DF Interview: Kelly Thompson launches a book of mystery and fantasy in ‘Black Cloak’



By Byron Brewer

Blade Runner style mixes with Saga-esque drama in a delectable fantasy/sci-fi blend as two Black Cloaks try to solve the murder of a beloved prince in Kiros, the last city in the known world, before his murder tips the city into war.

Eisner Award-winning writer Kelly Thompson heads to Image Comics for the first time with Black Cloak, an all-new series with artist Meredith McClaren! I sat down with the scribe to inquire about the coming book.


Byron Brewer: Kelly, this is quite the mash-up you have here: detective story, fantasy creatures, the supernatural and neo-noir science fiction! Why all of this at once, and tell us how your coming comic Black Cloak utilizes this genre swirl to its strength as a series.



Kelly Thompson: I think, quite honestly, it’s all those things at once because those are all my favorite things. And I like the idea of the complications that come for a homicide detective in a futuristic fantasy world. It’s not a conceit we see often and I think there are a lot of interesting angles to it.



Byron: How does it feel to team up again with artist Meredith McClaren? Talk a little about your collaborations.



Kelly Thompson: I think Meredith is a genius. A lot of other people get that, but I feel she’s really underrated in our field – she’s got this sharp clean style that’s somehow also soft and inviting and she’s an absolute master of color. Most people who have worked with me know that I am a huge pain when it comes to colors – I have very specific things I like and a lot of things I loathe – but I think Meredith truly has a gift with colors. I don’t know if it’s intuitive or studied but it never stops delighting me. She’s also just a really efficient and smart storyteller and a terrific person.



Byron: I have always gasped at your ability as a comic creator in building interesting worlds, some that were characters unto themselves, seemingly. What type of world can readers expect in Black Cloak? Describe the canvas readers will be walking onto in January as built by Meredith and yourself.



Kelly Thompson: Thank you so much. Black Cloak is my favorite kind of world-building, but also the toughest kind. Definitely not the kind of thing you even want to attempt unless you have a strong collaborator like Meredith helping you do it. Black Cloak is essentially a futuristic fantasy world where all of the creatures came together to vanquish a great evil. And they did, they won – but that all feels very far behind them as they all try to live together in relative peace in the last city in the world. Without a common enemy it’s not going so great. Kiros is a walled city that – in theory – is self-sustaining, which means it needs a huge variety of types of neighborhoods, communities, resources. But this isn’t your usual Western-inspired Fantasy city – though we have some of that – we’ve got a heavy dose of more neo-noir Blade Runner stuff that talks more directly to the detective vibes we also have going on.



Byron: Introduce us to your two main protagonists and the challenge(s) that will face them. What are “black cloaks”?



Kelly Thompson: Black Cloaks are essentially the detectives of this world – largely feared and not understood by the citizens of Kiros they’re easily identified by black hooded cloaks that they wear. Our two leads Black Cloak Phaedra Essex and Theron II of Pax (Essex and Pax for short!) – Essex is a royal Elf that was mysteriously exiled whereas Pax is a Fairy with a young family to support. They have a great rapport and a lot of trust and love for one another, but the events of this story are going to work very hard to tear them apart.



Byron: Can you clue us in a little to the character of the Prince of Kiros? I realize there is a mystery afoot, but without spoilers how does this particular murder engulf Essex and Pax and how might it lead to war if Kiros is the last city in the known world?



Kelly Thompson: So the body that’s discovered in the opening pages – or one of them at least – is a very famous and (mostly) beloved prince called Freyal – who it turns out Essex had a serious past with, prior to her exile. As Essex and Pax try to solve the case, it becomes clear that maybe Freyal knew something important…something dangerous that got him killed.



Byron: Give readers if you will a summary, an extended pitch perhaps, to what we will be seeing in Black Cloak as a series.



Kelly Thompson: At its heart Black Cloak is a procedural. We start with a murder mystery and we don’t stop until we unravel that mystery. And how that murder ties to the politics and literal future of Kiros is a big deal. There’s also just the fact that as our Black Cloaks search for answers it’s easy to see that there’s a huge world here just filled with stories. So I hope once we wrap up the opening arc, we’ll pivot to telling more stories from this world. That’s the hope!



Byron: It is known this book involves a different way of doing comics, although I am concentrating this interview mostly on the eventual printed Image ongoing. But in brief, can you explain about this method utilizing Substack?



Kelly Thompson: Sure. In Black Cloak’s case it mostly just means that through a Substack grant I was able to fund this book – and for Substack readers (at both free and paid tiers) they’ve not only been able to read pages early, but they’ve seen lots of character designs and behind the scenes processes. It’s been really fun. For people that pick the book up from their local comic shop in January, I think the experience will feel like any other great comic book reading experience – for the people on the Substack, they got to kind of peak behind the curtain of this book.



Byron: Kelly, what other projects do you have coming about which you can tell readers?



Kelly Thompson: I am still working on Captain Marvel for Marvel Comics – we’re currently at the beginning of one of our biggest arcs ever – with Carol recruiting some X-Men to fight some Brood in space – and I’m currently preparing for a really fun oversized landmark issue 50 too. I’m also still doing It’s Jeff for Marvel Unlimited although I did hear official word recently that Marvel IS releasing a print edition – I believe in Spring 2023 – so keep your eyes peeled for that! Easily the most exciting thing I’m working on that isn’t Black Cloak is my creator-owned book The Cull with artist/co-creator Mattia De Iulis. We don’t have our print release date yet, but we’re partnered with Image for 2023 and I’d guess that will be late spring maybe?



Dynamic Forces would like to thank Kelly Thompson for taking time out of her busy schedule to answer our questions. Black Cloak #1 from Image Comics is slated to be on sale on January 11th, 2023!



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Amazon Prime Video’s hit action-thriller Reacher is officially returning for a fourth season, and fans are eager to see what’s next for Jack Reacher. Based on Lee Child’s bestselling novel series, the show has captivated audiences with its intense storytelling and gripping action sequences. Season 4 will adapt Gone Tomorrow, the 13th book in Lee Child’s Jack Reacher series. The story follows Reacher as he gets caught in a deadly conspiracy after a chance encounter with a stranger on a train. While the novel is set in New York City, early reports suggest the show’s adaptation may shift the setting to Philadelphia. Alan Ritchson returns as Jack Reacher, leading a cast that includes several new faces: Sydelle Noel as Philadelphia PD detective Tamara Green, Jay Baruchel as small-town policeman Jacob Merrick, Kevin Weisman as journalist Russell Plum, Marc Blucas as U.S. Congressman John Samson, Kathleen Robertson as Elsbeth Samson, Kevin Corrigan as Detective Docherty, Anggun as Amisha Hoth and Agnez Mo as Lila Hoth. Filming for Season 4 is set to begin in mid-2025, with a projected release in early to mid-2026. 

Fans of Minecraft can soon enjoy its blockbuster film adaptation from the comfort of their homes. Warner Bros. Discovery has announced that A Minecraft Movie will begin streaming on Max on June 20 and will also air on HBO on June 21 at 8:00 PM EST. Directed by Jared Hess and starring Jack Black and Jason Momoa, A Minecraft Movie has been a massive hit, grossing over $951 million worldwide. The film follows a group of misfits who find themselves transported into the cubic world of Minecraft, where they must navigate its challenges and uncover its secrets. With its impressive box office performance, discussions about a sequel are already underway. Director Hess has hinted at exciting possibilities for expanding the Minecraft universe in future films. 

Matthew McConaughey is stepping into the shoes of one of literature’s most iconic detectives—Mike Hammer. The Oscar-winning actor is set to star in a new film adaptation of Mickey Spillane’s hard-boiled detective series. Hammer is a tough-as-nails private investigator with a penchant for justice—often delivered with his fists. McConaughey’s previous work in True Detective showcased his talent for playing gritty, introspective roles, making his transition into classic noir feel like a natural evolution. Mike Hammer first appeared in Spillane’s 1947 novel I, the Jury, quickly becoming one of the most recognizable figures in detective fiction. His brutal, no-nonsense approach to crime-solving set him apart from other private eyes of the era. Over the years, Hammer has been portrayed by various actors, including Darren McGavin, Armand Assante and Stacy Keach. The film is being developed by Skydance, with Nic Pizzolatto—creator of True Detective—penning the screenplay. Pizzolatto’s knack for weaving psychological tension and moral ambiguity into his stories promises a fresh yet faithful take on Hammer’s legacy. The production team includes industry heavyweights such as David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, and Don Granger, alongside Max Allan Collins, a key figure in the Mike Hammer literary canon. 

Marvel Comics has taken a surprising turn with its latest storyline in Marvel Knights: The World to Come, introducing a new Black Panther who is—unexpectedly—white. This revelation has sparked intense debate among fans, as the character of Black Panther has long been synonymous with Wakanda’s rich African heritage. The new Black Panther, named Ketema, is introduced in a six-issue limited series written by Christopher Priest and illustrated by Joe Quesada. The story begins with the death of T’Challa, the longtime ruler of Wakanda, setting the stage for a battle over his legacy. Ketema, who claims to be T’Challa’s son, challenges him for the throne and ultimately defeats him. However, the shocking twist comes when Ketema removes his mask—revealing that he is white. The revelation of Ketema’s identity has left many readers questioning how a white character could be the biological son of T’Challa. One theory suggests that Ketema may not actually be the son of Monica Lynne, T’Challa’s former love interest, but rather Nicole Adams, another past romantic connection of the Wakandan king. Some speculate that genetic engineering, cloning, or alternate realities could play a role in this unexpected lineage. Christopher Priest, the writer behind the series, has remained tight-lipped about the deeper implications of Ketema’s introduction, stating that the story is more about how Wakanda arrived at this point rather than the immediate controversy surrounding the new Black Panther. 

In a surprising turn of events, Amazon Prime Video has decided to cancel Étoile after just one season, despite its initial two-season order. The ballet drama, created by Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino, followed the lives of dancers and artistic staff from two prestigious ballet companies in New York and Paris. The series was envisioned as a love letter to the art of ballet, but its journey was cut short due to a combination of performance metrics and production costs. The show was filmed on location in New York and Paris, featuring elaborate choreography and a cast of top-tier ballet dancers. Despite its artistic ambition and an 85% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Étoile struggled to gain traction with audiences. The decision to cancel Étoile was largely driven by its performance versus cost. While the series had a dedicated fan base, it failed to chart on Nielsen’s weekly Top 10 for Originals and quickly dropped from Prime Video’s own rankings. The show's expensive production—filming in historic locations and creating an original ballet company—made it a costly endeavor. 

There’s a lot of buzz for the new Netflix series Dept. Q, based on the Danish-noir novel series by Jussi Adler-Olsen. With an 83% critics’ score and a 94% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, the question of a second season is already being asked by fans and even the cast. Star Matthew Goode, previously known for Downton Abbey and The Watchmen, talked with Deadline about being the only English person in an almost all Scottish cast and if he would be interested in returning to the character of DCI Carl Morck. “This is such a wonderful company of actors. Even though I was the only English one, and they could have easily hated me, obviously with that lovely Scottish-English situation, it wasn’t the case. And such great personalities, such great talent. And obviously I’m central to the story, so I get to work with everyone. I’d wanted to work with Shirley Henderson—‘Shenderson’—for years. And Kelly Mcdonald, and then this fairly relatively new actress, Leah Byrne, who is a revelation in this show. It’s very difficult to be talking about some of the things that she has to talk about and make them hilarious. It’s quite a staggering… Well, it’s writing and talent, where they meet, I suppose. I love them all. That’s why we’re desperate to do a second season.” When asked about how many seasons he would be willing to do, Goode said: “I don’t know. There’s 10 books now. It is quite a modern phenomenon, really, as an actor, that you would get to sit in something for time. And now I think I’m at the right age that I’d like to have a character that I can come back to that has great, exciting, dark, hopefully funny stuff happening within the story, but also, how’s this man going to change? Is he going to change? What will be something that will change him? Even if it’s by minutia, there will be certain changes. Even if it’s just my hair color or the girth of my beard.” The beard may be the only downside to the character as Goode explained, “My wife didn’t come near me for six months because she hates beards. Absolutely hates them.” Dept. Q season one is available now on Netflix. 

The Merc with a Mouth is making his way into virtual reality, and this time, he’s voiced by none other than Neil Patrick Harris. Marvel’s Deadpool VR, developed by Twisted Pixel Games and Oculus Studios, is set to launch exclusively on Meta Quest 3 and 3S in late 2025. The game promises an original storyline packed with Deadpool’s signature humor, fourth-wall-breaking antics, and over-the-top action. Unlike previous Deadpool games, this VR experience throws players directly into Wade Wilson’s chaotic world. The story kicks off when Deadpool is pulled through a portal into Mojoworld, a twisted media-centric universe ruled by the villain Mojo. After signing a shady contract (without reading the fine print, of course), Deadpool embarks on a multiverse-hopping quest for riches, battling classic Marvel villains along the way. Players will step into Deadpool’s shoes—literally—using dual pistols, katanas, kunai, and parkour-style movement to navigate the game’s action-packed environments. The combat system is designed to reflect Deadpool’s unpredictable personality, allowing for absurd and exaggerated attacks. Expect to punch enemies while holding grenades, throw severed limbs as weapons, and even shove heads into propellers. While Ryan Reynolds has become synonymous with the character, Neil Patrick Harris is bringing his own spin to the wisecracking antihero. Harris, known for his voice work in Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions, delivers a portrayal that is said to capture Deadpool’s manic energy, self-awareness, and comedic timing, making the VR experience even more immersive. Marvel’s Deadpool VR is slated for release in late 2025, exclusively on Meta Quest 3 and 3S. 

Dakota Johnson is setting the record straight on the disappointing box office performance of Madame Web. The Fifty Shades star, who played Cassandra Webb in Sony’s Marvel spinoff, has opened up about why the film failed to connect with audiences—and she’s placing the blame on studio interference. In a recent interview with the Los Angeles Times, Johnson explained that Madame Web started as one thing but ultimately became something else due to executive meddling. "It wasn’t my fault," she stated. "There’s this thing that happens now where a lot of creative decisions are made by committee. Or made by people who don’t have a creative bone in their body. And it’s really hard to make art that way". She noted that Madame Web underwent drastic changes after she signed on, leaving her "just sort of along for the ride". Released in early 2024, Madame Web was expected to be a fresh addition to Sony’s Marvel universe. However, the film grossed only $100 million worldwide against a rumored budget of $80–100 million, making it a financial disappointment. It also received overwhelmingly negative reviews, earning a 11% Rotten Tomatoes score and sweeping the Razzie Awards, including Worst Picture and Worst Actress for Johnson. Despite the backlash, Johnson remains unfazed. "Bigger-budget movies fail all the time," she said, adding that she doesn’t regret taking on the role but probably won’t return to the superhero genre anytime soon. 

The Star Wars universe is expanding once again, and this time, it’s bringing in a fresh face to the galaxy far, far away. Acclaimed actress Mia Goth, known for her standout performances in Pearl, X, and MaXXXine, has officially joined the cast of Star Wars: Starfighter, the upcoming film directed by Shawn Levy. Goth will take on the role of the movie’s primary villain, facing off against Ryan Gosling’s lead character. Announced at Star Wars Celebration in Tokyo earlier this year, Star Wars: Starfighter is set five years after the events of Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker. Unlike previous entries, this film will not be connected to the Skywalker Saga, instead introducing a brand-new adventure with original characters. Director Levy, best known for Deadpool & Wolverine, has been developing the project since 2022 alongside screenwriter Jonathan Tropper. The film promises to explore uncharted territory in the Star Wars timeline, offering fans a fresh perspective on the galaxy’s post-Skywalker era. While details about Goth’s character remain scarce, reports indicate that she will play one of the antagonists pursuing Gosling’s character and his young nephew. The role was initially offered to Oscar winner Mikey Madison, who reportedly passed on the opportunity due to salary negotiations. Goth’s casting marks another major milestone in her career, as she continues to take on high-profile roles. In addition to Star Wars: Starfighter, she is set to appear in Guillermo del Toro’s upcoming Frankenstein adaptation alongside Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi. Filming for Star Wars: Starfighter is expected to begin later this year, with a theatrical release scheduled for May 28, 2027. 

Scrooge McDuck is starring in all-new adventures from Marvel Comics! Following last year’s acclaimed Uncle Scrooge & the Infinity Dime one-shot, the first-ever Uncle Scrooge Marvel comic, the legendary adventurer is back to take things to the level with a solo four issue limited series this August—UNCLE SCROOGE: EARTH’S MIGHTIEST DUCK!

Uncle Scrooge & the Infinity Dime scribe and superstar Marvel writer Jason Aaron returns to craft another fantastic Uncle Scrooge saga that expertly blends the wonderful world of Uncle Scrooge with epic Marvel Comics super hero storytelling. Aaron will be joined by an extravagance of all-star artists including Giuseppe Camuncoli, Mahmud Asrar, and Ciro Cangialosi.

UNCLE SCROOGE: EARTH’S MIGHTIEST DUCK kicks off in August and today, fans can behold the covers for the first two issues. The covers see how some of industry’s biggest talents—from Gabriele Dell’Otto to Mark Brooks—bring this beloved comic book icon to life Marvel style! In UNCLE SCROOGE: EARTH’S MIGHTIEST DUCK, the planet has been conquered by alien invaders known as the Connoisseurs, nefarious hoarders of the rarest antiquities from throughout the cosmos. As they tear the Earth apart, pillaging its fabled treasures, only the world’s greatest adventurer can possibly stop them. But Scrooge McDuck is facing a battle unlike any he’s ever fought, trapped inside his own mind, fighting to preserve his most precious memories.

“Scrooge McDuck is one of the greatest heroes in the history of comics, bar none,” Aaron said. “It was a thrill to get to write him in the pages of Uncle Scrooge & the Infinity Dime, as we took him on a journey across the multiverse. With this new series, I knew we'd have to go bigger, not just by incorporating more Marvel artists into the mix, but by sending Scrooge on the most epic story of his career, as he fights to save the one thing more precious to him than gold or any exotic treasure: his own memories of a life of adventure.”

Check out the covers for the first two issues of UNCLE SCROOGE: EARTH’S MIGHTIEST DUCK and preorder the series at your local comic shop today!