DF Interview: Deniz Camp mixes history, politics and comics lore into the saga of ‘20th Century Men’



By Byron Brewer

At the end of the 20th century, superheroes, geniuses, madmen, and activists rush towards WWIII! A Soviet "iron" hero, a super-powered American president, an insane cyborg soldier, an Afghan woman hellbent on building a better life for her people: these strange yet familiar beings collide in a story that mixes history, politics, and comics mythology into something totally new.

Welcome to 20th Century Men – from writer Deniz Camp and artist S. Morian – where the edges of our reality and fiction touch, overlap… and then explode! I had to learn about this new book right away, and so sat down and chatted with scribe Deniz Camp.


Byron Brewer: Deniz, tell readers about the inspiration for 20th Century Men, a very layered, speculative comic, I would say. Is this a concept you have been carrying around for awhile? It is very tight and concentrated, as good comics are.



Deniz Camp: I have been thinking about it for a long time, but the story has changed and evolved in the writing, as I think all the best ones do. The main goal is, and has always been, to put as much humanity into these pages as possible. I think people are their most beautiful when they are at their lowest, that vulnerability is the truest, bravest, most inspiring thing in the world. War doesn’t interest me for the sake of war, war interests me because it’s human beings in extremis, and there you can find every human characteristic in heightened state. Everyone is beautiful, and ugly, there, often at the same time.

In terms of being tight/concentrated, I think that’s just my overall obsession. Decompressed comics can be and have been great, but the ones that made me a fan were the ones that gave you a lot. It takes a lot more work, but I’m not here to make disposable comics. I want you to be reading and rereading my comics all month, all year, for the rest of your life.


Byron: Can you give us an overview of the atmosphere of the world you and artist S. Morian are building here? What is life like on this Earth (I assume), and how did it get this way?



Deniz Camp: This world is pretty similar to our own, actually. I wanted to keep the story grounded and historical, to intertwine the fantastic with real events. The major difference is that super soldiers have been a significant factor in the outcome of both world wars, Korea, Vietnam and, now, Afghanistan. The Soviet Union is stronger here than it was in the real world, thanks to the super-technology and economic reforms of one of our characters, Petar Platonov, The Iron Star. Much of what we know from our world still happened, but HOW it happened is different; for instance, there was a Chernobyl meltdown in this world, but it was the result of a super-powered conflict, not a technological malfunction.

Most of the action takes place in Afghanistan, during the incredibly brutal Soviet invasion and occupation of the 1980s. In our world, the Soviets have managed almost complete victory thanks to the direct intervention of the Iron Star. But things quickly change, and the International “Great Powers” — represented by super-powered stand-ins — converge on the country to fight their proxy war, without consideration for the damage they do to the Afghan people.
There will be a bunch of easter eggs and fun twists for fans of history and pop culture, but you won’t need to know of that to enjoy it.
This is a world very much on the brink, with sentient weapons of mass destruction working in the brutal interest of their states with almost total impunity. It’s a powder keg that seems ready to blow at any moment.


Byron: Introduce readers to your protagonists, which I am guessing are “...a Soviet ‘iron’ hero, a super-powered American president, an insane cyborg soldier, an Afghan woman hellbent on building a better life for her people”. Who are they, and what is their common denominator?



Deniz Camp: We have a pretty large cast, none of whom are the “main” character. Our POV shifts issue to issue, and the goal here is to establish for the audience one interpretation of events, and then, through other characters, undercut or challenge that interpretation.

We start with Petar Platonov, the soviet diplomat-hero the Iron Star. He’s an alcoholic genius weapons manufacturer who built himself a futuristic suit of armor. Sound familiar?
We also see President Thomas Goode. Goode was one of the first super-soldiers, emerging in WWII with the name The American Dream. He is America’s greatest hero, having defeated the Nazi Uber-mench, commanded American forces in Vietnam, and is generally one of the most beloved Americans to ever live. He’s also a sociopath who sees war as a purifying process, and as the president he’s got the power to do something about it.
There’s Egon Teller, an American technological genius who helped design American weapons as “The Big Idea” in Vietnam and has since become the richest man in the world. He regrets pretty much everything and is trying to atone, with mixed results.
Azra is an Afghan woman who is extremely smart — even smarter than she lets on — and is trying to balance all the various factions for the good of her people. When we open she works for Platonov as his right hand, but by the first issue she leaves to pursue her own goals.
Finally, there’s a Soviet reporter nicknamed Krylov. He comes to the war to report on what’s happening, “to find the truth about war”. It quickly becomes clear he was not at all prepared.
There are many, many other characters, and I genuinely empathize and love each of them, for all their madness and flaws. It’s a big, sprawling cast, but we try to make all of them come alive.


Byron: No spoilers, but you can tell from issue #1 that there will be a great deal of subtext in this mini-series – which, I agree, is for readers to interpret each to his own. But from a writer’s POV crafting such a tale, talk about juggling historic fact and fiction, trope politics and, best of all, comic book lore into such a satisfactory blend. Very different!



Deniz Camp: I’m glad you think so! I guess it just comes out of a mix of a lot of stuff that interests me. You can’t really understand characters without understanding their context, geographical, historical, cultural. It’s all one thing, and I spend a lot of time reading about all that, even before I started planning this story.

The deeper you go the more complicated you realize it all is, for everyone — and also, beautiful. And terrible. And funny. I think we’re able to get some of that complication into the book. I’m really proud of that.
The key is the characters. I know it’s a cliche, but it really is true; everything is in service of making these people come alive.


Byron: 20th Century Men has some brutal character work, especially the first issue. What character in the limited series best reflects its creator (scribe Camp)?



Deniz Camp: There’s a character we introduce in the second issue, a Russian reporter nicknamed Krylov. The artist based his face on mine, so that’s the obvious one! He’s a young man way out of his depth, not as smart as he thinks he is, no less destructive for being “well meaning”. Sounds about right!



Byron: Haha!… Talk about your collaboration with S. Morian, and the artist’s epic contributions to this saga.



Deniz Camp: This has been the most intimate collaboration of my life, without a doubt. S. Morian is a natural storyteller and a total genius. Our process is chaotic and work intensive and beautiful. We brainstorm together before I start to write a script, then I write a full script with panels and all the traditional stuff — then he changes what needs to be changed, sometimes drastically, sometimes not at all. He compensates for my weaknesses in a big way, and magnifies my strengths; he gets what I’m TRYING to do, and often has a better way of doing it.

He has such a variety of styles and techniques at his disposal, and changes them almost every scene to better fit the story. It is impossible to overstate how much he adds. There is no book without him.
When the art comes back I basically rewrite the whole thing from scratch to better fit his work. The end result is something that feels as though it were made by one person, I think, a person more talented than either of us alone.
And the process is dynamic, always changing. Occasionally I’ll give him just a basic description of something and he’ll go and make a scene, and I’ll letter it from scratch. It’s such an incredible experience, truly. Chaotic and scary at times, but I think that comes out on the page.
He isn’t just a collaborator, he is my brother, and the friendship that has emerged from creating this book is one of the best things ever to come out of my comics career.


Byron: Deniz, what other projects in which you are involved can you tell readers about?



Deniz Camp: My creator owned series, Agent of WORLDE, comes out from Scout Comics June 29th. It’s a mad, sci-fi spy story half a decade in the making in the vein of Hard Boiled, the Filth, and Casanova, with the most intricate, beautiful art you’ve ever seen from series artist Filya Bratukhin (and colorist/designer/saint Jason Wordie) — comparisons are often made to Geof Darrow and Frank Quitely, and with good reason. Each issue is a self contained mission, as Agent Philip Blank faces time travelers, aliens, robot armies, and his belligerent Orangutan boss.

Bloodshot Unleashed launches in September from Valiant Comics. My partners on that are Jon Davis Hunt (of The Wildstorm fame), Jordie Bellaire and Hassan Otsmane Elhaou. Another “done in one” series, we are doing beautiful violence in 20 pages, as Bloodshot tracks down a bunch of escaped living weapons and struggles with his own demons. Every issue is centered around an incredible action set piece, but we also go very deep into Bloodshot’s head (figuratively and literally). I’m extremely happy with how it’s turning out; there’s never been a Valiant book quite like it.
And then, soon to be announced, I’ve got a middle grade graphic novel coming out sometime in 2024, I think. It’s different for me, but exciting. But I’m not allowed to talk about it.


Dynamic Forces would like to thank Deniz Camp for taking time out of his busy schedule to answer our questions. 20th Century Men #1 from Image Comics is slated to be on sale Aug. 17th!



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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.