DF Interview: Dan Watters sends the God of Stories after his own past weapons before they doom today’s Marvel U. in ‘Loki’



By Byron Brewer

He may be the "benevolent" God of Stories now, but Loki's past as the God of Lies returns to haunt him when ancient, powerful weapons he once built end up scattered across the Ten Realms! Loki must track down these weapons before they fall into the wrong hands and bring about Ragnarok! Surprising guest stars, exciting new characters and startling twists await in this all-new miniseries!

From writer Dan Watters (Sword of Azrael) and artist Germán Peralta (Black Panther) comes a new Loki limited series! As soon as Thor’s half-brother was mentioned, I hopped on board and sat down with old friend AND debut Marvel scribe – congratulations! – Dan Watters to see what this mag is all about.


Byron Brewer: Dan, if memory serves, this mag is your Marvel Comics debut! Unbelievable to me since it seems like I have been talking to you about your comics forever. So, before we hit upon your plans for the former God of Lies, let’s talk briefly about your love of and coming to comics and how those steps led you now to the House of Ideas!



Dan Watters: It is indeed my Marvel debut. I loved comics as a kid – I was handed Claremont and Miller’s Wolverine and Graham Higgins’ adaptation of Terry Pratchett’s Mort on the same day when I was about 8 years old, and those were a hell of an introduction to the medium, and pretty formative to the kind of work I’ve ended up doing, I suspect. I then came back to comics in a big way in my teens when I discovered Sandman, Lucifer and Hellblazer in the local library. Since then, I’ve never really looked back. I always knew I wanted to be a storyteller, and in my early 20s didn’t quite have the patience for prose or film. Comics was a little bit nastier, faster, and looser, and still had and has so much untapped ground to cover.



Byron: Now that we have the MCU and Loki has proven as popular as his Avenging half-brother, give readers your take on this classic Marvel Comics character… especially re your treatment coming in the Loki limited series in June.



Dan Watters: I love writing tricksters. There’s something so satisfying about a character who can set up pieces of story like chess moves, and then attempt to draw the whole thing together – whether it goes right for them or not. I’ve also loved getting my teeth into the murky depths of history and myth Loki has at their back as the God of Stories, and the idea that everything that’s been said about Loki is true in some way, shape or form, whether or not they have to squint or bend the truth to make total sense of it.



Byron: The God of Stories is gonna be doing some traveling, that is for sure. Can you tell us (or at least hint at) some of the places Loki will be popping up in this limited series?



Dan Watters: Different realms, different planets. Frost giants, dwarves, aliens and humans of all shapes and sizes, who have very little in common bar a single thing. They’re all very upset with Loki. That scamp.



Byron: Confession: I am a fanatic when it comes to Marvel and its mystic weapons/talismans (–men? LOL) like those possessed and utilized by the likes of Loki and Dr. Strange. Can you give us at least one or two of these objects that is the focus of this limited series and when it FIRST appeared, and no more. We’ll let fans (like ME!) have fun doing some cool research before the mag hits the stores!



Dan Watters: I don’t want to talk too much about this just yet, but I will say we’re drawing on the Norse myths around Loki… so it’s something from that. In fact, something that’s been seen and used before in Marvel continuity, but certainly never in this context.



Byron: It will be interesting to see Loki doing battle with heroes and villains all around every part of the Marvel U. Where has Loki NOT been, even through time! Any chance of getting a mention of a guest star or two that might be hitting your pages?



Dan Watters: I guess it’s not giving too much away to say we’ll be checking in with a Young Avenger or two, and some villains on Midgard who I don’t think anyone would expect to go up against Loki. Alas, if you will accidentally unleash very dangerous godly weapons into the universe, you’ve got to expect at least one or two to fall into the hands of some very scary and psychotic costumed humans. Especially if you’re the God of Stories and so stories insist on keeping on happening to you and around you.



Byron: Any ultimate BTS big-bad here? No reveal necessary, but is there a puppeteer? A role well known to the book’s star himself!



Dan Watters: As you say yourself, that’s usually Loki’s job. Though I think Loki often doesn’t know whether they’re currently the puppet or puppeteer themselves half the time. It’s more like they’re putting together a puzzle of people and situations, hoping everything slots into place and that the dog hasn’t swallowed one of the corner pieces. So I guess we’ll have to figure out alongside Loki whether that puzzle belongs to them or someone else when the dust all clears…



Byron: Talk about the pulse-pounding art of Germán Peralta.



Dan Watters: I can’t say enough good things about working with Germán. There are certain creators you just find yourself immediately in sync with, and it always feels like witchcraft when that happens.



Byron: Dan, what other projects to which you are attached can you tell our readers about?



Dan Watters: The Seasons Have Teeth launched in April from BOOM! Studios, created by me and Sebastian Cabrol. A book in which the seasons have coagulated into four monsters which stomp around the world bringing chaos with them, and a photographer who seeks redemption by capturing the perfect photo of each. It’s a story that’s been rattling around my brain for years and is both big and quiet in ways I haven’t written before. I’m excited to release it into the world at long last.

I’m also taking over the ongoing back-up stories for Ram V’s phenomenal Detective Comics run for DC, which is a hell of a lot of fun. Ram and I have also been teasing a new and rather ambitious creator-owned project we’re making alongside Sumit Kumar, Laurence Campbell and Aditya Bidikar, so look out for that a little later in the year, along with two or three other creator-owned books that are in various stages of being written and drawn.
A bit like Loki: I’ve found myself up to the eyeballs in stories of late!


Byron: Hahaha!



Dynamic Forces would like to thank Dan Watters for taking time out of his busy schedule to answer our questions. Loki #1 from Marvel Comics is slated to be on sale June 7th!



For more news and up-to-date announcements, join us here at Dynamic Forces, www.dynamicforces.com/htmlfiles/, “LIKE” us on Facebook, www.facebook.com/dynamicforcesinc, and follow us on Twitter, www.twitter.com/dynamicforces.

The Guardians of the Galaxy could’ve been very different if actor Joel Edgerton could’ve figured out the right tone. The actor who played the younger version of Luke Skywalker’s Uncle Owen had a chance to audition for the role of Star Lord but says he just couldn’t nail down the tone writer/director James Gunn was looking for. “Star-Lord’s a good one, actually, because I, unlike Chris [Pratt], didn’t quite sort of understand the tone of it the way he did and the way that those guys did. And I wasn’t really sure how I could be a part of that tone. And I truly think that the world is a much better place that I’m not Star-Lord, even if I had the opportunity or I did a good enough audition because it is the way it’s meant to be. And there was never a real conversation that it would have definitely been me. It was just, I had the opportunity to try and audition. I just didn’t quite understand it.” It’s well known that Gunn auditioned a lot of different actors before landing on Chris Pratt who went on to also star in two sequels and two Avengers movies. 

Sigourney Weaver is in talks to head back into space. The actress who has starred in both the Aliens and Ghostbusters franchises and even hopped into the MCU with a role in The Defenders, is now in talks to be part of the upcoming The Mandalorian & Grogu movie. The Jon Favreau directed film is slated to start shooting later this year and scheduled to be released on May 22nd, 2026 and while it’s unknown what character they are talking to Weaver about, its reported to be a key role. This will be the first Star Wars film to hit theaters since Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker in 2019 which took in $1 billion worldwide.

While it may have been overshadowed by the Galactus casting news, another big name was added the same day. John Malkovich has also come aboard for a role in The Fantastic Four. This goes with the recent additions of Ralph Ineson and Paul Walter Hauser, and like with Hauser, Malkovich’s role is under wraps for now, along with the plot of the film. Marvel has previously announced the lead roles which include Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards (aka Mr. Fantastic), Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm (aka the Invisible Woman), Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm (aka the Human Torch) and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm (aka the Thing). News broke last week that Hauser signed on for an undisclosed role and of course there was the announcement that Julia Garner was going to play Shalla-Bal, a version of Silver Surfer. WandaVision‘s Matt Shakman is directing from a script by Eric Pearson, Josh Friedman, Jeff Kaplan, and Ian Springer with the film slated to hit theaters on July 25, 2025. And while we don't know who Malkovich will be playing, he does have a look that would work for villains like Red Ghost or Puppet Master. He could also voice HERBIE the robot.  

Jeff Bridges is set to star as classic monster Grendel in a new live-action movie from the storied Jim Henson Company and director Robert D. Krzykowsk. Palisades Park Pictures is set to launch sales at Cannes for Grendel, which is billed as the “tale of the legendary monster at the heart of the Beowulf epic poem who steps forth to tell his side of this riveting story.” Jim Henson’s Creature Shop will handle the practical creature work and design. Dave Bautista is set to play Beowulf, with Bryan Cranston set as King Hrothgar, Sam Elliott as The Dragon, Thomasin McKenzie as Queen Wealhtheow and Aidan Turner as Unferth. T Bone Burnett will also star and provide original songs for the film. Krzykowski will direct from a screenplay he adapted from John Gardner’s novel of the same name. (via THR)

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings screenwriter Dave Callaham is going from the Marvelverse to the Monsterverse.The scribe, known for his action acumen, has been tapped to pen the next installment of Legendary’s Godzilla/Kong monster movie series.The hiring comes in the wake of the box office success of Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, which has grossed close to $555 million worldwide. That is the biggest haul since 2017’s Kong: Skull Island, which peaked at $568 million. Empire, which is still in theaters, may also be one of the most profitable (if not the single most profitable) of the five movies in the series, as it only cost $135 million, per sources. Thus Legendary is keen to keep the monster juice flowing.Adam Wingard directed Empire and created the story with frequent collaborator Simon Barrett as well as Terry Rossio. Legendary has signaled it would like to see Wingard return to the director’s chair after a successful run that also included the 2021 entry Godzilla vs. Kong. But Wingard has no deal at this stage. (via THR)

Hiroyuki Sanada, star and producer of FX‘s limited series Shōgun, has closed a deal to return as Lord Yoshii Toranaga, Deadline reports. Securing Sanada, whose character’s journey to become shōgun and lead Japan to an era of peace was chronicled in the 10-episode adaptation of James Clavell’s novel, has been considered crucial to any plan to extend Shogun beyond its original installment.Other elements are still being worked out and deals are being finalized as part of an effort by FX to take Shogun to a second season in light of the big commercial and critical success of the limited series. The outcome of the effort would determine whether Shōgun would be considered a limited or drama series going forward, which could have major ramifications on the 2024 Emmy race, with the timing of the decision tied to the deadline for Emmy submissions.Shōgun is looking to move into the drama series category from the start if a determination about a potential second installment is made in time to adjust Emmy submissions. Not all the pieces are in place for that, sources said, but the significant deal with Sanada is a great start.

Frank Grillo has been cast in Season 2 of James Gunn‘s popular DC series Peacemaker. Gunn announced the news Friday on Instagram, revealing Grillo will reprise the role of Rick Flag Sr., the character he voices in Gunn’s upcoming animated series Creature Commandos. The Suicide Squad spinoff series starring John Cena follows the escapades of Peacemaker, a role that Cena originated on Gunn’s 2021 film. Peacemaker is a vainglorious man who believes in peace at any cost, no matter how many people he has to kill to get it. The show’s cast includes Danielle Brooks, Jennifer Holland, Freddie Stroma, Chukwudi Iwuji, Steve Agee, and Robert Patrick. Gunn teased last month that Season 2 had begun production. (via Deadline)

Top Cow Productions is pleased to share an exciting peek into the new world of Witchblade with a trailer video featuring New York Times bestselling writer Marguerite Bennett and the legendary Marc Silvestri on what's in store for readers this July from Image Comics. This new Witchblade #1 will be penned by Bennett (Animosity, Batwoman, DC Bombshells) and drawn by fan-favorite artist Giuseppe Cafaro (Suicide Squad, Power Rangers, Red Sonja). The creative duo will work closely with Silvestri (Top Cow CEO, Image Comics co-founder, and original Witchblade co-creator). Together, the team will reintroduce the this popular action-packed, crime noir series to longtime die-hard fans and new readers alike. This forthcoming Witchblade #1 will feature a reimagined origin, with contemporary takes on familiar characters, as well as fresh story arcs to hook new fans and rekindle the energy and excitement that fueled the '90s Image Revolution. New York City Police Detective Sara Pezzini's life is forever fractured by her father's murder. Cold, cunning, and hellbent on revenge, Sara now stalks a vicious criminal cabal beneath the city, where an ancient power collides and transforms her into something wild, magnificent, and beyond her darkest imaginings. How will Sara use this ancient power? ...Or will she be consumed by it?

Witchblade #1 will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, July 17, at only $4.99 for 48 pages. The Final Order Cutoff deadline for comic shop retailers is Monday, June 24:

Cover A by Silvestri and Arif Prianto - Lunar Code 0524IM221

Cover B by Giuseppe Cafaro and Arif Prianto - Lunar Code 0524IM222

Cover C Blank Sketch Cover - Lunar Code 0524IM223

Cover D (1:10 copy incentive) by Dani and Brad Simpson - Lunar Code 0524IM224

Cover E (1:25 copy incentive) by Silvestri and Prianto, virgin cover - Lunar Code 0524IM225

Cover F (1:50 copy incentive) by J. Scott Campbell - Lunar Code 0524IM226

Cover G (1:100 copy incentive) by Bill Sienkiewicz - Lunar Code 0524IM227

Cover H (1:250 copy incentive) line art by Marc Silvestri, virgin cover, B&W inks - Lunar Code 0524IM228Witchblade #1 will also be available across many digital platforms, including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play.

Ralph Ineson, the British actor whose three-decade career ranges from the Harry Potter movies to recent horror prequel The First Omen, has landed the plum part of Galactus, the antagonist in Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four. The high-profile, big-budget outing, the Fantastic Four’s first under the Marvel Cinematic Universe umbrella, has been casting up in recent weeks ahead of a planned mid-summer shoot in England. On the call sheet are Perdro Pascal as scientist Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn as her hot-heated brother Johnny Storm/Human Torch, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Richards’ friend with body issues, Ben Grimm/The Thing. Also cast are Julia Garner as a female Silver Surfer and Paul Walter Hauser in an undisclosed role, which some have theorized could be Mole Man or the robot H.E.R.B.I.E. John Malkovich is also signed on. Matt Shakman is directing the new Fantastic Four feature, which has Marvel taking the interesting creative choice of setting the story in the 1960s, the era when the super-team was first created. Eric Pearson, Josh Friedman, Jeff Kaplan, and Ian Springer wrote the screenplay. Peter Cameron (WandaVision) has also done some writing on the project. (via THR)

Mr. ZIP™ is back for a whole new generation, and his latest mission for kids is a deep dive into S.T.E.A.M. subjects across a fun-filled activity book, from the United States Postal Service® (USPS), under license with Curiosity Ink Media (a division of Grom Social Enterprises, Inc.), and distributed by Dynamite Entertainment.

Children can explore science, technology, engineering, math, and even art alongside the hardworking hero of the Postal Service in this new summer release. Writer Carrie Rodell and artist Laura Catrinella have assembled 80 pages full of fun. Each page is jam-packed with mazes to solve, differences to spot, cool activities, and much more.

The book focuses on S.T.E.A.M. subjects, as educators and parents look to integrate the arts alongside traditional science, technology, engineering, and math disciplines. This innovative approach to education emphasizes critical thinking, imaginative and creative approaches to academic challenges, and real-world problems.

Mr. ZIP's Super Steam Activity Book is a top choice for 3-to-5-year-olds getting a head-start on critical skills and seeking fun!

The USPS introduced Mr. ZIP, or “Zippy” in 1963 as a fun cartoon personification to help spur widespread usage of the new ZIP Code™ system. The USPS, Curiosity, and Dynamite are excited to celebrate the 60th anniversary of this classic American icon as he stars in a new series of licensed books. Young readers can also seek out Mr. ZIP's Windy Day to follow an adventure and have fun with liftable flaps throughout and can look forward to Mr. ZIP’s Day in the Countryside and Where’s MR. ZIP?, coming this fall.


MR. ZIP'S SUPER STEAM ACTIVITY BOOK will be solicited in Diamond Comic Distributors’ May 2024 Previews catalog and slated for release in July 2024.