Joaquin Phoenix on Sunday night added yet another notch on his awards season belt at the 2020 SAG Awards, as the Joker star received the prize for outstanding performance by a male actor in a film.

Following a speech lauding fellow nominees, his final onstage note went to deceased Dark Knight star Heath Ledger, whom Phoenix not only called his favorite actor but someone "I'm standing here on the shoulders of."

The Joker actor has been on a winning streak during this year's road to the Oscars for his portrayal of Arthur Fleck, a failing stand-up who descends into darkness. Set in 1981, the Joker serves as director Phillips' take on the famed Batman villain's origins story and offers one of the iconic character's most discomforting live-action interpretations, examining how a man succumbs to insanity and nihilism and ends up launching a violent revolution against Gotham City's elite. (via THR)

The 26th Annual SAG Awards aired on TBS and TNT from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.

Next month, IMPERIAL, a four-issue event series by visionary writer Jonathan Hickman and superstar artists Iban Coello and Federico Vicentini, kicks off a galaxy-spanning conflict, boldly transforming the cosmic landscape of the Marvel Universe. The highly anticipated series sets the stage for a new line of intergalactic storytelling, starting with five IMPERIAL WAR one-shots that spotlight individual characters and groups as they navigate the startling developments and explosive conflicts sweeping the stars.

These key chapters of the overarching IMPERIAL narrative will each be co-written by Hickman with the first two hitting stands in August: IMPERIAL WAR: BLACK PANTHER #1 by award-winning writer Victor LaValle (Wolverine: Sabretooth War) and acclaimed artist CAFU (Venom) and IMPERIAL WAR: PLANET SHE-HULK #1 by rising superstar Stephanie Phillips (Phoenix) and extraordinary artist Emilio Laiso (Godzilla Vs. X-Men).

The Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda is under fire from all sides in IMPERIAL WAR: BLACK PANTHER! Blamed for the assassinations that have started an all-out galactic war, T’Challa will first need to survive a brutal assault from the World-Breaker Hulk and Amadeus Cho before he can even think about hunting down the true culprit! And all while his spacecraft spirals towards certain doom! Sounds like another day at the office for the Black Panther!

“Working with Jonathan Hickman on an interstellar epic—who wouldn't be thrilled by that idea? I'm excited to start working on the Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda because there's not enough stories about Black folks in outer space. There could always be more. By the time I'm done, T'Challa and Shuri will have constellations named after them, in some distant galaxy,” LaValle said.

Then, a brutal war of succession ignites in IMPERIAL WAR: PLANET SHE-HULK! Left behind on New Sakaar to keep the peace, Jen Walters discovers that in this savage realm, what’s needed isn’t a litigator, it’s a liquidator! Fortunately, She-Hulk is accomplished at being both!

“She-Hulk’s voice just came naturally to me from the first line—she’s so sharp, funny, and confident,” Phillips shared. “It’s been incredible getting to bring her story to life as part of IMPERIAL and see what this talented lineup of creators is building together.”

Preorder IMPERIAL WAR: BLACK PANTHER #1 and IMPERIAL WAR: PLANET SHE-HULK #1 at your local comic shop and stay tuned in the weeks ahead for more IMPERIAL WAR one-shot announcements.

Today Skybound and Image Comics, in collaboration with leading games, IP and toy company Hasbro, revealed interior pages and the lineup of variant covers for TRANSFORMERS #21, the two-time Eisner Award winning series from writer Daniel Warren Johnson (Extremity, Do a Powerbomb), artist Jorge Corona (Middlewest), and colorist Mike Spicer (Stillwater, Murder Falcon). The next chapter of the tentpole Energon Universe story will be available on shelves in comic book shops June 11, 2025.

Autobots vs Decepticons! Round one of the face-off you demanded between Optimus Prime and Megatron is here.

In addition to the main cover by Daniel Warren Johnson and series colorist Mike Spicer, the lineup of variant covers for TRANSFORMERS #21 includes an open-to-order cover B by series artist Jorge Corona & Mike Spicer, a 1:10 incentive variant continuing the connecting cover series by David Nakayama, a 1:25 incentive variant by Derrick Chew, a 1:50 incentive variant by Pye Parr, and the Energon Universe second anniversary mural variant covers by Jason Howard (Super Dinosaur) & Annalisa Leoni (Invincible Universe: Battle Beast).

TRANSFORMERS is the cornerstone of the Energon Universe, the crown jewel of the historic collaboration between Hasbro and Skybound, who has introduced a brand-new era of the TRANSFORMERS and G.I. JOE franchises in one shared comic book universe. Other Energon Universe titles include the ongoing series Void Rivals by writer Robert Kirkman (Invincible, The Walking Dead), artist Conor Hughes (White Ash, The Game), and colorist Patricio Delpeche (The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country) and G.I. JOE by writer Joshua Williamson (Superman, Dark Ride), artist Andrea Milana (Cobra Commander), and colorist Lee Loughridge (Universal Monsters: The Mummy). Fans should expect can’t-miss moments from every issue of the Energon Universe, as secrets are unveiled along the path to answering the BIG questions from some of the biggest franchises in comics today.

TRANSFORMERS #21 (Lunar Codes Below $3.99) will be available at comic book shops and digital platforms including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play on Wednesday, June 11, 2025.

The full list of variant covers is below:

TRANSFORMERS #21 Cover A by Daniel Warren Johnson & Mike Spicer (Lunar Code: 0425IM419)

TRANSFORMERS #21 Cover B by Jorge Corona & Mike Spicer (Lunar Code: 0425IM420)

TRANSFORMERS #21 Cover C (1:10 Copy Incentive) (Connecting) by David Nakayama (Lunar Code: 0425IM421)

TRANSFORMERS #21 Cover D (1:25 Copy Incentive) by Derrick Chew (Lunar Code: 0425IM422)

TRANSFORMERS #21 Cover E (1:50 Copy Incentive) by Pye Parr (Lunar Code: 0425IM423)

TRANSFORMERS #21 Cover F Energon Universe Second Anniversary Variant (Connecting) by Jason Howard (Lunar Code: 0425IM424)

TRANSFORMERS #21 Cover G Energon Universe Second Anniversary Variant (Black & White)(Connecting) by Jason Howard (Lunar Code: 0425IM425)

Nickelodeon has set five new hour-long “PAW Patrol” specials, including one set for Christmas 2025. Each special will focus on a different dog.

First is “Valiente: A Tracker Story,” premiering this fall. Per the official logline, “Tracker and his caretaker Carlos come across groups of nocturnal animals fleeing the scary Shadow Jungle region. With help from Ryder and the PAW Patrol pups, Tracker and Carlos must brave their fear of the dark and stop a new villain, Lucita Mala, before she forever turns nighttime into daytime.”

The second special is “A PAW Patrol Christmas”. The remaining specials will debut throughout 2026.

News of the specials comes after the recent renewal of “PAW Patrol” through Seasons 12 and 13. (via Variety)

From the creative team of New York Times bestselling author Rick Remender (Deadly Class, Uncanny X-Force) and powerhouse Daniel Acuña (Captain America, Black Panther)—the duo behind Marvel’s Uncanny Avengers—comes an all-new, wartime thriller titled, Escape. This ongoing series is set to launch in August from Image Comics.


Set in a brutal, fully painted world of anthropomorphic animals—think Inglourious Basterds meets Blacksad—Escape is a gritty, bullet-riddled journey through war’s scorched aftermath. It’s about the violence we inflict, the souls we try to save, and the courage it takes to crawl out of fire.

"Daniel and I have worked together many times, and each project sets a new high watermark in my experience making comics," said Remender. "He’s one of the best artists working today. Getting to take our time and build this book exactly the way we want—drenched in love—has been an absolute pleasure. I’m certain readers will feel that on every page. Escape is a perfect comic book."

Acuña added: "When Rick and I started working together years ago, we 'connected,' not only as artists but also on a personal level. Back then, we already decided we wanted to create something together. I honestly thought it’d never happen, but thanks to Rick’s infinite patience (and believe me, it is infinite) it’s happening! We both agreed we wanted to create a comic our parents would read and enjoy, a big war story. It’s been decades since I created a comic from scratch working with another creator, and I couldn’t ’t be more happy and proud with what we’ve done. It’s a great fit for both of us, and my most solid, mature and personal work. I’m sure you’re gonna be surprised and love every panel as I’ve enjoyed and have gotten emotional first reading, and then creating the art for it. In Escape Rick and I shine as never before."

Escape follows Milton Shaw, a battle-hardened bomber pilot flying missions over a war-torn world ruled by a ruthless empire. But when his plane is shot out of the sky, Milton wakes up behind enemy lines—in the smoldering ruins of a city he helped burn. And in less than 24 hours, his own side is dropping the big one to finish the job.

Now, injured, unarmed, and being hunted through enemy streets, Milton’s only shot at escape comes from the unlikeliest place: a grieving father and his son—civilians shattered by the same fascist regime that rules this land with an iron claw. Enemies by blood. Allies by circumstance. Together, they’ll have to fight their way out before the bomb drops and erases everything…and everyone.

Escape #1 will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, August 20:

Cover A by Acuña

Cover B 1:15 copy incentive by Michael Wm. Kaluta

Cover C 1:25 copy incentive by Steve Epting

Cover D 1:50 copy incentive by Tradd Moore

Escape will also be available across many digital platforms, including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play

BOOM! Studios today revealed a first look at MOUSE GUARD: DAWN OF THE BLACK AXE #3. There are few series as lauded and beloved as David Petersen’s Eisner Award-winning and New York Times bestselling Mouse Guard. Now, in celebration of the 20th anniversaries of both Mouse Guard and BOOM! Studios, David Petersen, along with Eisner-nominated artist Gabriel Rodríguez (Locke & Key), bring a brand new chapter to life in this sprawling saga with MOUSE GUARD: DAWN OF THE BLACK AXE.

Bardrick’s quest to protect the Lockhaven and mouse territories from the surrounding serpents comes to a thrilling conclusion! Will the Black Axe’s first wielder be able to complete his task before the poison flowing through his veins claims his life? And who shall come to his aid in his hour of need?!

MOUSE GUARD: DAWN OF THE BLACK AXE #3 features main cover art by series artist Gabriel Rodríguez with variant covers by David Petersen and Matt Smith (Hellboy).

MOUSE GUARD: DAWN OF THE BLACK AXE is the newest release from BOOM! Studios’ award-winning Archaia imprint, home to inspiring graphic novels such as Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut, Ryan North, and Albert Monteys; The Sacrifice of Darkness by Roxane Gay, Tracy Lynne-Oliver, and Rebecca Kirby; Big Black: Stand at Attica by Frank “Big Black” Smith, Jared Reinmuth, and Améziane; The Killer by Matz and Luc Jacamon; We Served the People by Emei Burell; New World by David Jesus Vignolli; Eighty Days by A.C. Esguerra; Better Angels: A Kate Warne Adventure by Jeff Jensen and George Schall; The Short While by Jeremy Sorese; About Betty’s Boob by Vero Cazot and Julie Rocheleau; Flavor Girls by Loïc Locatelli-Kournwsky; I’m Still Alive by Roberto Saviano and Asaf Hanuka; and licensed series including Sabaa Tahir’s An Ember in the Ashes; Lev Grossman’s The Magicians; and Jim Henson’s The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, The Storyteller, and Labyrinth. 

MOUSE GUARD: DAWN OF THE BLACK AXE #3 will be available in comic shops June 11, 2025. It is available for pre-order at your local comic shop. Digital copies can be purchased from content providers, including Kindle, iBooks, and Google Play.  

The upcoming Redcoat #14 by Geoff Johns, Bryan Hitch, Andrew Currie, Brad Anderson, and Rob Leigh will serve as a prelude to the forthcoming First Ghost by Johns, Brad Meltzer, and Gene Ha. Set during the infamous burning of the White House, the powder keg issue will ignite the Ghost Machine fandom with excitement this August and be published by Image Comics.

In the year 1814, where Washington D.C. is under siege by the British army, and the White House is engulfed in flames, Immortal British soldier Simon Pure witnesses history burning before his eyes—and comes face to face with the man responsible for lighting the match. But when Simon is blamed for the attack, his mission takes a shocking turn…

The upcoming First Ghost series will follow a newly elected United States President who moves into the White House with a young son. The two quickly discover the residence is more terrifying than cutthroat politicians and red tape.

“One of the joys of working in the historic timeline of The Unnamed, is that stories can be told across the canvas of American History, revealing secrets, introducing characters, and unlocking the greatest mysteries of the United States and those who not only founded it, but defined it," said Johns. "In this issue, Simon Pure gets blamed for the burning of the White House in 1814… and is on a mission to prove his innocence. Or is he?”

Hitch added: "Being able to collaborate across series with creators like Gene [Ha] and Brad [Meltzer] is one of the reasons that Ghost Machine is so much fun."

Redcoat #14 will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, August 20:

Cover A by Hitch & Anderson

Cover B by Kyle Hotz & Dan Brown

Cover C by Hitch & Anderson

All Ghost Machine titles, including Geiger, Hyde Street, Redcoat, Rook: Exodus, The Rocketfellers, and more, are also available across many digital platforms, including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play.

Ghost Machine’s groundbreaking creator collective was launched at New York Comic Con in October 2023 and features a global best-of-class lineup of artists and writers whose award-winning and iconic works include a who’s who of comic book legends such as Batman, Superman, Spider-Man, Aquaman, Stargirl, JSA, The Flash, The Ultimates, Black Lightning, Green Arrow and countless more: Brad Anderson, Jason Fabok, Gary Frank, Bryan Hitch, Geoff Johns, Rob Leigh, Lamont Magee, Francis Manapul, Brad Meltzer, Ivan Reis, Peter Snejbjerg, Peter J. Tomasi, and Maytal Zchut. In an industry first, all of Ghost Machine’s creators jointly own and run the company, sharing in all of Ghost Machine’s publishing, media, merchandising and licensing. Each creator is exclusive to the company for their comic book work after completing projects already committed to. Ghost Machine recently boosted its already unrivaled creator roster with renowned inkers Andrew Currie and Danny Miki who joined on an exclusive basis.

This August, Marvel Comics continues the tradition of celebrating its anniversary with a one-shot that encapsulates all the wonder and excitement of Marvel Comics storytelling. This year’s one-shot, MARVEL ALL-ON-ONE, from current Fantastic Four scribe Ryan North and superstar artist Ed McGuinness, will pit Ben Grimm against the entire pantheon of Marvel super heroes! The battle takes place across 50 pages of incredible nonstop action so bold, so colossal, that the only pages that aren’t splash pages are double-page spreads! It promises to be the wildest anniversary one-shot ever published, Marvel as you’ve always wanted to see it, at our biggest – our baddest – our most clobberingest!

THE THING VS. THE MARVEL UNIVERSE! Ben Grimm, A.K.A. The Thing: He’s the ever-lovin’ idol of millions and powerhouse of the Fantastic Four. He’s strong, he’s kind, and he never gives up. And he’s also tired, and he’s sore, and he’s grumpy. There’s always a new threat facing the world or the galaxy or the universe – and somehow, he and the rest of the Fantastic Four are always the only ones who can stop it. Ben Grimm is sick and tired of it. He just wants a break! But when he returns to Earth after a solo mission in space to discover the Fantastic Four have turned against him – along with the rest of New York City, and, apparently, the entire world – he’s got a mystery to solve...and a whole wide world to clobber.

On the experience crafting such a unique issue, North shared, “So, Ed McGuinness is a modern legend, and working with him is obviously going to be a thrill. BUT - working with him on an issue that's so big, explosive, and clobber-filled that it HAS to be told in JUST splash pages and double-page spreads, well, that's literally a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Every single page is an artist's showcase, but it's ALSO the biggest Thing story I've ever told, and has a ton of VERY fun battles. And heart too? Moments of recognition and self-discovery? It was a joy to write, one that's only been surpassed every day as I see the new joys of Ed bringing each page to spectacular life.”

“The Thing vs Everybody?! 50 splash pages?! What could go wrong?” McGuiness added. “This has been one of the most fun, challenging books I’ve ever worked on! IT’S CLOBBERIN’ TIME!”

Check out McGuinness’ main cover along with a first look at interior artwork and preorder MARVEL ALL-ON-ONE #1 at your local comic shop today!

Marvel has released the first official trailer for “Ironheart,” starring Dominique Thorne as a super-smart teen who creates her own powerful, Iron Man-inspired amor. The show will premiere on June 24 on Disney+ and run for six episodes.

This isn’t the first time Marvel fans have seen Thorne as Riri; she made her MCU debut on the big screen in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” Ryan Coogler, who directed “Wakanda Forever,” executive produces “Ironheart.”

Riri was originally created by writer Brian Michael Bendis, who helped bring Miles Morales’ Spider-Man to life, and artist Mike Deodato. The miniseries is created by Chinaka Hodge, with Sam Bailey and Angela Barnes each directing three episodes of the six-episode show. (via Variety)

Trailer: https://youtu.be/WpW36ldAqnM

The Warner Bros wave at the box office continues this weekend with New Line’s Final Destination: Bloodlines, the first sequel in 14 years in the 25-year-old horror franchise, eyeing a series record start between $35M-$40M at 3,400 locations.

The global outlook for Bloodlines is $70M with 74 territories going with U.S.

The Zach Lipovsky-Adam B. Stein directed R-rated feature is very strong with women under 25 both in unaided awareness and first choice, followed by guys under 25. The best Final Destination opening to date belongs to 2009’s The Final Destination which posted a $27.4M 3-day. Through five movies, the Final Destination titles have minted north of $666M worldwide.

The first installment in the series was written by Jeffrey Reddick, and intended to be an X-Files episode, but he flipped it into a spec script. The set-up entails a group of people who escape death after one of them has a premonition that a tragic catastrophe is about to occur. However, each of them dies by bizarre circumstances. The sixth film centers around a college student with violent nightmares, who returns home to find the one person who can break the cycle and save her family from the horrific fate that inevitably awaits them. (via Deadline)

IDW Publishing’s​ BENEATH THE TREES WHERE NOBODY SEES - the cozy horror tale from the twisted and brilliant mind of Patrick Horvath - took the comic book industry by storm last year, earning increased sales from issue to issue, two prestigious Eisner nominations, rave reviews from critics and fans alike, topped the graphic novel charts, and was declared the “best indie comics success story” by Screen Rant. But that was only the beginning…



This year, Horvath’s sinister comic about an anthropomorphic serial killer bear named Samantha Strong is back to become the talk of the entire industry again while reaching new heights with a startling new series and a jaw-dropping hardcover collected edition.

For fans wanting fresh thrills, the eagerly-anticipated sequel BENEATH THE TREES WHERE NOBODY SEES: RITE OF SPRING #1 (of 6) is on sale July 9, 2025 with a pre-order deadline of June 2, 2025.



For the especially passionate fans of the first series, IDW is immensely proud to offer readers a special limited printing of the STORYBOOK EDITION OF BENEATH THE TREES WHERE NOBODY SEES. This stunning premium hardcover includes all six issues from the first series while also collecting the 10-page prequel BENEATH THE TREES WHERE NOBODY SEES: PRÄLUDIUM for the first time ever. Bound within a rich cloth spine and a new cover with elegant gold foil treatments and accompanied by a ribbon bookmark, this high quality edition tailor-made for collectors also features a variant cover gallery, original concept art, and an interview with Patrick Horvath. Pre-order your copy now before they sell out.



In the meantime, don't miss out on the must-read sequel to one of 2024’s most talked about comic book series. Pre-order your copy of BENEATH THE TREES WHERE NOBODY SEES: RITE OF SPRING at a comic shop near you. In addition to the premium hardcover edition, the trade paperback collected edition of BENEATH THE TREES WHERE NOBODY SEES is on sale now wherever graphic novels are sold.