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09/10/16 @ 8:07 pm EST
A Writer’s Commentary: Ben Fisher talks The Great Divide #1, on sale now from Dynamite. Grab your copy and follow along. Cover by Mike Henderson and interiors by Adam Markiewicz.  Page 1I knew from the first draft of the script that I wanted to open with a “man runs into a bar” joke. It sets a thematic introductory bookend for the issue and also juxtaposes nicely with the gruesome imagery. This contrast is a technique that we utilize frequently. Page 2-3The Great Divide is a story about deciding to move forward even when all hope is lost, so I didn’t want to spend too much time dwelling in the past. But I did want an establishing shot of the Divide first occurring, which gives us a quick introduction to the deadly effects of physical contact as well as the concept of “riders” (absorbing the consciousness of people you’ve touched). These first few pages build the initial momentum, but also serve to underscore how quickly everything can fall apart in the new world order. This will not be the only panel featuring explode-y eyeballs. Page 4And here we meet Paul Halliday doing what he does best — using humor as a coping mechanism and stealing what he needs to survive. Introducing Paul in mid-theft is important because I didn’t want to cast him in the light of a hero. He’s not evil, really, but his scavenging existence is relatively simple at this point, unburdened and uncomplicated. I sure hope nothing bad happens to this guy. Page 5We establish a time jump by showing the same bar exterior, now covered with bullet holes and odd markings. I prefer using contextual clues like this instead of simply adding a “# Years Later” caption whenever possible. It also sets up the post-Divide barter economy, with porn being a particularly valuable currency.  Page 6-7A danger with any high concept story is getting bogged down with world-building exposition. I decided to use limited captions in the early part of this issue for reasons that I’ll discuss later, and I used Paul’s voice so that we learn as much about his personality as we do about his environment. With respect to the art itself, The Great Divide is an exploration of intimacy and close relationships, and I wanted to visually capture how empty and hollow everything can become when those things are removed from the equation. Page 8-9 Ah, the traditional Hollywood romance of Boy meets Girl, Girl smashes Boy’s face with a crowbar and steals all his stuff. Maria is the other primary protagonist in The Great Divide, and like Paul, she’s no hero. Unlike Paul, she has no problem taking control of a situation. Page 10Look, if you can talk your artist collaborator into drawing a close-up rat face, do it. Page 11One of the quirks that makes The Great Divide an interesting apocalyptic concept for me to explore is that banding together for protection really doesn’t work. In fact, it tends to have the opposite effect. But even so, would people be willing to live solitary lives? Is the herd mentality so hard-wired into our DNA that we’d seek each other out, even at the risk of death? As an aside, the third panel, transitioning Paul’s captions into dialogue, is a meta-joke about the medium. Page 12-13Here we meet Carlos, who’s going to make Paul’s life difficult for a long, long time. These pages also include a few references to “walkabouts” — an unexplained global sleepwalking-like phenomenon that will be explored in future issues. The Vampirella comic is an inside nod to Dynamite. The original script had a few different comic options, to be finalized depending on which publisher we ultimately partnered with.  Page 14-15This first meaningful dialogue between Paul and Maria was important for a number of reasons. It establishes their uneasy relationship, with Maria revealing a bit of vulnerability when she relents to Paul’s begging for gloves. We also get our first bit of character background as Paul drops some medical knowledge. (True fact: what Paul says about the pills is generally true, although his description of tetracyn is a bit over-stated. The more you know!) Page 16-18Sexuality is obviously a recurring theme in The Great Divide. We’ll be tackling it from a few different angles throughout the series including, in this case, how live pornography would be impacted. This scene also briefly hints at one of the side effects that accompanies having a rider: acute dyslexia. Page 19A careful observer will notice lots of “interesting” graffiti on various walls in every issue. Adam and I believed that one of the ways sexual frustration would manifest would be in street art. Page 20-21Now it’s Paul’s turn to show some vulnerability, agreeing to help Maria despite his better judgment when she pleads with him to save Carlos. These moments set the tone for what is going to be a tumultuous relationship between two strangers who will slowly, begrudgingly, grow closer in a world where “letting someone in” is a death sentence.  Page 22I promised more exploding eyes. Page 23-24So a lot is going on here. Paul is caught up in Maria’s heist without having any idea what her actual agenda is, and Carlos is now “trapped” in Paul’s head as a rider. From a lettering perspective, we wanted to do something unique with this concept which is why we decided to use captions earlier in the book. The reader can now see that Paul’s “inner voice” includes Carlos’ thoughts (the latter of which are in his native Colombian). And here we also get Paul telling a joke to bookend with our opening scene. Page 25These chatlogs will be included in every issue, and are an opportunity for anyone interested to learn a bit more about what’s going on outside of Paul and Maria’s limited world view. And who knows, maybe some of the concepts being discussed, and the people discussing them, will play their own part in future issues. (Spoiler: they totally will).If I may be serious for a moment, we are genuinely deeply grateful to everyone joining us on our journey with Paul and Maria. We’ve got some really fun twists and turns looming, and we can’t wait to explore them with you! 12/20/25 @ 12:26 pm EST
James Gunn took to social media this morning to welcome Lars Eidinger to the DCU and Man of Tomorrow in the role of Brainiac. Eidinger, while not a household name, is best known for his roles in Clouds of Sils Maria and Personal Shopper but also appeared in the recent Netflix film Jay Kelly. Gunn talked about a worldwide search for the iconic Superman villain led to Eidinger rising to the top. He will join David Corenswet, Nicholas Hoult and Rachel Brosnahan as the film is expected to begin shooting in the spring of 2026 for a release in July of 2027. There have been multiple attempts to use Brainiac in a Superman film, but each attempt has fallen to the wayside, and his only live-action appearance so far was in the short-lived SciFi series Krypton where he was played by Blake Ritson. 
12/20/25 @ 11:25 am EST
After having begun production in August of this year, director Destin Daniel Cretton revealed that Spider-Man: Brand New Day has wrapped filming as of Friday. The film, which is set to premiere July 31st, 2026, features the return of Tom Holland as Peter Parker and is the first in the MCU franchise to not be directed by Jon Watts. Cretton wrote on Instagram, “I’m so deeply grateful for the people who walked with me through the biggest, most rewarding film I’ve ever been a part of. To our amazing cast, for breathing so much life into these beloved characters and moving us every day. To our unbelievable crew, who worked tirelessly with unmatched creativity and craftsmanship, who made me laugh so hard my stomach never stopped hurting. I love you all so much and can’t wait for the world to see your stunning work on the big screen. And of course, to @tomholland2013, for your kind, generous leadership on and off screen, for your relentless work ethic, your fearless performances, and for your friendship. That’s a wrap on Spider-Man: Brand New Day!” This is Cretton’s second MCU film after having helmed Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. He has also produced the Wonder Man series set to debut on Disney+ next month.  12/06/25 @ 2:03 pm EST
Scarlett Johansson is said to be in negotiations to join the cast of the highly anticipated sequel, The Batman Part 2. While Warner Bros. has not officially revealed which character Johansson would portray, speculation is rife across social media and film forums. Many fans are hoping she will take on the role of a major antagonist or perhaps bring a new dimension to an existing character from the Batman lore. Johansson’s acclaimed work in action and drama—especially her iconic run as Black Widow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe—positions her as a compelling choice for a complex role in Gotham’s shadowy streets. The Batman Part 2 is currently in pre-production, with filming scheduled to commence in May of next year. The film is targeted for a theatrical release in 2026, although official dates may be subject to change. Director Matt Reeves returns to helm the sequel, ensuring continuity in the vision and tone that made the first installment a critical and box office success. Johansson’s addition is expected to boost the already stellar lineup led by Robert Pattinson as Bruce Wayne/Batman. Within hours of the announcement, social media platforms lit up with enthusiastic posts and trending hashtags. Speculation is running rampant with guesses of her role ranging from villains like Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn to love interests like Silver St. Cloud and Vickie Vale. One of the more popular suggestions is that Johansson could be playing Andrea Beaumont, a love interest and antagonist from the hit animated film Mask of the Phantasm. The casting has not been confirmed and neither the studio nor Reeves has commented since the story broke. 
12/06/25 @ 1:50 pm EST
In a dramatic shift for the entertainment industry, Netflix has announced its acquisition of Warner Bros, one of Hollywood's most iconic studios. This unprecedented deal marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing evolution of media and streaming services. Netflix, already a leader in streaming content, has been searching for ways to expand its library and production capabilities. Warner Bros, with its vast catalog of beloved films and television franchises—including the Harry Potter, DC, and Looney Tunes properties—represents a treasure trove of content and creative resources. The acquisition signals Netflix's commitment to not only dominating streaming but also to strengthening its influence in theatrical releases and television programming. Though Netflix has been against theatrical releases in the past, in a recent statement they said they planned to continue them for Warner Bros films just with a shorter release window. By purchasing Warner Bros, Netflix gains access to a library of classic and highly profitable intellectual properties. This move allows Netflix to offer exclusive streaming rights to blockbuster franchises, while also leveraging Warner Bros’ production infrastructure. The deal also positions Netflix to compete more directly with other major studios and streaming platforms, such as Disney and Amazon. Industry analysts predict that this acquisition will accelerate the consolidation trend within the entertainment sector. Other studios and streaming services may seek mergers or partnerships to remain competitive. Audiences can likely expect a surge in new content, including reboots, spin-offs, and original productions drawing from Warner Bros' legacy. For Netflix subscribers, the platform could soon become the go-to destination for both new releases and classic favorites. While some industry veterans express concern about further consolidation of media power, others see this as an opportunity for innovation and greater investment in high-quality storytelling. Only time will tell how this landmark deal reshapes Hollywood and the global entertainment landscape.  ... 11/29/25 @ 11:47 am EST
If you’re of a certain age, then you realize that Peter Hammond was not the first live-action Spider-Man to appear on television screens. That honor goes to Jim Hensen puppeteer Danny Seagren who was a regular on both Sesame Street and The Electric Company. Seagren was both a puppeteer and puppet maker and was the right hand of Ernie along with putting on the Big Bird suit on several occasions including an appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show. He was also the web slinger on the show that started the careers of Rita Moreno and Morgan Freeman as both shows fell under the Children’s Television Workshop. He went on to create puppets for other series like Curiosity Shop, Captain Kangaroo and Who’s Afraid of Opera. “Danny will be greatly missed by his family, friends and those throughout the community he loved living in,” his family said in his obituary. Seagren died on November 10th at the age of 81.  11/29/25 @ 11:31 am EST
Director Shawn Levy has officially hired renowned composer Thomas Newman to craft the score for his upcoming Star Wars: Starfighter film. The collaboration marks a significant moment for the celebrated sci-fi franchise, as Newman steps into a universe long defined by the iconic music of John Williams. His distinguished career includes memorable scores for films such as The Shawshank Redemption, Finding Nemo, and 1917, brings a fresh perspective to the Star Wars saga. Over the years, Newman has earned an impressive 15 Oscar nominations, a testament to his exceptional talent and enduring impact on the film industry. Levy, celebrated for his work on blockbusters like Free Guy and Deadpool and Wolverine, and the hit series Stranger Things, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership. He highlighted Newman's ability to blend sweeping orchestral moments with subtle, character-driven motifs—a style well-suited to the expansive and adventurous spirit of Star Wars. While plot details remain under wraps, Levy and Newman’s collaboration promises a thrilling and emotionally resonant cinematic experience.  11/16/25 @ 12:48 pm EST
While most of the focus over at Marvel Studios is currently on the pair of upcoming Avengers films, Ryan Coogler is ready to return to Wakanda for a third Black Panther film. We’d heard of the possibility of the film originally from Denzel Washington who, while speaking of his potential retirement, mentioned the film as one of his future projects and then when Nate Moore left Marvel last year, he said he would be back producing the third Black Panther film. Now, Coogler himself said while on stage talking about his film Sinners, that Black Panther 3 would be his next movie. The series kicked off with Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa, king of the African Nation of Wakanda and while he reprised the role in Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame, he sadly passed away shortly after. The sequel dealt with the characters death and passed the mantle on to his sister Shuri played by Letitia Wright who is expected to reprise the role in the upcoming Avenger films, but with talks of a potential soft reboot of the MCU, it’s unclear who will be wearing the mask for the third film.  11/16/25 @ 12:31 pm EST
The most recent news on the DCU has to do with Jimmy Olsen. Variety is reporting that Skyler Gisondo will reprise his role from Superman in a true-crime docuseries style show that focuses on villains in the universe starting with the Flash rogue, Gorilla Grodd. Tony Yacenda and Dan Perrault are set to write and showrun with James Gunn and Peter Safran joining them as executive producers. The show is planned for HBO Max and will be a mockumentary style similar to Yacenda and Perrault’s previous series like American Vandal and Players. In the original report, Variety claimed the series would be called DC Crime, something Gunn took to social media to debunk, saying there had never been any project in production called DC Crime, he then added that his saying that doesn’t mean that the rest of the report is false. This sounds like a pretty good confirmation to me.  11/15/25 @ 12:49 pm EST
A new Star Trek film is in the works and Paramount is tapping the team of Jonathan Goldstein and John Frances Daley to write, produce and direct. This news comes shortly after David Ellison, founder of Skydance who recently purchased the studio, told investors that the next Star Trek film would not be a sequel to the Chris Pine/ Zachary Quinto lead series of films. While this hasn’t been 100% confirmed, word is that the new film will be focused on new characters and not directly tied to any previous film or television series. Goldstein and Daley have a good track record when it comes to revitalizing franchises having written Spider-Man: Homecoming for Marvel Studios and wrote and directed Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves which was very well received by fans and critics.  11/15/25 @ 12:32 pm EST
With The Fantastic Four: First Steps having moved to Disney+, the Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby lead team is now first in fans minds. But one person still thinks about the First Family of Marvel presented a decade ago and what went wrong. Miles Teller, who played Reed Richards in Josh Trank’s 2015 version of the property, still thinks about the project and how he believes the problems all came down to one person. Teller was on Sirius XM’s Radio Andy show said, “You saw the movie, right? Your eyes were working during that time? I think it’s unfortunate because so many people worked so hard on that movie. And, honestly, maybe there was one really important person who kind of f***ed it all up.” While Teller didn’t say who that was, he was referring to the person who made the final cut on the film, which was not director Trank. Teller said that he wanted a superhero film on his resume to help show him as a serious leading man, but after seeing the final cut recalled, “I remember talking to one of the studio heads, and I was like, ‘I think we’re in trouble.'” The 2015 version made $167 million worldwide compared to this year’s version which made $521 million. He stopped short of calling for a director’s cut of the film.  |
