08/30/16 @ 8:15 pm EST

Source: Bleeding Cool | Categories: Dynamite

A Writer’s Commentary: Corinna Bechko talks Miss Fury #5, the grand finale, on sale now from Dynamite. Cover by Tula Lotay and interiors by Jonathan Lau.

Page 1:
Since this is the fifth and final issue of this miniseries, I wanted to pull back a little and show that these events weren’t happening in a vacuum. I always wanted this story to be grounded in the time period, and that means WWII. So here’s a little reminder of this, as well as something that will be important to the plot later.

Page 2:
And now we are back in the action with our hero. Things aren’t going so well just now.

Page 3:
I absolutely loved working with Jonathan Lau. Every time I saw the art for this book I wanted to write my editor and thank him for pairing us up. This was a demanding script (being married to an artist and hearing his perspective gives me a pretty good sense of that) so all respect to Jonathan for making it so much more than what I envisioned.

Page 4 & 5:
Because this is the finale, there’s a lot of action, and a lot of Miss Fury really mixing it up. I didn’t want to shy away from that, so she gets hit pretty hard sometimes. I think if you take it upon yourself to fight crime (or, you know, interdimensional demons) you’re probably going to end up pretty bruised.

Page 6 & 7:
And it’s not like Marla can’t hit back. She can, and she does. And Jonathan makes it all feel really visceral, which is fantastic.

Page 8:
I like to change scenes on a page turn, when possible, and even though this issue is pretty jam-packed, it did happen here. I thought it was important to have a quiet, desperate moment in the middle of all that action. Without pauses action can become a wall that doesn’t admit much thinking, and I try to write in a way that invites participation on the part of the reader.

Page 9:
Now we’re back with the action. I personally find drowning and giant waves pretty scary, so sometimes that translates into what happens on the page. From the start I knew we’d end up on the sea – that was the whole point of the mystery about the ship building plans, of course – and that, to me, means a scary, angry ocean.

Page 10:
Jonathan did an absolutely beautiful job with this splash. All my inner ocean demons made manifest!

Page 11:
Finally, Marla asks the most important question. The cult members are still rapturous, but I love that Jonathan has rendered them so that you can tell that at least a couple are starting to have doubts even though they’re wearing masks.

Page 12:
I’m really happy with how this page turned out. The action is completely clear, and we get a sense of what Marla’s up against by seeing her against just a small part of the creature. To me, this illustrates the size and weight of what’s going on much better than if we had seen the whole thing with Marla tiny in frame.

Page 13:
The return of the cat! This is the scene I was leading up to the whole time. From the beginning I liked the notion that Marla was the cat… And yet, maybe she isn’t really. The only important thing is what she believes – and that is left just a little bit open so that the reader can make their own decisions.

Page 14:
Did Marla make this leap herself? Or did the cat do it? Either way, she’s a woman of action, so she’s going to act instead of worrying about it. To me, that attitude is what makes her a great action hero, and a big part of what made her so much fun to write.

Page 15:
She’s got to be careful now, so this is a silent page as she creeps back on board, newly emboldened. That last silhouetted panel is one of my favorites.

Page 16 & 17:
Of course, things can’t be too easy. She’s got one final fight on her hands, and she’s got to win. But even in her Miss Fury guise, she can’t forget that she’s also Marla, a woman with friends and a life outside of fighting evil.

Page 18 & 19:
Giant action! Everything is coming apart, and it’s a violent mess. The colors really help tell the story here, moving from the cool, spooky pallet we’ve been seeing to some really sharp, warm colors. Nicely done, Vinicius Andrade!

Page 20 & 21:
The aftermath. Marla won, with some help from her friends, but no one emerged unscathed. So there’s a lot of grief mixed into the victory here. And I should take a moment and point out what a great job Simon Bowland did with the lettering on this whole series. I’ve worked with Simon a lot lately, and he always brings something extra to the feel of a work. It’s easy for lettering to be sterile, or distracting, but here it all works with the mood and tone of the story.

Page 22:
The end… And a heroic pose from our hero! She’s battered, but not broken, a bit wiser, but no less ready to face whatever’s coming next. In case it wasn’t already clear, I have a great affection for Miss Fury, and I’m thrilled I had the chance to write this story for Dynamite!

04/16/24 @ 2:24 pm EST

Source: Skybound | Categories: Skybound

Skybound and Image Comics today unveiled a chilling first look at Dark Ride #12, the epic series finale from the iconic Birthright team of writer Joshua Williamson (Duke, DC’s Superman), artist Andrei Bressan (DC’s Justice League Incarnate), colorist Adriano Lucas (DC’s Nightwing), and letterer Pat Brosseau (Creepshow). The finale of the acclaimed amusement park horror series arrives in comic book shops on May 15, 2024. "Thank you to everyone who bought the Dark Ride series,” said Joshua Williamson. “It has been great to find so many readers who were looking for a series that mixed two things that I'm obsessed with...horror and amusement parks. From the start the series was about horror and sacrifice, but it was really about family and letting go. Andrei, Adriano and Pat have done fabulous work on this series, and this is our second go around with doing a book from start to finish together. They are a team that I would ride a rollercoaster into hell with, and I look forward to our next projects together. Keep your arms and legs inside the ride vehicle, because this last issue is a dangerous one." Arthur Dante’s most haunting creation yet is brought to life, and a final sacrifice must be made to take control of Devil Land. But who will it be?   Dark Ride #12 concludes the impressive variant cover lineup that has run throughout the series. In addition to the main cover by Andrei Bressan and series colorist Adriano Lucas, Dark Ride’s Cover B variant features a frightening collage of Halloween and Danny D. Evil with an issue #12 cover by Caspar Wijngaard (Home Sick Pilots), while Cover C spotlights Devil Land’s femme fatale and horror aficionado, Halloween, by Luana Vecchio (Lovesick). Additionally, megastar creator Tony Fleecs (Stray Dogs, Star Wars Adventures) continues art directing the classic homage poster variant program that has run throughout the course of the series. The 1:25 incentives now span the Cover D slot of Dark Ride’s third arc, with Jay Fosgitt (Star Trek) at the helm for issue #12. "I can’t wait for readers to take one final ride and finish our saga at Devil Land!” said series editor, Amanda LaFranco. “From the very beginning, Josh has been weaving a tale of family horror and laying down the pieces for this big finale, from Arthur’s very first deal with the Devil, to the sacrifice now placed in the hands of each member of the Dante family. The entire creative team has been on fire for this final arc, and Josh, Andrei, Adriano, and Pat have been hellishly delighting on every page. I’m excited for readers to see what we’ve been building to.” Dark Ride #12 (Lunar Codes below SRP: $3.99) will be available at comic book shops and digital platforms including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, comiXology, and Google Play on Wednesday, May 15, 2024.

The full list of covers is below:

Dark Ride #12 CVR A by Andrei Bressan and Adriano Lucas (Lunar Code 0124IM243)

Dark Ride #12 CVR B by Caspar Wijngaard (Lunar Code 0124IM244)

Dark Ride #12 CVR C by Luana Vecchio (Lunar Code 0124IM245)

Dark Ride #12 CVR D (1:25 Incentive) by Jay Fosgitt & Tony Fleecs (Lunar Code 0124IM246)

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04/16/24 @ 2:19 pm EST

Source: Deadline | Categories: MIsc

Warner Bros Pictures Animation is heading to the Discovery vault to adapt its Animal Planet series Meerkat Manor into an animated feature. Think Happy Feet: That George Miller-hatched franchise, which centered around tap-dancing penguins, raked in over a half-billion dollars at the global box office.Warner Bros. Discovery’s Animal Planet first aired Meerkat Manor in 2005, with the series becoming the network’s highest-rated show over its four seasons. The Emmy-nominated series reached 204 million households in more than 160 countries on the Animal Planet platform alone.The docuseries followed the Whiskers, a family of meerkats, as they struggled to survive in South Africa’s Kalahari Desert. Similar to Happy Feet, Warner Bros Pictures Animation will use photoreal animation to capture the Whiskers for their feature film debut.The Meerkat Manor movie will be produced by Seth Green and Tracy Falco of The Green Room. The film’s EPs are original series creator Caroline Hawkins as well as Clare Birks of Oxford Scientific Films. OSF is owned by ITV Studios. (via Deadline)

04/16/24 @ 2:15 pm EST

Source: Marvel | Categories: Jean Grey

In the X-Men’s upcoming From the Ashes era, one of the team’s most crucial members goes solo! Announced last week, Jean Grey will become a galaxy-traversing super hero in Stephanie Phillips and Alessandro Miracolo’s PHOENIX. Emerging from the explosive finale of Krakoa with renewed purpose, Jean embraces what was always hers: the breathtaking power of the Phoenix Force. Alone in space, she not only must do what no one else can: she yearns to. Whatever Jean does – or fails to do – will bring darkness to the universe and haunt her in ways she can scarcely imagine… Today, fans can see her reborn on an assortment of new variant covers for the debut issue! Best-selling cover artists Aka and Rose Besch spotlight Jean’s new Phoenix costume, designed by series artist Miracolo. Both pieces will also be available as virgin variant covers. In addition, iconic Phoenix artist Greg Land reminds readers how terrifying the Phoenix can be with an incredible depiction of Dark Phoenix. Check out all three covers now and preorder PHOENIX #1 at your local comic shop today!

04/15/24 @ 9:43 pm EST

Source: Deadline | Categories: Sonic

Keanu Reeves (John Wick franchise) has been tapped to voice the role of Shadow in Paramount Pictures‘ Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Deadline has confirmed. Paramount had no comment, but Reeves joins an ensemble led by Ben Schwartz, who plays Sonic. In all three films, James Mardsen plays Sonic’s human ally, Sheriff Tom Wachowski, with Jim Carrey as the mad scientist Dr. Robotnik. The Sonic the Hedgehog franchise launched with a 2020 film of the same name, which grossed over $319M worldwide and was followed up with a hit sequel in 2022. Jeff Fowler has served as the director for all three films, with the newest to hit theaters on December 20.

04/15/24 @ 9:41 pm EST

Source: Marvel | Categories: Wolverine

Over the last few years, readers have gotten to experience all-new mutant sagas from the mastermind behind the X-Men’s most influential stories—Chris Claremont! The groundbreaking writer has introduced a multitude of hit limited series that fill in the gaps of X-Men canon, answering dangling questions and adding further depth to his historic and unparalleled run on the franchise. To celebrate Wolverine’s 50th anniversary this year, Claremont is back with artist Edgar Salazar for an all-new Wolverine story set during one of the X-Men’s most beloved eras in WOLVERINE: DEEP CUT! WOLVERINE: DEEP CUT sees Claremont return to the period when the X-Men operated out of the Australian Outback, and Wolverine was jetting off on secret adventures around the globe in his first solo series, also penned by Claremont. Now, witness Wolverine’s untold hunt before the Reavers’ brutal attack brought the X-Men’s time in Australia to a tragic end in Uncanny X-Men #251. OUT OF THE OUTBACK ON A LIFE-AND-DEATH MISSION! Logan sets off from the outback, leaving behind what was left of the X-Men, for a mysterious mission. After decades of mystery, Claremont reveals just what Wolverine got up to before his unforgettable battle with the Reavers! Featuring sinister revelations and claw-to-claw confrontations with Sabretooth, this is an ideal entry-point Wolverine story for new and long-standing fans alike that simply cannot be missed! “One of the amazing things about Chris Claremont’s work is how rich and multi-layered his X-Men stories have always been,” Editor Mark Basso shared. “In Uncanny X-Men #246, he had to move Wolverine off-stage to get to the plethora of other characters and plotlines he had going. DEEP CUT is going to finally step back and show what there just wasn’t time or space to show of Wolverine before he returned in #251, and make good on that title in all senses of the word! And, in true Marvel fashion, the story here will stand completely on its own, so if you have no idea what those plots entailed, rest assured you’ve got a complete adventure in this series.” WOLVERINE: DEEP CUT will be Claremont and Salazar’s latest “retro pick” adventure with Wolverine, following the Wolverine: Madripoor Knights series that launched earlier this year. Check out Phillip Tan’s WOLVERINE: DEEP CUT #1 cover and be there for the next Chris Claremont-penned mutant saga with this untold story of Wolverine’s most personal mission!

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04/15/24 @ 12:37 pm EST

Source: Deadline | Categories: MIsc

As it crossed the $1B international box office milestone this past weekend, Warner Bros again owned the frame with Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire and its third session haul of $33.7M from 71 markets. That was good for a 47% drop from the previous weekend and lifts the overseas cume to $278.6M and global to $436.6M. Meanwhile, WB and Legendary’s other major title in the marketplace, Dune: Part Two, now has a shot at getting to $700M worldwide. While 2024 may end up down on 2023, coming out of last week’s CinemaCon exhibition conference, it’s not all doom and gloom — something heard in a refrain — as several titles continue to post solid numbers. There’s also plenty of local play doing great business, notably in Japan this frame where the 27th movie in the Case Closed series, Detective Conan: The Million-Dollar Pentagram, has opened to a franchise best launch of $21.8M, including $1.5M from only 50 IMAX screens. Universal/DreamWorks Animation’s Kung Fu Panda 4 added five markets this weekend, kicking up another $25.9M in 81 total (just 39% down in the holdovers). The offshore cume is now $279M for $452.6M global. Excluding China and Russia, KFP4 has topped Kung Fu Panda 3 overseas and is now the second biggest global DWA franchise behind Shrek. (via Deadline)

04/15/24 @ 12:26 pm EST

Source: Variety | Categories: Disney

The 30th anniversary of the original animated film version of “The Lion King” will be celebrated at the Hollywood Bowl next month with a live-to-film concert/screening that will include cast members from both the movie and theatrical versions — and beyond — including Jeremy Irons, Nathan Lane, Billy Eichner, Ernie Sabella, Jason Weaver and Bradley GIbson. The shows will take place at the Bowl May 24-25 and be produced by Disney Concerts, Fulwell 73 Productions, AMP Worldwide and Live Nation-Hewitt Silva. The general on-sale begins Friday at 10 a.m. via Ticketmaster, with an American Express cardholder presale starting Tuesday at 10 a.m. (via Variety)

04/15/24 @ 12:25 pm EST

Source: Marvel | Categories: X-Force

This summer may mark the end of Krakoa, but Forge’s mission is just beginning! Announced last week, Forge will lead the all-new iteration of mutantkind’s deadly strike team in Geoffrey Thorne and Marcus To’s X-FORCE. Set in the X-Men’s upcoming From the Ashes era, X-FORCE kicks off with Forge unlocking an Omega-Level aspect of his one-of-a-kind power of invention. Witnessing everything broken in the world, he builds the ultimate solution—X-FORCE, a team of handpicked mutants for off-the-books missions so dire, so integral to the fate of the Marvel Universe, there’s no time to stop for permission! Today, fans can see this elite team on an assortment of new variant covers for the debut issue! Superstar artist Clayton Crain returns to the world of X-Force with his own line of character-focused variant covers, starting with the team’s leader, Forge. Acclaimed Excalibur artist Mahmud Asrar draws mutantkind’s hottest new couple, Betsy Braddock and Rachel Summers, in action. And Tony Daniel assembles the entire squad including former New X-Men leader, Surge; the mastermind behind Krakoa’s X-Force, Sage; and Tank! Wait… Who? Plus, like all of Marvel’s major launches, X-FORCE #1 will shine on stands with a special FOIL COVER. The title will frequently feature A-List guest stars that Forge recruits for specific missions, starting with regenerating degenerate, Deadpool! See him steal the spotlight in an outstanding piece by best-selling cover artist David Nakayama. Check out all four covers now and preorder X-FORCE #1 at your local comic shop today!

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04/14/24 @ 12:16 pm EST

Source: Bleeding Cool | Categories: X-Force

Rich Johnston over at Bleeding Cool has an article posted talking about Mark Millar and how he’s been talking about doing more Superman comics over the last few years. Millar has been vocal about his desire to do the comics and work with a top-notch artist, but it seems that working on a deal with DC may not be going all that well as Millar wants the company to share profits 50/50 after 60,000 copies are sold rather than the normal 2% royalty. Now Millar is talking about waiting until 2033 when the character ends up in the public domain and anyone can make books about him… or at least the version that first appeared in the early days of Action Comics. This would mean no Jimmy Olsen, no Perry White, no Kryptonite and definitely no flying. Rich also seems to think that Millar would be competing against other companies also putting out their versions of Superman like Marvel, Image, Todd McFarlane, etc. And of course, none of them could make a comic called Superman as DC Comics will still own the trademark, so they would have to call it something like “Into Action” or “Metropolis” and then just call him Superman inside the book. But would people want to read a Superman story that’s not part of the DC Universe? Is the draw of the character exactly what Joe Shuster and Jerry Siegel put on the page in 1938 or is it all that plus the 85+ years of continuity that makes people want to read his adventures? This will be important to figure out as once Superman goes into public domain, Batman won’t be far behind. 

04/14/24 @ 11:47 am EST

Source: Twitter | Categories: X-Force

Even though he is no longer working on the series after being let go by Marvel Studios, X-Men ’97 creator Beau DeMayo broke his silence to speak about the shocking fifth episode of the series. DeMayo wanted to give context to the ending and how everything was specifically done to set this up. He posted on Twitter: “Lotta questions and so I’ll momentarily break silence to answer. Episode 5 was the centerpiece of my pitch to Marvel in November 2020. The idea being to have the X-Men mirror the journey that any of us who grew up on the original show have experienced since being kids in the 90s. The world was a seemingly safer place for us, where a character like Storm would comment on how skin-based racism was ‘quaint’ in One Man’s Worth [the season 4 premiere of the OG series]. For the most part, to our young minds, the world was a simple place of right and wrong, where questions about identity and social justice had relatively clear-cut answers.” DeMayo then shifts to how everything changed after September 11th, 2001. “Things weren’t so safe anymore. Grassroots populist movements began to rise around the world as a whole nation struggled to deal with collective trauma and fracture at the seams of every diverse demographic. The effects we still feel today, and have only been exacerbated by more collective traumas like COVID or several recessions.” His plan for the series was to reflect on similar attacks in American history. “Yes, it looked like Gambit’s story was going a specific direction. The crop top was chosen to make you love him. Him pulling off his shirt was intentional. There’s a reason he told Rogue any fool would suffer her hand in a dance, even if it ended up not being him suffering. But if events like 9/11, Tulsa, Charlottesville, or Pulse Nightclub teach us anything, it’s that too many stories are often cut far too short. I partied at Pulse. It was my club. I have so many great memories of its awesome white lounge. It was, like Genosha, a safe space for me and everyone like me to dance and laugh and be free. I thought about this a lot when crafting this season and this episode, and how the gay community in Orlando rose to heal from that event. Like many of us who grew up on the OG cartoon, the X-Men have now been hit hard by the realities of an adult and unsafe world. Life’s happened to them. And they, like we did, will have to decide which parts of themselves they will cling to and which parts they’ll let go of in order to do what they’ve been telling humanity to do: face an uncertain future they never saw coming. As Trask told Cyclops in the premiere: ‘you have no idea what it’s like to be left behind by the future.’ Now the X-Men do, and like each of us, they’ll have to weigh whether this is a time for social justice — or as Magneto preached at his trial — is it a time for social healing.”  ...