Clockwise from top left: Rupert Penry-Jones, Iwan Rheon, Alicia Edogamhe, Johannes Haukur Johannesson, Kyshan Wilson, Pepe Barroso, Liraz Charhi, Eneko Sagardoy, Goncalo Almeida

Game of Thrones star Iwan Rheon is one of nine joining the cast of Peacock’s epic gladiator drama Those About to Die, as principal photography on the Roland Emmerich show kicked off at Rome’s historic Cinecittà Studios.

Rheon, best known as Ramsay Bolton in Game of Thrones, has has been cast as ambitious crime boss Tenax and will replace Lorenzo Richelmy, who dropped out over scheduling conflicts. Rheon is appearing in The Magic Flute and has appeared in the BAFTA-winner Misfits and Netflix’s The Dirt.

Also joining the cast are Liraz Charhi, Johannes Haukur Johannesson, Rupert Penry-Jones, Eneko Sagardoy, Pepe Barroso, Gonçalo Almeida, Kyshan Wilson and Alicia Edogamhe.

Inspired by Daniel Mannix’s nonfiction book, Those About to Die is billed as an epic drama set in the complex and corrupt world of ancient Rome’s spectacle-driven gladiatorial competition. AGC Television is the studio, with additional financing provided by High End Productions and with local production services provided by Italy’s Wildside Productions. (via Deadline)

For more on the cast and their roles, click here.

The late Tony Todd has one more performance for us to enjoy. The legendary actor made a powerful return as William Bludworth in Final Destination: Bloodlines, marking his final on-screen appearance before his passing in November 2024. According to co-director Adam Stein, his role in the film was deeply personal—he reportedly delivered an unscripted monologue about life and death, blending his own reflections with Bludworth’s cryptic wisdom. The film explores Bludworth’s mysterious past, finally answering long-standing fan theories about his connection to Death’s design. Todd’s presence in Bloodlines is described as poignant, offering a heartfelt farewell to both the franchise and his fans. 

There’s been a lot of speculation recently about Matt Reeves’ involvement in The Batman: Part II. Some reports suggest that he may have stepped down as director but will remain involved as a scriptwriter. However, other sources indicate that he is still attached to direct the film. The source of the speculation is a posting that shows when the film is slated to go into production and Reeves’ name is not listed as the director. But the counter to the rumor is that a previous posting for the film before it was delayed also didn’t have a director listed. James Gunn, co-head of DC Studios and who often debunks speculation quickly, has yet to comment on this report. The movie is currently aiming for a March 2026 shoot, with a revised release date of October 1, 2027. 

Recently, NBC signed a new deal with the NBA which will take up quite a few of the primetime slots. The results of that was seen yesterday as NBC canceled five: Suits LA – The spinoff of Suits won't be returning for a second season. Found – Canceled after two seasons, though it may be shopped to another network. Night Court – The revival ended after three seasons. The Irrational – Axed after two seasons. Lopez vs. Lopez – The comedy starring George Lopez and Mayan Lopez ended after three seasons. The surprise of this group is the Freshman legal drama that starred Stephen Amell and Josh McDermitt which was getting help by visits from Suits alum like Gabriel Macht and Rick Hoffman. The other shows canceled all has at least two season to find an audience while Suits LA was axed before the first season completed. 

Last month, it was announced that X-Men by Chris Claremont: Prelude to a Future Past #1, a one-shot releasing this July, would publish a rare story Chris Claremont wrote for the Marvel Made Paragon Collection: Chris Claremont Premier Bundle, a limited edition prestige hardcover and comic book set released in 2021. X-Men collectors will be happy to know that the Wolverine tie-in comic exclusively included in the Marvel Made Paragon Collection: Chris Claremont Premier Bundle will also be reprinted in WOLVERINE BY CHRIS CLAREMONT #1, a one-shot releasing this August. Written by Claremont and drawn by acclaimed artist Tom Reilly, the thrilling standalone story expands on Logan’s redemptive saga in Japan and ties directly into Wolverine’s classic 1982 series, one of Claremont’s most celebrated works. In addition, WOLVERINE BY CHRIS CLAREMONT #1 will include bonus materials spotlighting Chris Claremont’s fifty-plus years in comics!

Wolverine’s archnemesis strikes in one of the rarest X-Men tales of all by legendary writer Chris Claremont! The story sees the savage Sabretooth catching his prey by surprise – and determined to claim the life of Mariko, the woman Logan loves! Wolverine may be the best there is, but Victor Creed is the worst! Yet even if Sabretooth can get the upper hand on his bitter rival, Logan has one thing he doesn’t: friends! Get ready for one of the bloodiest fights you’ve ever seen the X-Men in, in which Creed shares some shocking insights with Marvel’s mutants!

Check out Steve McNiven’s cover, an all-new variant cover by superstar cover artist Junggeon Yoon, and interior artwork and preorder WOLVERINE BY CHRIS CLAREMONT #1 at your local comic shop today!

Max has set Thursday, August 21 for the Season 2 premiere of James Gunn’s Peacemaker, from DC Studios and Warner Bros. Television.

The streamer also released the first full trailer, which opens with John Cena‘s Chris/Peacemaker being grilled by Justice League’s Green Lantern/Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion), Hawkgirl/Kendra Saunders (Isabel Merced) and Maxwell Lord (Sean Gunn).

“Can you tell us a little about your skills,” asks Green Lantern, to which Peacemaker/Chris replies “I’m considered the finest marksman in the world,” “Microphone is off?” we hear Hawkgirl say. Cena’s Chris continues touting his skills, saying “I am also proficient in hand-to-hand combat.” But the three are not impressed. At one point we hear “This guy sucks”.

Per the logline, the new season follows Christopher “Chris” Smith, aka Peacemaker, the vigilante Super Hero as he struggles to reconcile his past with his newfound sense of purpose while continuing to kick righteous evil-doer butt in his misguided quest for peace at any cost. (via Deadline)

Trailer: https://youtu.be/-QwXokuIZjM

Seth MacFarlane‘s Ted franchise is about to get a lot more colorful: Peacock has ordered an animated version of his live-action comedy series and films.

MacFarlane will reprise the voice of the foul-mouthed teddy bear Ted and will also executive produce all episodes of Ted: The Animated Series with executive producers Paul Corrigan and Brad Walsh (Modern Family), who also executive produced the live-action series Ted.

Also set to reprise their voiceover roles is Mark Wahlberg as John, Amanda Seyfried as Sam, and Jessica Barth as Tami-Lynn. SNL‘s Kyle Mooney is also joining the cast to voice Apollo while Liz Richman will play Ruth.

The animated version comes after the season one success of the live-action comedy Ted. Launched in January of 2024, the series broke records as Peacock’s most-watched original title to date and was the No. 1 original streaming comedy in the U.S. for more than two consecutive months, according to Nielsen. It was recently renewed for a second season. (via Deadline)

Let the Exquisite Corpses game begin… The twelfth and final hired killer, The Lone Gunman, was revealed yesterday.

Now all 12 of the hired killers will hit the small town of Oak Valley, Maine, for this year’s bloody battle royale as fans speculate on who will be the last one standing after the gore hits.

Tiny Onion and Image Comics’ Exquisite Corpses—crafted by masterminds James Tynion IV (The Deviant, The Department of Truth), Michael Walsh (Universal Monsters: Frankenstein, The Silver Coin), and the “Corpse Crew” of creators—launches with the first issue hitting shelves next Wednesday, May 14, followed by the kickoff of the Corpse Tour ’25 at Revenge Of next Friday, May 16, with a Halloween-themed bash.

Exquisite Corpses will launch as an initial 13-issue story arc, but will expand with additional stories in the future. There will also be a companion trading card game launching soon, and fans can start collecting killer cards early with ones exclusively found in polybagged Cover C variants of each issue.

In Exquisite Corpses, every five years on Halloween, the wealthiest families in America play a game. Twelve of the deadliest people in the world are dropped into a small town with just one goal: the last killer standing wins. For the citizens of Oak Valley, Maine—this year's unlucky arena—the goal is much simpler. They must survive the night.

The series uniquely came together in a writers’ room led by Tynion IV and Walsh and made up of “Corpse Crew” comics superstars Adam Gorham (Hellhunters), Becca Carey (Absolute Wonder Woman), Che Grayson (Dark Spaces: Good Deeds), Claire Roe (Dark Spaces: The Hollywood Special), Gavin Fullerton (The Closet), Jordie Bellaire (Redlands), Marianna Ignazzi (Catwoman), Pornsak Pichetshote (The Good Asian), Tyler Boss (You’ll Do Bad Things), and Valentine De Landro (Bitch Planet). Each issue of the series will build upon the last in a true 'exquisite corpse' game style, with a passing of the baton, from creator-to-creator, to unfold the story in a collaborative and competitive fashion.

The first round of hitters was previously revealed, and now a new contingency of cold-blooded killers are entering the game to fill out the roster. In the spirit of March Madness, each issue of Exquisite Corpses will feature playoff brackets that track the in-world competition—and readers will be able to play along at home, guessing who they think will live, who will die, and who will ultimately win the game.





The Lone Gunman is a tall, dark, and mysterious player who never misses his mark. Here’s his official description from the confidential game dossier files:





MASSACHUSETTS selects LONE GUNMAN to wield THE GUN. Kill Count: REDACTED, Height: 6' 3”. Highly trained and highly dangerous, LONE GUNMAN puts years of combat training to use as he efficiently dispatches his opponents—or any collateral damage who get in the way. Dishonorably discharged for battlefield atrocities now sealed in government records, LONE GUNMAN'S penchant for excessive violence has become a benefit, not a hindrance, to his performance in this tournament…

"Lone Gunman is the embodiment of the Exquisite Corpses competition, in many ways," said Tynion. "This smirking, ornate mask being handed down generation to generation, turning tributes into faceless killing machines at the whims of the oligarchs...Tough to get much scarier than that."

Lone Gunman joins the ranks of these already revealed killers:





LEOPOLD STRONG:

NORTH CAROLINA selects LEOPOLD STRONG to wield THE HAMMER. Kill Count: 23. Height: 6' 5". Some killers might be afraid that an opponent could steal their signature weapon, but not LEOPOLD STRONG. He alone is strong enough to heft the massive mallet that he wields to pound flesh and bone into so much bloodied paste. It's unknown if he truly comes from the circus or merely likes the theatricality of the look, but what is clear is that LEOPOLD STRONG is easily the most physically imposing murderer in this year's games. Heave ho!





RECLUSE:

RHODE ISLAND selects RECLUSE to wield THE ROPE. Kill Count: 64. Height: 5' 10". An artist with wires and ropes, RECLUSE sets her own field of battle, drawing opponents into traps from which few leave intact. Though she's deadly on the move with a garrote in hand, RECLUSE prefers a patient approach, lying in wait until her razor-wires snare her opponents. Some say her love of ropes borders on fetishism, but few get close enough to find out the truth.




FOX MASK KILLER:

NEW YORK selects FOX MASK KILLER to wield THE SWORD. Kill Count: 87. Height: 5' l". Among killers-for-hire, there are a select few feared even by other assassins. The enigmatic swordswoman known as FOX MASK KILLER is at the top of that list, having achieved a reputation for completing her jobs with ruthless efficiency--and for chasing increasingly challenging targets. Whether she sees the tournament as just another paycheck, or a chance to push herself past her limits, remains to be seen.



PRETTY BOY:

GEORGIA selects PRETTY BOY to wield THE AXE. Kill Count: 36. Height: 6' 2". Despite what Hollywood tries to sell the masses, most serial killers are charmless, asocial monsters. Most, anyway. PRETTY BOY, on the other hand, could kill with a wink and a flash of his pearly whites. He prefers an axe, though. Like many a heartthrob, PRETTY BOY takes out his pent-up rage through wanton violence, splattering his six-pack abs with gore with every swing of the axe. He has the honor of wielding the weapon that won the very first game ever conducted, but the significance is lost on him--he's just here to look good and get bloody.




LADY CAROLINA:

SOUTH CAROLINA selects LADY CAROLINA to wield THE ARROW. Kill Count: 7 Height: 5' 8". No one from the patron families enters the games themselves. It is simply unheard of. So when LADY CAROLINA stepped foot inside the arena, the other families were aghast. She comes from noble stock and received the best training their money could buy, but it still feels like a transgression. Is she simply seeking a death-defying thrill? Or does she have a more personal reason for aiming her crossbow at this year's set of killers…





THE CONGREGATION:

NEW HAMPSHIRE selects THE CONGREGATION to wield THE KNIFE. Kill Count: 39. Height: 6' 0". The only killer in the game to turn down a fee from his patron family, THE CONGREGATION feels that taking a life is a higher calling--a monk-like tribute to whatever dark gods whisper in his ears. And while he's almost certainly a raving lunatic (you'd have to be, to cover yourself in the sliced-off faces of your victims), THE CONGREGATION'S knife has brought many offerings to his altar, and will no doubt bring many more still before his prayers are finished.





RASCAL RANDY:

NEW JERSEY selects RASCAL RANDY to wield THE HANDS. Kill Count: 19. Height: 5' 11". There is a man inside the RASCAL RANDY costume, but that man doesn't matter. That man has never mattered. He was no one until he put the mascot head on for the first time, until he felt the life leave someone's body through the thickly furred gloves of the suit. The man inside the suit will wear any disguise if necessary, but his true skin is RASCAL RANDY, and god help anyone who sees him coming toward them on a dark night.





LAYLA BLAZE:

DELAWARE selects LAYLA BLAZE to wield FIRE. Kill Count: 335. Height: 5' 3". They say some people just want to see the world burn, but LAYLA BLAZE will settle for seeing anything go up in flames. It's unclear if the burn marks that criss-cross her body are the results of fires that got out of control...or LAYLA BLAZE running out of any other kindling. All that can be said for sure is that she burns hot in life, love, and the act of killing, and leaves only ashes in her wake.





SLATER:

MARYLAND selects SLATER to wield EXPLOSIVES. Kill Count: 124. Height: 5' 10". Tick...tick...BOOM! The hot young thing known as SLATER has never had a problem attracting attention, but his entourages have a habit of blowing up—as does anything else in his vicinity. Under the right circumstances, SLATER might have channeled his fascinations with pyrotechnics into something productive—instead, he's just a walking powderkeg.




NURSE PETE:

VIRGINIA selects NURSE PETE to wield POISON. Kill Count: ???. Height: 5' 6". No one would guess that the unassuming, schlubby NURSE PETE had a body count approaching three figures, and that's just how he likes it. A compulsive killer who endlessly tweaks his deadly cocktails of paralyzing narcotics and tests them on patients around the country, NURSE PETE is usually content to slip from hospital to nursing home to pediatric ward, changing identities just in time to avoid being noticed. But the sum offered to him for joining this game would pay for oh so many tantalizing new chemical components...





G4M3R_KlD & CALVIN:

CONNECTICUT selects G4M3R_KlD to wield ELECTRICITY. Kill Count: 9. Height: 4' 0". Aww, c'mon—you wouldn't hurt a little kid, would you? A product of the iPad generation, weaned on slur-filled gaming lobbies, G4M3R_KlD has no business being anywhere near an event like this, but he's so desensitized to violence that he has no qualms piloting CALVIN, his heavily armed drone, and aiming it at any target in sight. Kill counts are just high scores to this tyke, and he wants to see his name on the leaderboard.


Exquisite Corpses #1 will be a triple-length debut issue, featuring 60 pages of story content for just $4.99, and will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, May 14. The Cover C variant not only features the extra-length issue, but also an exclusive Exquisite Corpses: The Game killer card within a protective polybag for $6.99.

Cover A by Walsh – Lunar Code 0325IM247

Cover B by James Stokoe – Lunar Code 0325IM248

Cover C by Walsh (polybagged with game card) – Lunar Code 0325IM249

Cover D blank sketch cover – Lunar Code 0325IM250

Cover E "stealth variant" by Jenny Frison – Lunar Code 0325IM251

Cover F 1:25 copy incentive by Alex Eckman-Lawn – Lunar Code 0325IM252

Cover G 1:50 copy incentive by Nimit Malavia – Lunar Code 0325IM253

Cover H 1:100 copy incentive by Jae Lee & June Chung – Lunar Code 0325IM254

Exquisite Corpses #2 will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, June 18 (Final Order Cutoff deadline for retailers is May 26):

Cover A by Walsh – Lunar Code 0425IM328

Cover B by Marianna Ignazzi – Lunar Code 0425IM329

Cover C by Walsh (polybagged with Killer card) – Lunar Code 0425IM330

Cover D "stealth variant" by [to be revealed] – Lunar Code 0425IM331

Cover E 1:25 copy incentive by Riley Rossmo – Lunar Code 0425IM332

Cover F 1:50 copy incentive by Martin Simmonds – Lunar Code 0425IM333

Exquisite Corpses #3 will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, July 23 (Final Order Cutoff deadline for retailers is June 30):

Cover A by Walsh – Lunar Code 0525IM344

Cover B by Valentine De Landro – Lunar Code 0525IM345

Cover C by Walsh (polybagged with Killer card) – Lunar Code 0525IM346

Cover D "stealth variant" by [to be revealed] – Lunar Code 0525IM347

Cover E 1:25 copy incentive by Ricardo Lopez Ortiz – Lunar Code 0525IM348

Cover F 1:50 copy incentive by Joshua Hixson – Lunar Code 0525IM349

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

This September, Marvel Comics marks the 30th anniversary of Age of Apocalypse, a groundbreaking X-Men storyline, with X-MEN OF APOCALYPSE, an all-new six-part event series by legendary writer Jeph Loeb, one of the creators behind the original Age of Apocalypse, and, in his first series since returning to Marvel earlier this year, Eisner nominated artist Simone Di Meo.

Mirroring the first Age of Apocalypse saga, X-MEN OF APOCALYPSE will kick off in X-MEN OF APOCALYPSE ALPHA #1, continue through X-MEN OF APOCALYPSE #1-4 starting in November, and conclude in X-MEN OF APOCALYPSE OMEGA #1. A prelude to the event will be featured in Giant-Size Age of Apocalypse #1 next month, where Loeb and Di Meo team up for the one-shot’s special Revelations Backup story.

THE X-MEN OF APOCALYPSE CRASH INTO THE MAIN MARVEL UNIVERSE! A dystopian future created when Charles Xavier was killed, AGE OF APOCALYPSE is home to a wartorn group of X-Men led by Magneto. In order to free their Earth from Apocalypse’s cruel reign, they were willing to sacrifice their very existence—or so they thought! The main timeline was restored, Apocalypse was defeated, but their world lived on!

Taking place in the direct aftermath of the original crossover’s explosive finale, X-MEN OF APOCALYPSE reignites the mission of this iconic reality’s X-Men as they journey here to ensure their universe’s survival. This desperate mission will take them into the main Marvel Universe, where they will come into conflict with their classic counterparts, forever impacting both team’s destinies!

“Thirty years ago, THE X-MEN OF APOCALYPSE took the comics world by storm and I was lucky enough to be part of it,” Loeb shared. “There were new characters! New designs! Heroes who were villains and villains who were heroes! Now, for the 30th anniversary, an all-new, all-different story with spectacular art by Simone Di Meo brings us to this uncanny team that shouldn't even exist -- and they are coming here! Join Gambit, Sabretooth & Wild Child, Blink, Forge and Morph and more as they try to save one universe without dooming another!”

"Working with a legend like Jeph is really exciting,” Di Meo said. “I've known his work for years along with the great impact it’s had on this industry and I'm really honored. Beyond that, I've really found a friend and someone who’s passionate about his work so it's really nice to work with him, Marvel and Tom [Brevoort] together day by day trying to build the best book of my career.

"Being able to touch a legendary story like Age of Apocalypse is unexpected for me, that event has an important place in Marvel history, and being able to enter it and give my own take is absolutely incredible. I'm giving my all to make all the readers happy, from the longtime fans who loved the event in the ‘90s and the new ones who I hope can become just as passionate about it. I’m excited and nervous at the same time!"

Check out the main cover for X-MEN OF APOCALYPSE ALPHA #1 by Simone Di Meo along with a first look at interior artwork and stay tuned for more news about the series in the weeks ahead, including exciting variant cover reveals.

As the summer heats up in August, Dynamite Entertainment is bringing the heat too with a thrilling third entry in the newly established paperback line of the much-sought Vampirella Archives.

Vampirella Archives Volume Three collects issues #15-21 of the Vampirella, the Daughter of Drakulon's first ever ongoing magazine anthology series released at the time by Warren Publishing. This third volume covers the entire stretch of issues released in the year 1972.


The second volume featured beloved creator and editor Archie Goodwin taking the reins and rapidly revitalizing the lore of the titular vampiress, establishing a tradition for nearly every issue of the mag to feature a chapter in her ongoing adventures. Fans will get a taste of the era's most iconic Vampi illustrator Jose Gonzalez in that book, and now in this third book every single solo story of the Drakulonian dame features his stunning work.

In addition to Goodwin and Gonzalez, Volume Three also features the run on the character by T. Casey Brennan, across issues #17-21. His final chapter is co-written by the legendary Steve Englehart, whose brief run continues in the forthcoming fourth book, acclaimed for his tenures on titles like Avengers, Defenders, Captain America, Doctor Strange, Batman in Detective Comics, and many more.

Front and central for Vampi's tales in this entry are her encounters with the deadly Dracula. Featured in the future by top creators like Kurt Busiek, James Robinson, and Christopher Priest, this is where the two first crossed paths! For Vampirella fans, the editorial feature from #19 is indispensable for diving into the behind the scenes of how the character was created.

Another big draw for this edition is its inclusion of almost all the chapters of Spanish genius Esteban Maroto's Tomb of the Gods feature. His artwork is absolutely jaw-dropping, and he would continue to be a key contributor to the magazine, and eventually drawing some of Vampi's own stories, like the pivotal first appearance of the Blood Red Queen of Hearts in #49.

Other luminaries with writing and artwork featured within these issues include Doug Moench (Moon Knight, Batman), Jose Bea, Don McGregor (Black Panther), Richard Corben (Den), Pat Boyette (The Phantom, Peacemaker), Luis Garcia, Jan Strnad (Sword of the Atom), Steve Skeates (Aquaman, Hawk and Dove), Greg Potter (Wonder Woman), and more. All wrapped under included covers by Sanjulian, Enrich Torres, and Luis Dominguez.

These paperback printings of the comprehensive archival reprints of Vampirella's first decade-plus-spanning title are set to release every two months, working towards the 15 volume final set. They are printed at magazine dimensions to match the original format. Stories are primarily in black and white.






Visit www.dynamite.com for more news and information.

The ThunderCats comic book saga raises the stakes — and the swords — this May with the start of the fabulous fourth story arc of the flagship series, from Dynamite Entertainment and Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products.

Tireless talents Declan Shalvey (Mystique, The Terminator) and Drew Moss (Gargoyles: Dark Ages) pull out all the stops starting in ThunderCats #16 with a series of Third Earth-shattering revelations and a major level up for the titular feline warriors. In the preceding storyline, the 'Cats were met with both significant discovery and tragic loss.

“The first year of bringing ThunderCats back to comics, to old fans and new, has been a thrilling experience," said writer Declan Shalvey. "It’s been a privilege for myself and Drew Moss to establish a new mythos for these characters in comics, and seeing it build out into new and exciting connected series like SilverHawks and ThunderCats Lost. Now the playing field for our series is bigger and bolder, our characters face greater challenges requiring a new innovation: The Knights of Thundera.”

Their traditional leader of Lion-O is missing in action, motivating Cheetara to step up and take the mantle. The mysterious new character to this series (first appearing in #2) Calica has returned. Tygra has crafted a new metal alloy christened Thundore and outfitted the team with armored suits, which Panthro now requires in order to walk following his injuries at the hands of Mumm-Ra. And when another unexpected character crashes the party in Bengali, last seen in companion series ThunderCats Lost, tensions flare.





In spite of all these curveballs and uncertainties, the ThunderCats begin a new era on their newfound home of Third Earth, establishing the Knights of Thundera, to be a more proactive security force hunting down and crippling their enemies. Each new knight is equipped with a fearsome new sword, all matched to their characterization and existing fighting styles and designed by Drew Moss, alongside their new armors.

With their offensive and defensive capabilities upgraded, that won't stop forces from continuing to clash and lay siege to them. The question remains, will this new incarnation of the team be able to deal with what comes next?

This next story arc and perfect opportunity to jump right into the franchise is complemented by a set of stunning covers from Shalvey and Moss, as well as Lucio Parrillo, Jae Lee, and Manix Abrera.





Visit www.dynamite.com for more news and information.