DF Interview: Chrissy Williams examines older women sewing, baking and fighting to the death in ‘Golden Rage’

By Byron Brewer

In a world where older women who've been deemed useless to society are abandoned on an island, Golden Rage documents their golden years of making friends, baking dessert, and fighting to the death.

Created by writer Chrissy Williams (editor of DIE, The Wicked + The Divine), artist Lauren Knight (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), and colorist Sofie Dodgson (Bitter Root, Tank Girl), Golden Rage is a brand-new five-issue miniseries where Battle Royale meets The Golden Girls!

After that build-up, I could not wait to chat with scribe Chrissy Williams.


Byron Brewer: Chrissy, as a writer and editor myself, it always does me good to see an editor finally getting the chance to shine with Golden Rage. “Battle Royale meets Golden Girls”, eh? I don’t know why, but sounds like my late mom would sure love this! Tell readers about the inspiration and genesis of this book you are so enthusiastic (also does me good to see) about.



Chrissy Williams: So, Golden Rage looks at a group of older women who have been deemed useless to society and abandoned on an island to fight to the death, whilst making friends and dessert. The idea originally sprang from watching Mad Max: Fury Road. That scene where we meet all the badass older women in the desert, all so perfectly capable and tough? I remember feeling really moved in that moment, just to see those characters on screen at all. We are so rarely shown older women who are tough and capable, and I wanted them to be my protagonists and celebrate them as heroes.

I’ve always looked to older women as role models – Angela Lansbury is still working now at 96. 96! Anyway, the idea of older women being exiled and forced to live together sprang from that – and the two touchstones of Battle Royale and The Golden Girls came together quite naturally in my head as a result. I’m so sorry to hear about your mother – that’s rough. I’m glad to hear she would love the idea of Golden Rage. I hope my mother likes it.


Byron: Take us into the world you and artist Lauren Knight are building for this mini-series.



Chrissy Williams: Lauren and I have talked a lot about what happened on the mainland to bring the women to the island. We’ve talked about what kind of horrific fascist society would tell its children that old women are weak and useless. The worrying thing is that I don’t think that society is a distant dystopia, but only a (hopefully) slightly exaggerated version of our own reality. Golden Rage doesn’t care about that fascist society though. It is a comic explicitly focused on the women themselves and their island existence. They get to make the rules up for themselves – we see how they live, how they fight, and how they survive.



Byron: Introduce readers to some of your prime protagonists, spotlighting who they are and a bit about their natures.



Chrissy Williams: One of the first old women we meet is Rosie. She’s Italian, and incredibly physically strong. She’s terse and blunt and takes no sh*t. She’d make a great wartime consigliere. Rosie lives in an abandoned lighthouse with two other women, Lottie and Caroline. Lottie is…less strong. She frets about cats and chickens and wants to make sure everyone is dressed warmly enough. Caroline is a creative writing teacher who wishes there were more books on the island, and she makes fun of the chicken-obsessed Lottie. Then we have Jay. Jay is only in her thirties, and she’s only just been sent to the island to join all these older women. But why…?



Byron: What else can you tell us about the island? Are there more than one of these extant?



Chrissy Williams: That is an excellent question I’m hoping we’ll explore more in the future! Other islands would surely bring their own unique challenges and constraints. Imagine being trapped on an island surrounded by bears, for example. This particular island has a rugged North Atlantic vibe, but it’s good that we’re seeing it in the summer. The women have a very different fight for survival come winter…



Byron: Any other inhabitants on the island outside the “golden warriors”?



Chrissy Williams: There are lots of inhabitants on the island, and we explore a few of the various gangs. Different groups settle in different areas and have different challenges based on whether they’ve living in a lighthouse, a cave, or some other kind of structure. These women have had to build their society here for many many years, so all sorts of interesting behaviors and beliefs have developed. We look at life and death, but what else is there? Is there room for art in a survivalist society? Can you have a nice bath there? What about a tasty piece of cake?



Byron: It’s a comic, so it begs the question: Is there any manipulative behind-the-scenes big-bad lurking? If so, can we get a clue or two other than “buy the book”? (LOL)



Chrissy Williams: Well, the biggest-bad is obviously the mainland and its underlying threat is felt throughout. I want to say the ageism and sexism in this society has been instituted by the menfolk, but I imagine that many women would have participated willingly in the denigration of older women, conditioned by the society they were raised in. Societal conditioning doesn’t make for a super-fun villain, though, so of course we focus more on the island women themselves. There is a constant fight for supplies and survival, which makes it inevitable that different factions develop, based on strength, intelligence, and other skillsets. Sometimes these different groups of women can coexist peacefully. And then sometimes a woman comes along who thinks she should get more than everyone else.



Byron: Talk about your collaboration with Lauren on Golden Rage.



Chrissy Williams: Working with Lauren has been brilliant. It’s her first full series as an artist, and my first full series as a writer, so we’ve been learning how to make it work together. Obviously I’ve brought in my previous experiences working as an editor on series like DIE and The Wicked + The Divine, but being able to make all the final creative decisions ourselves has been really exciting. There’s so much of our own personalities wrapped up in the book. Lauren has a great eye for horror, and I think some of the comic’s best moments come from seeing her dark art juxtaposed with humor in the text. I honestly can’t wait for people to see this strange little world we’ve created.



Byron: Chrissy, as a creator or as an editor, tell readers as you can about some projects ready to come out or that you are working on.



Chrissy Williams: Well, we just sent the DIE hardcover to press, which is very exciting. That’s all four series of Kieron Gillen and Stephanie Hans’ comic in one gorgeous volume. It’ll be out at the start of November. The Poetry Comics anthology I co-edited is out in PDF form now, from the publisher Sidekick Books. I’m also a poet, and my latest collection LOW is available in the UK and U.S. It includes a lot of poems about clowns and drag queens.

Dynamic Forces would like to thank Chrissy Williams for taking time out of her busy schedule to answer our questions. Golden Rage #1 from Image Comics is slated to be on sale August 3rd!

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.

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. 

Oscar-winner Russell Crowe has officially joined the upcoming Highlander reboot, stepping into the iconic role of Ramirez — the immortal mentor originally portrayed by Sean Connery in the 1986 cult classic. Crowe will star opposite Henry Cavill, who leads the film as Connor MacLeod, a centuries-old Scottish warrior caught in a secret war among immortals. The film is being helmed by John Wick director Chad Stahelski and is set for a theatrical release under Amazon MGM Studios and United Artists. As Crowe himself cryptically posted on social media: “Yes... it’s true... I shall be returning to the highlands... with a sword... it has been a few centuries... there can be only one”. The reboot aims to reimagine the Highlander mythology for a new generation, blending historical flashbacks with modern-day action. Stahelski has teased a sweeping narrative that spans from the 1500s Highlands to futuristic cities like New York and Hong Kong, promising a mix of martial arts, swordplay, and emotional depth. Production is slated to begin this fall in London, with a release window eyed for 2026. 

As production nears completing for DC Studios’ upcoming HBO series Lanterns, director James Hawes is offering fans a glimpse into what’s shaping up to be one of the most ambitious entries in the new DC Universe. Helming the first two episodes, Hawes describes the show as a genre-bending blend of grounded mystery and cosmic spectacle — a “buddy cop movie” with a distinctly American heart. In recent interviews, Hawes emphasized that while the series begins with a gritty, earthbound tone reminiscent of True Detective, it eventually “goes intergalactic”. “The scripts have so much wit, so much character,” he said, likening the tone to a fusion of Fargo, No Country for Old Men, and yes, True Detective — but with Green Lanterns who can fly. Set in Nebraska, the story follows veteran Lantern Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) and his new recruit John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) as they investigate a seemingly isolated murder that spirals into a much larger conspiracy. Hawes promises that the show won’t disappoint longtime fans of the Green Lantern mythos, while also inviting in a new audience by introducing the characters in a “rooted way” before launching into the cosmic unknown. The cast is stacked with talent, including Nathan Fillion reprising his role as Guy Gardner, Kelly Macdonald as a small-town sheriff, and Ulrich Thomsen as the iconic rogue Sinestro. The series is co-written by Chris Mundy (Ozark), Damon Lindelof (Watchmen), and Tom King, with Hawes praising the writing team for crafting a sophisticated narrative that balances humor, character, and high-stakes drama. Lanterns is slated for an early 2026 premiere on HBO and will consist of eight episodes with filming expected to wrap soon. 

Marvel Studios has officially announced that Jake Schreier, known for his work on the film Thunderbolts, has been tapped to direct the highly anticipated X-Men reboot. Schreier's appointment comes after months of speculation and rumors. His previous work on Thunderbolts received critical acclaim, despite the film's mixed box office performance. The decision to bring Schreier on board signals Marvel's commitment to revitalizing the X-Men franchise with fresh perspectives and innovative storytelling. The X-Men have a rich history in both comics and film, and fans are eager to see how Schreier will interpret these iconic characters. The director's vision for the X-Men is expected to blend the classic elements that fans love with new and exciting twists. One of the key challenges Schreier will face is balancing the expectations of long-time X-men fans with the need to attract new audiences. The X-Men films have a dedicated fan base, and any changes to the beloved characters and storylines will be closely scrutinized. In addition to directing, Schreier will be working closely with Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige and screenwriter Michael Lesslie on the script. As the MCU continues to expand, the introduction of the X-Men is a significant milestone. The mutants' arrival in the MCU opens up a wealth of storytelling possibilities and potential crossovers with other Marvel characters. The release date for the X-Men reboot has not yet been announced.