Weekender: Olivia Stephens, 'Sleepless Domain', and Nomi Kane

The weekend is here! Take a look back at what's happened in the past seven days. New comics, new stories, new podcasts, new art being made - it's all part of the ComicsAlliance Weekender!

Continue reading…

Amazing Spider-Man: Renew Your Vows #1 Gets Romita Sr. Variant Cover

We already knew that “The Amazing Spider-Man: Renew Your Vows” was coming back with a new number one written by Gerry Conway and drawn by Ryan Stegman, as part of the latest round of Marvel NOW! titles, but today the publisher surprised and delighted fans by revealing a top secret variant cover penciled by the legendary John Romita Sr.

RELATED: Romita on Making Batman His Own in Snyder's “All Star Batman,” Miller's “Dark Knight” Prequel

Volume One of “Renew Your Vows” was part of Marvel's 2015 “Secret Wars” event and featured the Battleworld (Earth-15513) versions of Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson, who remain married and are raising their daughter, Annie, against the usual background of supervillainy and heroic exploits. It was written by Dan Slott and penciled by Adam Kubert.

The variant cover is obviously not new, considering the 86 year-old Romita Sr. is no longer active in comics - but similar to the recently revealed Venom #1 variant, which revisits a vintage Todd McFarlane piece, it is a reworking of the classic cover to the 1987 “Amazing Spider-Man Annual #21,” in which this universe's Peter and Mary Jane tied the knot.

RELATED: John Romita Sr. Reflects on His Spider-Man Legacy, Gwen Stacy's Death and Stan Lee

If you recall that story, the young Bugle photographer gets the pre-nuptial jitters and wonders whether he can provide for his glamorous fiancée, and spends the night dreaming that his enemies are attacking his bride and that he is unable to help. Mary Jane is equally nervous, and even though they both show up late for their wedding, the couple ends up married.

Volume Two of “The Amazing Spider-Man: Renew Your Vows” picks up where the five-issue series left off, and hits the shelves November 2.

The post Amazing Spider-Man: Renew Your Vows #1 Gets Romita Sr. Variant Cover appeared first on CBR.com.

'Arrow' Confirms Another Shocking Queen Return for Episode 100

We're having a harder and harder time wrapping our heads around Arrow's 100th episode, between alien crossovers and some unexpected Season 2 returns, but the latest feels right at home. Cementing the DC drama's victory lap, Moira Queen will bring a touch of class back to Arrow for the 100th outing.

Continue reading…

comiXology Launches Second Comic Creators Trading Card Set at NYCC

Digital comics provider comiXology is set to release the second series of its popular Comic Book All Stars Collectible Trading Cards as a con exclusive at the upcoming New York Comic Convention 2016.

The new set features an illustrious range of top comic book creators, including cards for Alison Bechdel, Neil Gaiman, Grant Morrison and Gail Simone, as well as a combined card for Congressman John Lewis, Andrew Aydin and Nate Powell, the trio behind the “March” trilogy of graphic novels covering the congressman's experience in the US Civil Rights movement.

Most importantly, each card in the set of 31 features a redemption code for a free digital comic from comiXology, as selected by the featured creator.

RELATED: New York Comic Con Already Sold Out of 3- and 4-day Passes.

There is a cheeky wink at the infamous shirtless Todd McFarlane snap from Eclipse's 1992's Famous Comic Book Creators trading card series, with Chip Zdarsky gamely going topless to strike a similar baseball-bat wielding pose for his card.

Another innovation for series 2 is the addition of “comic book rookie” cards for established novelists Margaret Atwood and Chuck Palahniuk, who have both turned their typing talents to comic scripts in recent years.

RELATED: “Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders” and “Justice League Dark” to Take Stage at NYCC

ComiXology launched its first Comic Book All Star trading card set at SDCC 2016.

The company will make a limited number of the sets available to con-goers at specific times at both its panels and at its exhibition space in Artist Alley #M3-M4.

The New York Comic Con takes place at the Javits Convention Center in New York City from October 6-9, 2016.

The post comiXology Launches Second Comic Creators Trading Card Set at NYCC appeared first on CBR.com.

Doc Holliday's Past Haunts Him in Wynonna Earp Legends

Much like Reese's Peanut Butter Cups combine two things people love into a single treat, “Wynonna Earp Legends: Doc Holliday” achieves a similar feat.

To begin with, the four-issue IDW Publishing series once again combines the fan-favorite personalities of Wynonna Earp and Doc Holliday. On the trail of an abandoned stash of gold, the duo encounter the Pinkertons, a nasty bunch with old ties to both Doc and Wynona's ancestor, Wyatt Earp.

RELATED: Rozon Says “Wynonna Earp's” Doc Holliday is Consumed By Vengeance

As if that combination wasn't enough, Wynonna's creator Beau Smith and “Wynonna Earp” TV series' very own Doc Holliday, actor Tim Rozon, are the pair who have combined forces to co-write the action-western adventure, which features art by Chris Evenhuis.

Smith and Rozon spoke with CBR News about their collaboration, Wynonna's baptism-by-fire mission, the importance of Doc Holliday and the threat of the Pinkertons.

CBR News: Tim, people may not realize that you are an über comic book collector. How much are you geeking out over being part of this medium that you love?

Tim Rozon: I don't have the words to express the emotion I feel. Seeing myself on TV for the first time was something else. It was cool, but this was just another level. This is the15-year-old me freaking out. This is literally the greatest thing I could have experienced. Did I win the lottery of all lotteries? Look who is taking me on this journey; Beau Smith has been amazing every step of the way. I don't want to just gush and drool over Beau, but would this experience have been the same with anyone else? Think of the humility this guy has to bring me into his world. He brought me in with not only open arms, but he's been with me every step of the way, teaching me things. It's indescribable. How do I express that into words because the emotion doesn't exist. How do you say dream fulfilled? How do you say complete happiness?

Beau, Doc Holliday wasn't part of your initial vision for “Wynonna Earp.” What do you feel the character has added to her tale?

Beau Smith: The Doc Holliday character has been a wonderful gift from executive producer Emily Andras, who inserted him into the television series, and Tim to really bring him to life. What it's brought to me is this wonderful character that is a link to Wynonna's past with her ancestor, Wyatt Earp. Doc was there when he walked the streets. He had the gunfights that they were involved in together. He's a living history book.

Talk about the genesis of the series' story. Where did the idea originate, and how did it become a team effort?

Smith: On my end, I got an email from Chris Ryall and Carlos Guzman, my editor. They were going, “Hey, Beau. How do you feel about maybe having some of the cast collaborate with you on some special issues?” Tim and I had already talked. He's into comics and I knew Tim had written screenplays and had an inside edge on writing. I was like, “Let's go with this. This is great.” Part of me was thinking, “Well, let me see if my editors follow through.” Sometimes in an editorial meeting, everything is great. It's a fun idea and then we get to see who follows through and who doesn't.

They followed through with this, but then I was worried whether Tim was going to want to do this. Part of me was also going, “Is he going to be able to write?” With comic books, you are limited to 20 pages. You don't have an hour-long television show. However, Tim and I have just taken off and ran. This could not have worked out better. I have to be honest with you. I've only written with a couple of other people over my career. One of them was Chuck Dixon. Chuck and I are brothers from different mothers, so there was never a problem. I had no idea I was going to relive that with Tim.

Rozon: I'm just trying to absorb Beau Smith talking about me. Give me a second, because that was frigging awesome.

I have no idea how this all happened. I keep waiting for someone to pull the plug and say it was a joke. I believe it probably started with an email. “Hey, would you be interested in…” I was like, “Would I be interested?” I sent a bunch of ideas right away. I believe it was Carlos who said, “Maybe do an outline for a story idea.”

Then, Beau and I started talking about stuff. I still didn't know exactly what I would be contributing, or what my part would be. Even up to the first day of when we were starting to write, I didn't know what I was doing. Like I said, Beau just took me under his wing and started going. All of a sudden, he was like, “Oh, you're going to write dialogue, and I need you to write this.” We had an outline, and I'm like, “This is really happening.” It was overwhelming, yet, at the same time, I dove right in. I was so excited to be a part of it. I don't know how it happened. I don't know how I'm talking to you about it, but we somehow got there. The best part is, I'm still doing it.

How will this miniseries put the spotlight on Doc Holliday? What kind of story are you telling?

Smith: We have a villain in these two issues - I'm not going to say his name, but Tim found this villain who is based on a real person from that time period. I've been studying the Old West since I was a kid, and somehow I've missed this character. I was stunned. I told my wife Beth, “Oh geez. Tim has found a gold mine.” This idea in my head started turning. Tim and I started talking about this character and how he would be in this time period. Right off the bat, Tim comes into this relationship, and it's like a house warming party. He brings a really nice bottle of wine.

I decided to write with Tim how I did with Chuck [Dixon]. We did an outline. “Your stuff. My stuff.” That's what we call it. It's listed. “Here's your stuff.” We usually decide X-amount of pages. Then my stuff. We go back and forth, so we kind of know what we're doing, yet you leave some cliffhangers for each other. I'll get Tim's script and go, “Ohhh…Okay.” It's this healthy competition of making each other better. We just keep doing it with each sequence that comes in. That part is truly thrilling. With this bad guy, since Tim brought him to the table, I've done my best in writing him. But, 99 per cent of that character's dialogue is going to be coming from Tim's head.

Rozon: At the end of the day, it is Doc heavy - but it's a Wynonna story. I feel the Doc aspect of it helped Wynonna get to another level. I'm a fanboy that gets to read all the stuff Beau sends me. He's been writing a lot of the Wynonna/Doc stuff. To watch the transition for Wynonna has been one of the cooler parts than even Doc. There's great stuff with Doc, but the book is Wynonna Earp. To have that character grow in the way that she's been growing over these two books - that's been more fulfilling to me to see that happen. It's the growth of our heroine. This whole little world we have going on is super cool, and people are really going to dig it.

These two issues that Tim and I are doing are the darkest issues that I've done with Wynonna. It's also a key tipping point for her. When you read issues one and two, it's like episodes one and two of the TV series. This is Wynonna - flaws, warts and all - starting out, and stumbling her way through, sometimes. With Doc's help, this is a tipping point for her to start to turn into what she will be. You get to see a major growth spurt in Wynonna Earp.

She doesn't lose the sarcasm. She doesn't lose her levity of how she deals with situations. But this is her first field mission where she's in charge. You also get to see how Doc is not only her link to the past, but we show in the regular comic book world that he presented her with Peacemaker. He's the one who gives her these continual links to Wyatt Earp's past that will help her grow. In the comics, he was a dedicated friend to Wyatt Earp. Now, he's decided to continue that same dedication to Wynonna. It's a really interesting relationship and I hope with these issues that Tim and I can show that to the readers and give them even more depth of character.

Can you introduce us to the Pinkertons and explain why they're gunning for Doc Holliday?

Rozon: The idea that appealed to me the most was who would be after Doc back in the day that could possibly still be after him now. You go with the Wynonna Earp theme of the lawman chasing down the bad guy. Back in the day, there was noone better than the Pinkertons. They weren't good men, but they were doing a good job. They were the lawmen. If you had a really bad guy and you needed someone to get them, you would call in the Pinkertons. I thought of everybody who could be a Pinkerton. We actually found this one guy who existed, named Charlie Siringo. He was one badass mofo. Who better to be after Doc Holliday than the baddest of the bad Pinkertons that ever existed?

Smith: There are a lot of twists, turns and reveals in these two issues. We can't give them away. It's a gift. We're waiting for the birthday to unwrap.

Tim, you're used to working on television sets. In comics, there are no budget restrictions. How fun has it been letting your imagination run wild?

Rozon: That's the key. Beau pointed this out. There's no budget. He said, “If you can think it, put it on paper.” Then he gave me the best advice I could ever take away as a writer, and that was, “What does your character want? As long as you know that, as long as you write that and can deal with an unlimited budget, you'll always stay on course.” That's the one thing that has kept me grounded throughout this whole process.

Have the two of you discussed collaborating more in the future?

Smith: I'm going to be honest with you: Collaboration-wise, whatever Tim wants to do, I'm in. No questions asked. No matter what character, even if it's not “Wynonna Earp.” This does not happen often. Chuck Dixon and I had it. Tim and I have it. I'm ready to relive that, any time, any day, all day long.

Rozon: I literally copy, paste, bold, format bold, italic and exclamation mark that. Would I work with Beau Smith on anything else again? Yeah, of course I would!

The post Doc Holliday's Past Haunts Him in Wynonna Earp Legends appeared first on CBR.com.

Cast Party: Who Should Star in a 'Kim & Kim' Movie? [Sci-Fi Week]

It's Sci-Fi Week on ComicsAlliance, and I'm celebrating with more Cast Party than usual, with a science fiction theme. For this one, I'm focusing on Kim & Kim, the Black Mask sci-fi comic written by Magdalene Visaggio, with art by Eva Cabrera and colors by Claudia Aguirre.
Continue reading…

EXCLUSIVE: BOOM! Studios Teases New Series From Kindt & Jenkins

BOOM! Studios continues it's pre-New York Comic Con news and announcements with a teaser image of a new series from Matt Kindt and Tyler Jenkins, and CBR has the first look.

Unfortunately, the emphasis is on “tease” for now in this teaser image - beyond the creative team and the release date of the series, no further information has been revealed at this time. Kindt is best known for his work at Dark Horse Comics, on series he's written and drawn including “Mind MGMT” and “Dept H,” plus work strictly as a writer at Valiant Entertainment, DC Comics and Marvel. Jenkins has prior history with BOOM! Studios as the artist of the series “Snow Blind,” and notably illustrated “Peter Panzerfaust” for Image Comics. This would be the first collaboration between the two acclaimed creators.

Keep an eye on CBR all next week for the latest news from New York Comic Con.

The post EXCLUSIVE: BOOM! Studios Teases New Series From Kindt & Jenkins appeared first on CBR.com.

'Arrow' Hangs With 'Supergirl' in Stephen Amell Crossover Tease

Oh, that sneaky Stephen Amell. When the Arrow star isn't dropping return announcements for the DC drama's 100th episode, he's busy hanging with Supergirl. See for yourself, as Arrow and the Girl of Steel strike a pose in the latest crossover tease.

Continue reading…

2000 AD: 12 Series Every Comic Fan Should Know

From thrilling apocalyptic destruction to visceral ultra-violence, the influence of “2000 AD” can be felt in reverberations throughout all of pop culture. This week, the weekly British science fiction anthology releases its 2000th issue, or “prog” as the book's intergalactic host Tharg the Mighty might say. While “2000 AD” isn't the first comic to hit the 2000 issue mark, it is an odd book to hit such a long-running milestone.

Pat Mills and John Wagner started the book in 1977, after their contemporary action comic “Action” was banned for violence. “2000 AD” quickly defined itself with vibrant, percussive bursts of subversive energy. Through the lens of science-fiction, the book's creators were able to put the punk anti-authoritarian impulse into edgy, daring comics that enthralled and provoked its readership. The book would later provide the talent for the British Invasion that revolutionized American comics in the 1980s. “2000 AD” has survived more than its fair share of legal challenges and publishers, with the aptly-named Rebellion serving as its current home. As it approaches its 40th anniversary, the book continues to be a counter-culture staple of British comics.

RELATED: Chris Burnham Homages Classic “2000 AD” Cover for Milestone Issue

Over the years, reprints have been spotty on this side of the Atlantic, with a parade of diverse companies like Eagle, Quality, and even DC Comics reprinting “2000 AD” stories. IDW Publishing currently holds the license and has released a robust line of reprints and original stories using “2000 AD” characters. Combined with “2000 AD's” digital efforts, it's never been easier for a global audience to read some of Britain's greatest comics. In honor of this milestone issue, CBR has put together a general primer, looking in no particular order at some of the series that have made “2000 AD” the “galaxy's greatest comic.”

Judge Dredd

While it's more than a little ironic that a humorless fascist would be the cornerstone of an anti-authoritarian punk comic, any discussion of “2000 AD” has to begin with “Judge Dredd.” Created by John Wagner and Carlos Ezquerra, Dredd is a living embodiment of the law who serves as judge, jury, and executioner in Mega-City One, a dystopian future vision of the American eastern seaboard. Surrounded by the nuclear wasteland, the Cursed Earth, Mega-City One is a science-fiction fever dream generator that creators have used as the perfect backdrop for the series' pitch-black humor and ultra-violence.

In iconic stories like “Block Mania,” “The Apocalypse War” and “America,” Dredd has toed the line between savior and monster, becoming an incredibly complex character in the process. This complexity didn't make it into the 1995 Sylvester Stallone-starring “Judge Dredd,” which plays like a kitschy “Demolition Man” rehash. The character fared far better in the darker, more action-oriented 2012 film “Dredd,” starring Karl Urban. In addition to these two films, Dredd has appeared across the media landscape, appearing in everything from radio plays and novels to pinball machines and video games. In the comics world, Dredd was also given his own monthly spinoff book, “Judge Dredd: The Megazine,” in 1990, and has occasionally appeared in original series from American publishers, including an ongoing series from IDW.

Sinister Dexter

Created by Dan Abnett and David Millgate in 1995, “Sinister Dexter” follows the impressively named Finnigan Rapunzel Sinister and Ramone Algonquin Winnibago Dexter. The pair serve as “Gun Sharks,” hitmen for hire, in Downlode, a near future city that's cobbled together out of most of Central Europe. The series follows the two as they navigate the various conflicts that drive the city's underworld, taking jobs, offering protection and training new Gun Sharks. While storylines have seen these characters go from breaking out of prison to saving reality from a parallel universe mob moss, recent events have reset the pair simply as hitmen in the city.

Guided by a strict code that forbids them from harming those who haven't committed any crimes, both characters are cruel but incredibly charismatic anti-heroes. Like the works of Elmore Leonard or Quentin Tarantino, the series blends ultra violence with lighter side of a criminal underworld. Sinister, as superstitious Irish poet, and Dexter, a fashionable Spanish pop-culture aficionado, are idiosyncratic voices in what can sometimes be the aggressively depressing world of “2000 AD.” These characters have become mainstays of the title, regularly appearing since their debut.

Sláine

While “2000 AD” is built around science-fiction, violent fantasy has also found a home in the book. Created by Pat Mills and Angela Kincaid in 1983, “Sláine” has represented the title's fantasy offerings for most of its existence. The series follows the titular Sláine, a Celtic barbarian who wanders in exile through a mystic realm called Land of the Young, accompanied by his battleaxe called “Brainbiter” and a dwarf named Ukko. Sláine fought various monsters, demons, and aliens, sometimes becoming a monster himself using his warp-spasm ability. He eventually returned to the tribe that exiled him, leading it and eventually uniting all of the other tribes in battle and becoming the King of Ireland.

Much like “Conan the Barbarian,” this series follows the character's journey from lone berserker to king. With a dense Thor-esque cross-pantheon mythology, “Sláine” occupies a unique space that sets it apart from other fantasy characters. The series has often been defined by hyper-detailed, even gloriously grotesque art. Perhaps more than any other “2000 AD” series, “Slaine” benefitted from the shift to color, letting artists like Simon Bisley and Simon Davis depict “Sláine's” savage world in painted art that showcases its grotesque glory.

Judge Anderson: Psi-Division

With any property as successful as “Judge Dredd,” spinoffs are inevitable. The most notable Dredd spinoff follows the psychic Judge Anderson in “Judge Anderson: Psi-Division.” Anderson was introduced by John Wagner and Brian Bolland alongside Dredd's most iconic villains, the undead Judge Death and the Dark Judges who seek to exterminate all crime by exterminating all life. Appearing in her own stories and alongside Dredd, Anderson puts a more relatable face on Mega-City One, offering a more humanistic counterweight to Dredd's hard-line morality. Anderson and Dredd both have continued to roughly age in real time since their initial appearances, making them some of the older protagonists in comics today. Given her psychic and pre-cognitive abilities, Anderson's solo tales can take on a more distinctly supernatural tone than the main Dredd series.

Judge Anderson appeared as Dredd's partner in the 2012 film, played by Olivia Thirlby, and starred in an original solo series from IDW in 2014. “Judge Anderson: Psi-Division” has gone a long way to fill out the rest of Mega City-One, paving the way for a few more Dredd spinoffs. Some of the other Dredd spinoffs have included Mark Millar's “Red Razors,” which follows a judge in the formerly Russian Sov-Bloc and more recently “The Simping Detective,” which follows an undercover Mega-City One judge who dresses like a clown.

Rogue Trooper

Outside of the Dredd universe, Rogue Trooper might be the most famous character to come out of “2000 AD.” Created by Gerry Finley-Day and Dave Gibbons in 1981, “Rogue Trooper” chronicles the exploits of Rogue, a blue-skinned “Genetic Infantryman,” who fights a never-ending war on Nu-Earth, between the totalitarian Norts and the Southers. The Souther Rogue and his team are ambushed after the Traitor General reveals the location of the troops to the Norts. Then, Rogue, the lone survivor of the massacre, dedicates himself to assassinating the Traitor General, accompanied by the spirits of his team, who live on through “bio-chips” in his helmet, rifle, and backpack, respectively.

After the assassination of General Traitor, the series floundered until Gibbons returned to write a reboot of the series in 1990. The premise was roughly the same, with his “bio-chip” comrades becoming a more traditionally spiritual accompaniment. After Gibbons left, the series became more like the original version before ending in 1996. While subsequent stories have told flashback tales or focused on other characters in the “Rogue Trooper” universe, IDW attempted a short-lived original series in 2014. Rogue Trooper has also appeared in several video games, most notably a decent 2006 third-person console shooter.

Zenith

Until fairly recently, “2000 AD's” first superhero, “Zenith,” was one of the last great major super-hero comics to remain widely unavailable. Created by Grant Morrison, Steve Yeowell and Brendan McCarthy in 1987, the series follows Robert MacDowell, an energetic super-powered brat turned pop star named Zenith. Long before “Jupiter's Legacy” covered similar ground, “Zenith” dealt with the generation gap between superheroes as Zenith worked with his super-powered parents' old teammates, the old ex-hippie heroes of “Cloud 9.” As a direct response to the more grounded grim and gritty comics of the era, the series morphed into a multi-dimensional deconstruction of superhero comics.

Although it would end by 1992, “Zenith” remains a key early work by Morrison that would introduce themes and ideas about alternate dimensions and celebrity that Morrison is still working with regularly today. The celebrity hero aspects here predict other comics like “Youngblood,” “X-Statix” and even his own “New X-Men.” In the United States, only the first two of four “phases” of Zenith were reprinted in the 1980s, with the second half of the series not appearing at all. After a long legal dispute between Morrison and “2000 AD” regarding who owned the rights to the series, “2000 AD” collected all four “phases” of “Zenith” starting in 2014.

D.R. & Quinch

With the possible exception of early “League of Extraordinary Gentlemen,” “D.R. & Quinch” might be the most fun comic books Alan Moore has ever written. Created in 1983 by Moore and Alan Davis, Waldo “Diminished Responsibility” Dobbs and Ernest Errol Quinch were originally intended to be one-off alien troublemakers. D.R., who looks like a cross between a Skrull and Fonzie, and Quinch, a giant “psychotic deviant,” travel to Earth using a time machine and influence various events in human history through their often violent misadventures.

While Alan Davis' artwork contains its usual whimsy here, Alan Moore's involvement in this title is still surprising, considering the seriousness of so many of his works. These stories bear more resemblance to “Rick and Morty” than anything else Moore ever worked on. Sadly, the series came to an abrupt halt after five complete stories had been released. The cause was an alleged falling out between Moore and Davis regarding reprint rights to their work on “Captain Britain” for Marvel. Given its brief nature, the complete series has been collected numerous times.

The Ballad of Halo Jones

If Alan Moore's abrupt exist from “D.R. and Quinch” was unfortunate, the end of “The Ballad of Halo Jones” is downright tragic. Created by Moore and Ian Gibson, Halo Jones opens on the teenage lead character, a perfectly ordinary resident of an extraordinary future. Over three “books,” Halo Jones leaves her life in “the Hoop” on Earth for a life among the stars, finding work on a star-cruise liner before ending up as a soldier in an interstellar war. Over time, the series evolves from looking at a detailed future into the psychological effects of war, hinting at the future that awaits Halo.

While these three books of Halo Jones make a strong story, the series was originally intended to run for another six books. However, Moore quit writing for “2000 AD” during a rights dispute regarding the character. The handful of people who have heard in full the rest of Moore's original plan for the book claim that it would have been a masterpiece, on par with Moore's and Gibbons' “Watchmen.” As she had in the first three books, Halo Jones would have continued to age, and the series would have followed her throughout the rest of her life as she traveled to the edge of the universe and beyond.

Strontium Dog

Created by the Judge Dredd team of John Wagner and Carlos Ezquerra, “Strontium Dog” originally appeared in “2000 AD's” sister publication “Starlord.” The title soon moved over to the primary “2000 AD” title, where it has remained since. “Strontium Dog” stars Johnny Alpha, a mutant in the 22nd century who can read brainwaves and see through objects with his mutant eyes. In this world, mutants began popping up after being exposed to the radioactive isotope Strontium-90 in the nuclear fallout from an atomic war. Like some other famous mutants, these deformed new mutants quickly became an oppressed minority. Johnny, the son of an anti-mutant politician, becomes a bounty hunter who, alongside his human partner Wulf, takes jobs and goes on surreal adventures throughout space and time. In the 1990 story “The Final Solution,” Johnny was somewhat controversially killed off to save the mutant race.

In the wake of Johnny's death, a few spinoff series came and went, and the original creators returned to the character with a soft reboot in 1999. This reboot culminated in “The Life and Death of Johnny Alpha” which revealed the true circumstances of his initial death and brought the character back to life. Outside of comics, Johnny Alpha has appeared in a handful of novels, radio plays, and computer games.

ABC Warriors

Like “Strontium Dog,” “ABC Warriors” has its roots in “Starlord.” While “ABC Warriors” didn't officially appear in the short-lived publication, two members of the team appeared first here, including the conscientious leader Hammerstein and comic relief Ro-Jaws. Created by Pat Mills, Kevin O'Neill, Mike McMahon and Brendan McCarthy, the ABC Warriors officially debuted in 1979. They're a team of robots, designed to withstand Atomic, Bacterial and Chemical warfare, hence the acronym in the title. The robots, each with their own personality, fought in the Volgan War, a key story Mills had alluded to in numerous other series. After the war, the core team of “The Mek-nificent Seven” was sent to help settle the wild Mars frontier. After this mission was completed, the events of “Ro-Busters” took place before the Warriors were reassembled in the far future by the title character in another Mills and O'Neill series, “Nemesis The Warlock,” before going their own way again.

“ABC Warriors” serves as a continuity keystone that aligns many of “2000 AD's” series into a mostly coherent timeline, linking the world of “Judge Dredd” with the far future of “Nemesis,” among others. Regardless of the era, this comic about giant fighting robots managed to touch on serious themes about duty, order and “khaos” with surprising depth. One of the “ABC Warriors,” Hammerstein, made a brief but memorable appearance in the 1995 “Judge Dredd” film.

Nikolai Dante

Created by Robbie Morrison and Simon Fraser in 1997, “Nikolai Dante” is a swashbuckling adventure series. In a future where a revitalized Russian Empire controls the Earth and much of the galaxy, Nikolai Dante discovers the illegitimate son of the Romanov Dynasty, the chief rivals of the ruling Tsar. He bonds with his family Weapon Crest, which gives him a minor healing factor and “bio-blades” that extend out of his arm. The series follows Nikolai as he fights enemies with the ruling dynasty and his own family and struggles to choose between a life guided by adventure or his aristocratic heritage.

In sharp contrast to some of “2000 AD's” other series, this romp featuring a charming scoundrel is relatively delightful. While it provides a different kind of thrill, it's an exciting recontextualization of historical aristocratic literature in a compelling sci-fi setting. A handful of spinoff novels have been produced. After an almost continuous presence in “2000 AD,” the series ended, seemingly for good, in 2012.

Tharg's Future Shocks

While “Tharg's Future Shocks” may not be the marquee feature in “2000 AD,” it captures the spirit of the anthology in a way no other series does. This is an anthology series of unconnected four-to-five page short science-fiction stories, usually defined by a sudden twist at the end. It's a remarkably simple concept, but it's been a proving ground for multiple generations of talent. Comic book icons like Alan Moore, Neil Gaiman and Grant Morrison all had some of their earliest work published in “Tharg's Future Shocks.” Over the years, the feature has spawned several other variations on the basic idea throughout the “2000 AD” publishing line.

Tharg's presence in the title of this series is equally important. Tharg's Crypt Keeper-esque role in “2000 AD” might seem outdated by modern standards, but he is a unifying presence across decades of the series. While the contents of any given issue will always vary, Tharg remains, and that's important. He's both an inextricable link to the past of “2000 AD” and a herald of the future, continuing to present a fresh pool of new talent that could very well determine the future of “2000 AD.”

For maximum thrill-power, stay tuned to CBR for all the latest about Judge Dredd and your favorite “2000 AD” characters.

The post 2000 AD: 12 Series Every Comic Fan Should Know appeared first on CBR.com.

'Flash' S3 Reveals New Details of Tom Felton's Mystery Character

Likely the first thought anyone had after news that The Flash Season 3 would feature Tom Felton in a regular role was the meta-reaction from Harry Potter geek Cisco. Now, new details and photos from Felton's appearance confirm some tongue-in-cheek references to Felton's Draco Malfoy past, as well as his “Flashpoint” arrival.
Continue reading…

'Doctor Strange' Director Explains Why the Magician's Big Bad Starts Off as a Buddy

Comics readers were understandably a little confused when we all saw that Chiwetel Ejiofor's character Baron Mordo was in Doctor Strange, but in a considerably different way than everyone expected. If you know Doctor Strange, you know that Baron Mordo is actually his archnemesis: the two met while both under the tutelage of the Ancient One, and Mordo is eventually cast out after Strange foils his attempt to kill their teacher. Mordo becomes a magician gifted in the black arts, and antagonizes Strange at every turn.

Continue reading…

PREVIEW: Suicide Squad #3

“THE BLACK VAULT” part 3! It looks like a well-deserved day off for the Suicide Squad-until things go off the rails when the bizarre energies of the dark sphere Amanda Waller's team brought back slowly drive everyone in Belle Reve Penitentiary to acts of violent, bloody madness. Everyone except the crown princess of crazy, Harley Quinn, who's somehow been…cured?

The post PREVIEW: Suicide Squad #3 appeared first on CBR.com.

Looks Like Cyborg Will Definitely Be in 'The Flash' Movie

The DC cinematic universe at this point is its own Gordian Knot of rumors and threads of rumors that are rarely legit and usually peter out and go nowhere. On the other hand, Rick Famuyiwa just confirmed one of these rumors on his Twitter, where he posted a photo yesterday of the latest draft of The Flash script. In the photo, you can see the feet of two Funko Pop figures: the Flash, naturally, as well as those of Cyborg.

Continue reading…

Kings Quest, Smosh & More Dynamite Comics On Sale September 28, 2016

Dynamite Entertainment has provided CBR with advance looks at new comics on sale Wednesday, September 28, 2016. When you're through checking out these exciting previews, stop by CBR's Independents forum to share your thoughts with other fans.

Click any title below to be taken to the preview of your choice.

• Brickleberry #3


• Kings Quest #5


• Smosh #4

The post Kings Quest, Smosh & More Dynamite Comics On Sale September 28, 2016 appeared first on CBR.com.

'Supergirl' Namedrops Gotham City in Extended Season 2 Trailer

Earlier today afforded our first look at Supergirl and Superman in action with a new Season 2 premiere clip, but we were missing the full picture. No longer, as you can learn how Superman smells, get an earful of Gotham City, and check out Lena Luthor in the new full Season 2 trailer!

Continue reading…

Crunchyroll Is Streaming 'Nyanbo,' A New Anime Starring A Cat Version Of An Cardboard Robot From 'Yotsuba&!,' And It's As Complicated As It Sounds

Okay, so here are the facts: Starting this week, Crunchyroll is going to be airing Nyanbo, a new series about cats who look like they're made out of cardboard boxes, marking the latest series to be streamed worldwide simultaneous with its release in Japan.

Continue reading…

New Angel Season 11 Details, Artwork Unveiled Ahead of January Debut

Dark Horse Comics has officially announced “Angel Season 11,” the latest installment in the publisher's line of “Buffy” and “Angel” comics that continue the saga of Joss Whedon's original TV series. Corinna Bechko (“Lara Croft,” “Star Wars: Legacy II”) is set to pen the new adventures of Buffy's first love, with Geraldo Borges (“Deadpool,” “Ghost”) and Michelle Madsen (“Buffy Season 9,” “Angel & Faith Season 10”) on art duties; Scott Fischer (“Angel & Faith Season 10,” “Buffy: The High School Years”) and Jeff Dekal (“Journey into Mystery,” “Dark Horse Presents”) will provide covers.

The description for the series reads, “Angel Season 11 finds Angel being tormented by memories of his past. His visions link his dark past to a Big Bad coming in the future. The goddess Illyria intervenes and assists Angel as he discovers that it might be possible to change the future by traveling back in time to change the past.”

On joining the title, Bechko said, “I'm thrilled that I'll be helping to add to a little corner of the Whedonverse, a rich and exciting place that contains infinite possibilities for exploration. Of course, the fact that I'll be doing so with Angel, one of the most complex and interesting characters, means I have big shoes to fill. But I can't wait to spend some quality time with him during this journey, and to have a bit of fun along the way!”

Take a look at the first issue's covers by Scott Fischer and Jeff Dekal, in addition to interior art by Borges, below:

“Angel Season 11” #1 goes on sale January 18, 2017.

The post New Angel Season 11 Details, Artwork Unveiled Ahead of January Debut appeared first on CBR.com.

'Captain America: Civil War' Enters the Award Season Fray

While Marvel fans are no-doubt pleased with the critical and box office success of the movies to date, spend enough time in the comic book communities and you do hear people complain that movies like Captain America: Winter Soldier were not given more consideration for major awards at the end of the year. After all, Marvel has brought in some of the most talented filmmakers and actors working in the business today; why wouldn't the Academy want to recognize some of the talent on display in these films?

Continue reading…

Was Stan Lee Really Quoting From a Comic Book in Mallrats?

Comic Book Questions Answered – where I answer whatever questions you folks might have about comic books (feel free to e-mail questions to me at brianc@cbr.com).

Reader Charles H. wrote in to ask a question about Stan Lee's famous scene in 1995's “Mallrats”, where he gives Jason Lee's character, Brodie, a lesson in love, by telling Brodie about his biggest regret:

STAN LEE: Yeah. The girl that got away.

Look, do yourself a favor, Brodie. Don't wait. Because all the money, all the women, even all the comic books in the world, They can't substitute for that one person.

BRODIE: I don't know. All the comics in the world?

STAN LEE: Trust me, true believer. Well, good talking to you.

BRODIE: Keep up all the good work.

STAN LEE: You keep reading 'em, I'll keep writing 'em.

BRODIE: Hey, Stan.

STAN LEE: Yeah?

BRODIE: She really meant–

STAN LEE: I'd give it all up, all of it, for just one more day with her.

Lee then bumps into Brodie's friend, T.S. (played by Jeremy London). As it turned out, T.S. had asked Lee to give Brodie the speech. When T.S. asked Lee what he had told Brodie, Lee explained that he had given him the “Vulture's Soliloquy” from the “Amazing Spider-Man” anniversary issue story, “Love be a Vulture Tonight.”

Charles, then, wanted to know if that was an actual comic book quote or not.

Simply put, it was not, Charles.

There is no comic book story called “Love be a Vulture Tonight.”

Amazingly enough, there was a classic Valentine's Day issue of “Tangled Web” written and drawn by the late, great Darwyn Cooke and J. Bone that involved the Vulture, but that was years after “Mallrats”…

So it was just an amusing piece of writing by Kevin Smith, the writer and director of “Mallrats”.

Sorry to disappoint, Charles!

If anyone else has a question, feel free to drop me a line at brianc@cbr.com

The post Was Stan Lee Really Quoting From a Comic Book in Mallrats? appeared first on CBR.com.

Why Was Abin Sur Flying a Spaceship in the First Place?

In Abandoned an' Forsaked, we examine comic book stories and ideas that were not only abandoned, but also had the stories/plots specifically “overturned” by a later writer (as if they were a legal precedent).

Today, my buddy Keith M. wrote in with an interesting question that had fascinated readers for years until the great Alan Moore “solved” it in the mid-1980s. However, Moore likely didn't know that it had already been solved decades earlier! Read on to learn the mystery of why Abin Sur was flying a spaceship in the first place when he gave Hal Jordan the Green Lantern ring.

As I figure most of you know by now (I quickly checked with my wife to see if she knew Hal Jordan's origin, as I was curious if it really was as famous as I thought it was – she got it mostly right. She knew it was something involving an alien, a spaceship and a crash), in Hal Jordan's first appearance in “Showcase” #22 (by John Broome, Gil Kane and Joe Giella), we met the previous Green Lantern of Sector 2814, Abin Sur, who gave the Green Lantern ring to Hal before he died. He explained how he came to be in this terrible state…

Over twenty years later, in “Tales of the Green Lantern Corps Annual” #2, Alan Moore and Kevin O'Neill did a story set in the past where Abin Sur was forced to go on a rescue mission on the dark planet of Ysmault. While there, the demons who were stuck on the planet (trapped there by the Guardians) messed with Abin Sur's head. They gave him a prophecy of his death…

They then tell Abin Sur more prophecies (these would later be used by the writers of the “Green Lantern” titles post-Rebirth). As he left, Abin Sur presumed that they were lying to him to screw with him, but they left just enough actual doubt….

What a dark and clever ending. Wonderful work by Moore and O'Neill.

That story is a famous one and, as I noted before, has been cited regularly since by other “Green Lantern” writers.

Here's the thing, though – there already was an explanation to the mystery of Abin Sur's spaceship!!

In 1962's “Green Lantern” #16, Gardner Fox (who always liked to explain stuff) wrote a back-up story (drawn by Gil Kane and Murphy Anderson) that explained why Abin Sur was in a spaceship (as it turned out, as soon as he learned that the power ring could tell him information, Hal asked it about what happened to Abin Sur). As it turned out, Sur had captured a group of energy beings who were able to control people's minds. However, one of them escaped.

It tracked down Abin Sur and took control of his mind…

That was certainly a bizarre way to explain why Abin Sur took a spaceship, and don't get me wrong, I like Moore's story better than Fox's, but it is interesting to note that Moore's story was (accidentally, I'm sure, as I doubt Moore knew the Fox story even existed) a retcon of the Fox story.

Thanks to Keith for the great suggestion! If anyone else has a suggestion for a future Abandoned an' Forsaked, drop me a line at brianc@cbr.com!

The post Why Was Abin Sur Flying a Spaceship in the First Place? appeared first on CBR.com.

Marvel Agreed to Delay Production on 'Doctor Strange' to Snag Benedict Cumberbatch

Even from the very beginning  -  when director Jon Favreau put his reputation on the line to get Robert Downey, Jr. in the original Iron Man movie  -  the Marvel Cinematic Universe has earned its reputation for finding just the right actors in just the right roles. Sometimes, like in the case of Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, the casting is painfully obvious; sometimes it catches you a little by surprise. Who would have known ten years ago that Chris Evans would become the perfect embodiment of Captain America?

Continue reading…

'Justice League Dark' Gets a First Official Group Photo

A few months ago, the first featurette for the upcoming DC animated movie Justice League Dark hit the internet. And while the film has yet to receive a release date for home video  -  or its inevitable “one night only” theatrical showing as part of a Fathom Events promotion  -  it appears that the first official group shot of the Justice League Dark superheroes has finally found its away online for your viewing pleasure, courtesy of iO9.
Continue reading…

Bill Hader Is the Voice of Alpha 5 in the New 'Power Rangers'

Aye-yi-yi-yi-yi! The new Power Rangers has Zords, Bryan Cranston, Elizabeth Banks, and now Bill Hader as the robot Alpha 5.

Continue reading…

Was Hal Jordan Wearing a Villain's Ring During Emerald Twilight?

In Left Unresolved, I spotlight storylines that have been, well, left unresolved.

Today, we look at how Hal Jordan was running around with a villain's Green Lantern ring for years, including when he went nuts during Emerald Twilight!

In “Action Comics Weekly” #632 (by Jim Owsley, M.D. Bright and Romeo Tanghal), Hal Jordan was flying through space when he was suddenly pulled into another dimension. He didn't know where he was, until he was recognized by one of the people there as wearing the symbol of their master (who they presumed was Hal's master, as well). He was then brought in to meet the master, Lord Malvolio of the Green Flame!

So, yeah, Hal definitely did not like this guy. The next issue was spent on the run from Malvolio, and ultimately Hal discovered his history, that he was hundreds of years old (his father was an alien who had met an Earthwoman and fell in love and she gave birth to a son, and ultimately Malvolio turned against his father, killed him and took his ring) and had spent his life trying to become a master of Oan energy. This put Hal at a bit of a disadvantage against him…

However, in the third issue of the storyline, Hal finally stepped up his game and really took it to Malvolio hard, almost killed him. In the end, though, Hal decided to spare him, which turned out to be a mistake.

So Hal was now without a power ring, which was not a good spot to be against a powerful bad guy like Malvolio. Hal ran off and found an arsenal of weapons and took on Malvolio with them. Ultimately, it came down to whether Hal was willing to kill Malvolio to defeat him. Hal turned out to be willing to do so…

Hal now had Malvolio's power ring. Oh, but wait! Malvolio was not dead! This was all a trick!!

Yes, a trick, a plan by Malvolio that….has never been resolved.

And a few years later, Hal Jordan went nuts during Emerald Twilight and took on the Green Lantern Corps…all while still wearing Malvolio's ring!

Not only that, but at the end of Emerald Twilight, after Hal Jordan had become Parallax, he abandoned and stepped on the ring…

But then the Guardians fixed that ring…

and gave it to Kyle Rayner…

So that's still the Lord Mavolio ring, right? What the heck? I mean, we all know the real answer – DC just wasn't interested in the Lord Malvolio story, and when Geoff Johns did “Green Lantern: Rebirth”, he obviously didn't think it was worth revisiting an obscure, ignored story from nearly twenty years earlier just to come up with an explanation for why Hal Jordan went evil. But it's still fascinating to know that Hal was rocking a villain's ring during all that time and that Kyle kind of sort of was, too (you could argue that when the Guardians reformed it, it became, in effect, a new ring).

Okay, that's it for this installment! If you have a suggestion for a future installment, drop me a line at brianc@cbr.com!

The post Was Hal Jordan Wearing a Villain's Ring During Emerald Twilight? appeared first on CBR.com.