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08/22/22 @ 11:15 am EST
 DF Interview: Kate Sheridan unleashes a conjuring conflict with menacing mysteries in the YA original graphic novel ‘In the Shadow of the Throne’By Byron BrewerWhen his younger siblings and parents begin to irritate him on vacation, Jordan tries to get some space. But instead of wandering around the museum, he finds himself dropped into a fantasy world of magic where he can finally have some fun and train to become a knight. Except Prince Astel and Sir Griffith are about to uncover a sinister secret kept hidden by the queen that'll thrust Jordan into the middle of a magical battle he never could have anticipated! From Maverick, the YA imprint of Mad Cave Studios, comes In the Shadow of the Throne, an original graphic novel by writer Kate Sheridan and artist Gaia Cardinalli. Braving innumerable dangers, I headed on a magical mystery tour to talk to scribe Kate Sheridan about this coming book. Here’s what they told me. Byron Brewer: Kate, tell readers about the inspiration for your new graphic novel, In the Shadow of the Throne. I know it has a very special place in your heart. Kate Sheridan: In the Shadow of the Throne definitely comes from a lifelong love of fantasy and desire to escape into a fantasy world. As a kid and teen I loved stories like the Inkheart series, or Sabriel, or Magic Knight Rayearth that involved traveling from a nonmagical place to a magical one. This book explores those themes of escapism, and what happens when that desire hits the reality of a dark fantasy world and what surviving there entails. Byron: Introduce us to young Jordan Rivera. Talk a little about the character and the life he leads… at least before this OGN’s adventure. Kate Sheridan: Jordan leads a pretty normal life. He's a gay teen boy from a Filipino-American family who uses fantasy as a form of escapism and dreams about going on big adventures. He's the eldest of three kids and looks after his twin younger brothers, Benjie and Isko, both in general and on this vacation they're all on with their family at the beginning of the book. And, like a lot of younger siblings, they drive him crazy. He'd much rather be spending his vacation time with his friends doing the stuff he wants to do. When we meet Jordan, he's looking for an escape, and he gets one that's a little more than he bargained for. Byron: Talk a little bit about your canvas for this novel. Paint us a word picture of the nature of the magical world artist Gaia Cardinali and you build herein. Is it dream or alt-reality? Kate Sheridan: Alt-reality would be accurate! It's a pure fantasy story, Jordan very much is physically transported to the world of Lymeira. Lymeira is a world full of the adventure that Jordan's looking for, of magic and knights and princes, but it's also full of danger. Dark secrets abound, and assassins and conspirators lurk around every corner. Gaia really did such a lovely job bringing the world to life, from its lush forests full of ruins and wolves, to the bustling medieval capitol and the towered castle that sits above it. Everything feels so lived in and full of history. Byron: Who are Prince Astel and Sir Griffith? Kate Sheridan: Prince Astel is the crown prince of Lymeira and the only son of its queen Emereth, and Sir Griffith (or Griff, as they're known to friends) is his nonbinary swornsword and protector who has known him since they were both very young! Byron: We don’t want spoilers, but tell readers what you can about the Queen and some sinister secret which turns Jordan’s world-hopping topsy-turvey. Kate Sheridan: Magic is considered dangerous and is outlawed, a policy that Astel's mother Queen Emereth instated. But something strange and definitely magical is happening in Lymeira, and the Queen knows more than she's willing or able to tell, so Griff, Jordan, and Astel take it upon themselves to delve into the situation and the tragic history that led to magic being outlawed. Byron: Can you give us an overview of the OGN, a sort of expanded elevator pitch sans conclusion details? Kate Sheridan: I can! Jordan is a boy who is pulled into a fantastical world of Lymeira while on a trip with his family to an art museum. There, he saves the life of Prince Astel with quick-thinking and a fallen knight's sword while also learning Astel's secret—that he's a mage in a country where magic is outlawed. For his service, Jordan is granted a boon by his mother, the queen, and chooses to become a knight under the tutelage of young Sir Griffith, Astel's swornsword. Though Astel dislikes and distrusts Jordan, they band with Griff to investigate strange and definitely magical happenings around Lymeira, a plot which begins to close in around the royal family, and the tragic history that ties them all together. When Griff is injured protecting the Queen, Jordan and Astel are left on their own to try to work together as time begins to run out. Byron: Talk about the artwork of Gaia Cardinali. Kate Sheridan: Gaia and her work are a dream, honestly, and I feel so blessed to have her as my co-creator. As a writer who is also an artist, I know just how much work goes into even a simple comics page, or even a single panel, and the amount of loving detail that she's able to put into every page really blows me away. Her style's such a nice mix of graphic and painterly, which is a hard needle to thread, but she does it so deftly! Byron: Kate, what other projects, inside or outside comics, might you have coming soon that you can tell readers about? Kate Sheridan: My main project right now is Whalebones, an adult comic anthology that explores love, death, and grief during New England's Whaling Era through a series of interconnected stories. I spent April to June of this year plotting, researching, and sketching a part of an artist residency with New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, which was an incredible experience. I'd really gotten to immerse myself in the area, and learn from the people who've made it their life's work to know and preserve these places and their history. I'm making it independently so I don't have concrete details on what kind of home it will have or how it will be released, but I'm hoping to be able to share more soon. Dynamic Forces would like to thank Kate Sheridan for taking time out of their busy schedule to answer our questions. The In the Shadow of the Throne OGN from Mad Cave Studios is slated to be on sale August 24th! For more news and up-to-date announcements, join us here at Dynamic Forces, www.dynamicforces.com/htmlfiles/, “LIKE” us on Facebook, www.facebook.com/dynamicforcesinc, and follow us on Twitter, www.twitter.com/dynamicforces. 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.  |
