Assistant editor at ComicsAlliance and responsible for recurring features such as This Magazine Kills Fascists and Rogues' Gallery. He is also the co-host of the podcasts Journey Into Misery and Animal Crackers, as well as a contributor to various independent 'zines. John Cena is my patronus.
Kieran Shiach
Ryan Browne And Pete Woods On Their Superhero Satire ‘Project Superpowers: Hero Killers’ [Interview]
Dynamite Entertainment founded its Project Superpowers line as a way to reverently pay respects to the Golden Age superheroes that had fallen into the public domain, but later this year a new series is taking a decidedly irreverent spin on the concept. Ryan Browne and Pete Woods' Hero Killers is set in a town where everyone's a superhero and the old guard aren't retiring to make way for the next generation, so the up-and-coming heroes decide to do something about it.
Ahead of the release of Project Superpowers: Hero Killers #1, ComicsAlliance chatted to Browne and Wood about their take on beloved characters and their influences in applying satirical tropes to an established superhero universe.
Dan Slott And Stuart Immonen Bring Norman Osborn Back In ‘Amazing Spider-Man’ #25 [Preview]
In superhero comics, there's nothing quite as iconic as seeing the triumphant hero clash with their ultimate nemesis, and for Spider-Man that rival is none other than The Green Goblin. In next month's The Amazing Spider-Man #25, Dan Slott and Stuart Immonen bring back a more cunning and deadlier version of Norman Osborn for a special oversized issue that also features stories by Cale Atkinson, Hannah Blumenreich, and more!
If You Loved ‘Stranger Things’, Try These Comics Next
Over the past month or so, it seems like everybody and their mother has become obsessed with the latest hit Netflix original series, Stranger Things. The '80s-inspired horror series blends the likes of Stand By Me and ET: The Extraterrestrial with elements of eldritch horror and X-Files-style conspiracies and the lead cast of kids is one of the most engaging group of youngster on television.
If you've found yourself craving more stories in a similar vein, we've put together a list of five of the best independent comics that deal with similar themes of horror, nostalgia, friendship and conspiracy. Love that? Try this!
If You Loved ‘Suicide Squad’, Try These Comics Next
Suicide Squad is the latest film from DC Comics' cinematic universe, and while it has received mostly negative reviews, many die-hard DC fans have come away thrilled by the villain-centric romp.
If you're one of those that loved the film and want more comics in the same vein --- but you already know to check out the John Ostrander, Kim Yale and Luke McDonnell run on the series --- we've got a list of five independent comics to seek out next. Love that? Try this!
Rogues’ Gallery: Daredevil’s Top Ten Villains
A hero is defined by their villains, and the world of superhero comic books is filled with some of the scariest and silliest bad guys around. Rogues’ Gallery aims to settle the score and determine who is the true arch-nemesis for some of favorite superheroes, and we need your help to do it!
You voted to see who Daredevil‘s ultimate arch-enemy was, and we’ve tabulated the results and assembled a video counting down the definitive top 10. Did your favorite make this list? There’s only one way to find out!
Boom Studios And WWE Partner For New Line Of Wrestling Comics
The similarities between comic books --- especially superhero comic books --- and professional wrestling are nearly endless. Everyone loves to see larger-than-life heroes and villains battle in contests of good versus evil, often with a lofty prize at stake for the victor. However, comic books about wrestling have always been a somewhat tricky proportion, especially licensed ones that are expected to feature the adventures of real life wrestlers that you see on TV.
Undeterred, Boom Studios has partnered with WWE to produce new wrestling comics based on their characters and storylines and knowing their pedigree and success rate with licensed comic books, there's every chance they'll be the ones to pull it off.
If You Love Watching ‘Game Of Thrones’, Read These Comics Next
Game of Thrones has returned, and though now in its sixth season, it remains one of the most riveting and talked about shows on television. Even after all this time and all this death, we’re still tuning in, hoping against hope that our faves don’t get brutally murdered, and maybe that someone rides on a dragon.
Fantasy stories have been appearing in comics since near the very beginning of the medium, and there are so many great stories and series to choose from for fans looking for more of a fantasy fix. We’ve picked out five of the best independent and creator-owned comics to keep you going through the week as you wait for more episodes of Game of Thrones.
Kyle Starks Announced As New Writer Of Oni Press’ ‘Rick And Morty’
Dan Harmon's hit animated show Rick and Morty is a property tailor-made for comics, packed full of mad science, alternate worlds and family drama. The ongoing series from Oni Press has been a huge hit with fans of the show, and later this year one of independent comics
In an exclusive interview with LA Times, Oni Press announced that Sexcastle writer Kyle Starks will be taking over the ongoing series beginning in July. Drawn by the regular team of CJ Cannon and Ryan Hill with back-ups by Marc Ellerby, Starks' joins the book for five issues beginning with Rick and Morty #16.
Visit Chris Pratt On ‘Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2′ Set And Help Build A New Youth Center
When Chris Pratt was cast as Peter Quill, AKA Star-Lord, in Guardians of the Galaxy, he was seen by many as an unconventional pick for a universe-saving superhero. However, Pratt proved that he’s got what it takes to save the world, and now he’s calling on you to step up and make the world a better place, and in return you get a chance to visit the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 set!
Conroy and Hamill Return to Batman and Joker For Animated ‘Killing Joke’ Adaptation
While rumoured for several months, it has been officially confirmed via CBR that Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill will both return to their iconic roles as Batman and The Joker in DC’s latest animated feature, an adaptation of Alan Moore and Brian Bolland’s The Killing Joke.
Hamill also unveiled the first look at the film’s animation style on Twitter, which seems to eschew an adaptation of Brian Bolland’s art in favour of the more generic style that has become popular with DC’s animated division. Tara Strong reprises her role as Barbara Gordon from Batman: The Animated Series, and Ray Wise will voice Commissioner James Gordon.
If You Loved The ‘Deadpool’ Movie, Read These Comics Next
Deadpool is already the first big blockbuster of 2016, and its combination of over-the-top violence and irreverent humor has proved a hit with audiences. The film hits you hard and fast with joke after joke, and has some of the best fight scene choreography in superhero films to date.
If Deadpool left you wanting more, and you’re looking for comics in a similar vein beyond the big two and the rather obvious choice of more Deadpool, there’s a wealth of choices out there. Whether it be indie, self-published or webcomics, we’re living in a golden age for comedy-action comics and we’ve selected five of the very best to scratch that particular itch.
Everything You Know Will Change Forever: 10 Years On From ‘Civil War’
Civil War #1 arrived in May 2006, and the Marvel Comics Event in Seven Parts took over the entire line for close to an entire year and was arguably Marvel’s biggest and most successful event to date. There had been events before, such as Infinity Gauntlet, Acts of Vengeance, and House of M, and line-specific events had been a staple of the X-Men since the mid-80s, but Civil War was a new level of huge.
Peter Parker’s decision to unmask was national news, and now any time a hero is killed, or resurrected, or gets a new costume, it goes straight to USA Today. Civil War is just as culturally relevant in 2016 as it was ten years ago, with Captain America: Civil War arriving in theatres in a couple of months, and Civil War II by Brian Michael Bendis and David Marquez due in May from Marvel.
It still feels like it was just yesterday that Marvel asked us “Whose Side Are You On?”, rather than a whole decade, and Marvel has stuck hard to its event formula in those ten years. Now we have event comics twice a year, and each time we’re told everything will change forever. Let’s look back at the past ten years of Marvel Comics events.