DF Interview: Jim Zub celebrates a decade of derring-do a dozen years later in the ‘Skullkickers Super Special’! (what?)



By Byron Brewer

When the Skullkickers enter the Academy of Serious Sorcery, it’ll take all their wits and steel to defeat warped wizardry, whimsical wands, and wicked witchcraft.

Celebrate 10 years of skull-kicking goodness with a brand-new story of swords and sassery of the Skullkickers Super Special one-shot from writer Jim Zub (Conan the Barbarian, Dungeons & Dragons) and artist Edwin Huang (Street Fighter). All I needed to do was see Jim Zub’s name on the solicit and I was on board with this interview. Here’s what the creator/scribe told me about the “super special”!



Byron Brewer: Jim, having started doing this great profession about the same time as fans were recognizing your talents via Skullkickers, I cannot believe it has been 10 years. For the uninitiated, talk a little about your creation of the Skullkickers.



Jim Zub: Would you believe it’s actually been 12 years, not 10? Celebrating the 10th anniversary 12 years after our issue #1 launch is VERY on brand for Skullkickers.

In my defense, I first started working away on this story in time for the 10th anniversary, but the pandemic side-swiped everything.
Anyway, the important thing is that over a decade ago, Chris Stevens, Edwin Huang, Misty Coats, Marshall Dillon and I launched a swords & sassery-driven comic series called Skullkickers at Image Comics.
Chris and I had previously done two short stories for the Pop Gun anthology series called “Two Copper Pieces” about a pair of mercenary monster hunters causing trouble and that evolved into Skullkickers. If you count those original anthology stories, in some ways it’s Skullkickers’ 14th anniversary, but that just makes the whole thing even more complicated.
Anyway, Image was seeing a new surge in popularity at that time thanks to The Walking Dead and other creators were starting to make their mark with titles like Chew, 27 and Morning Glories. It was a great time for experimentation and building a new readership.


Byron: Before we get to the grand news of the super special coming anxious fans’ way in November, recall what these characters meant to your career as a comic book writer, and the role they played in the superstar you are today.



Jim Zub: I don’t know about “superstar”, but it definitely grabbed attention for my comic writing career and put me on the radar for a lot of readers and editors, leading to a lot of other projects like Pathfinder, Legends of the Dark Knight and Samurai Jack, which would springboard me to Conan-Red Sonja, Dungeons & Dragons and eventually Thunderbolts, Avengers and more.

It’s fair to say that without Skullkickers I would not have the writing career I do today.


Byron: How did the idea for this special issue of Skullkickers come about? Is it a collection of former materials, all-new story and art, or a combo of both?



Jim Zub: The Skullkickers Super Special is a new 36-page self-contained story done by the original creative team that’s a reunion for old readers and a great way for new readers to see what all the fun is about. If you remember the original Skullkickers stories, that’s great, but you don’t need to have read any of them to get on board with this one-shot special.



Byron: What can readers old and new expect when they pick up the one-shot anniversary special coming from Image? Can you give us a summation of the plot and what our harried heroes will be facing? Will this by chance lead to a return to comics for Skullkickers?



Jim Zub: Skullkickers has always enjoyed bulldozing classic fantasy tropes and this new comic story here is no exception. In our Super Special anniversary tale, we riff on the concept of “magic schools” and magic in fantasy settings in general. When our story begins, Rex and Rolf are infiltrating a magic school called the Academy of Serious Sorcery and Holistic Occult Learning (A.S.S.H.O.L) for their latest job, despite the fact that neither of them have any magical aptitude at all and detest spellcasting as a vocation. Staying in disguise and pulling off their mission is going to be a challenge and, as always, things spiral into entertaining disaster from there.



Byron: Talk about the awesome art of line artist Edwin Huang and colorist Misty Coats.



Jim Zub: Our original Skullkickers art team is back and their skills are as sharp as ever. It’s amazing to see how much we’ve all grown but we can all still slip back into “Skullkickers mode” to deliver the goods. Edwin’s storytelling is even better than before, and Misty brings tons of atmosphere and excitement to every page. It was such a joy to “get the band back together” and build this new story to celebrate the series.



Byron: What can you tell us about the new tabletop role-playing game associated with Skullkickers?



Jim Zub: This new comic story was part of an anniversary Kickstarter I ran in Fall of 2020. In addition to the new comic yarn, we developed a tabletop roleplaying game adventure set in the same ridiculous magic school so gamers could delve the depths of the Academy of Serious Sorcery and discover their own particular brand of trouble. That 200-page book, Caster Bastards and the Great Grotesque, was released as a hardcover to backers earlier this year and is still available via the Tayler Corp. store right here:

https://shop.schlockmercenary.com/collections/zub-stuff
or a digital PDF right here:
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/397852/SKULLKICKERS-Caster-Bastards-and-the-Great-Grotesque
The Skullkickers Super Special is the first time that non-backers and retailers can get their hands on the comic story. Soooo~ if readers like what’s in the comic and enjoy playing D&D or other fantasy TTRPGs, they should definitely dig deeper and check out the RPG adventure as well.


Byron: This is on a subject as far afield of Skullkickers as you can get, but I had to ask you about a new precedent you are setting. Aren’t you writing Conan the Barbarian and Red Sonja? The only other to do this, I believe, is their comics iteration creator, Roy Thomas… but you are doing it for two different companies! Is that correct, and ‘splain?



Jim Zub: It’s true! I’m currently writing Unbreakable Red Sonja, a 6-issue mini-series for Dynamite that launches [this month] and also working on the relaunch of Conan the Barbarian coming from Titan in 2023. Getting the chance to write the two most famous characters in the Hyborian Age at the same time for two different publishers is quite an honor and I couldn’t be happier.



Byron: Jim, what other items are busting forth from the Zubaverse?



Jim Zub: A lot of projects that were delayed from 2020 and 2021 have finally kicked into gear this year so things are bustling. In addition to the Skullkickers Super Special, Unbreakable Red Sonja and Conan the Barbarian, I have:

Thunderbolts, a 5-issue mini-series at Marvel that started in August with Hawkeye leading a team of heroes trying to reform the team name sullied by Baron Zemo and Wilson Fisk.
Murderworld, a series of 5 one-shot specials at Marvel that connect together to tell a twisted tale of Arcade’s ultimate contest with unexpected lethal results. The first part, Murderworld: Avengers, launches in November.
Rick and Morty VS Cthulhu, a new crossover mini-series published by Oni Press with artist Troy Little where we pit Rick Sanchez and the Smith family against H.P. Lovecraft’s most famous creations, the ultimate contest of Nihilism Vs Narcissism. That launches in December.
Lots of fun stuff underway.

Dynamic Forces would like to thank Jim Zub for taking time out of his busy schedule to answer our questions. The Skullkickers Super Special one-shot from Image Comics is slated to be on sale November 9th!



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.

Netflix has just unveiled the trailer for Season 4 of The Witcher and set to premiere date to be October 30, 2025. The most significant change this season is the introduction of Liam Hemsworth as Geralt of Rivia, taking over the role from Henry Cavill. The trailer gives us our first glimpse of Hemsworth in action, showcasing his portrayal of the iconic monster hunter. In the teaser, Geralt is seen battling a wraith, a classic monster from the Witcher universe, using his usual mix of swordplay and magic. The storyline for Season 4 picks up after the events of Season 3, with Geralt, Yennefer, and Ciri separated by a raging war and countless enemies. As their paths diverge, they encounter unexpected allies and face new challenges that test their limits. The official synopsis hints at divided paths and the discovery of new allies, setting the stage for an epic journey. In addition to Hemsworth, the cast includes returning favorites such as Anya Chalotra as Yennefer, Freya Allan as Ciri, and Joey Batey as Jaskier. New cast members include Laurence Fishburne as Regis, a mysterious and world-wise barber-surgeon who joins Geralt on his journey. The fourth season will consist of eight episodes, all dropping on October 30. This season is also notable for being the penultimate chapter of the series, with the fifth and final season already in production. 

Conventions can be great places to get quotes on the latest movies and shows in production. Zanda Gubecka of FeatureFirst.Net used their time at the OZ Comic Con in Brisbane this year to chat up actor Con O’Neill about all things DC. While Con is a distinguished actor with a long list of credits, the two roles he may be best known for right now are Chief Mackenzie Bock in the Batman Epic Crime Saga and as Izzy Hands on Our Flag Means Death. He first spoke about David Jenkins, the creator of OFMD and who is attached as the showrunner for the upcoming Booster Gold series, praising the writer as a kind man and a creative who the world so desperately needs. O’Neill said Jenkins is the type of guy that likes writing and developing nuanced stories that understand the human experience by promoting positivity. Similar to how the actor saw the newest Superman movie, praising it for its portrayal of the titular character and the promotion of kindness. He also had a message to those who call out that portrayal as wrong, saying “There are people who think Superman shouldn’t be kind like that. F*** those people.” Then moving over to his role in The Batman and The Penguin and where he’d like to see Bock go, O’Neill joked, “I love Bock. Matt Reeves and Matt Reeves’ mind is unquestionably one of the most extraordinary places I’ve been invited into. So wherever I thought or think Bock should be, it isn’t going to be what Bock will be. So I’d just go by the genius of Matt Reeves. I mean… the man is a fucking genius. If you haven’t seen Matt Reeves’ other films… Watch them! They’re fucking awesome.” 

Eric Kripke, the creator and showrunner of the hit series "The Boys," recently shared an exciting update about the highly anticipated spin-off, "The Boys: Mexico." In a recent interview, Kripke revealed that the pilot for "The Boys: Mexico" is currently in development and described the project as "super fun" with a "totally different tone" compared to the original series. Kripke emphasized that while the new spin-off will exist within the same universe as "The Boys," it will offer a unique perspective and style. He praised the involvement of executive producers Gael García Bernal and Diego Luna, noting that they are deeply engaged with the project. The script for the pilot, penned by Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer, is reportedly "good," and Kripke expressed confidence in its potential. "The Boys: Mexico" was first announced in 2023, and the series is expected to film in Mexico, though specific plot details remain under wraps. Bernal and Luna, who are longtime friends and collaborators, may also appear in the series, albeit in smaller roles. This new spin-off is part of a broader expansion of "The Boys" universe, which includes other projects like "Gen V," "Vought Rising," and the animated series "The Boys Presents: Diabolical”. With "The Boys" preparing to wrap up its fifth and final season in 2026, "The Boys: Mexico" represents a significant step in continuing the franchise's legacy and exploring new narratives within its satirical superhero world. 

Sean Astin, the beloved actor known for his roles in "The Lord of the Rings," "Stranger Things," and "Rudy," has been elected as the new president of SAG-AFTRA, the union representing approximately 160,000 actors, announcers, broadcast journalists, dancers, DJs, program hosts, recording artists, and other entertainment and media professionals . Astin, who is the son of the late Academy Award-winning actress Patty Duke, succeeds Fran Drescher, who served as the union's president for four years . Astin's election marks a significant moment for the union, as he received an overwhelming 79% of the vote, defeating his opponent, Chuck Slavin . Michelle Hurd, known for her roles in "Ash vs. Evil Dead," "Blindspot," and "Star Trek: Picard," was elected as the union's secretary-treasurer . In his acceptance speech, Astin expressed his gratitude to the members for their support and emphasized the importance of optimism and creativity as the union navigates through challenging times . He also acknowledged the legacy of his mother, Patty Duke, who served as the president of the Screen Actors Guild from 1985 to 1988 . Astin's election comes at a critical time for SAG-AFTRA, as the union prepares for upcoming contract negotiations with the major studios. The industry is facing numerous challenges, including the impact of artificial intelligence on performers' work, streaming residuals, and the increasing costs of healthcare . Astin's leadership and experience on various negotiating committees will be crucial in addressing these issues and advocating for the rights and interests of the union's members . With his extensive career in Hollywood and strong union ties, Astin is well-positioned to lead SAG-AFTRA into a future defined by confidence, progress, and fierce advocacy . His election is a testament to the trust and support he has garnered from the union's members, and his commitment to representing their interests and ensuring their voices are heard . 

The first three episodes of Peacemaker season two has led to a lot of speculation about the “Best Dimension Ever” as Chris Smith calls it and just what might be the big twist coming up later in the season. And while we are not getting into the spoiler game, we thought it would be helpful to explain what everyone is talking about.   So possibly spoilers if everyone is guessing right. Leave now if you don’t want to know.   Still here? Okay.   In DC Comics’ multiverse, few alternate Earths are as haunting and politically charged as Earth-X. First introduced in Justice League of America #107 (1973), Earth-X imagines a world where Nazi Germany won World War II, plunging the planet into a totalitarian nightmare. Earth-X is a parallel universe within DC’s Pre-Crisis Multiverse. Unlike Earth-One or Earth-Two, Earth-X is defined by its alternate historical trajectory: the Axis powers emerged victorious in WWII, and the Nazi regime continues to dominate global affairs well into the 20th century. Some of the unique things about the dimension is that there were no native superheroes originally existed on Earth-X. The planet’s defenders are immigrants from Earth-Two, led by the patriotic spirit Uncle Sam. The world is locked in a perpetual struggle between fascist control and scattered resistance movements. To combat the oppressive regime, Uncle Sam formed the Freedom Fighters, a ragtag team of heroes from other Earths who chose to stay and fight that includes: The Ray, Phantom Lady, Black Condor, Doll Man, Human Bomb, and Red Bee. Doll Man was mentioned in season one of Peacemaker. These characters came from DC’s acquisition of Quality Comics similar to how Peacemaker was part of DC’s acquisition of Charlton Comics. If this is the direction James Gunn is going in season two, and the clues so far do point in this general direction, this would not be the first time we’ve seen Earth X represented in live action. The Arrowverse did a crossover event called Crisis on Earth-X which introduced us to variations of characters like Green Arrow and Supergirl and brought the Ray to television screens. While this remains to be just speculation, the reality that Peacemaker is visiting does have a few oddities to it that are leading fans to this idea including how Chris along with his dad and brother are revered when Auggie was an over-the-top racist in the main DCU. And then if you look closely when Chris is in that reality you’ll notice an extreme lack of diversity among the background actors where Gunn is known for the opposite in his other projects. While this may not end up being Earth-X, it does feel like Gunn is setting up a twist that will pull the rug out from under Peacemaker.     

The first night of the 2025 Creative Arts Emmy Awards lit up the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles with a celebration of television’s behind-the-scenes brilliance and standout guest performances. While the Primetime Emmys are still a week away, this precursor event honored the artisans, designers, and guest stars who bring depth and texture to the small screen. Here’s a breakdown of the biggest winners and standout moments from Night One: 1. The Studio (Apple TV+) – 9 Wins Apple TV+’s satirical drama The Studio dominated the evening, taking home nine trophies. Among its accolades: <!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->Outstanding Contemporary Costumes for a Series <!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->Production Design for a Narrative Contemporary Program <!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->Guest Actor in a Drama Series – Bryan Cranston 2. The Penguin (HBO) – 8 Wins HBO’s gritty crime drama The Penguin followed closely with eight awards, showcasing its technical prowess: <!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->Contemporary Makeup (Non-Prosthetic) <!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->Prosthetic Makeup <!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->Contemporary Costumes for a Limited Series <!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->Hairstyling <!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->Sound Editing and Mixing <!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->Special Visual Effects 3. Severance (Apple TV+) – 6 Wins The psychological thriller Severance continued its critical streak: <!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->Production Design <!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->Guest Actress in a Drama Series – Merritt Wever 4. Arcane (Netflix) – 4 Wins The animated series Arcane impressed with: <!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->Outstanding Animated Program <!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->Character Voice-Over Performance – Julie Andrews <!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->Background and Color Design Notable Guest Acting Wins <!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->Bryan Cranston (The Studio) – Guest Actor in a Drama Series <!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->Julianne Nicholson (Hacks) – Guest Actress in a Comedy Series <!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->Shawn Hatosy (The Pitt) – Guest Actor in a Comedy Series <!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->Merritt Wever (Severance) – Guest Actress in a Drama Series Craft and Design Highlights <!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->Bridgerton dazzled with a win for Outstanding Period Costumes <!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->House of the Dragon earned recognition for Fantasy/Sci-Fi Makeup <!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->Andor took home awards for Costumes, Production Design, and Picture Editing With Night Two set to continue the celebration of television’s finest in writing, casting, and editing, the Creative Arts Emmys have already set a high bar. And with The Studio, The Penguin, and Severance leading the charge, the Primetime Emmys promise a thrilling showdown.  

The DC Universe is expanding rapidly, and with James Gunn’s announcement of Man of Tomorrow—the next chapter in the Superman Saga—fans are dissecting every social media breadcrumb for clues. One of the most intriguing reactions came from Lanterns star Aaron Pierre, whose subtle comment has ignited speculation that his portrayal of John Stewart may leap from HBO Max to the big screen. James Gunn revealed Man of Tomorrow will hit theaters on July 9, 2027, featuring returning stars David Corenswet as Superman and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor. Though Gunn clarified it’s not a direct sequel to Superman (2025), the film is expected to be a major ensemble piece, continuing the “Superman Saga” with a broader Justice Gang presence. Aaron Pierre, who is set to debut as John Stewart in HBO’s Lanterns next year, responded to Gunn’s Instagram post with a simple but tantalizing comment: “Yes, indeed!”. While brief, the timing and context of the comment—especially as a reply to Hawkgirl actress Isabela Merced’s “See you soon”—suggest Pierre may be hinting at his involvement in Man of Tomorrow. Fans immediately latched onto the exchange, interpreting it as a soft confirmation that Stewart will join Superman, Hawkgirl, and potentially other Justice Gang members in the upcoming film. Given Stewart’s prominence in DC lore and his longstanding partnership with Superman in animated series like Justice League Unlimited, the move would make narrative sense. Pierre’s portrayal of John Stewart is already generating buzz ahead of Lanterns, where he stars opposite Kyle Chandler’s Hal Jordan and Nathan Fillion’s Guy Gardner. Stewart is expected to be the emotional anchor of the series, and many believe he’s being positioned as the DCU’s flagship Green Lantern. Pierre’s comment joins a wave of social media teases from other cast members. Isabela Merced, Rachel Brosnahan, and Skyler Gisondo have all hinted at their return, while rumors swirl around appearances by Supergirl, Peacemaker, and even Lobo. Though Gunn has yet to confirm Pierre’s involvement, the director has stated that Man of Tomorrow will feature “a group of characters we’ve already met”—a description that fits Stewart perfectly. 

Marvel fans have been buzzing for weeks, dissecting every cryptic post and offhand comment from Ryan Reynolds in hopes of confirming Deadpool’s involvement in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday. Now, Reynolds has finally addressed the rumors—and in true Deadpool fashion, he’s left us with more questions than answers. It all began with a seemingly innocuous Instagram post: Reynolds shared an image of the Avengers logo spray-painted with a red “A,” igniting speculation that Deadpool would join the MCU’s biggest ensemble since Endgame. The timing was suspicious—just weeks after Marvel unveiled the Doomsday cast, notably without Reynolds’ name. During a press tour for his new documentary John Candy: I Like Me, Reynolds was asked point-blank about his involvement in Avengers: Doomsday. His response? “There’s four [John Candy Easter eggs] that I’ve got in there. Of course, I’ve written them all at home in my PJs, and nobody’s seen ’em nor have I stepped foot on set. But, yeah, that’s about as far as I’ll go on that one.” It’s a classic Reynolds dodge—playful, vague, and just enough to keep fans guessing. In a separate interview, Reynolds clarified that the red “A” logo wasn’t a tease for Doomsday, but rather a variant flag design from Deadpool & Wolverine that didn’t make the final cut. He explained: “That was just a flag. I came across it and thought, ‘Oh yeah, I loved that flag. The red and black vibe.’” Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige has hinted that not all cast members have been revealed, leaving the door wide open for Reynolds to make a surprise appearance. While Reynolds remains coy, insiders suggest that even if Deadpool doesn’t appear in Doomsday, he may play a pivotal role in Avengers: Secret Wars, the Phase 6 finale. With a solo X-Men project reportedly in development, the Merc with a Mouth isn’t going anywhere. 

It’s a weird weekend at the box office as Weapons returns to first place on its fourth weekend with $12.4M for the four-day stretch. A re-release of the classic Jaws takes second with $9.8M while the two new releases Caught Stealing ($9.5M) and Roses ($8M) take third and fifth respectively. Also on it’s fourth weekend, Freakier Friday pulls in $8.3M for fourth place. The big summer superhero films are hanging on with the Fantastic Four making $6M for seventh place and Superman swooping up another $3.28M even though it has already been released on home consumption. Not quite breaking into the top ten is the Toxic Avengers finally getting a theatrical release and earning $2.2 million over the holiday weekend. 

With the new season of Peacemaker underway, DC fans have been wondering about the announced series set to focus on Amanda Waller, former head of ARGUS and Taskforce X. While on-line scoopers have called the series dead, co-head of DC Studios, James Gunn says that Viola Davis lead series is still in the works. The writer/director of Superman told People, “We’re working on it, so we’ll see what happens. Some things have moved faster than others. Waller’s not been the fastest. But I can’t wait to see Viola put on their Waller pants again.” The series was originally planned to run prior to the second season of Peacemaker, but Gunn has admitted that Waller has been a difficult series to crack and that he wrote the second season of Peacemaker quickly, which is why it came out first. The most recent update had Christal Henry from Watchmen and Doom Patrol creator Jeremy Carver on board to write the series, but those announcements were made a few years back.