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09/29/16 @ 9:06 pm EST
Film producer and writer Michael Uslan talks with Byron Brewer about Lone Ranger/Green Hornet #3, on sale now from Dynamite. Cover by Jan Duursema and interior art by Giovanni Timpano.  BYRON BREWER: Michael, you have an amazing affinity for the characters in this miniseries. Where did the notion come from to bind the lives of these two heroes, Lone Ranger and Green Hornet, together into a family saga?MICHAEL USLAN: I have known for many decades about the relationship between The Lone Ranger and The Green Hornet, as created primarily by writer Fran Striker. I have also been aware for a long time of the legal difficulty in finally being able to tie these two members of the Reid family together in one family saga. So for quite a while, I had been nudging Nick Barrucci to be a magician and legally make this happen after 80 years. When he did, I plunged into my research then my writing with massive adrenalin. As far as my comfort zone with the characters goes, I grew up an awestruck fan of Clayton Moore and Jay Silverheels on The Lone Ranger TV series. When I write these two characters, I write with them in mind. As a young teenager, I discovered the old Lone Ranger dramatic radio series and became familiar with the work of Brace Beamer and others. With respect to The Green Hornet, my initial exposure was actually seeing the golden age comic books, then seeing a few chapters from the 1940s movie serial at New York Comic Con in 1964, followed about a year later by being able to access the old radio series on a radio station in Newark, New Jersey. But it really wasn’t until the TV series that Britt Reid and Kato really came to life for me. In my head, I hear the voices of Van Williams and Bruce Lee when I write these characters. BB: One of the big “wows” in this series – and I do not think we are risking any spoilers here, since it has been discussed in other interviews – is that Tonto comes “from out of the past” to train and guide Kato. Was this a way of upping the import of both classic sidekicks in the story? MU: Because I only had five issues to tell this three generation story of the Reid family, I knew I had to devote the page count to the Lone Ranger, Dan Reid Jr., and the Green Hornet. I could not allow these three characters to lose the absolutely necessary screen time to tell the story effectively. That meant that regarding both Kato and Tonto, it would be a matter of quality over quantity. By having Tonto surprisingly return at the end of issue #3 and be asked by Kato to become his “Yoda” and train him, this to me became the most effective way to make each of these two characters very important to the story and give them the quality attention they deserve. BB: I think it is wonderful how you have worked real life folks of the “period,” such as Olympian Jesse Owens, into the series. Tell us what you can about the decision to include Owens …MU: When I chose to set this story historically in 1936 and 1938, I carefully researched all the events in U.S. and world history taking place then. In light of our current national situation regarding racism, I felt that if I utilized Jesse Owens in an important role here that it would give the series, thematically, a very contemporary and important feel. There are issues today just as there were 80 years ago about racism in America. And when I learned that in reality, during Jesse Owens’ tickertape parade down Broadway in New York after the 1936 Olympics that some unidentified-to-this-day man rushed his car and threw him a paper bag filled with $10,000 as a thank-you to standing up to Hitler and the Nazis, I realized I had my connection between Jesse Owens and the Lone Ranger. BB: … And Murder Inc.? MU: Once I settled in on Eliot Ness as the lynch-pin to the bridge between the Lone Ranger and the Green Hornet, all roads led me to Murder Inc. My son, David, is a leading archivist on the history of organized crime in America. He was able to provide me with all of the direction and research I needed for this. Plus … As a kid, I loved The Untouchables television series starring Robert Stack. In that show, the most often recurring villain was Frank Nitti, as played by the great actor Nehemiah Persoff. That also influenced my choice. Murder Inc. also gave me the opportunity to present the origin of the Green Hornet’s decision to be perceived as a bad guy, and the Lone Ranger’s need to warn him of the repercussions of that, having worn a mask for so many years himself. BB: There is also apparently another Reid out there. Can you give us any clues at all about this family trifecta?MU: Fearful of spoilers here, let me only say that they find themselves related to a certain Sergeant from the Yukon, a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, as well as learning that they are all descendants of Revolutionary War hero “Mad” Anthony Wayne, this tying the Reid family with the Wayne family. Hmmm… I wonder where that could lead! BB: These first three issues, including #3 now on sale, of Lone Ranger/Green Hornet have had neither the atmospheres (re: mood) of the western LR or the urban GH. Instead, there almost feels a gathering storm coming. If you will not be revealing spoilers, can you hint at what is to come in the series’ second half?MU: If our upcoming issues #4 and 5 of The Lone Ranger/ Green Hornet do not stun you into silence, then I will have failed in my efforts to make this historical story as impactful as it deserves to be. I do ask fans not to reveal the last three pages of either #4 or #5 because the spoiler effect will be too great. For more on Lone Ranger / Green Hornet #3, click here. 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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