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11/03/16 @ 9:27 pm EST
A Writer’s Commentary: Max Marks talks Wolfcop #1, on sale now from Dynamite. Cover by Thomas Hodge and interiors by Arcana Studios.  PAGE 1:Like most people who’ve seen WolfCop possibly hundreds of times, I’ve always agreed with the notion that the movie really comes into its own when Willie and Lou are riding side by side like this. When doing a cold open into the WolfCop universe, I really couldn’t imagine a better way than the two of them going down the road, Lou drinking, and Willie cursing and raving. It’s just the buddy duo vibe they’ve got in a nutshell.The Wolf Cruiser – WolfCop’s car – fits great into this medium, I think. It’s like the Batmobile if the guy who designed it was drunk and had to make it out of a cop car in an afternoon, and I feel like it’s become a character all on its own. PAGE 2:Writing in Willie’s voice is probably one of the most natural things a guy can do. The way that he talks in the film is infectious, especially if you’ve had the opportunity to hear Jonathan Cherry doing it off camera. And it’s a good thing, too, since both Lou and WolfCop aren’t really heavy talkers. Like in the movie, Willie fills the air most of the time and just compounds Lou’s headaches when he’s not cheerleading him in Wolf form.If you’re a fan of the movie and want to know how or why Willie is back, the answer is never made clearly in this issue… Though you will get answers eventually in the WolfCop mythos. PAGE 3:Probably the best shot of the Wolf Cruiser in the comics. It’s funny that I consider it such a core part of his character, but the first thing I opted to do was essentially kill it in the middle of the road. Frankly you shouldn’t be surprised that a car whose design is mostly comprised of being half torn apart would break down a lot.  PAGE 4:And of course, when things go wrong, Lou’s solution is always to drink more. A lot more helpful when he’s WolfCop.This page is pretty much the beginning and end of the explanation you’ll have for why WolfCop and Willie are fleeing Woodhaven. The end of the film might give you a few ideas on how things could end up this way.Of course, even when he’s fleeing the law, Lou Garou wears his cop uniform and drives around in that car. He’s not really the planning type. PAGE 5:And right into the action. The way I always described the outskirts of Woodhaven was equal parts Canadian prairies and Mad Max. If you’ve ever been out to Saskatchewan, you’d notice that there isn’t a huge difference between the two. Just a lot more sky and a lot fewer bands of marauding motorcycle gangs. I mean, they exist, but they’re not so aggressive.This character is named Stitch-Eye. I think it’s pretty obvious why. If he talks kind of weird, it’s because I’ve heavily based the way he talks on people I had run ins with working security around Vancouver’s downtown east side. You won’t find a Hell’s Angel talking this way, but you’ll find lots of people who want you to believe that they’re friends with Hell’s Angels talking this way. Getting creative with ways to call a cop a pig is a big one. And, of course, that plays out pretty well with the overall theme in this one. PAGE 6:Say what you want about Lou’s alcoholism and apathy, he’s got a sense of justice. He just decides to use it at the worst possible times.Drinking and driving is fine, but if he sees what looks like two damsels in distress, he has no problem trying to go Harry Callahan on an armed gang. And of course he gets his ass kicked. Without the moon helping him out, he’s just a drunk cop with a superhuman sense of smell.The digital watch was a new addition. Not a lot of people wear those these days, of course, but Woodhaven always had an early 90s to late 80s retro-contemporary feel to it. And of course, if you’re waiting to literally rip out of your skin, maybe you shouldn’t count on grabbing your smartphone to check in. PAGE 7:There are lots of ways to make werewolves transform. Lycan fans all have their own preferences, whether it’s the clean hulk-out style, ones with held back body horror and stomach shifting, vague shadows under the full moon… Or just lots of grossness.Of course, we all know Lowell’s vision with WolfCop was heavy on the gross transformations, and there’s no way I could deny fans that. And it begins with some blood and vomit…  PAGE 8:WolfCop’s first official appearance in comic form. You do not want this guy riding shotgun with you if he’s not your friend.I like how this turned out especially because of the way WolfCop seems a lot more like just a mad werewolf than a cop in this page. You mostly just see fangs and claws. It’s a common theme for WolfCop that post-transformation he can get a lot more violent. Wouldn’t you, if you’d just torn your way out of your skin and nobody’s even offered you a drink yet? PAGES 9-10:Now this is WolfCop! A lot of influence from the barn battle scene in the movie, which is in my opinion hands down WolfCop’s best scene. Some people prefer either his initial transformation scene or the jailhouse sex scene. All three are excellent choices, but I’m just really into when WolfCop is being WolfCop. This is him in his element. Full moon overhead, shrugging off gunfire, and tearing apart lawbreakers in full fury. These are the moments when Lou Garou is ready to let out all that anger he’s been repressing with alcohol for the last thirty-odd years. PAGE 11:Stitch-Eye’s got a big gun. If you google “Nitro Express revolver” you’ll understand why. The kind of gun that could conceivably stop a WolfCop. Or a dinosaur. I don’t know why this gun exists in real life. It legitimately looks like a weapon designed for fighting fictional monsters.And Lou Garou gets his sweet revenge. Someone bites his hand and makes him drop his gun, and he bites it right off.You do not want to mess with the WolfCop. No big gun will change that. PAGE 12:And the gag has come off for Willie, completing the team! He’s twice as necessary when Lou’s wolfed out like this. WolfCop doesn’t generally string together more than two or three words at a time, and when he does, it’s usually to make some kind of quick pun or demand.One of my regrets in this comic was how few women were in it in general, as these two are the only ones who ever make an appearance in it. I really liked how Jenny (that’s the blonde’s name) turned out with her design and I’m hoping we’ll see her again later. PAGE 13-14:This girl, on the other hand, we’ll probably never see again.Though if you ask me, that’s the most rational human response to seeing a werewolf eviscerate a gang of bikers. I wouldn’t care who he was saving me from. I’d want to get as far away as possible.And we’ve got our first appearance for Pigskin. This is what I’d really consider my first big original contribution to the WolfCop mythos. Everything you’ve seen so far is sort of me going off of the world Lowell created and drawing from the best parts of the film. You’ll see nothing like Pigskin in the film. But he’s still got a real grindhouse villain quality to him. He’s the first sign of the expanded world WolfCop is walking into. And you can tell he’s a lot more comfortable with this world than WolfCop is.I kind of regret nobody ever called him by his name in-comic. If you haven’t noticed, I’m a fan of puns (they’re the DNA of all other jokes, and don’t let anyone ever tell you otherwise) and Pigskin works on so many levels.  PAGE 15:Pigskin’s creepy henchmen, the Butcher Boys, were all made with one basic premise in mind: What weapons did WolfCop not go up against in the film that I really, really wanted to see a werewolf cop fighting? The obvious answer was chainsaws and flamethrowers. The fact that these are also very useful makeshift tools for preparing cannibalistic feasts was just a happy coincidence.On a note about the cannibalism, this was originally conceived in late 2014, a time when you might recall cannibalism was in basically every headline. I don’t know why 2014 was such a big year for cannibalism. But it’s definitely a mainstay for B-movies, and it’s welcome as all hell into the WolfCop universe. PAGE 16:People wanting to eat WolfCop is kind of a running theme. In the film, it was his blood. Here, it’s his flesh. Sooner or later, someone’s going to want to grind his bones to make their bread.Willie’s back riding shotgun with WolfCop here, and we’re well into the night, which is WolfCop’s best element.And here we’ve got WolfCop riding a motorcycle while chugging bourbon from a bottle. Gratuitous? Absolutely. Is that a bad thing? I will fight to the death defending the premise that it is not. PAGE 17:I always like views of WolfCop with the moon at his back like in this top panel. Things like this are why I’m so glad this character was brought into comics.And here we see WolfCop’s always effective master plan: Chug as much alcohol as possible before charging into combat!It’s actually not a bad plan. Alcohol is to WolfCop like spinach is to Popeye. It’s the secret sauce that makes him stronger than the average werewolf.Even if it wasn’t. I have a feeling Lou would be drinking roughly as much, though.  PAGE 18:WolfCop with an M60. It had to happen. Even if just for one page. PAGE 19:And there’s the nitro pistol in action. Enough to stop a crazed cannibal in his tracks. The lack of a massive exit wound from such a big bullet is intentional, of course. Knocking him down is the best it can do.I’m always happy with the shots of Wolfcop firing into the panel. Werewolf with a gun is just one of the best ways to describe WolfCop. PAGE 20-21:And the butcher boys in action!Chainsaws are just such a great piece in anything b-horror, slasher, or monster related. Allan delivered the perfect scenario I’d had in my head here, of WolfCop grappling with one chainsaw while enduring another. If I had to pick a favorite panel in this whole book, it’s this.And Willie actually fires a gun! Which he never actually does in the film, in spite of owning the local gun shop. It just was never really necessary. But we’ve always envisioned him as that perfect redneck sidekick who may be a bit of a coward but is willing to lend a hand when lending a hand means sneaking up on a guy with a shotgun. PAGE 22:WolfCop is better when he’s on fire. Just saying. This is one of those visuals we’d never get in a 2 million dollar movie but we all desperately want to see from a character like WolfCop. The fanboy in me just went nuts when I saw these pages. PAGE 23:And Pigskin is standing up again. And holding that nitro bullet just so you understand what it means that it didn’t get all the way through him. As if the beatdown he gives WolfCop in the next panel didn’t get that message across.WolfCop’s a tricky character in that, in the world he’s been presented in so far, he’s more or less invincible outside of specific circumstances. I was of the opinion we needed to move away from that. We didn’t want fans to feel comfortable that, given enough moonlight and alcohol, WolfCop would always be safe. So seeing someone just completely wreck him in fisticuffs is the best way to get that settled.WolfCop’s strong, and he’s tough… But I think that what gets him by the most in a fight is his instinct. That might sound a bit weird and vague, but I think it comes across in all of his depictions to date.  PAGE 24:This transformation was 100% everything I’d hoped it would be. Coming apart at the seems, like he was wearing that bloated body as a costume. Nice similarity as well as contrast with WolfCop’s transformations.In the WolfCop universe, a clean transformation is always unlikely. PAGE 25:So, people ask me, why a pig? Well, you can count on WolfCop to lay out the obvious pun there.The design here is a bit reminiscent of some of Gannon’s transformations in the Legend of Zelda series. As an avid gamer I’d be lying if I said there was no influence there. A lot of it comes from my love of Dungeons and Dragons, too. The Wereboar was always a weird monster to me, and one that didn’t get used much. Plenty of people think being part wolf or part tiget is cool. But part boar? I don’t know anyone who would volunteer for that. PAGE 26:And this is what I mean by instinct. He’s gutted, about to be eaten… And gun goes in the nostril!A few fellow Canadians have asked me if the burnt toast line was in any way inspired by a certain Canadian heritage minutes video you can find kicking around the web still, and I can neither confirm or deny. Well, I can confirm that there’s definitely something there. Canadian audiences are always so well-attuned to even the most obscure culture references. PAGE 27:And they all lived happily ever after!Sort of. WolfCop never really gets to rest, and things only get bloodier and more harrowing for him. But at least he did some good along the way. His car’s still broken down and Willie’s the only one he can rely on, but I felt this ending was enough that even if this was the only one we ever did, it was a great little walk through the potential world of WolfCop. Thankfully, we’ve got more on the way! 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.  06/21/25 @ 2:28 pm EST
Jon Bernthal is officially bringing Frank Castle, aka The Punisher, into the cinematic orbit of Tom Holland’s Spider-Man. The upcoming film, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, set to hit theaters on July 31, 2026, marks a gritty new chapter in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) — and a long-awaited crossover that promises fireworks. Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton ( Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings), the film picks up after the reality-altering events of Spider-Man: No Way Home, where Doctor Strange’s spell erased Peter Parker’s identity from the world’s memory. With Peter now navigating a lonelier, more grounded existence, the arrival of The Punisher hints at a darker, street-level tone for the franchise. Bernthal’s return as Castle is a major moment for fans of Marvel’s Netflix era. After debuting in Daredevil and headlining two seasons of The Punisher, Bernthal reprised the role in Daredevil: Born Again on Disney+. Now, he’s stepping into the big leagues of the MCU film slate — and he’s not coming quietly. Joining Holland and Bernthal are returning cast members Zendaya (MJ) and Jacob Batalon (Ned), though it remains to be seen how — or if — their characters will reconnect with Peter. Also joining the ensemble is Stranger Things star Sadie Sink in a mysterious new role. And here’s a fun twist of fate: Bernthal and Holland actually helped each other land their Marvel roles while filming the 2017 movie Pilgrimage. According to Bernthal, he even encouraged Holland to throw in a backflip during his Spider-Man audition — a move that may have sealed the deal. With Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Marvel seems poised to blend the emotional weight of Peter Parker’s journey with the raw intensity of Frank Castle’s crusade. One thing’s for sure: the neighborhood just got a lot more dangerous.  ...
06/18/25 @ 4:18 am EST
DC Studios has officially found its Clayface. Welsh actor Tom Rhys Harries has been cast as the titular character in the upcoming standalone film. The announcement was made by DC Studios co-head James Gunn, who praised Harries’ performance as “blowing us away” after what he described as a long and exhaustive search. The film, slated for release on September 11, 2026, will be directed by James Watkins and penned by horror maestro Mike Flanagan, with additional script work by Oscar-nominated writer Hossein Amini. Rather than a traditional superhero flick, Clayface is being developed as a psychological horror tale. The story centers on a struggling B-movie actor who injects himself with a mysterious substance in a desperate bid to stay relevant—only to transform into a shape-shifting creature made entirely of clay. Harries, best known for roles in Suspicion, White Lines, and The Gentlemen, beat out a competitive shortlist of British talent including Jack O’Connell and George MacKay. This marks his first major lead in a blockbuster franchise. While Clayface has traditionally been a Batman villain—first introduced as Basil Karlo in Detective Comics #40 in 1940—this film will reportedly stand apart from the Caped Crusader’s storyline. Gunn has confirmed that Clayface will not appear in The Batman Part II, despite early speculation. Production is set to begin this fall in the UK at Warner Bros. Leavesden Studios. With Superman launching the new DCU this summer and Supergirl following in 2026, Clayface will be the third film in the studio’s ambitious reboot of its cinematic universe.  06/14/25 @ 12:24 pm EST
Amazon Prime Video’s hit action-thriller Reacher is officially returning for a fourth season, and fans are eager to see what’s next for Jack Reacher. Based on Lee Child’s bestselling novel series, the show has captivated audiences with its intense storytelling and gripping action sequences. Season 4 will adapt Gone Tomorrow, the 13th book in Lee Child’s Jack Reacher series. The story follows Reacher as he gets caught in a deadly conspiracy after a chance encounter with a stranger on a train. While the novel is set in New York City, early reports suggest the show’s adaptation may shift the setting to Philadelphia. Alan Ritchson returns as Jack Reacher, leading a cast that includes several new faces: Sydelle Noel as Philadelphia PD detective Tamara Green, Jay Baruchel as small-town policeman Jacob Merrick, Kevin Weisman as journalist Russell Plum, Marc Blucas as U.S. Congressman John Samson, Kathleen Robertson as Elsbeth Samson, Kevin Corrigan as Detective Docherty, Anggun as Amisha Hoth and Agnez Mo as Lila Hoth. Filming for Season 4 is set to begin in mid-2025, with a projected release in early to mid-2026. 06/14/25 @ 12:14 pm EST
Fans of Minecraft can soon enjoy its blockbuster film adaptation from the comfort of their homes. Warner Bros. Discovery has announced that A Minecraft Movie will begin streaming on Max on June 20 and will also air on HBO on June 21 at 8:00 PM EST. Directed by Jared Hess and starring Jack Black and Jason Momoa, A Minecraft Movie has been a massive hit, grossing over $951 million worldwide. The film follows a group of misfits who find themselves transported into the cubic world of Minecraft, where they must navigate its challenges and uncover its secrets. With its impressive box office performance, discussions about a sequel are already underway. Director Hess has hinted at exciting possibilities for expanding the Minecraft universe in future films.  06/14/25 @ 11:54 am EST
Matthew McConaughey is stepping into the shoes of one of literature’s most iconic detectives—Mike Hammer. The Oscar-winning actor is set to star in a new film adaptation of Mickey Spillane’s hard-boiled detective series. Hammer is a tough-as-nails private investigator with a penchant for justice—often delivered with his fists. McConaughey’s previous work in True Detective showcased his talent for playing gritty, introspective roles, making his transition into classic noir feel like a natural evolution. Mike Hammer first appeared in Spillane’s 1947 novel I, the Jury, quickly becoming one of the most recognizable figures in detective fiction. His brutal, no-nonsense approach to crime-solving set him apart from other private eyes of the era. Over the years, Hammer has been portrayed by various actors, including Darren McGavin, Armand Assante and Stacy Keach. The film is being developed by Skydance, with Nic Pizzolatto—creator of True Detective—penning the screenplay. Pizzolatto’s knack for weaving psychological tension and moral ambiguity into his stories promises a fresh yet faithful take on Hammer’s legacy. The production team includes industry heavyweights such as David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, and Don Granger, alongside Max Allan Collins, a key figure in the Mike Hammer literary canon. 
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