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The Valiant Universe is about to be thrown into crisis as a new superhero hunts down a vicious superpowered killer on the loose. That’s the intriguing premise behind Ray Fawkes’ (Gotham By Midnight), Jeremy Haun’s (The Red Mother), Nick Filardi’s (The Umbrella Academy), and Clayton Cowles’ (The Wicked + The Divine) The Final Witness, which we’re happy to exclusively reveal right here. It’s a brand new addition to the sprawling Valiant canon!
Valiant Comics
Here’s a the plot for the murder mystery superhero mashup:
“The Valiant Universe has a serial killer on the loose, and their methods are…terrifying. Enter Detective Hannah Grey, Investigative Journalist David Parson, and Nick Miller — San Francisco’s newest unidentified superpowered guardian — on the case to solve one of the most chilling cases ever to cross their paths. Debuting a cast of all-new heroes — and perhaps the most frightening villain yet — Ray Fawkes and Jeremy Haun have woven a thrilling new crime noir corner of the Valiant Universe.”
Writer Ray Fawkes gave us his insight into his and artist Jeremy Haun’s new creation. “It’s the story of a brand-new superhero coming to grips with his incredible power while trying to help solve a serial killer case that just might be too much for him to handle… a white-knuckle crime book in a universe where superheroes are real!”
Haun agreed, “The Valiant universe is a big, action-packed, exciting place. The Final Witness takes a street level look at that world and the emergence of an all-new hero.”
The pair’s editor Heather Antos added, “It’s like Zodiac–you’ve got an investigative journalist, a detective, and a civilian whose paths all come together as they try and solve a horrifying serial killer case. Except instead of Jake Gyllenhaal, this civilian also happens to be San Francisco’s newest superhero.”
Valiant Comics
Valiant Comics
Fawkes can’t wait for fans to experience the noir-tinged take on cape comics. “I’m thrilled to bring a crime-thriller twist to the Valiant superhero universe, and I’m excited to see the fans react to this book! It’s a real ride, with a lot of twists and turns and some good, horrifying crime thrown into the mix. People who read my work know I love the darker side of things, and this book is one where I truly get to cut loose. I’m really looking forward to watching fans try to unravel the mystery!”
For Haun, it’s all about how the unexpected story fits into the wider Valiant world. “The Final Witness is a perfect companion to so many of the huge things going on across the Valiant universe,” he explained. “It’s a different perspective. And then once things get big, they get really, really big.”
Valiant Comics
Valiant Comics
So what was it like creating an entirely new property within the Valiant Universe, “It’s always very exciting to have an opportunity to flesh out a new corner of any established universe,” said Antos. “It’s also terribly nerve-wracking as well. Will we live up to expectations? Will we totally miss the mark? What’s so great about exploring new reaches of the Valiant Universe with The Final Witness is that I’m doing so with one of the strongest teams in comics today. Ray is no stranger to psychological crime thrillers, and Jeremy & Nick are some of the industries best and brightest at gritty and grounded realities.”
Fawkes said he couldn’t pass up the unique opportunity. “It’s the kind of opportunity every writer loves: to open up a new direction in an established universe, and to create a character who will have a real presence and real impact. I’m enjoying every minute of it.”
“It’s never easy,” said Haun. “So much has come before. You want everything to fit– to feel cohesive, but at the same time, give it a new twist. And twist we do.”
So what can fans look forward to when they pick up The Final Witness?” So many things. We’ve got three characters chasing this killer: a journalist, a police detective, and a superhero. Guess which one of them is going to find the first victim’s body… and which one is going to find the first body’s head? “Each correct answer is different,” Fawkes teased.
Haun added, “You have no idea where this story is going. And you just might not be ready for it.”
“It’s really, really good. Like really good,” Antos added.”
Readers don’t have to wait long to see all of the surprises that await them. The Final Witness hits shelves on April 29.
Header Image: Valiant Comics
The post THE FINAL WITNESS Throws the Valiant Universe Into A Noir Murder Mystery (EXCLUSIVE) appeared first on Nerdist.
The Valiant Universe is about to be thrown into crisis as a new superhero hunts down a vicious superpowered killer on the loose. That’s the intriguing premise behind Ray Fawkes’ (Gotham By Midnight), Jeremy Haun’s (The Red Mother), Nick Filardi’s (The Umbrella Academy), and Clayton Cowles’ (The Wicked + The Divine) The Final Witness, which we’re happy to exclusively reveal right here. It’s a brand new addition to the sprawling Valiant canon!
Valiant Comics
Here’s a the plot for the murder mystery superhero mashup:
“The Valiant Universe has a serial killer on the loose, and their methods are…terrifying. Enter Detective Hannah Grey, Investigative Journalist David Parson, and Nick Miller — San Francisco’s newest unidentified superpowered guardian — on the case to solve one of the most chilling cases ever to cross their paths. Debuting a cast of all-new heroes — and perhaps the most frightening villain yet — Ray Fawkes and Jeremy Haun have woven a thrilling new crime noir corner of the Valiant Universe.”
Writer Ray Fawkes gave us his insight into his and artist Jeremy Haun’s new creation. “It’s the story of a brand-new superhero coming to grips with his incredible power while trying to help solve a serial killer case that just might be too much for him to handle… a white-knuckle crime book in a universe where superheroes are real!”
Haun agreed, “The Valiant universe is a big, action-packed, exciting place. The Final Witness takes a street level look at that world and the emergence of an all-new hero.”
The pair’s editor Heather Antos added, “It’s like Zodiac–you’ve got an investigative journalist, a detective, and a civilian whose paths all come together as they try and solve a horrifying serial killer case. Except instead of Jake Gyllenhaal, this civilian also happens to be San Francisco’s newest superhero.”
Valiant Comics
Valiant Comics
Fawkes can’t wait for fans to experience the noir-tinged take on cape comics. “I’m thrilled to bring a crime-thriller twist to the Valiant superhero universe, and I’m excited to see the fans react to this book! It’s a real ride, with a lot of twists and turns and some good, horrifying crime thrown into the mix. People who read my work know I love the darker side of things, and this book is one where I truly get to cut loose. I’m really looking forward to watching fans try to unravel the mystery!”
For Haun, it’s all about how the unexpected story fits into the wider Valiant world. “The Final Witness is a perfect companion to so many of the huge things going on across the Valiant universe,” he explained. “It’s a different perspective. And then once things get big, they get really, really big.”
Valiant Comics
Valiant Comics
So what was it like creating an entirely new property within the Valiant Universe, “It’s always very exciting to have an opportunity to flesh out a new corner of any established universe,” said Antos. “It’s also terribly nerve-wracking as well. Will we live up to expectations? Will we totally miss the mark? What’s so great about exploring new reaches of the Valiant Universe with The Final Witness is that I’m doing so with one of the strongest teams in comics today. Ray is no stranger to psychological crime thrillers, and Jeremy & Nick are some of the industries best and brightest at gritty and grounded realities.”
Fawkes said he couldn’t pass up the unique opportunity. “It’s the kind of opportunity every writer loves: to open up a new direction in an established universe, and to create a character who will have a real presence and real impact. I’m enjoying every minute of it.”
“It’s never easy,” said Haun. “So much has come before. You want everything to fit– to feel cohesive, but at the same time, give it a new twist. And twist we do.”
So what can fans look forward to when they pick up The Final Witness?” So many things. We’ve got three characters chasing this killer: a journalist, a police detective, and a superhero. Guess which one of them is going to find the first victim’s body… and which one is going to find the first body’s head? “Each correct answer is different,” Fawkes teased.
Haun added, “You have no idea where this story is going. And you just might not be ready for it.”
“It’s really, really good. Like really good,” Antos added.”
Readers don’t have to wait long to see all of the surprises that await them. The Final Witness hits shelves on April 29.
Header Image: Valiant Comics
The post THE FINAL WITNESS Throws the Valiant Universe Into A Noir Murder Mystery (EXCLUSIVE) appeared first on Nerdist.
There is something about Henry Cavill in Netflix’s The Witcher that just works, despite the wig and contacts. I think that Cavill works best in an environment where men wear either nothing or lace. Also, there’s something about leather and possibly having his British accent that’s crisper than the dollar bills being sent into the Biden campaign. As I watched The Witcher, I became nostalgic for the period drama looks of old that gave us prime Henry Cavill.
Stardust:
It’s a very minor role, but in the feature film Stardust, our Superman plays Humphrey, another gentleman fighting for the attention of Victoria against Tristan (Charlie Cox). He’s basically playing a bully and sporting blond hair, which will hopefully be the last time, because silver=yes, blond=run for the hills. This was the first time we collectively realized that Henry Cavill could, indeed, pull off a mustache.
Besides being an asshole in blue, he is best known, in this movie, for winking at Robert DeNiro in a very bisexual way during the final scene. I have provided the footage above. You are welcome.
The Count of Monte Cristo:
This is a very weak adaptation of the Alexandre Dumas novel, but at the same time, a very enjoyable movie. One of the most enjoyable parts is that they do a bit of wish fulfillment writing by making Edmond Dantès (Jim Caviezel) and Mercédès (Dagmara Domińczyk) have a kid. In the book, Albert is the child of Mercédès and the trifling shitbag Fernand Mondego (Guy Pearce), but they changed the daddy to Edmond, played by Henry Cavill, sporting a sweet baby face, looking like Laurie from Little Women.
Immortals:
One of the worst movies I have ever suffered in my life, Immortals should have been fire, but instead, it felt like a 300 ripoff. The film is supposed to be an adaptation of Theseus and the Minotaur and Titanomachy, but it bears little to no resemblance to either. I remember there is one scene where Athena asks Zeus, “Are we at war?” and I couldn’t help but go, “You’re the goddess of war. Should you know that?!” It was a mess.
Henry Cavill plays “Theseus” (allegedly), a man chosen by “the gods” to defeat the King Hyperion, who wants to kill the gods for letting his family die from famine. (Have you even met the Greek gods?) It’s very boring, but the cast is very handsome. We’ve got Henry Cavill, who looks slightly bronzed and is shirtless in almost every scene, Joseph Morgan as Lysander, Luke Evans as Zeus, Freida Pinto as Phaedra, and Kellan Lutz as Poseidon. It’s very 2011.
The Tudors:
Ahh, the masterpiece. For four seasons, Henry Cavill played Charles Brandon, 1st Duke of Suffolk, in a performance that once could call … orgasmic. Basically, he spends the entire first season sleeping with all the wrong women, and just exuding casual f*ckboy energy at every single moment. It’s amazing. It takes effort to be so effortless, terrible, and handsome at once, but man oh man, did Henry Cavill do it.
I truly thought he was one of the most gorgeous men on Earth during this series. I have no doubt this show is the reason he was Stephenie Meyer’s first pick for Edward Cullen. It certainly didn’t help that, even as the show needed him to play a 60-year-old-man it was basically just Henry Cavill with a grey beard. Somehow … it was even more attractive? Bless The Tudors for providing so many thirst traps.
And now we have The Witcher, serving Henry Cavill with a combination of his greatest hit: warrior, light hair, complicated paternity issues, perpetually dirty, and emotionally distant. Tossing a coin to my Witcher …
(image: Starz, Buena Vista Pictures, Relativity Media, Paramount Pictures)
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Are you ready to get f*cked up? Well, hopefully your answer was yes. Gille Klabin’s The Wave is hitting video on demand services and select theaters this weekend and it’s one of the trippiest, strangest, and sweetest explorations of humanity, morality, and psychedelics that we’ve seen in ages. To celebrate the release of the existential horror we asked the film’s star Justin Long about preparing for the unconventional role, the real life inspiration behind it, and the kind of high stakes performances that excite him as a performer.
The Wave follows a young insurance lawyer who is about to make the deal of his life–scamming a family out of their claim–when he ends up accidentally taking a mysterious drug. The idea of having to deal with your day to day life whilst on hallucinogens is horrific enough but Frank’s trip comes with some wild and uncontrollable powers which see him flung through time and space. It’s an unusual role that could easily lean into the comedic but is far more grounded and thoughtful than slapstick. For Long it was the juxtaposition of high-concept and humanity that appealed. “I really loved the story, it felt like it was a very personal story and yet fantastical, which is rare. It has this real heightened plot, and the things that happened to this guy are really extreme, but it felt like it came from a very personal place.”
Cruel and callous, Frank goes on a mind-bending journey offering an unexpectedly moving redemption arc. The Wave’s writer took inspiration from a real-life occurrence in which he tried his best to find humanity. “Carl Lucas wrote it about this experience he had, I think his cousin, unfortunately, passed away suddenly, and lawyers for the insurance company had found some loophole, and they were denying the claim to his family it was just this really shitty thing. In order to deal with it, Carl tried to humanize whoever was doing this, because when you’re dealing with these people, they’re just these, these nebulous entities, there aren’t any faces, or heartbeats that you can assign to these shitty things that are being done.”The actor continued. “I think this was his way of humanizing this experience. I didn’t know that story until after we finished filming but it all makes sense because when I read it there’s just something very truthful about it and, I liked the message, I liked what it said about this guy going on a journey of redemption and us discovering his own morality and his own mortality.”
Epic Pictures
With such an out there concept and execution Long is the much needed beating heart of The Wave and his passion for the part comes through, which makes sense as he was incredibly enthusiastic about taking on the unconventional role and all that came with it. “I love the challenge as an actor to play with stakes like that. Such high stakes so soon into a movie, it reminded me a lot of Marathon Man, which is one of my favorite movies and movies like Run Lola Run. I really just enjoyed those performances and wanted to try my hand at doing one… That’s my selfish actor answer.”
“I watched Marathon Man again, I’ve seen it so many times. Dustin Hoffman, any Dustin Hoffman, even Straw Dogs. Whenever a great actor like that is in life or death is in real peril. I studied performances like that, like Veronica Cartwright in Invasion of the Body Snatchers and Alien. She’s really good at playing characters like that, so authentic. It’s usually horror movies that you see those performances in Leland Orser, he was in Seven, he’s always so good at playing those real like high stakes scenes. There’s so many I love. I love movies like that. I think Sam Rockwell and Moon is this one to study, there’s just so many.”
The Wave has many impressive sequences. Though it was hard for Long to pick just one, he did share a favorite moment from shooting. “Well, there was one scene that we shot and this will also illustrate how much care they took to make sure it was the movie that they wanted to make, you know, they were very deliberate. They really stretched the budget that they had in order to accomplish their vision. It was a desert in New Mexico and about five hours from where we were all shooting in Albuquerque, it was you know it was a lot for a movie like a budget that size to travel everyone down there and to get equipment and of course get all the requisite you know passes and go the hoops they had to jump through to get all the permits and stuff.”
Long continued. “I think now when I see it, it was so worth it. It’s just really, really beautiful and it opens up the movie. And they’re so inventive how they did it. It’s a moment where I take as many drugs as I can consume and for those readers who haven’t seen it yet I’m like a rabid animal and I’m shot into this really trippy sequence and it was all done in camera! They’d a chair on a track and they’d set up all of these lights almost like a light tunnel that they were just going to push me down. None of that was done with was with CGI, I think they added some effects later but for the most part, they did as much as they could in camera including that one shot.”
Those practical effects, both in camera and post, are among the things that make The Wave stand out. For Long it’s something that can’t wait for audiences to experience for the first time. “A lot of the trippy hallucinogenic stuff when I’m, let’s just say, when I’m tripping and I started experiencing The Wave. They added almost all of that stuff by hand they added those after effects where everything becomes distorted and almost like that Richard Linklater movie Waking Life, but like a more heightened type of animation, a more realistic looking animation. They did all that by hand. These guys were really incredible. And I’m excited for people to see that.”
The Wave is available on VOD everywhere now!
The post Justin Long Talks Getting Trippy For THE WAVE appeared first on Nerdist.