11/03/16 @ 9:27 pm EST

Source: Bleeding Cool | Categories: Dynamite

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!

07/05/25 @ 1:54 pm EST

Source: Variety | Categories: Dynamite

In a twist worthy of a Hollywood script, Ryan Coogler’s breakout horror film Sinners—a 2025 box office juggernaut—owes part of its haunting aesthetic to a Marvel movie that never made it to set. The film’s eerie, period-perfect costumes were originally designed for Marvel Studios’ long-delayed Blade reboot, which remains in production limbo. According to Sinners producer Sev Ohanian, the film’s costume designer, Oscar-winner Ruth E. Carter (Black Panther), had been working on Blade when the project was shelved indefinitely. That version of Blade, starring Mahershala Ali, was once envisioned as a 1920s-set vampire thriller—eerily similar in tone and era to Sinners. When Sinners was greenlit on a tight schedule, Carter had a warehouse full of unused, period-appropriate costumes. Marvel, in a rare behind-the-scenes collaboration, allowed Coogler’s team to purchase the wardrobe “at price”. While the main cast including Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, and others wore custom-designed costumes tailored specifically for their characters, many of the extras in Sinners were dressed in the repurposed Blade costumes, giving the film a rich, textured authenticity without the usual prep time. First announced in 2019, Marvel’s Blade reboot has faced repeated delays due to creative changes, director exits, and industry strikes. The film was removed from Disney’s release calendar in 2024 and remains without a confirmed production date. Despite the setbacks, Mahershala Ali has expressed continued interest in the role, recently telling reporters, “Call Marvel. I’m ready”. 

07/05/25 @ 1:29 pm EST

Source: Deadline | Categories: Dynamite

Nearly 50 years after One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest became a cinematic landmark, a new television spinoff is in the works—this time told through the eyes of the character who saw everything but said very little: Chief Bromden. Producer Paul Zaentz, nephew of the original film’s producer Saul Zaentz, revealed on the CK Café podcast that he has signed an agreement with the widow of author Ken Kesey to develop a TV series based on the 1962 novel. The first season will be told entirely from the perspective of Chief Bromden, the towering half-Native American patient who pretended to be deaf and mute in the original story. Zaentz explained that the series will begin within the psychiatric hospital, as in the original, but will then follow Chief’s journey after his dramatic escape—territory the original film never explored. While Milos Forman’s 1975 film adaptation won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Jack Nicholson, it famously diverged from Kesey’s novel by shifting the narrative focus from Chief Bromden to Randle McMurphy. Kesey was openly critical of this change. The upcoming series aims to restore the novel’s original point of view and delve deeper into the Chief’s inner world. Chief Bromden’s character—played by Will Sampson in the film—was a symbol of silent resistance and eventual emancipation. The new series promises to explore his backstory, his psychological trauma, and his life beyond the institution. It’s a chance to reframe the narrative around Indigenous identity, mental health, and the long shadow of institutionalization. 

07/05/25 @ 1:20 pm EST

Source: Deadline | Categories: Dynamite

Julian McMahon, the charismatic Australian actor known for his iconic roles in Nip/Tuck, Charmed, and the Fantastic Four films, has passed away at the age of 56 following a private battle with cancer. His wife, Kelly McMahon, confirmed that he died peacefully on July 2, 2025, in Clearwater, Florida. Born in Sydney on July 27, 1968, McMahon was the son of former Australian Prime Minister William McMahon. He began his career as a model before transitioning to acting in Australian soaps like The Power, The Passion and Home and Away. His move to Hollywood led to breakout roles in Profiler and Charmed, where he played the complex and seductive demon Cole Turner. But it was his portrayal of Dr. Christian Troy in FX’s Nip/Tuck that cemented his status as a television icon. The role earned him a Golden Globe nomination and showcased his ability to balance charm, darkness, and vulnerability. He later brought gravitas to the role of Victor Von Doom in the Fantastic Four films, becoming one of Marvel’s earliest cinematic villains. McMahon’s career spanned decades and genres. He starred in FBI: Most Wanted as Jess LaCroix, appeared in Hulu’s Runaways, and most recently played the Australian Prime Minister in Netflix’s The Residence—a poignant nod to his real-life heritage. McMahon is survived by his wife Kelly and his daughter Madison, whom he shared with ex-wife Brooke Burns. In her statement, Kelly described him as a man who “loved life… and whose deepest wish was to bring joy into as many lives as possible”. 

07/01/25 @ 3:12 pm EST

Source: Bleeding Cool | Categories: Dynamite

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

Source: Deadline | Categories: Dynamite

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

Source: Variety | Categories: Dynamite

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

Source: Variety | Categories: Dynamite

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

Source: Twitter | Categories: Dynamite

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

Source: Deadline | Categories: Dynamite

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

Source: Deadline | Categories: Dynamite

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.