DF Interview: Paul Tobin unleashes murder, mayhem and mathematics in ‘A Calculated Man’, now in early development by Hulu as a TV series



By Byron Brewer

A verifiable math genius, Jack Beans used to run the numbers for the Pinafore crime family, until one day he ran them too well and concluded that the only way out of this life was in a casket or Witness Protection. So, he turned state's evidence and ran.

Now, the Pinafores are out to end their favorite accountant. Little do they know that Jack's skills with math and his perfect memory have made him a better killer than they ever could have realized. What follows is a journey full of murder, mayhem and mathematics.
Writer Paul Tobin (Bunny Mask, My Date With Monsters) and artist Alberto Albuquerque (Amazing Spider-Man, Savage Sword) unleash a master of math on a mission to eliminate a criminal empire for good.
AfterShock had be at “Paul Tobin”. I sat down with my old friend and acclaimed scribe to see what he is concocting for us in this noir tale, literally by the numbers!


Byron Brewer: Paul, I had to reshuffle my deck of Qs after the news that your coming comic, A Calculated Man, is in the very early stages of development by Hulu as a television series. I know you cannot discuss this at all, at least at this stage, but can you at least tell us how it feels having a comic as yet unpublished be so highly thought of? And any other remarks about the situation that you are free to make.



Paul Tobin: It was a fun process, bringing A Calculated Man to Hulu. We grabbed a lot of interest from different studios immediately upon announcing the upcoming process, and Lee Kramer, AfterShock’s film/TV guru, kept me up to date on all the various incoming offers and thoughts from the studios. We liked Hulu’s thoughts the most, and Peter Calloway being aboard helped turn my eye in Hulu’s direction, because I’ve always admired his work. It was weird, though, still working on the fourth issue of the series when it had already sold to Hulu! I had to put aside thoughts of what actors might portray Jack Beans and the others, and focus on what is always paramount to me: a good story with interesting characters, making the best comic I can.



Byron: Tell readers a little bit about your inspiration for this crime comic, A Calculated Man. Was this take on murder, mayhem and mathematics something that has been bubbling on the Tobin backburner awhile?



Paul Tobin: To a certain degree, yes. I love a good action/crime story, but I wanted to wait until I had something unique, something that really spoke to my love of character. I have a love for somewhat eccentric geniuses, the likes of Richard Feynman, or the INCREDIBLY eccentric Jack Parsons, and I started to have thoughts of, “What if they applied that genius outside their own fields?” A Calculated Man grew from that germ.



Byron: Introduce us to math genius Jack Beans. Tell what his life was like and what it will become in this series. Can you offer any insight into the character of the man beyond mathematics?



Paul Tobin: Jack is far more than just mathematics. He has several other aspects that deviate from the norm. His memory is absolute, for one, and he sees numbers as colors, which contributes to his math genius, and he absolutely can’t lie. At all. That said, I really wanted to make Jack normal in most respects. I’m tired of entertainment tropes that say if a person is gifted in one way, they must “pay the price” in some other way, aka Rain Man. Jack is, for the most part, a pretty normal guy. You could have a beer with him and never know he was any different from anyone else at the bar.



Byron: What can you tell readers about the Pinafore crime family? Any individuals you can spotlight here as well?



Paul Tobin: Hector Pinafore is the head of the company. Is he a bad guy? Oh, absolutely yes. But not that bad a guy for a crime lord. He’ll even draw the line at some crimes. His son turns him against Jack, though, convincing his dad that Jack—the family’s ex-accountant—is too dangerous to let live. After all, this is a guy who knows everything, forgets nothing, and can’t lie. It’s decided Jack has to die, and events snowball from there.



Byron: What other important characters might you let us know about? Is there an agent who is Jack’s contact with Witness Protection, or similar? Love this storyline!



Paul Tobin: Other main characters are Omaha Avery, Jack’s contact in the Witness Protection agency. Omaha and Jack have an actual friendship that’s built over the years, but Omaha is retiring, and his replacement, Elene Santos, isn’t quite the Jack fan that Omaha has been. Another hugely important character to the plot is Jack’s “kind of” girlfriend, Vera, a woman he met online, and who he’s never met in person at the start of the series. Jack’s relationship with Vera is odd, because he doesn’t want to tell her the truth about his life, but…he literally can’t lie. Jack solves this in a unique way that readers can see in the series!



Byron: Can you give readers a type of overview for this coming series, an extended elevator pitch, if you will?



Paul Tobin: I talk about it as John Wick, mixed with A Beautiful Mind, when ex-mobster/math genius Jack Beans is flushed from hiding in the Witness Protection program, and decides that all he needs to do to safely return to his old life is…kill every last member of the Pinafore crime family.



Byron: Talk about the pulse-pounding pencils of artist Alberto Albuquerque. What makes him right for this book?



Paul Tobin: Alberto is right for ANY book. I love working with him because he’ll always bring an ENTIRE scene to life. If I ask him for a city scene, there will be unique architecture populated by interesting, unique people. He manages to make anything, from a bedroom to a boardroom to a back alley, vibrant. He inspires me to bring more to the story. And plus we’ve been friends for years, and have interests outside comics as well, which I think can really help with a creative team. It allows us to feel like more than a couple of people brought together in their work: we’re friends having a blast sharing our passion for telling stories in our own way.



Byron: Paul, what other projects do you have upcoming that you can tell readers about?



Paul Tobin: In the all-ages market, I still have more Plants vs. Zombies and Wrassle Castle on the way. In the horror field, I’m still working on Bunny Mask, and there are two more horror series on my slate. I’m also working on a western. Never really had a good western idea coalesce in my head, but it finally happened! Really excited about it. I have a huge graphic novel that I just finished scripting, based around adventure and cooking (yeah!). And then there’s another horror germ that’s been percolating, and that’ll probably find a home, too. And, as I continue to make my mark on several genres, I even have a romance on the way!



Dynamic Forces would like to thank Paul Tobin for taking time out of his busy schedule to answer our questions. A Calculated Man #1 from AfterShock Comics is slated to be on sale June 15th! Stay tuned to DF News on further information of the comic’s development into a Hulu TV series.



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.

In a twist worthy of a Hollywood script, Ryan Coogler’s breakout horror film Sinners—a 2025 box office juggernaut—owes part of its haunting aesthetic to a Marvel movie that never made it to set. The film’s eerie, period-perfect costumes were originally designed for Marvel Studios’ long-delayed Blade reboot, which remains in production limbo. According to Sinners producer Sev Ohanian, the film’s costume designer, Oscar-winner Ruth E. Carter (Black Panther), had been working on Blade when the project was shelved indefinitely. That version of Blade, starring Mahershala Ali, was once envisioned as a 1920s-set vampire thriller—eerily similar in tone and era to Sinners. When Sinners was greenlit on a tight schedule, Carter had a warehouse full of unused, period-appropriate costumes. Marvel, in a rare behind-the-scenes collaboration, allowed Coogler’s team to purchase the wardrobe “at price”. While the main cast including Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, and others wore custom-designed costumes tailored specifically for their characters, many of the extras in Sinners were dressed in the repurposed Blade costumes, giving the film a rich, textured authenticity without the usual prep time. First announced in 2019, Marvel’s Blade reboot has faced repeated delays due to creative changes, director exits, and industry strikes. The film was removed from Disney’s release calendar in 2024 and remains without a confirmed production date. Despite the setbacks, Mahershala Ali has expressed continued interest in the role, recently telling reporters, “Call Marvel. I’m ready”. 

Nearly 50 years after One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest became a cinematic landmark, a new television spinoff is in the works—this time told through the eyes of the character who saw everything but said very little: Chief Bromden. Producer Paul Zaentz, nephew of the original film’s producer Saul Zaentz, revealed on the CK Café podcast that he has signed an agreement with the widow of author Ken Kesey to develop a TV series based on the 1962 novel. The first season will be told entirely from the perspective of Chief Bromden, the towering half-Native American patient who pretended to be deaf and mute in the original story. Zaentz explained that the series will begin within the psychiatric hospital, as in the original, but will then follow Chief’s journey after his dramatic escape—territory the original film never explored. While Milos Forman’s 1975 film adaptation won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Jack Nicholson, it famously diverged from Kesey’s novel by shifting the narrative focus from Chief Bromden to Randle McMurphy. Kesey was openly critical of this change. The upcoming series aims to restore the novel’s original point of view and delve deeper into the Chief’s inner world. Chief Bromden’s character—played by Will Sampson in the film—was a symbol of silent resistance and eventual emancipation. The new series promises to explore his backstory, his psychological trauma, and his life beyond the institution. It’s a chance to reframe the narrative around Indigenous identity, mental health, and the long shadow of institutionalization. 

Julian McMahon, the charismatic Australian actor known for his iconic roles in Nip/Tuck, Charmed, and the Fantastic Four films, has passed away at the age of 56 following a private battle with cancer. His wife, Kelly McMahon, confirmed that he died peacefully on July 2, 2025, in Clearwater, Florida. Born in Sydney on July 27, 1968, McMahon was the son of former Australian Prime Minister William McMahon. He began his career as a model before transitioning to acting in Australian soaps like The Power, The Passion and Home and Away. His move to Hollywood led to breakout roles in Profiler and Charmed, where he played the complex and seductive demon Cole Turner. But it was his portrayal of Dr. Christian Troy in FX’s Nip/Tuck that cemented his status as a television icon. The role earned him a Golden Globe nomination and showcased his ability to balance charm, darkness, and vulnerability. He later brought gravitas to the role of Victor Von Doom in the Fantastic Four films, becoming one of Marvel’s earliest cinematic villains. McMahon’s career spanned decades and genres. He starred in FBI: Most Wanted as Jess LaCroix, appeared in Hulu’s Runaways, and most recently played the Australian Prime Minister in Netflix’s The Residence—a poignant nod to his real-life heritage. McMahon is survived by his wife Kelly and his daughter Madison, whom he shared with ex-wife Brooke Burns. In her statement, Kelly described him as a man who “loved life… and whose deepest wish was to bring joy into as many lives as possible”. 

Jim Shooter was a towering figure in the comic book industry—both literally and professionally. He began his career at just 14 years old, writing for DC Comics, where he made a splash with stories for the Legion of Super-Heroes. His early creations included characters like Karate Kid, Ferro Lad, and Princess Projectra, as well as the villain group Fatal Five. Here’s a snapshot of his legacy: <!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->DC Comics: Started as a teenage writer, contributing to Adventure Comics and Action Comics. <!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->Marvel Comics: Rose to become Editor-in-Chief from 1978 to 1987. Under his leadership: <!--[if !supportLists]-->o    <!--[endif]-->Oversaw iconic runs like Uncanny X-Men by Claremont & Byrne, Daredevil by Frank Miller, and Thor by Walt Simonson. <!--[if !supportLists]-->o    <!--[endif]-->Introduced creator royalties and launched the Epic imprint for creator-owned work. <!--[if !supportLists]-->o    <!--[endif]-->Created the first major crossover event: Secret Wars. <!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->Valiant Comics: Co-founded the publisher in the early '90s, bringing characters like Solar: Man of the Atom and Harbinger to life. <!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->Also founded Defiant Comics and Broadway Comics, though both were short-lived. Shooter was known for his strict editorial style, which helped Marvel stay on schedule but also led to clashes with many creators. Despite the friction, his tenure is credited with revitalizing Marvel during a critical period. Jim Shooter passed away on June 30, 2025, at the age of 73. His influence on comics—both in storytelling and industry practices—remains profound. 

In the ever-watchful world of fandom sleuthing, even a simple Instagram follow can ignite a firestorm of speculation. That’s exactly what happened when filmmaker and DC Studios co-head James Gunn followed actress Adria Arjona on Instagram—a move that fans quickly interpreted as a hint she might be cast as the next Wonder Woman. But Gunn was quick to clarify: “I followed Adria on Instagram, but everybody came out, ‘He just followed her, that means she’s Wonder Woman!’” he said in a recent interview with Extra. “She’d be a great Wonder Woman, by the way. But she was in a movie that I made seven years ago. We’ve been friends and have known each other since that time. I followed her then, I didn’t just follow her.” The film Gunn referred to is The Belko Experiment (2016), which he produced and in which Arjona appeared. Their professional relationship and friendship date back to that project, making the social media follow less of a casting clue and more of a long-standing connection. Still, Gunn’s comment that Arjona “would be a great Wonder Woman” has only fueled fan enthusiasm. With a new Wonder Woman film currently in development and the DC Universe undergoing a major reboot, speculation remains high—even if Gunn insists fans shouldn’t read too much into his Instagram activity. 

In a move that blends personal branding with practical necessity, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia star and co-creator Rob McElhenney has officially filed to change his name to Rob Mac. The decision, confirmed by McElhenney himself, marks a significant shift for the actor, writer, and entrepreneur whose surname has long been a source of confusion—and comedy. McElhenney, whose last name has famously stumped fans and media alike (despite Ryan Reynolds’ musical pronunciation tutorial), cited global business expansion as the primary reason. As his company, More Better Industries, continues to invest internationally—including ventures in Colombia and Mexico—he found that “McElhenney” was often mispronounced or misunderstood. “As our business and our storytelling is expanding into other regions of the world and other languages in which my name is even harder to pronounce, I’m just going by Rob Mac,” he told Variety. Interestingly, the name “Mac” isn’t just a simplification—it’s also a nod to his iconic Always Sunny character, known simply as Mac. It’s a full-circle moment that blends his personal identity with his pop culture persona. The name change is already being reflected in FX press materials for both It’s Always Sunny and Welcome to Wrexham, the Emmy-winning docuseries chronicling McElhenney and Reynolds’ ownership of Wrexham AFC. 

ABC has officially pulled the plug on Doctor Odyssey, the high-concept medical drama from prolific creator Ryan Murphy, after just one season. The show, which followed a team of doctors navigating emergencies aboard a luxury cruise ship, will not return for a second voyage. Premiering in fall 2024, Doctor Odyssey starred Joshua Jackson as Dr. Max Bankman, alongside Phillipa Soo, Sean Teale, and Don Johnson. The series blended medical drama with high-seas spectacle, drawing comparisons to The Love Boat with a modern, campy twist. Its trailer broke records with 77.8 million views in 48 hours, and the premiere drew 13.6 million cross-platform viewers. Despite the flashy debut and a loyal cult following, the show struggled to maintain momentum. Ratings dipped over the season, and its linear performance lagged behind other ABC dramas. While ABC has yet to issue a formal cancellation statement, the cast contracts are expiring on Monday with no sign of renewal and the sets are being dismantled. And while the ship has sailed on ABC, Ryan Murphy retains creative control and could potentially revive the series elsewhere, such as Hulu, where it performed well on streaming platforms. 

Is The Batman Part II script finally done? It appears so. Writer/Director Matt Reeves just posted to social media a blurry picture of himself and co-writer Mattson Tomlin that shows the title page for a script with the logo from The Batman and appears to have the title "The Batman: Part II". Co-head of DC Studios James Gunn said recently that he was expecting to get the script soon but denied that the deadline had already passed. If the script is complete and ready to move forward, it is still in plenty of time to make the current release date of October 2027. This should be good news to fans of the director and franchise and also to actor Robert Pattinson who had commented recently that he was worrying he was going to age out of the role if it took too much longer.  

Prime Video’s hit action-thriller Reacher is shaking things up for its fourth season, and one of the most notable changes is the addition of Christopher Rodriguez-Marquette to the cast. The Barry actor steps into the role of Jacob Merrick, a small-town policeman, in a recasting that follows the departure of Jay Baruchel due to personal reasons. Rodriguez-Marquette’s casting came together at lightning speed—he was reportedly selected the same day the role breakdown was released and flown to set within days. His character, Merrick, is said to play a significant role in the upcoming season, which adapts Lee Child’s 13th Jack Reacher novel, Gone Tomorrow. The story kicks off with a tense encounter on a train that spirals into a deadly conspiracy involving powerful enemies. Season 4 also welcomes a host of new faces, including Sydelle Noel, Agnez Mo, Anggun, Kevin Corrigan, Kevin Weisman, Marc Blucas, and Kathleen Robertson. Alan Ritchson returns as the titular Jack Reacher, with Maria Sten reprising her role as Frances Neagley. Rodriguez-Marquette brings a diverse résumé to the series, with recent appearances in Barry, Mozart in the Jungle, and indie films like Grind and Fear, Inc.. 

In a move that’s sending ripples through both Hollywood and Her Majesty’s Secret Service, acclaimed filmmaker Denis Villeneuve has officially been named the director of the next James Bond movie. This marks the first 007 installment under Amazon MGM Studios’ creative leadership, following their acquisition of the franchise’s rights in 2022. Villeneuve, the visionary behind Dune, Arrival, and Blade Runner 2049, brings a reputation for cerebral storytelling and breathtaking visuals. His appointment signals a bold new chapter for the Bond saga—one that may blend the franchise’s signature espionage thrills with a deeper, more atmospheric tone. “Some of my earliest movie-going memories are connected to 007,” Villeneuve said in a statement. “I grew up watching James Bond films with my father, ever since Dr. No with Sean Connery. I’m a die-hard Bond fan. To me, he’s sacred territory. I intend to honor the tradition and open the path for many new missions to come”. The film will be produced by Amy Pascal and David Heyman, with Villeneuve also serving as executive producer alongside Tanya Lapointe. While no release date has been announced, production is expected to begin after Villeneuve completes work on Dune: Part Three, slated for release in late 2026. As for who will don the tuxedo next, speculation continues to swirl. Aaron Taylor-Johnson remains a frontrunner, but no official casting has been confirmed.