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04/17/15 @ 2:10 pm EST
Today we have an interview with Erica Schultz, one of the talent writers working on Dynamite’s all-female written and lead summer event Swords of Sorrow. Byron Brewer talked to Schultz about tackling the one-shot special focusing on Lady Zorro and Black Sparrow.  BYRON BREWER: Erica, how does it feel to be a part of this salute to the female heroes under the Dynamite umbrella? Are you a proponent of more female protagonists in comics?ERICA SCHULTZ: It’s difficult to put into words how excited I am to be part of this crossover series. I’m a big fan of many of the other writers involved, so to be working with them is truly amazing. Gail put together such a fantastic group of talented ladies that it’s really tough to beat this lineup.I’d love to see more female protagonists in comics. We’re starting to see more in film with the Divergent and Hunger Games series, as well as movies like Lucy, and a few years ago, Salt. For many years, I think there was this fallacy that a female lead story (be it in film or comics) wouldn’t be marketable, but we’re (happily) finding that’s completely untrue. BB: Tell us how this assignment came about for you.ES: I’ve been a fan of Gail Simone’s since her run on Birds of Prey for DC Comics. What I hadn’t known was that Gail knew I existed. We were both exhibiting at Boston Comic Con last year (2014), but I wasn’t able to get to her table to introduce myself. Then Gail tagged me in a tweet, saying she was a fan of my work. I was flabbergasted. A few weeks later we were both at Baltimore Comic Con, and she was signing at the Dynamite Comics booth. I went up and introduced myself. She was very kind (as always), and I thought that was that. Then a few weeks after that, she contacted me and asked if I would be interested in working with her on a project. I thought I was in an alternate universe or something. We went back and forth on email, and I was brought on board with these other amazing ladies. When I saw the list of other women involved, I KNEW I was in an alternate universe. BB: Tell us about your perceptions of Black Sparrow and Lady Zorro?ES: I was familiar with Lady Zorro, as I had reviewed Alex DeCampi’s miniseries for the podcast, Comic News Insider, that I frequently co-host with my friend Jimmy Aquino. I thought Esperanza was sassy, vulnerable, strong, passionate … I really liked her moxie.Black Sparrow was a character I had to research, as I hadn’t read any of Victor Gischler’s run on The Shadow. She held many of the same qualities I loved in Lady Zorro, so they make a great team together. BB: So, it IS true that these two warrior women from different times actually team up! Can you tell us (non-spoilery) about how they get together?ES: I haven’t read all the other scripts for the other tie-ins for this series, but I can say that the Sparrow/Zorro book is more Sparrow AND Zorro, rather than Sparrow VS Zorro. I think this is mostly due to Lady Zorro’s compassion.As we see throughout the series, there are these dimensional rifts opening up all over the world, pulling different characters (both good and bad) into other universes. Sparrow and Zorro are brought together by one of these rifts, and the ladies just click. But don’t be fooled, there’s plenty of otherworldly action throughout. BB: Have you enjoyed working with artist Cristhian Crizam Zamora?ES: I wasn’t familiar with Cristhian’s artwork before I learned he was going to be on this book. I immediately looked up whatever he had online, and I was thrilled to have someone so talented working with me on this book. Despite not having direct contact with him (editorial is pretty much the go-between), I’m so impressed with the work. It’s a beautiful book and (I hope) a fun read. 05/14/24 @ 10:46 pm EST
There’s a new slate of Marvel shows coming to Disney+ soon. During Disney’s Upfront presentation, Marvel Studios revealed that Agatha All Along will be flying onto the streamer on September 18. Two episodes will be available at launch, with episodes becoming available weekly thereafter. Meanwhile, audiences can expect Daredevil: Born Again in March 2025. Ironheart is also coming in 2025, though the studio didn’t say when, exactly, to expect that series. (via Deadline) 05/14/24 @ 10:39 pm EST
Yesterday, fans learned an X-Man would be joining the ranks of Marvel’s premier super hero team this summer, and today, it’s revealed to be none other than the goddess herself— STORM IS EARTH’S MIGHTIEST MUTANT! Storm will join the cast of Jed MacKay’s current run starting in August’s AVENGERS #17. The issue will also mark the debut of new series artist Valerio Schiti! Fresh off his bold work on G.O.D.S., the acclaimed artist known for his breathtaking action and dynamic character work takes the helm just in time for this exciting new era. Krakoa’s tragic fall has made the Avengers realize how vital a mutant voice on the team is, and they’ll settle for nothing less than the most prominent and beloved mutant super hero on the planet! A pop culture icon, Storm has assembled with the Avengers before—in both comics as well as other forms of media—but never like this! Not only will the Avengers need her Omega-level power for the battles ahead, but they’ll need to rely on her unique expertise and leadership skills as MacKay’s overarching plots involving Kang, the Twilight Court, and more kick into high gear. This only marks the beginning of what’s shaping up to be a monumental period for Storm as she’ll also headline an all-new solo ongoing series launching later this year! In the aftermath of Blood Hunt and Fall of the House of X, the Avengers are licking their wounds and reassessing their goals. One member takes the initiative by approaching Storm, hoping to add her strength and perspective to the team’s upcoming missions! And the roster won’t be the only thing shaken up when a deadly threat sets its vengeful sights on Earth! On the decision to add Storm to the lineup, MacKay said, "When we were putting together thoughts for X-Men, one problem kept coming up—Storm needed to have a presence in a book befitting her status, but it would be weird for her to be on an X-Men team if she wasn't the leader. The solution was simple—she needed to be on the global stage, among equals, and what better place for that than the Avengers? We're excited to bring Storm back to the Avengers and show what adventures she'll get up to as part of Earth's Mightiest Heroes!" On being the new AVENGERS artist, Schiti said, "As a reader, I am a great fan of Jed's run, and I really love the way he writes the team: not just as fellow soldiers, but as a group of friends with a shared past. At the same time he doesn't hold back on action and fight scenes! The balance between these two moods is exactly what excites me the most when I have to start a new gig!" "I have a soft spot for the mutants, so you can imagine my happiness when I knew that Storm was joining the team,” Schiti continued. “It's always fun to draw her powers, her body language, and her outfits. There's just one challenge: you always have to remember that she's not just a mutant, she's a goddess!" Check out Joshua Cassara’s electrifying AVENGERS #17 cover now. Stay tuned later this week for the full announcement of Storm’s new solo ongoing series and reveal of her new costume! 
... 05/14/24 @ 12:00 pm EST
The Tomb Raider TV series is moving forward at Amazon. A year and change after The Hollywood Reporter revealed Emmy winner Phoebe Waller-Bridge was writing and producing an adaptation of the popular video game turned action movie Tomb Raider, the retail giant/streamer has handed out a series order for the live-action series. A worldwide casting search will begin soon for an actress to play Lara Croft in the series from Legendary Television. The surprise announcement was made Tuesday during Amazon’s first trip to woo Madison Avenue ad buyers at TV’s Upfront week in New York, with the news arriving after another video game adaptation, Fallout, has become a breakout hit for the service. The Tomb Raider TV series is the first project to stem from a massive rights deal with Johnson’s dj2 Entertainment. A feature film and at least one video game in the Lara Croft franchise are also in the works as Amazon plots a Marvel-like franchise with all of the projects connected. 05/14/24 @ 11:50 am EST
Bestselling creator Maria Llovet (Crave, Luna, Porcelain) returns with this sexy one-shot compilation of her three-part story—previously published in the Image 30th Anniversary Anthology—titled, All the Things We Didn’t Do Last Night. This complete, criminals-to-lovers tale is set to hit shelves in July from Image Comics. In All the Things We Didn’t Do Last Night, Mamen is a young art historian who has become a jewelry thief because of a trauma from her past. Damon is a hitman tired of his bosses. Oblivious to their secret lives, they meet cute and promise to go on a date. But fate unites them before they planned, as both witness each other’s crime. "This one-shot was initially created as an 'origin story' of a bigger project of mine, so in this edition I’ve decided to include a lot of extra material and info where the readers will know more about these characters that I love and their future adventures," said Llovet. All the Things We Didn’t Do Last Night one-shot will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, July 3: Cover A by Llovet - Lunar Code 0524IM238 Cover B by Llovet - Lunar Code 0524IM239 Cover C by Jesús Orellana - Lunar Code 0524IM240 Cover D (1:10 copy incentive virgin variant) by Orellana - Lunar Code 0524IM241 Cover E (1:15 copy incentive) by Llovet - Lunar Code 0524IM242 Cover F (1:20 copy incentive virgin variant) by Llovet - Lunar Code 0524IM243 All the Things We Didn’t Do Last Night one-shot will also be available across many digital platforms, including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play.            
... 05/14/24 @ 11:36 am EST
Amazon continues to have faith in The Boys. The series has been renewed for Season 5, the company announced during Tuesday’s Upfront presentation. The news comes about a month before the fourth installment is set to hit Prime Video. The eight-episode Season 4 premieres on June 13 with three episodes, followed by a new episode each week, ending with the season finale on July 18. In Season 4, the world is on the brink. Victoria Neuman is closer than ever to the Oval Office and under the muscly thumb of Homelander, who is consolidating his power. Butcher, with only months to live, has lost Becca’s son and his job as The Boys’ leader. The rest of the team are fed up with his lies. With the stakes higher than ever, they have to find a way to work together and save the world before it’s too late. The Boys is based on The New York Times best-selling comic by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson, who also serve as executive producers. Eric Kripke developed the series for TV and serves as showrunner and executive producer. (via Deadline) 05/13/24 @ 10:50 pm EST
The Barbarella feature starring Sydney Sweeney is getting more oxygen. Edgar Wright is in talks to direct the film for Sony Pictures, with Jane Goldman and Honey Ross in talks to write the script, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed. The project is still in early development and is planned as a new take on the character that originated in a French comic series from Jean-Claude Forest. Barbarella, a mercenary who travels the universe, was portrayed by Jane Fonda in a 1968 movie version that has become a cult favorite. Sweeney’s involvement in the new film was announced in 2022. Wright is known for helming films including Last Night in Soho, Baby Driver and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. His next project is set to be a new adaptation of The Running Man for Paramount Pictures that will star Glen Powell. 05/13/24 @ 10:29 pm EST
Fan-favorite Cliff Rathburn (The Walking Dead, Brit) will launch an all-new, four-issue science-fiction miniseries titled, Remote Space. This tale will kick off in June from Image Comics. Remote Space is set in the year 2450 and Earth is dying. The human species has gone down two different evolutionary paths. One used cybernetic augmentation to adapt to space travel. The humans left behind used genetic manipulation to adapt to earth's worsening climate. For earth to survive, civilizations need to collide. "I am proud of what I've done with Remote Space and I think anyone who buys a copy will be happy with their purchase," said Rathburn. Remote Space #1 will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, June 12: Cover A (wraparound) by Rathburn - Lunar Code 0424IM209 Cover B (1:10 copy incentive) by Ryan Ottley - Lunar Code 0424IM210 Remote Space #1 will also be available across many digital platforms, including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play.     
05/13/24 @ 12:20 pm EST
Jason Statham (Fast & Furious) has been set to lead a new action-thriller from director Baltasar Kormákur (Everest), which Black Bear is launching this week for the Cannes market. In the currently untitled film, Statham will play Mason who lives in isolation in a remote Scottish island. When he rescues a young girl from the ocean in a terrible storm, he sets a chain of events in motion that brings a violent attack to his hideaway, forcing him back into the world to confront the ghosts of his past. Principal photography is scheduled to commence in November in the UK and Iceland with production services and filming to take place at Kormákur’s RVK Studios facility in Reykjavik. The script comes from Ward Parry. (via Deadline) 05/13/24 @ 12:15 pm EST
These apes are going to need a bigger boat for their cash! 20th Century Studios‘ Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes has come in over expectations with a $58.5M opening. Sunday came in at $16.5M, down 19%, a strong attributable to Mother’s Day. Who knew moms were fans of the Planet of the Apes movies? Typical Mother’s Day Saturday to Sunday drops are around the -28% range. That’s now the third highest opening for an Apes movie after Dawn of the Planet of the Apes ($72.6M) and Tim Burton’s Planet of the Apes ($68.5M). Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes only cost $160M, which is cheaper than Matt Reeves’ War for the Planet of the Apes which cost $190M before P&A. As Deadline reported yesterday, there’s hope for summer in a movie that can beat its tracking projections. Not everything is destined to become flat footed. 05/12/24 @ 2:40 pm EST
Susan Backlinie, the actress seen in one of the most terrifying cinematic moments in history, has passed away at the age of 77. Backlinie played the skinny-dipping swimmer attacked by the shark in the opening scene of the 1975 horror classic Jaws. She would later re-team with director Steven Spielberg to parody that same scene in his film 1941. From their her career moved more into stunt work for films and television including work on The Great Muppet Caper, Day of the Animals and The Fall Guy television series. No cause of death has been released. She is survived by her husband, Harvey. 
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