IDW PUBLISHING HONORED WITH 15 EISNER AWARD NOMINATIONS IN 202006/04/20 @ 5:40 pm EST
Source: IDW | Categories: IDW | Comments (0) | E-mail Article | Add a CommentThe 2020 Eisner Award judges recognized IDW Publishing and its imprints,
Artist’s Editions,
EuroComics,
Library of American Comics,
Sunday Press,
Top Shelf, and
Yoe Books, with a combined fifteen nods this year (fourteen nominations and one shared nomination). The prestigious award ceremony honors exemplary work from the previous year in comics publishing.
“Every year, the announcement of Eisner Award contenders brings a brightness to our industry, as we celebrate the artistry and hard work of many talented creators,” says
Chris Ryall, President, Publisher, and CCO of IDW Publishing. “We’re honored that the judges have recognized such a diverse selection of IDW books this year! To our writers, artists, letterers, editors, and everyone involved in bringing these projects to fruition -- a hearty congratulations from all of us at IDW!”
IDW’s 2020 Eisner Nominees include:
Best Limited Series:
Ghost Tree, by Bobby Curnow and Simon Gane (IDW)
Best Publication for Teens:
Penny Nichols, by MK Reed, Greg Means, and Matt Wiegle (Top Shelf)
Best U.S. Edition of International Material:
Diabolical Summer, by Thierry Smolderen and Alexandre Clerisse, translation by Edward Gauvin (IDW)
Best U.S. Edition of International Material:
Gramercy Park, by Timothée de Fombelle and Christian Cailleaux, translation by Edward Gauvin (EuroComics/IDW)
Best Graphic Album — New:
Life on the Moon, by Robert Grossman (Yoe Books/IDW)
Best Archival Collection/Project — Comic Books:
Stan Sakai’s Usagi Yojimbo: The Complete Grasscutter Artist Select, by Stan Sakai, edited by Scott Dunbier (IDW)
Best Archival Collection/Project — Strips:
Ed Leffingwell’s Little Joe, by Harold Gray, edited by Peter Maresca and Sammy Harkham (Sunday Press Books)
Best Writer: Bobby Curnow,
Ghost Tree (IDW)
Best Writer: MK Reed and Greg Means,
Penny Nichols (Top Shelf)
Best Penciller/Inker or Penciller/Inker Team: Simon Gane,
Ghost Tree (IDW)
Best Painter/Digital Artist: Alexandre Clarisse,
Diabolical Summer (IDW)
Best Lettering: Stan Sakai,
Usagi Yojimbo (IDW)
Best Lettering: Deron Bennett,
Canto (IDW);
Batgirl,
Green Arrow,
Justice League,
Martian Manhunter (DC);
Assassin Nation,
Excellence (Skybound/Image);
To Drink and To Eat, Vol. 1 (Lion Forge);
Resonant (Vault)
Best Comics-Related Book:
Screwball! The Cartoonists Who Made the Funnies Funny, by Paul Tumey (Library of American Comics/IDW)
Best Reality-Based Work:
They Called Us Enemy, by George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott, and Harmony Becker (Top Shelf)
“I’m excited to see the wide range of creators, subject matters, formats, and approaches recognized by the Eisner judges,” says
John Barber, Editor-in-Chief at IDW. “It’s wonderful to see Bobby and Simon get these nominations for a deeply personal work like
Ghost Tree, for Deron and Stan to get deserved credit for their lettering, and for every other book that got nominated — but I’ll let others speak to those nominations!”
Paul C. Tumey, author of
Screwball! The Cartoonists Who Made the Funnies Funny, says, "This nomination provides meaningful support for the modern work being done to deepen our understanding and appreciation of the past lineage of our industry."
“It’s exciting to see noted YA author Timothée de Fombelle’s first foray into comics nominated for both the Eisner and Angoulême awards,” says editor
Dean Mullaney of LOAC and EuroComics.
“Stan Sakai is a master storyteller and I’m very grateful I had the opportunity to do this book with him, and with Shawn Lee, who really did a tremendous job on the design,” says Artist’s Edition editor
Scott Dunbier.
"Harold Gray took the reins of
Little Joe after the untimely death of his cousin and fellow cartoonist, Ed Leffingwell.... and yet, to show respect for the family, he took no credit. We're honored that Gray's work on this seminal Western comic strip has been recognized by the Eisner judges,” says
Peter Maresca of Sunday Press.
“We’re so proud to have
Penny Nichols and
They Called Us Enemy honored with Eisner nominations,” says Top Shelf editor-in-chief
Chris Staros. “Penny Nichols is a hilarious celebration of DIY creativity and a love letter to the comics community, so it’s wonderful to see that love being returned. And unfortunately, George Takei’s memories of legalized racism are still painfully relevant today, making
They Called Us Enemy a vital book that calls us to build a better future.”
"I say this not as the publisher, but as a fan: Think of the greatest graphic novels. Among them
Life on the Moon, with its astonishing story and art (fascinatingly centered on the original fake news of turn-of-the-last-century) deserves to be likewise widely read, shared, taught, and celebrated! I only wish the writer and artist Robert Grossman was alive to see that the esteemed Eisner judges have recognized his brilliance," says Yoe Books editor,
Craig Yoe.
To acquire copies of IDW Publishing’s nominated comic book and graphic novel releases, please contact your local comic shop or visit
www.comicshoplocator.com to find a store near you. Graphic novels are also available for order via bookstores, online booksellers, and digital platforms.
SINNERS BOUGHT COSTUMES FROM MARVEL'S DELAYED BLADE PRODUCTION07/05/25 @ 1:54 pm EST
Source: Variety | Comments (0) | E-mail Article | Add a CommentIn 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”.
ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST SPINOFF SERIES TO EXPLORE CHIEF BROMDEN’S STORY07/05/25 @ 1:29 pm EST
Source: Deadline | Comments (0) | E-mail Article | Add a CommentNearly 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, STAR OF 'FANTASTIC FOUR' AND ‘CHARMED,’ DIES AT 5607/05/25 @ 1:20 pm EST
Source: Deadline | Comments (0) | E-mail Article | Add a CommentJulian 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”.
COMIC LEGACY OF JIM SHOOTER07/01/25 @ 3:12 pm EST
Source: Bleeding Cool | Comments (0) | E-mail Article | Add a CommentJim 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.
JAMES GUNN'S SOCIAL MEDIA MOVE SPARKS WONDER WOMAN SPECULATION07/01/25 @ 2:50 pm EST
Source: Deadline | Comments (0) | E-mail Article | Add a CommentIn 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.
ROB MCELHENNEY DECIDES TO CHANGE NAME06/28/25 @ 2:09 pm EST
Source: Variety | Comments (0) | E-mail Article | Add a CommentIn 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.
DOCTOR ODYSSEY SINKS AT ABC06/28/25 @ 1:59 pm EST
Source: Variety | Comments (0) | E-mail Article | Add a CommentABC 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.
THE BATMAN PART II SCRIPT APPEARS TO BE DONE06/27/25 @ 2:45 pm EST
Source: Twitter | Comments (0) | E-mail Article | Add a CommentIs
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.
REACHER SEASON 4 SEES MAJOR ROLE RECASTING06/26/25 @ 3:35 pm EST
Source: Deadline | Comments (0) | E-mail Article | Add a CommentPrime 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..
DENIS VILLENEUVE TAPPED TO DIRECT THE NEXT JAMES BOND FILM06/26/25 @ 3:28 pm EST
Source: Deadline | Comments (0) | E-mail Article | Add a CommentIn 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.