DF INTERVIEW: PATRICK KINDLON BRINGS READERS A FAST-PACED, SORT-OF SEQUEL TO ‘FRONTIERSMAN’ IN NEW ONGOING ‘ANTIOCH’08/01/22 @ 9:31 pm EST
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DF Interview: Patrick Kindlon brings readers a fast-paced, sort-of sequel to ‘Frontiersman’ in new ongoing ‘Antioch’By Byron BrewerA king from a lost continent enters the world of man with a purpose: to stop us from killing the planet. But when he finds himself in a superhuman prison, his title is useless and his powers only matter if they help him survive!
Frontiersman creators writer Patrick Kindlon and artist Marco Ferrari pick up where that series left off with an all-new ongoing series in Antioch! Having been there at the beginning of Frontiersman, I jumped on this train quickly and chatted with scribe Patrick Kindlon.
Byron Brewer: Patrick, how does it feel to be teamed again with artist Marco Ferrari and on a direct continuation of a story began in your fan-fave book, Frontiersman? Patrick Kindlon: Feels right. Marco and I are perfectly in sync. He's always been highly intuitive and really capable of pulling the most from any page, but I feel like he's operating on a new level with this series. I tend to judge books on how locked-in to their own rhythm a creative team is, and I give us high marks on Antioch! I know some readers don't like a cocky creator, and I get it. But I'd just be lying if I tried to downplay how strong this book is. Pick up anything superhero-related on the shelves and do a side-by-side. I'm feeling confident we'll come out on top.
Byron: For the uninitiated, can you bring us up to speed on what went on in Frontiersman. For the “new” readers, is it necessary to have read Frontiersman to enjoy Antioch? Patrick Kindlon: Sure. So Frontiersman saw the title character lured out of retirement for what he thought would be a low-impact bit of protest against a logging company. It had been years since he did anything heroic and this felt right. But having his location known to the world brought out friends, lovers, and enemies from his past. So he's stuck, 150 feet up a tree, with what feels like the world coming to beat the snot out of him. But, as it turns out, he missed exactly that feeling!
New readers can enter Antioch without penalty. We try hard to make single issues full reading experiences, so you can be sure that any series we do can stand alone. I'd say Frontiersman is a bit more thoughtful, pulling a lot from Concrete and the Grell-era Green Arrow. While Antioch is action-heavy and big on set pieces. So pick your poison, but I think anyone who enjoys one will enjoy the other.
Byron: Tell us about this world you continue to build with Marco. Patrick Kindlon: Ever read something or watch something and say, "I think I could do a better job"? After decades of reading superhero comics, I started to feel that way. No disrespect to anyone, but I just couldn't shake the idea that superhero books had gone in a direction that wasn't fulfilling. Maybe that's a natural byproduct of the two major purveyors of the genre being corporate-owned. It's difficult to pivot and impossible to take risks when you're 'too big to fail.' So the question became, "what would we do differently?" We're agile, don't have the baggage, and aren't weighed down by any agenda.
Marco and I decided the only course of action was to express ourselves fully and let the chips land where they may. Our books have a lot of Marco's love of manga in them, which means pages read fast and there's never a boring angle. They also tend to have a lot of my 80s comics love in the mix. So characters tend to express the themes of the book during action sequences. My favorite comics are ones where a debate is taking place by virtue of the action on the page.
Byron: Introduce us to Antioch, apparently a solicit-described “anti-hero with a chip on his broad shoulders.” Tell us what you can about his life: where’s he been, where’s he going (in a hurry!). I know there is a reference in some articles about Antioch to anime OVAs but to me #1’s main cover screams 1990s Marvel Comics (later Image). Patrick Kindlon: Antioch calls himself the 'Son of Pompeii' which is a bit of a tease on his origins. In some ways, he's the stereotypical headstrong and dismissive royal. Believes himself uniquely qualified to solve some of the planet's problems, though not for the benefit of mankind! The balance we have to strike is just how 'anti' is this anti-hero? Will he dip into villainy? Only time will tell!
We're not afraid of 90s comparisons. When you've got muscled-up heroes punching concrete into rubble, it's inevitable! But we're borrowing more from Japan than the U.S. creators this time around. Something the 90s did well both in the east and west was reaching maximum cool with every panel and shot. We're proudly 90s in that respect!
Byron: What other important characters may be in the book we need to know about? Can you spotlight a few here? Is there a particular big-bad or behind-the-scenes group involved in this tale? Patrick Kindlon: I love a superhero-goes-to-prison story. As a kid, I think it was the Vault in Marvel Comics. I don't know why, but the details of life inside for superhumans is just compelling as hell for me. You take a guy who could melt steel or whatever and make him harmless. What a blow to the ego! Who are you when what makes you special has been stripped from you?
Nobody did superheroes in prison better than Brubaker and Lark with their Daredevil run. I'm borrowing liberally from their smart assertion that there's the 'big bad' inside, and then there's the BIG BAD that orchestrates your miseries from afar! In Antioch, we've got the immediate dangers in the shape of other inmates, but then there's the forces that make big decisions about how your life goes…
Byron: Can you give us an overview of the story, a spoiler-free summary? Patrick Kindlon: Antioch wages war on an oil company he blames for polluting the oceans. And he does a pretty good job of kicking their butts. But he's losing in the public eye. Everyone thinks he's a madman and a terrorist. So he allows himself to be taken to jail in the hope of making his case in the courts. But first, he's got to survive his time incarcerated. And that oil company has long arms to reach him with and deep pockets to pay others to hurt him. He's locked up with Frontiersman, a hero of his. But there's some question on if Frontiersman returns that admiration or sees Antioch as most others do. Maybe going to jail wasn't a smart move after all!
Byron: Talk about the pulse-pounding art of Marco Ferrari and what he brings to the table here. Patrick Kindlon: Marco is a beast. I know every writer is obliged to talk up their creative partners, but I sincerely believe Marco is one of the best in comics right now. He's always looking to maximize a page's potential and he's never cutting corners. He dies on every page and it pushes me to be a better writer. The action scenes in Antioch are getting compared to Ottley and I can see how readers would pull that. It's high-impact and every punch has weight. I'm also just impressed as hell by his cartooning in this series. He's really selling characters in a way I don't see very often in superhero comics. BIG personalities brought to life.
Byron: Patrick, tell readers about any upcoming projects you have that you may be allowed to mention. Patrick Kindlon: Maurizo Rosenzweig and I are working in the Frontiersman universe in the pages of IMAGE! 30th ANNIVERSARY ANTHOLOGY, which is currently on shelves. Fantastic cartooning in that series! Eight-page chapters that kick you in the face every time.
I haven't revealed this yet, but there's a backup in Frontiersman that I'm over the moon about. Marco and I are trying to make our comics complete works. Total value for your money. No corners cut. So we've got a fantastic artist bringing a supporting character to life, four pages at a time. More on that soon!
Al Gofa and I recently completed a Kickstarter that I'm very excited to bring to life. It's a talking animal book that borrows equally from Dashiell Hammet and Total Recall. How's that for a pitch?
I was just asked to expand on an old project and take it in an... adult... direction. I'm pretty excited about that because I think the 'mature' comics label is misunderstood by many readers. People forget how much history there is there and how influential adult comics have been on the medium. Really excited to put my mark on that genre!
Dynamic Forces would like to thank Patrick Kindlon for taking time out of his busy schedule to answer our questions. Antioch #1 from Image Comics is slated to be on sale September 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.
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.
RUSSELL CROWE JOINS THE IMMORTAL RANKS IN ‘HIGHLANDER’ REBOOT06/22/25 @ 1:53 pm EST
Source: Deadline | Comments (0) | E-mail Article | Add a CommentOscar-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.
JAMES HAWES TEASES A GRITTY, COSMIC RIDE IN DC’S LANTERNS SERIES06/21/25 @ 2:46 pm EST
Source: The Hashtag Show | Comments (0) | E-mail Article | Add a CommentAs 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.
THUNDERBOLTS DIRECTOR TO TAKE ON MARVEL'S MUTANTS06/21/25 @ 2:37 pm EST
Source: Deadline | Comments (0) | E-mail Article | Add a CommentMarvel 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.
