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QuoteDC Comics is overhauling its publishing line in June, and the message from the company is clear: An increased focus on diversity, reflected in creators, characters and storytelling styles. Twenty-five of the highest-profile existing series will remain, while 24 new series will be introduced, for a current total of 49 DC Universe titles -- meaning the end of "the New 52" branding, used since DC's reboot and relaunch in fall 2011.
In a high-profile move, Eisner-winning comics creator Gene Luen Yang, known for his graphic novels including "American Born Chinese" and "The Shadow Hero," will make his DC Comics debut by taking on writing duties on "Superman," joining current series artist John Romita Jr. Yang follows DC Chief Creative Officer Geoff Johns on the series.
Additionally, long-time comics veteran Bryan Hitch, who illustrated multiple titles published by DC including "The Authority" and "JLA" before moving to Marvel, is returning to DC to write and draw a new "Justice League of America" series. The "Hitman" creative team of Garth Ennis and John McCrea are also back at DC, for the limited series "Section Eight," featuring characters originally introduced in "Hitman."
Ming Doyle, currently artist on Vertigo series "The Kitchen," moves to writing duties in the DC Universe with "Constantine: The Hellblazer," which takes the place of "Constantine" in DC's publishing line, and adds the "Hellblazer" name from the character's Vertigo days. Riley Rossmo, a veteran of multiple series at Image Comics, will illustrate the series.
DC's press release announcing the new lineup stresses a progressive approach aimed at appealing to a wide range of fans. The words "inclusive" and "accessible" are used, with DC looking to target its "next generation of fans." These changes follow the two-month "Convergence" event running in April and May, coinciding with the move of DC's editorial department from New York City to Burbank, and featuring short stories drawing upon multiple aspects of DC history and continuity.
"This heralds in a new era for the DC Universe which will allow us to publish something for everyone, be more expansive and modern in our approach and tell stories that better reflect the society around us," DC Entertainment Co-Publisher Dan DiDio said in the press release. "Whether you've been a DC fan your whole life, or whether you are new to comics -- there will be a book for you beginning in June."
"In this new era of storytelling, story will trump continuity as we continue to empower creators to tell the best stories in the industry," DiDio said in the announcement.
QuoteAnd, now we know. Director Sam Mendes has just revealed the title for Bond 24 which will be Spectre. Mendes made the announcement this morning from the 007 stage at Pinewood Studios where the film will shoot along with London, Rome, Mexico City, Tangier, Erfoud and the Austrian Alps. The newest cast members are confirmed as Christoph Waltz, Andrew Scott, Dave Bautista, Monica Bellucci and Léa Seydoux. Daniel Craig will of course return as Bond along with Rory Kinnear as Tanner, Ben Whishaw as Q, Naomie Harris as Miss Moneypenny and Ralph Fiennes as the new M. Oscar winner Waltz will play Oberhauser, while Blue Is The Warmest Color's Seydoux is Madeleine Swann and Bellucci is Lucia Sciarra. (Bellucci is a nice get for the Bond folks who I hear have been eyeing her for a role for a long time.) Guardians Of The Galaxy's Bautista is playing Mr Hinx and Sherlock's Scott is Denbigh. Interstellar cinematograther Hoyte Van Hoytema will shoot the film with Mendes. And that same film's Lee Smith is joining as editor. Also joining the film is the Aston Martin DB10 which was designed specially for Spectre.
The logline for the new film is: "A cryptic message from Bond's past sends him on a trail to uncover a sinister organization. While M battles political forces to keep the secret service alive, Bond peels back the layers of deceit to reveal the terrible truth behind SPECTRE."
Bond aficionados may recognize the title from the Bond canon. It's an acronym for "Special Executive for Counter-intelligence, Terrorism, Revenge and Extortion." A global crime organization, it's previously been led by evil genius Ernst Stavro Blofeld in the Ian Fleming novels, who also appears in the films From Russia With Love, Thunderball, You Only Live Twice, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, Diamonds Are Forever and For Your Eyes Only. There had been speculation that Waltz would play him in this 24th Bond movie, but his character name would seem to dispell that.
Spectre hails from EON Productions, MGM, and Sony Pictures Entertainment with Mendes directing his second Bond film after global blockbuster Skyfall. Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson are producers. John Logan, Neal Purvis and Robert Wade are writers. Spectre releases domestically on November 6, 2015.
QuoteAs hard as it is to imagine now, there was a time, not that long ago, when superhero movies were a rarity. Go to one of Batman/The Dark Knight executive producer Michael Uslan's convention panels and you'll hear the tale of how he toiled for years to get Hollywood to take the Caped Crusader seriously.
Of course, they eventually did and Tim Burton's 1989 Batman was the result. But back in 1980, Uslan was still early in his quest when he was struck by inspiration: Spotting the famous "Here's Johnny" shot of Jack Nicholson from The Shining (in the New York Post), Uslan grabbed some white-out, a marker and a pen and transformed the actor into the Joker. Of course, it would be another nine years before that version of the Clown Prince of Crime would finally hit the big screen, but Uslan was obviously onto something.
