The stellar creative team of writers Stephanie Williams (Nubia: Queen of the Amazons), Daniel Warren and Dave Rapoza (Steve Lichman), artists Alberto Locatelli (Where Starships Go To Die) and Lea Caballero (The Approach), and colorists Arianna Consonni (Magic) and Raúl Angulo (Go Go Power Rangers), take readers to unforgettable realms in the Magic Multiverse this summer in the 40-page one-shot MAGIC PLANESWALKERS: NOBLE from BOOM! Studios.

Planeswalkers Karn and Ral Zarek team up to navigate the lonely and often treacherous space between flesh and machine.

Meanwhile, a romantic outing between Vraska and fan-favorite Jace? The circumstances are a bit less than ideal for the burgeoning couple…

After graduating from the University of Illinois at Chicago and entering a career in scientific research, Stephanie pivoted to pursue her childhood dream of writing comic books when she became a mom. Some of her comic credits include Nubia and the Amazons, Nubia: Queen of the Amazon, Wakanda #1, and Marvel's Voices: The Family Snikt. Stephanie is on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok at (@steph_i_will).

"Who doesn't love a good adventure with a bit of romance at the core of the story? I know I do, and it was an honor to write a story for two characters who've somehow managed to find each other in a world filled with magic, mayhem, and malevolent monsters," said Williams.

Working as a freelance artist and designer, Daniel Warren spent his early career creating for clients like Pathfinder, Transformers, and Coca-Cola. After co-creating the viral webcomic Steve Lichman in 2014, Dan went on to co-write and produce two further volumes, leading to an expanding career writing for comics and television.

"As a kid growing up, I would collect Magic cards and pour over the artwork for hours, sketching and imagining the lands their creatures and characters came from. It's been a surreal feeling to revisit that same experience with BOOM! and tell a new story in such a unique world," said Warren.

A self-taught illustrator and designer, David Rapoza is best known for his artwork on Magic: The Gathering, Spider-Man, and the X-Men film franchise–designing posters for movies like Days of Future Past and Logan. Expanding into creating his own comics, Dave made his authorial debut in 2014 with the webcomic Steve Lichman, leading to a long career in publishing continuing to this day.

"As a Magic: The Gathering artist, I've always wanted the opportunity to further explore the worlds behind the paintings. Having the chance to contribute some of my own sensibilities to the world of Ravnica has been great," said Rapoza.

MAGIC PLANESWALKERS: NOBLE features a main cover by Jahnoy Lindsay (Hawkeye: Kate Bishop), and variant covers by Frany (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and Justine Florentino (Grim).

Based in Bergamo, Italy, Alberto Locatelli graduated in Scenography in 2011 and debuted as a comic artist in 2012 for Italian publisher ComiXrevolution. He worked in Italy with several independent publishers, joining the team working on popular character Don Camillo (ReNoir Comics) in 2014. Since 2018 he’s been collaborating with Midian Comics in horror-themed comic series, co-creating the character Chest the Scarecrow. In 2022, he debuted on the French market with Orson Welles - L'Inventeur de Rêves (Glénat). His first foray into the American market is Where Starships Go to Die (2022, AfterShock). Since then, he's been contributing to the regular run of Magic before joining the team for this special.

“I used to play Magic as a kid. Okay, I was a pretty bad player, but I couldn't back away from such a fascinating fantasy world. Being able to be a part of it today is a great thrill for me. In the stories I've drawn so far I've found myself working on different, but always extremely challenging, characters and settings. Every time I get a new script, I can't wait to find out what new adventure I’ll get to live. The little boy in me would be proud to finally be able to play a role in the world of Magic!” said Locatelli.

Lea Caballero is a comic book artist and writer from Buenos Aires, Argentina. As an independent artist, he created Yo Nen and Go! Unbounder. He’s also provided art for Buffy The Last Vampire Slayer Special, Magic: Ajani Goldmane and The Approach, from BOOM! Studios. Alongside Mariano Sciammarella on script, Lea has won an Honourable Mention at the Silent Manga Audition Contest from Japanese company COAMIX. You can find Lea on Instagram at @the.leacaballero.

“I’m as thrilled to visit the places and characters from the Magic: The Gathering universe as I was at age 12 when my schoolmates brought some cards to class from the Invasion set to play for the first time. I especially remember the card “Pacifism”, from an older set, Tempest. That was my first encounter with the grandiose Karn. It’s nice to see you once again 20 years later, old friend,” said Caballero.

“The Magic multiverse is endless, but it's hard to resist coming back to the Planeswalkers, who each have such rich stories and personalities. We’re excited to work with incredible creators for this special with some of our favorite characters from the main series, and some we wished we had more time to get to know,” said editor Kathleen Wisneski.

MAGIC PLANESWALKERS: NOBLE is the newest release from BOOM! Studios’ eponymous imprint, home to critically acclaimed original series, including BRZRKR by Keanu Reeves, Matt Kindt, and Ron Garney; Something is Killing the Children by James Tynion IV and Werther Dell’Edera; Once & Future by Kieron Gillen and Dan Mora; Eve by Victor LaValle and Jo Mi-Gyeong; The Many Deaths of Laila Starr by Ram V and Filipe Andrade; Wynd by James Tynion IV and Michael Dialynas; Grim by Stephanie Phillips and Flaviano; Briar by Christopher Cantwell and Germán García; Stuff of Nightmares by R.L. Stine and A.L. Kaplan; The Approach by Jeremy Haun, Jason A. Hurley, and Jesus Hervas; Damn Them All by Simon Spurrier and Charlie Adlard; Behold, Behemoth by Tate Brombal and Nick Robles; Specs by David M. Booher and Chris Shehan; Once Upon a Time at the End of the World by Jason Aaron, Alexandre Tefenkgi, Leila del Duca, and Nick Dragotta; Know Your Station by Sarah Gailey and Liana Kangas; A Vicious Circle by Mattson Tomlin and Lee Bermejo; Mosely by Rob Guillory and Sam Lotfi; Harrower by Justin Jordan and Brahm Revel; The Neighbors by Jude Ellison S. Doyle and Letizia Cadonici; and the upcoming The Seasons Have Teeth by Dan Watters and Sebastián Cabrol. The imprint also publishes popular licensed properties, including Dune: House Harkonnen from Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson, and Michael Shelfer; Mighty Morphin Power Rangers from Melissa Flores and Simona Di Gianfelice; Magic from Jed McKay, Rich Douek, and Ig Guara; and The Expanse: Dragon Tooth by Andy Diggle and Rubine.

MAGIC PLANESWALKERS: NOBLE will be available in comic shops June 14, 2023. It is available for pre-order at your local comic shop. Digital copies can be purchased from content providers, including comiXology, iBooks, Google Play, and Kindle.

Though we have yet to see season two of the Percy Jackson series, season three is adding Kate McKinnon, known for her energetic performances and comedic brilliance on “Saturday Night Live,” as the goddess Aphrodite. McKinnon brings her unique charm and wit to the role, promising an exciting new take on the goddess of love and beauty. Aphrodite is one of the most famous figures from Greek mythology. She is the goddess of love, beauty, desire, and passion. Ancient Greeks believed Aphrodite had the power to inspire love and attraction in gods and mortals alike. According to myth, she was born from the sea foam and emerged fully grown, captivating all who saw her. Aphrodite’s stories often involve her relationships with gods like Ares and mortal heroes, and she played a key role in the legendary events leading up to the Trojan War, most notably by awarding the golden apple to Paris. With Kate McKinnon stepping into the role, viewers can expect a fresh, humorous, and dynamic portrayal of Aphrodite. Besides her time on SNL, McKinnon has been in various movies including the 2016 reboot of Ghostbusters and the 2023 mega-hit Barbie. 

In an interesting turn of events, someone posted an image of the wrap gift for the upcoming Lanterns series, showing a baseball hat with the Green Lantern symbol and in the center of that symbol, a series of concentric circles. That person then commented that the modified logo could be indicating an involvement of The Centre, the main antagonist in Darwyn Cooke’s celebrated DC: The New Frontier series. That post was then removed by Warner Bros… In completely unrelated coincidence, have you read The New Frontier? Let me tell you about The Centre, a metaphysical, almost Lovecraftian presence, embodying existential dread and posing a challenge unlike any other faced by the world’s greatest superheroes. The Centre made its debut in "DC: The New Frontier" (2004), a miniseries that bridges the gap between the Golden Age and Silver Age of superheroes. In this alternate history, The Centre is portrayed as an ancient, primordial being that predates humanity itself. It is described as the very source of life on Earth, a sentient landmass that witnessed the rise and fall of prehistoric creatures and eventually grew to despise humanity, whom it perceives as a threat to the planet’s balance. The Centre is not a conventional villain. It is a massive, floating island with psychic and reality-altering abilities. Its consciousness spans across its entire form, making it nearly impossible to attack or reason with in any traditional sense. The Centre’s powers include: <!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->Telepathy: The Centre can communicate with and manipulate the minds of others, sending visions, inducing madness, or telepathically broadcasting its intentions. <!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->Physical Invulnerability: Its immense size and composition make it resistant to most forms of attack, even those from the world’s strongest superheroes. <!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->Creation of Monsters: The Centre spawns various mutated and monstrous creatures to defend itself and attack humanity. <!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->Levitation and Flight: It can float above the Earth, moving with intention and purpose. In "DC: The New Frontier," The Centre’s appearance catalyzes the unification of the DC universe’s heroes, including Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, and The Flash. Realizing that The Centre’s power is too great for any single hero to face alone, they join forces, combining their unique abilities and intellects in a coordinated assault. This is basically the precursor for the Justice League and would be an interesting story to loosely adapt if you were, say, building a new cohesive universe. 

Rian Johnson, the acclaimed writer-director behind the “Knives Out” franchise, has made headlines with his latest entry, “Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery.” Johnson has openly described this third film as the closest the series has come to emulating the classic structure of an Agatha Christie novel—a deliberate shift from the subversive approaches of “Knives Out” and “Glass Onion.” At the Deadline Contenders London event, Johnson explained that “Wake Up Dead Man” adopts a “more traditional murder mystery structure,” echoing the formula Christie perfected. In his words: “This is how most Agatha Christie books work, where in the first act you meet all the suspects, you meet the protagonist, who’s not the detective. Then the murder happens, and the detective shows up.” This marks a departure from the previous films, which played with audience expectations—solving the murder early in “Knives Out,” and presenting a deceptively simple case in “Glass Onion.” In “Wake Up Dead Man,” Daniel Craig’s Benoit Blanc returns to tackle a darker, more gothic mystery, set in a remote stone church and featuring religious intrigue. The film’s protagonist, played by Josh O’Connor, is a priest who becomes Blanc’s sidekick, further grounding the story in classic whodunnit territory. Johnson also cited inspiration from Edgar Allan Poe, aiming for a “grounded, gothic tone” that predates Christie’s work. With the release of “Wake Up Dead Man,” Johnson completes his two-film deal with Netflix. So, what’s next? Johnson has confirmed that he will be taking a break from the “Knives Out” series to focus on an original project. “I’m writing right now, [but] it’s not one of these [Knives Out] films. It’s just something completely different, an original thing. I actually feel very energized after making this one [Wake Up Dead Man], but this is three in a row. It’s probably healthy to see other people.” He hasn’t revealed details about this new project or whether it will be with Netflix, but he’s made it clear that he wants to explore a different genre. Johnson’s creative philosophy is to “empty the well and then start from scratch,” ensuring each new film is a fresh challenge. Despite the break, Johnson remains enthusiastic about returning to the world of Benoit Blanc. He’s stated that as long as Daniel Craig is interested and audiences are engaged, he’d be happy to keep making “Knives Out” mysteries for life. Producer Ram Bergman echoed this, saying future installments are possible, but for now, the focus is on Johnson’s original script.

The Season 2 finale of Peacemaker has left fans with mixed feelings and a lot of speculation for the future. Known for its irreverent humor, brutal action, and surprising depth, the closing episode focused more on wrapping up emotional drama but also planted significant seeds for the future of the DC Universe (DCU). This was done through the introduction of Checkmate and Salvation, signaling the long-term direction for the first phase of the new universe. Checkmate, for those unfamiliar with DC Comics lore, is a covert intelligence agency known for operating in the shadows, often handling threats that are too dangerous or politically sensitive for public superhero teams. They first appeared in Action Comics #598, created by Paul Kupperberg and Steve Erwin. While in the comics, the organization is created by Amanda Waller, in the HBO Max series, it is founded by Amanda’s daughter, Leota Adebayo and the rest of the 11th Street Kids using the drug money that Vigilante had been saving. Their arrival marks a significant turning point, suggesting that future seasons—and perhaps other DCU projects—will explore the complex world of espionage, betrayal, and secret wars within the superhero community. Salvation in the comics is a prison planet where Waller and Rick Flag started sending metahumans too powerful to be held in regular prisons. This was introduced in the Salvation Run comic series, originally pitched by George R.R. Martin, written by Bill Willingham and Lilah Sturges and drawn by a variety of artists including Sean Chen and Joe Bennet. This lead into the Final Crisis event which had Darkseid coming to Earth. In the series, Salvation is an alternate reality discovered through the Quantum Unfolding Chamber that appears to be Earth-like and ideal for Flag and Lex Luthor’s plan for a place to send Metahumans. The season ends with Chris Smith aka Peacemaker, forced into Salvation by Argus and left to fend for himself. These introductions show that James Gunn overall plan for Gods & Monsters, the first phase of the DCU, is going to loosely adapt Salvation Run and may lead us to a version of Final Crisis. Even though there is a cliffhanger ending, Gunn has said that there are no immediate plans for a third season of Peacemaker, but he’s promised that these characters will be seen again soon, and the existence of Salvation will playout over all of the DCU including the upcoming Lanterns series and the 2027 film Man of Tomorrow. Reaction to the finale has been mixed with some fans disappointed with the lack of action nor any big cameo that many had speculated. Other fans though appreciated the emotional catharsis achieved by the characters and the new direction which included a few members of Argus, specifically Sasha Bordeaux, Langston Feury and Judo Master, becoming members of Checkmate along with the 11th Street Kids. Where and how we’ll see this story continue has yet to be announced.    

One of the more controversial things in this summer’s Superman film was the appearance of Kara Zor-El aka Supegirl played by House of the Dragon’s Milly Alcock. The character has been on screen before, first played by Helen Slater and then Melissa Benoist and in both interpretations the character came across in a lot of ways as a female version of her cousin, Kal-El. This didn’t make sense to writer Ana Nogueira who DC Studios asked to take a swing at writing a new feature for. Nogueira, a former actor turned writer, told Variety, “She watched Krypton completely be destroyed. I was always like, ‘I can’t get my head around the version of the character that is so sunny.’” And then she came across Tom King’s Woman of Tomorrow series with a rougher, grittier, edgier and funnier Supergirl. “When I read it, I was like, ‘There she is,’” Nogueira says. Fueled by this different take on the character, Nogueira crafted a script that not only won over DC Studios co-heads James Gunn and Peter Safran, but earned her two more assignments, Wonder Woman and Teen Titans. Supergirl, directed by Craig Gillespie, will hit theaters in June of 2026. 

While appearing at the Hamptons International Film Festival to promote her new film Eternity, Elizabeth Olsen was asked about a possible return to the MCU. “It is something that I love, and it’s something I always want to return to. I think the thing that’s been so special about the last five years is I’ve gotten to do so much with the character that I never thought I would. There are still character through lines that have happened in the comics that I’d love to do that I think fans also want to. I mean, these movies aren’t for critics, these movies are for fans.” Olsen first appeared as Wanda Maximoff in a brief cameo at the end of Captain America: The Winter Soldier in 2014 and reprised the roles in Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015), Captain America: Civil War (2016), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), Avengers: End Game (2019) and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022) as well as lead a spinoff Disney+ series, WandaVision in 2021. And while her character has died, that doesn’t necessarily mean the end when it comes to comic=book-based movies. And while she’s not been announced for any new Scarlet Witch projects, she remains very positive towards the whole thing. “It’s really fruitful, and the stories have only gotten better for me, my character. I really enjoyed it. Some people have ongoing television series that they get to return to. Very few, I feel like, get to be a part of franchises that, I know we might culturally get a little bit exhausted by, but there is something about them that becomes very familial. There’s nothing else really like it, and I don’t know that I’ll have [that] again unless it’s for an ongoing show. I do like that kind of consistency. It feels good. I mean, job security feels nice — I think we can all agree on that.” 

If you're a fan of Peacemaker, you may have recognized the familiar face of Keith Smith as David Denman, a seasoned actor whose career spans television, film, and even stage performances. Denman is perhaps best known for his role as Roy Anderson on the beloved NBC sitcom The Office. He played Pam Beesly’s fiancé during the first few seasons, making frequent appearances and creating memorable moments in the show's iconic Scranton branch setting. Where I first saw him was as Brian Murphy, one of the football players in the sports comedy The Replacements, starring alongside Keanu Reeves and Gene Hackman. His portrayal of the tough yet endearing deaf tight end made him a standout in this memorable ensemble cast. He also starred alongside John Krasinski in 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi, portraying a member of the security team. Denman worked with James Gunn previously in the horror film Brightburn, playing the adoptive father to the film’s central character. Denman’s television career includes appearances in shows like Parenthood, Outcast, and Mare of Easttown. His ability to slip into a variety of characters has made him a familiar face to audiences across genres, from comedy and drama to horror and action. In addition to his main roles, Denman has also shown up in guest spots on popular series such as Grey’s Anatomy, True Detective, and The X-Files. His versatility and range have made him a reliable presence in Hollywood for over two decades. So, if you’re watching Peacemaker and wondering where you’ve seen David Denman before, chances are it’s been in one of these standout projects. His extensive resume ensures that he’s a familiar face to fans of both television and film. 

After several seasons of quirky humor and heartwarming family moments, Fox has officially canceled the animated series The Great North. The series premiered on Fox as part of the network’s Sunday night animation lineup, joining the ranks of beloved shows like Bob’s Burgers and The Simpsons. Created by Wendy Molyneux, Lizzie Molyneux-Logelin, and Minty Lewis, the show focused on the Tobin family living in the wilds of Alaska. Its cast featured the voices of Nick Offerman, Jenny Slate, Will Forte, and Dulcé Sloan, who brought the unique and eccentric characters to life. Fox did not cite a specific reason for the cancellation. Despite positive critical reception and a loyal audience, The Great North struggled to achieve the same mainstream popularity as some of its animated peers. This likely contributed to the network’s decision to end the series. 

If you are enjoying season 2 of Peacemaker and are wondering if there is going to be a season 3… well, sort of. According to writer/director James Gunn, the eight and final episode of the season will set up what’s next, “Some of these characters will continue, but also, it’s not exactly Peacemaker 3. I’m not ruling it out. You’ll see (episode) 8 and maybe you’ll find out a little bit more.” There is speculation that this might be tied into the planned Amanda Waller series with Viola Davis, which has been progressing slowly since the initial Gunn/Peter Safran announcement. One interesting thing, it seems this week’s scene between Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult) and Rick Flag Sr. (Frank Grillo) had been in the works even before the Earth X plot for the season had been settled on. “When I pitched to DCU what the basic stories were throughout the TV shows and movies, this was a part of that.” The Belle Reve scene and the Justice Gang auditions were filmed on consecutive Saturdays during the filming of the Superman movie. There is also one more Superman character crossover to come in episode 8.  

Tom Holland is on the mend after an incident on the set of Spider-Man: Brand New Day which left the actor with a concussion and a week off as production halted. Holland was well enough to attend a recent gala for his parents’ nonprofit The Brothers Trust alongside his fiancée and co-star Zendaya. He posted to Instagram, “What a night! Another huge success. The Brothers Trust means more to me than I could possibly say and I have to say a huge thank you to my Mum and her wonderful friends for putting on another incredible night. Raising money for fantastic causes and having fun doing it! I’m sorry I had to leave early but I’m feeling better and on the mend. A huge thanks to my Dad for taking over after I left. The show got considerably funnier.” Holland received the mild concussion during a stunt gone wrong and was taken to the hospital immediately but not admitted. The film is being shot in Scotland and even with the delay should still be able to make it’s July 31st, 2026 release date.