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07/18/22 @ 11:05 am EST
Fire and Ice returns! The beloved sword and sorcery masterpiece of artwork, animation, and storytelling is making its way back to the hearts and hands of fans thanks to a new partnership between Dynamite Entertainment, the Frazetta Girls brand, and Bakshi Productions for both new comic books and tabletop games. With the coming 2023 marking 40 years since the 1983 release of the original film, now more than ever is the time to celebrate and continue the legacy of this innovative and memorable film. Dynamite is working alongside the Frazetta family and Bakshi Productions with talented creators to craft a truly special set of follow ups that will delight fans new and old. “My grandpa introduced me to his film, Fire and Ice when I was in grade school," said Sara Frazetta. "Watching movies together, especially Fire and Ice, bonded our relationship. We felt the intensity of the scenes together. We were transported into the world he created. It was magical. Fire and Ice has remained in my top favorite films of all time and to be able to reignite the property with the Bakshi family and Dynamite is incredibly exciting!” "Bakshi Productions is excited to work with the Frazetta Girls and Dynamite Comics to create new Fire & Ice media," shared Eddie Bakshi. "It is an honor to again explore the fantastic world that Frank Frazetta and Ralph Bakshi created. I know that Bakshi fans have been waiting a long time for more Fire & Ice material, and that’s what we plan to give them." Dynamite CEO and Publisher Nick Barrucci added, " Fire and Ice is a seminal classic animated feature that is beloved by fans and creators alike. In having discussions with Sara Frazetta, and having brought up my love of the movie, she stated that we could have further conversations with Joe Weber, Sara Frazetta, and Eddie Bakshi to see if we could work on a creative direction that everyone would be happy with to expand on the series. It was important to all of us that we bring something new and grew the fantastic tapestry that came before. Fortunately we all agreed on the direction of the series, and are bringing the fans the back story of these incredible characters that will build on the movie. Then when the opportunity came to release a game based on the movie, that was just icing on the cake. I speak for myself and the team at Dynamite when I say that we are honored to work with the Frazetta family who are comic book royalty, and the legacy of the Bakshi family. We can't wait for fans and retailers to see the series as it's released." A comic book series is set to debut that will serve as a prequel and continue the themes and ideas of the original film. That ended with the barbarian hero Larn and his beloved Princess Teegra embracing in their victory and survival against the fearsome evil queen Juliana and her demented son Nekron. While their mysterious ertswhile ally Darkwolf looked on from afar. Could fans get to see these characters again, or be introduced to a barbaric and fantastical cast of newcomers? These secrets will be revealed in time as the projects come to fruition. Further creative team information will be revealed soon, but the comic series will feature a cover presenting Frank Frazetta's original masterpiece painting created for the development and eventual poster for the movie. Superstar artists with a love of the mythos will be announced closer to the solicitation date. In addition to a thrilling comic book prequel, Fire and Ice will also be coming to gamers' tabletops! The expansive fantasy mythos and memorable characters will translate perfectly to the roleplaying sphere where these tropes are beloved by gamers who play the likes of Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder as more, with many games taking inspiration from Fire and Ice and Bakshi's other fantasy films. The exact format and design of the game is to be revealed. Fire and Ice was the match made in heaven collaboration between Bakshi and Frazetta. The two developed the concept together and the film's art style was based on Frazetta's work, brought to life through Bakshi's animation. They then called in comics scribes and Conan the Barbarian veterans Roy Thomas and Gerry Conway to handle the script. Frazetta was then also closely involved in production, from casting to the rotoscoping filming sessions. In its day the film was heralded as if a comic book was brought to the big screen, and now Dynamite is bringing it back to some of its major inspirations in other media. The original Fire and Ice film was directed by the master animation director Ralph Bakshi. Beyond innovative for his time, Bakshi revolutionized adult animation and techniques like rotoscoping and unique mixes of animation with live action photography. Breaking out in 1972 with his adaptation of Robert Crumb's raunchy comic feature Fritz the Cat, Bakshi would go on to create a trio of beloved sword and sorcery films in Fire and Ice, Wizards, and his adaptation of The Lord of the Rings. Frank Frazetta is considered the Godfather of fantasy art and continues to influence countless painters and illustrators to this day. Early in his career he worked in traditional comic book and strip illustration in the "Golden Age", such as a string of Shining Knight features for DC Comics. As his career progressed, he moved to a focus on painting and creating covers for classic novels, film posters, and some comic books as well. Within comics he was associated with Warren Publishing's Creepy, Eerie, and the now published by Dynamite Vampirella. His paintings on subjects like his "Death Dealer" have become iconic across merchandising and the original paintings are some of the most sought after art pieces in the world. “I’m tremendously excited to see the return of Fire and Ice, and while I know this project will evoke powerful feelings of nostalgia to longtime Frazetta and comics fans, this world fits perfectly with the realms of fantasy that are incredibly popular right now," said editor Matt Idelson. "Really, it’s a perfect marriage." More details will be revealed soon! 05/19/24 @ 1:07 pm EST
With the recent success of X-Men ’97, all eyes are on Marvel Animation and their upcoming projects. ComicBook spoke with Brad Winderbaum, Marvel’s Head of Animation, and he talked about the upcoming Eyes of Wakanda series that is firmly set in the history of the MCU and connected to the Black Panther franchise. " Eyes of Wakanda is an MCU show. This is the history of Wakanda as told through the War Dogs, and it is some of the best animation we've ever done. Todd Harris is the creator of that one. That's just such a cool show." While it was originally scheduled to be released in 2024, Winderbaum said that we’re more likely to get What If…?! season three before this or Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, so I wouldn’t expect it this year. There have been unconfirmed rumors that the series will take place in various eras showing us different Black Panthers throughout history. There is also a report that has a previous wielder of the Iron Fist showing up, possibly Wu Ao-Shi, the Pirate Queen of Pinghai Bay who lived around 1545 A.D. and was mentioned as a distant ancestor of Colleen Wing in the Iron Fist series on Netflix.  05/19/24 @ 12:22 pm EST
Donnie Yen has inked a deal to reprise his role as Caine, the highly skilled, blind assassin introduced in John Wick: Chapter 4, in a new film from Lionsgate set to shoot in Hong Kong next year, the studio announced on Wednesday. While the logline is being kept under wraps, the new film will continue Yen’s story arc following the events of Chapter 4, as Caine has been freed from his obligations to the High Table. The new film was developed as part of Chad Stahelski’s recently announced deal with Lionsgate to oversee the expansion of the John Wick universe. Script is written by Robert Askins, the Tony-nominated writer of the play Hand to God, who has also worked on such series as The Umbrella Academy and The Son. Up next for release, on June 6, 2025, is Ballerina, a female-driven spin-off which stars Ana de Armas as an assassin trained in the traditions of the Ruska Roma.  05/19/24 @ 12:17 pm EST
We have a better understanding of the Superman timeline and just how James Gunn ended up the co-head of DC Studios. There is a part of the on-line community that blames the Guardians of the Galaxy director for the removal of Henry Cavill as the Man of Steel, but it didn’t quite work that way. When Gunn was brought over to Warner Bros by Mike DeLuca, they had their eye on him to do a stand-alone Superman film separate from the DCEU in the same way Matt Reeves did The Batman and Todd Phillips did The Joker. So, when Gunn says his project always planned on using a different actor for the lead, it is true. Cavill was brought back into the Black Adam movie at Dwayne Johnson’s insistence and had the film succeeded, it probably would’ve continued. But with Black Adam’s lackluster performance and the reception of both The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker, David Zaslav ended the DCEU, Peter Safran was offered the role of overseeing the new DC Studios and he brought in Gunn as his partner for the creative side. The bottom line is Gunn was creating a new take on a stand-alone Superman when he was asked to extend it to cover the whole universe of characters. This was all confirmed by Gunn in a social media tweet where he verified that his Superman film was always separate from the DCEU.  05/18/24 @ 12:40 pm EST
One of the best moments in the 2024 Academy Awards show as the teaming of Danny DeVito and Arnold Schwarzenegger to present an award because they had both tried to “kill Batman.” The two actors are good friends and have been talking about doing another film together, that is according to DeVito who talked about it on the red carpet for Poolman. “We really want to work together and we’ve been talking about it for quite a while. We’re onto something now, we have a script being written. As soon as that comes in, we’ll know better. But we’ll do it at Warner Brothers, so there you go.” He didn’t go into details, so this could be something new or a sequel to one of their previous endeavors like Twins or Junior. They had previously discussed a sequel to Twins, but: “When we lost Ivan (director Reitman), rest his soul, we were about to work with him again on a sequel for Twins. I think where my head is — and I think Arnold’s in the same spot — we want to work together. We want to do another movie together, whether it’s a sequel or a new element that’s another story. Just has to be good, funny, entertaining for us that fits with our characters, and what people want to see. And that’s what we’re aiming for.”  05/18/24 @ 12:26 pm EST
With Furiosa, Chris Hemsworth is jumping into an existence franchise after having made a name for himself with Thor. But how different is it working on the George Miller directed project from his time in the MCU? “It’s like (what) Kevin Feige has to those films, a depth of knowledge and importance of it all, it feels very familiar . There’s nothing accidental on screen, it has a purpose or needs a purpose.” This is also he first change to play a villain, but Hemsworth had his own approach to that. “I wanted there to be some humanity in him, I didn’t want to see him as the villain. He’s a survivor. He’s doing his best to make it through the next 24 hours like anyone else is. He’s product of The Wasteland. He’s trying to protect his tribe.” The latest Mad Max universe film played at Cannes this past week and had the longest standing ovation of any film, which seems to be how they judge things there.  05/18/24 @ 12:08 pm EST
Even though Jeremy Renner has recovered enough from his horrific snowplow accident to return to work, he’s not back fully yet and some changes needed to be made to his work schedule. Renner spoke about the differences of working on The Mayor of Kingstown to the L.A. Times, “They go, ‘And action!’ And I was out. We realized they worked me too hard, too many hours, too many days in a row. What I’m willing to do is everything, but what I’m able to do is a different thing. They have to treat me like treat me like I’m a child actor. The mayor of Kingstown is now like a 14-year-old.” Returning to the physicality of acting was something he really had to think about. “To try to create some truth and then get the audience to believe it, while I’m just trying to learn to walk again, to put one foot in front of the other and not get up in agony. I’m doing all these things to find my footing on the planet again. The idea of going into a fictional world — I have to be honest with you, I had to really consider, Is this something I really want to do?” The producers have adjusted their filming schedule to accommodate Renner’s limitations and needs and the actor is moving forward with a great outlook on life. “I’m alive. I’m walking through life with a smile on my face. And there’s nothing that’s ever going to change that. Nothing. It’s impossible for me to have a bad day.”  05/17/24 @ 5:59 pm EST
It’s all been leading to this! Over the last few years, fans have been reacquainted with Spider-Verse icons AND discovered all-new favorites in the blockbuster hit EDGE OF SPIDER-VERSE comic book series. Now, see the final evolution of this saga in SPIDER-SOCIETY, a new limited series launching this August. From acclaimed author Alex Segura (Secret Identity) and rising star Marvel artist Scott Godlewski (Ms. Marvel: Mutant Menace), SPIDER-SOCIETY will spin the entire multiverse into one epic saga! Fans got their first taste earlier this year in a special prelude story in the Web of Spider-Man one-shot. That action packed tale saw Miguel O’Hara, AKA Spider-Man 2099, attacked by a new army of villains led by an alternate universe’s Gwen Stacy who became the Green Goblin! Two more teaser stories in Edge of Spider-Verse #1 and #4 further set up Weapon VIII and Araña’s involvement. That was only the beginning. In addition to heroes, SPIDER-SOCIETY will introduces a wild cadre of Spider-Villains from the multiverse known as the SINISTER SQUADRON. It’s a grouping of villains like you’ve never seen, and to defend the very fabric of the universe, Madame Web will recruit EVERY Spider-Hero there ever was for an unprecedented war that will redefine the web of life! It’s every Spider-Character you love (and some you haven’t met yet)! May the first meeting of the Spider-Society commence! That’s right, every Spider-Person will be in the same room for the craziest assembly the Multiverse has ever seen! "We've had such a blast building toward and teasing SPIDER-SOCIETY in the pages of Web of Spider-Man and Edge of Spider-Verse,” Segura shared. “I hope readers enjoy the amazing roster of Spider-Heroes we're bringing together to face off a new, but eerily familiar threat. Scott Godlewski's the perfect choice to bring our Spider-Verse adventure to life, and his take on the Spider-Heroes, from Spider-Man 2099 to Spider-Ramen, is spot-on. Readers can expect a wild multiversal ride full of surprises and fun character moments, evoking the Spider-Verse tales they love. August can't come fast enough!" Check out a small fraction of the Spider-Heroes you’ll come across in Pete Woods main cover along with best-selling cover artist Artgerm’s Spider-Gwen variant cover, which will also be available as a virgin variant cover. Witness the finale of Edge of Spider-Verse next week and don’t miss the start of this incredible new series when it launches this August.  
... 05/17/24 @ 5:53 pm EST
Fan-favorite artist Andrew Robinson teams up with up-and-coming writer Lee Loughridge (colorist on Deadly Class, The Good Asian) for an all-new, revenge-drenched tale in the upcoming, Standstill. This eight issue miniseries is set to launch this August from Image Comics with an extra-length issue containing 60 double-page spreads of jaw-dropping artwork. In Standstill, readers meet Ryker Ruel, an enigmatic, lecherous, and clinically insane sociopath who has stolen a top-secret device that can freeze time! Now, as the bodies of world leaders pile up, famous works of art go missing, and other strange crimes dominate the headlines, only the device’s creator, a run-of-the-mill science geek, knows what’s happening and sets out to stop Ryker’s seemingly endless revenge tour. "Nearly nine years in the making, this is the longest sequential run for Andrew Robinson in well over a decade," Loughridge. "This may just be his career best." Robinson added: “Lee writes with a rebellious, punk rock vigor that combines his classic, sardonic wit with epic action.”
Standstill #1 will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, August 21:
Cover A by Andrew Robinson - Lunar Code 0624IM235 Cover B 1:10 copy incentive by Matteo Scalera & Lee Loughridge wraparound - Lunar Code 0624IM236 Cover C 1:15 copy incentive by Cary Nord - Lunar Code 0624IM237 Standstill #1 will also be available across many digital platforms, including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play.      
05/17/24 @ 1:05 pm EST
Gwen Stacy of Earth-65, aka Ghost-Spider, has proven to be one of Marvel’s biggest breakout heroes of the decade, and her new ongoing solo series promises to take her to even higher heights of stardom! Writer Stephanie Phillips and artist Chris Campana’s new series, SPIDER-GWEN: THE GHOST SPIDER, will make Gwen a permeant resident of the main Marvel Universe. Gwen’s new status quo will open the door to exciting new storytelling opportunities as she hits the ground running as New York’s next great super hero. The debut issue hits stands next week, and to celebrate this highly anticipated launch, comic shops will receive a special surprise SPIDER-GWEN: THE GHOST-SPIDER #1 variant cover! The Promo Surprise Variant Cover is a thrilling image of Gwen falling into her new destiny in the 616! TRAPPED IN THE 616...FOR GOOD! Welcome to New York! Gwen truly becomes a Ghost-Spider when she moves full time to the universe where Gwen Stacy died years ago. But why did she leave Earth-65? Why aren't the other spiders supposed to know she's here? Why isn't she supposed to suit up? And who will get hurt when she does? The SPIDER-GWEN: THE GHOST-SPIDER #1 Promo Surprise Variant Cover is the latest complimentary cover delivered from Marvel to show appreciation for retailers and build excitement for readers. Check out David Marquez’s variant cover below and inquire with your local comic shop regarding availability. Stay tuned for more surprise variant covers in the near future! 
05/17/24 @ 10:47 am EST
Demi Moore makes her debut in Cannes’ Official Selection this weekend as co-star of Competition title The Substance, and here is a first look via Deadline. Moore stars in the blood-splattered thriller with Margaret Qualley and Dennis Quaid. The Substance is the second feature from French director Coralie Fargeat, who made waves with gory thriller Revenge, which world premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2017. The new movie, billed as a body horror with a feminist take, revolves around a new product called ‘The Substance’ which promises to transform people into the best dream version of themselves. But it’s an offer that comes with a twist. Clip: https://youtu.be/U-RxVJrLKrk
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