little help from a familiar foe… In a dire moment, Rita Repulsa sacrifices the last of her wand's strength to create the keys to their survival… but will it be enough to save the group from capture? POWER RANGERS PRIME #4 features a main cover by the incomparable Dan Mora, with variants by Matt Taylor (Deep State), Bon Bernardo (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers), Doaly (Deadpool/Wolverine), Mike Huddleston (The New Gods), and Haining (Spirit World). 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 #4 will be available in comic shops February 19, 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. Power Rangers Prime #4 A Main: DEC240089 Power Rangers Prime #4 B Variant: DEC240090 Power Rangers Prime #4 C BOOM 20th Anniversary Variant: DEC240091 Power Rangers Prime #4 D Foil Stamp Variant: DEC240092 Power Rangers Prime #4 E 1:10 INCV: DEC240093 Power Rangers Prime #4 F 1:15 INCV: DEC240094 Power Rangers Prime #4 G 1:20 INCV BOOM 20th Anniversary Variant: DEC240095 Power Rangers Prime #4 H 1:25 INCV Foil Stamp Variant: DEC240096 Power Rangers Prime #4 I 1:40 INCV: DEC240097 Power Rangers Prime #4 J FOC Reveal Variant: DEC240098 Power Rangers Prime #4 K Unlockable Variant: DEC240099               
... 01/17/25 @ 6:25 pm EST
ONE WORLD UNDER DOOM kicks off in just a few weeks, ushering in a new era of Marvel Comics where Doctor Doom reigns supreme! Doom’s rule will be felt across the Marvel Universe, impacting various ongoing titles and igniting the launch of special tie-in limited series. Today, fans can peek ahead at ONE WORLD UNDER DOOM tie-in issues coming in April. Just in time for a milestone issue of Jed MacKay and Valerio Schiti’s acclaimed Avengers run, Earth’s Mightiest Heroes find themselves in an explosive battle against Doom in AVENGERS #25. While the Avengers strike, a terrifying group of villains will take advantage and stage an assault on their Impossible City headquarters—the new MASTERS OF EVIL! Then, following their humbling defeat at Doom’s hands, a desperate plan to reverse their circumstances threatens to further diminish Marvel’s First Family to the FANTASTIC TWO in Ryan North and Cory Smith’s FANTASTIC FOUR #31. Plus, under Doom’s command, Tiger Division goes on a recruiting spree in DOOM’S DIVISION #2, the Strange Academy kids discover how horrifying Latervian fairy tales can be in DOOM ACADEMY #3, Thunderbolt Ross escapes Doom’s prison and goes on the run in RED HULK #3, and Doom tasks the classic Thunderbolts with taking down Bucky’s revolution in THUNDERBOLTS: DOOMSTRIKE #3. April will also see the debut of Steve Foxe and Luca Maresca’s SUPERIOR AVENGERS. Preorder these upcoming ONE WORLD UNDER DOOM tie-in issues at your local comic shop today! 
01/16/25 @ 7:05 pm EST
Today Skybound and Image Comics, in collaboration with leading toy and game company Hasbro, announced five all-new G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero Silent Missions one-shots, each releasing on a Wednesday this April, from a murderer’s row of creative talent including Phil Hester, DANI & Dan Watters, Leonardo Romero, Andrew Krahnke, 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. “The importance of the Silent Interlude cannot be overstated,” said Alex Antone, Editorial Director at Skybound. “And in celebration of this historic issue, Skybound has invited five of the industry’s best storytellers to write and draw their own silent issue, each taking on a different G.I. JOE character. And while this event is inspired by Larry Hama and Steve Leialoha’s original masterpiece, each issue is singular in its approach and showcases the unique strengths of these incredible artists.” One of the most important comic books ever returns! Experience the groundbreaking “Silent Interlude” from writer/artist Larry Hama! This legendary issue features a Snake-Eyes solo mission, the first appearance of Storm Shadow, and a full-length, action-packed story with NO DIALOGUE. G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero #21 Silent Missions Edition ($3.99) will be available at comic book shops and digital platforms including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. 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 the standalone silent issue from Phil Hester (Green Arrow), fan-favorite BEACH HEAD is trapped in a DMZ and hunted by the forces of Cobra. But can Beach Head save himself and the war orphans he's vowed to protect? G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero – Beach Head #1 ($3.99) will be available at comic book shops and digital platforms including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. The chart-topping team of DANI (Arkham City: The Order of the World) and Dan Watters (Destro, Universal Monsters: Creature from the Black Lagoon Lives!) puts the iconic G.I. Joe ninja Jinx in the most dangerous mission of her life. She has 20 seconds – and 20 pages of real-time action – to escape a Cobra base on snowy mountain of death. G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero – Jinx #1 ($3.99) will be available at comic book shops and digital platforms including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. In the issue from Leonardo Romero (Birds of Prey), the iconic G.I. Joe duo of Spirit and Freedom investigate mysterious disappearances in a nearby forest, only to discover a grotesque Cobra experiment... G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero – Spirit #1 ($3.99) will be available at comic book shops and digital platforms including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Roadblock pits his .50 cal machine gun against a Cobra convoy led by the high-flying Wild Weasel in the silent issue from Andrew Krahnke (Bloodrik). 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. In the standalone silent issue from Wes Craig (Kaya, Deadly Class), Duke treks through Cobra-infested terrain to find his target – a traitor who’s joined the enemy. Can Duke do the unthinkable to complete his mission? G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero – Duke #1 ($3.99) will be available at comic book shops and digital platforms including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play on Wednesday, April 30, 2025. 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).
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
... 01/16/25 @ 6:47 pm EST
It’s STORM’s 50th anniversary, and the iconic X-Man has never been more electrifying! Over the last year, she’s joined the Avengers and launched a new solo series, and next week, her legacy will be celebrated by all-star creators in STORM: LIFEDREAM. This April, the character’s mighty new era will reach another peak in STORM #7. The upcoming issue of Murewa Ayodele and Lucas Werneck’s acclaimed ongoing series will mark Storm’s milestone by assembling the THUNDER GODS! The elements will rage as Storm’s own divine skills are put to the test in a breathtaking battle. The issue will be drawn by guest artist Luciano Vecchio, who used his Omega-Level talent to craft new designs worthy of these legendary deities. SERPENTS, SALAMANDERS AND STORM GODS – 50TH ANNIVERSARY ISSUE! Fifty years ago, Ororo Munroe made her debut in Giant-Size X-Men #1 – thundering her way into our hearts! On this day, in her very own solo series, she will host a mix of debuts, reinventions and guest appearances of FIVE legendary thunder gods: THOR, CHAAC, SANGO, MAMARAGAN and SUSANOO! But first, a mission to Brazil goes horribly wrong. How much more can our hero endure? “Creative giants, Len Wein and Dave Cockrum, changed the Marvel and mutant landscape with Giant-Size X-Men #1. This year, we’ll do the same with STORM #7,” Ayodele promises. “Bold words, I know. But that’s because I’ve read the illustrated issue. “For the past five decades of publication, Storm has been an X-Man, Wakandan, Fantastic Four member, Avenger, and so much more. As she steps into this new phase of her life, her role morphs into becoming one with the Marvel Universe as she faces soul-crushing, cosmic labors to protect all we hold dear. But first, a brutal brawl with thunder deities from powerful pantheons.” “I approached the Thunder Gods designs in a two-steps process,” Vecchio explained. “First, by designing each God based on Murewa’s description and inspiration references, and reflecting the culture and real-world iconography each belongs to. But this is the Marvel Universe, so the second stage was injecting some Kirby-like fantasy vibes, and incorporating design elements from the original Thor and Storm designs for a cohesive feel while keeping individuality. The goal is to make sure that, keeping the Marvel tradition, these are versions of the Thunder Gods that can only exist in the Marvel Universe.” “I feel we’re assisting to a Storm renaissance, and I’m honored to join the dream team behind the series for these special issues,” Vecchio added. “Working with Murewa’s script is a delight, and I love reconnecting with Ororo after drawing her in Resurrection of Magneto.” Check out Mateus Manhanini’s main cover in addition to variant covers by Gerald Parel and Marguerite Sauvage. Stay tuned for more news about STORM in the weeks ahead and preorder the series at your local comic shop today!   
... 01/16/25 @ 2:12 pm EST
Marco Dutra’s “Bury Your Dead” has been acquired by Dark Star Pictures for North American distribution. The deal was closed by Berlin-based sales agent M-Appeal. A teaser debuts below. The Brazilian production, which premiered at the 2024 Sitges Film Festival and has since screened at several festivals including London, Tokyo and Rio de Janeiro, is slated for a festival tour in the U.S. ahead of a theatrical release this fall. “'Bury Your Dead’ is a postapocalyptic journey through many different genres of film, culminating in a unique cinematic world,” said Michael Repsch, president of Dark Star Pictures. “We are ecstatic to be working with such a great talent in Marco Dutra. His vision for this film is the kind of project Dark Star strives to find and bring to audiences.” (via Variety) Teaser: https://youtu.be/8KYIED6-YdY 01/16/25 @ 2:02 pm EST
Dan Slott, the Eisner-winning writer who has been the guiding force for Spider-Man stories at Marvel Comics for close to 15 years, has gone across the street to DC. Slott, who has been signed to an exclusive contract with Marvel since the late aughts, will make his DC debut with Superman Unlimited, writing the monthly comic that will be drawn by Rafael Albuquerque, the artist and co-creator of the award-winning horror comic American Vampire. DC announced the news Thursday. The title will be a driving force in a company-wide initiative named “Summer of Superman” that ties into James Gunn’s Superman film. The inaugural feature from Warner Bros. Discovery arm DC Studios opens July 11. “He’s the first and the greatest superhero of all-time, and I’ve been waiting my whole life to tell stories about him,” enthused Slott in a statement. “Not just because of all the amazing powers he has, but because of who he is inside.” (via THR) 01/16/25 @ 1:56 pm EST
This March, Lucasfilm and Marvel Comics once again team up to celebrate Women’s History Month with special variant covers highlighting the women of Star Wars. This year’s covers come from an incredible lineup of acclaimed comic artists: Betsy Cola, Ema Lupacchino, Jan Duursema, and Yasmine Putri. Representing various eras of Star Wars storytelling, the four covers will be featured on highly-anticipated upcoming titles including STAR WARS: JEDI KNIGHTS, STAR WARS: LEGACY OF VADER, STAR WARS: THE HIGH REPUBLIC – FEAR OF THE JEDI, and STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER ADAPTATION. Here are the characters spotlighted in this year’s collection: · Ahsoka Tano, the former Jedi who served as Anakin Skywalker’s Padawan during the Clone Wars and recently headlined her own live-action series on Disney+. · Leia Organa, the legendary Rebel Alliance leader and groundbreaking pop culture icon. The cover depicts Leia training to be a Jedi during the post-Return of the Jedi time period, a largely-unexplored era that Marvel Comics is currently telling stories in. · Lina Soh, who served as Supreme Chancellor during the Galactic Republic’s golden age. See her brave leadership in action in STAR WARS: THE HIGH REPUBLIC – FEAR OF THE JEDI, the galaxy-shattering conclusion to the High Republic’s current saga. · Rey Skywalker, the powerful Jedi hero who saved the galaxy from the re-emerged Sith in the Star Wars sequel trilogy. Fans can soon relive her journey in the long-awaited STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER ADAPTATION comic series, which includes all-new scenes not in the final film. Check out all four covers and preorder them at your local comic shop today!    
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