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Hulu’s Nine Perfect Strangers season 2 premiered on May 21, 2025, and wrapped up another intense chapter. The emotionally charged drama is set in the beautiful Zauberwald retreat, located in the stunning Austrian Alps. Season two brought together new guests, nine of them (as the title says), and over the season, viewers saw the emotional wounds and flaws of each one.

In the middle of it all was Masha Dmitrichenko, played by Nicole Kidman. This season featured buried secrets, psychedelic therapy sessions, as well as a powerful billionaire villain called David Sharpe, played by Mark Strong. The finale did tie up many of the dangling threads of this season, but it also left some lingering questions.

Since the season 2 finale, the cast has been busy with other projects. Some are prepping for their directorial debuts, while others are a part of Broadway revivals and music tours. Here’s what they’ve been...

Spoiler Alert: This post spoils the finale episode of Nine Perfect Strangers Season 2.

Season 2 of Nine Perfect Strangers has come to an end on Hulu.

The show’s first season arrived in 2021, based on Liane Moriarty’s novel and the nine characters within it that visited Nicole Kidman’s Masha Dmitrichenko at Tranquillum House in fictional Cabrillo, CA. Season 2 departed drastically from the novel, which told the singular story of characters played by Melissa McCarthy, Samara Weaving, Michael Shannon and more. Arriving nearly four years after its first installment, Season 2 of Nine Perfect Strangers saw nine new guests come to Masha’s wellness retreat at Zauberwald, which included new technology she was working on and mysterious connections between the guests.

For a recap of the finale and insights into how Season 2 wrapped up as well as speculation about a potential Season 3, read on.

It’s All About Connections

Mark Strong...

The news that Nine Perfect Strangers would return for a second season came as quite the surprise back in 2023. Nearly two years had passed since Season 1 wrapped on Hulu, and those episodes — which were adapted from Liane Moriarty’s 2018 novel — seemed to tell a contained, one-and-done story.

Now that we’ve seen the show’s Season 2 finale, though, we can’t say we’d be nearly as shocked if Hulu opted to bring the Nicole Kidman drama back for a third go-round at some point. The final episode, which released on Wednesday, doesn’t end on a whopper of a cliffhanger or anything,...

[Warning: The following post contains Major spoilers for Nine Perfect Strangers‘ Season 2 finale, “Batsh*t.”] Masha (Nicole Kidman) promised that the “grand finale” of her Zauberwald retreat experience would be a painful one for David Sharpe (Mark Strong), and she certainly delivers on that pledge… even if he isn’t the only one who suffered in the process. The Season 2 finale of Nine Perfect Strangers sees the eccentric host bring all of the guests together to confront their shared detractor in the ballroom. She then walks through exactly how he has wronged each of the patrons — with some reacting more aggressively than others — and gives him a chance to atone for his wrongs at long last. So how does the story end for each of the retreaters? And how did the cast feel about their characters’ fates? Brian decided to move on to a new entertainment adventure David was partly to blame for Brian’s (Murray Bartlett) depression because he ...

While the guests were strangers on Nine Perfect Strangers Season 1, Masha set a devious plan into motion this time around.

Certain aspects were hinted at throughout Nine Perfect Strangers Season 2, but it was all revealed on Nine Perfect Strangers Season 2 Episode 8.

While David Sharpe seemed like a shrewd businessman and not a hands-on father, I never imagined he was that cold and calculating to interfere with everyone’s lives.

(Reiner Bajo/Disney)

He didn’t regret any of it, so I applauded Masha’s trial by jury. She was psychotically evil. This was Nicole Kidman at her best.

Masha Hung Out David’s Crimes for the Other Guests to Judge

That cliffhanger at the end of Nine Perfect Strangers Season 2 Episode 7 implied Masha had revenge planned, though I never imagined David had hurt every guest.

It’s always been about Tatiana, and Masha was a devoted mother, while David was a deadbeat father.

After learning that David is Tatiana’s daughter at the end of Nine Perfect Strangers season 2, episode 4, it was clear we would need to learn more about this backstory. That came in Nine Perfect Strangers season 2, episode 5, but not in the way expected.

Caution: This post contains Spoilers for Nine Perfect Strangers season 2 episode 5.

It’s hard to get a read on David Sharpe. He doesn’t seem to think that he’s a good person, but when he talks with Masha about the past, he is receptive, and he seems to want to be better. There is a heart in there, and I don’t think that it’s just the drugs that bring that out. I think it’s more that the drugs allow him to feel like he can be himself.

Nine Perfect Strangers - “Zauberwald” - In their search for mind and body reinvigoration, nine people...

The retreat continues in Nine Perfect Strangers season 2, episode 3, but it’s clear that nothing is going as planned for Helene and Martin. Masha has her own plans, and she is manipulating various people to get what she wants.

Caution: This post contains Spoilers for Nine Perfect Strangers season 2, episode 3.

The episode of Nine Perfect Strangers opens with Helene and Martin together, and we get to see that Helene is suffering from some sort of illness. Now maybe it makes sense why she wanted Masha to do her experiments in her home so much. Is she looking for a cure for herself?

Nine Perfect Strangers - “Zauberwald” - In their search for mind and body reinvigoration, nine people from various walks of life arrive at Zauberwald, an Alpine retreat, where they are greeted by the enigmatic wellness guru, Masha. (Disney/Reiner Bajo) Lena Olin Masha manipulates David Sharpe more in...

Season 2 of Nine Perfect Strangers introduces us not only to a host of new characters, but also to a new and improved Masha. Season 2 of this show about a wellness retreat takes us to a new location somewhere deep in the German Alps, where a woman named Helena runs a hotel… well, I suppose it’s also a sort of wellness center. She and Masha were acquaintances 14 years before, when Masha’s daughter died. In this season, the strangers aren’t exactly strangers; they’ve all got some sort of connection with each other, which will eventually get unpacked bit by bit. Just like there was Yao in season 1, there’s a man named Martin in this season, but Martin’s a scientist, not an ex-paramedic, who is hoping to learn from Masha’s drug therapy, now that it’s all successful and renowned worldwide. Interestingly, she has to fight a lot of lawsuits,...

After an intriguing start getting to know the new recruits in Masha’s experiment, Nine Perfect Strangers season 2, episode 2 focuses on a connection to one character. It turns out two people knew of or met Brian when they were younger.

Caution: This post contains Spoilers for Nine Perfect Strangers season 2 episode 2.

The episode opens back in 2014, giving us a look at Masha’s personal connection to Zauberwald. This is where she came straight after the death of Tatiana, and she started on a journey of psychedelic use. It’s no wonder that Helene wanted her back here and that they were already so close. Their relationship is surely more than just a working one.

Nine Perfect Strangers - “First Look” - Nine new strangers connected in ways they could never imagine are invited by mysterious guru, Masha Dmitrichenko (Nicole Kidman), to join a transformational wellness retreat in the Austrian Alps.

Masha is back, and she’s ready to continue her psychedelic experiments in Nine Perfect Strangers season 2. The premiere episode introduces us to the new characters, the nine strangers who are set to embark on an adventure they didn’t necessarily sign up for.

Caution: This post contains Spoilers for the Nine Perfect Strangers season 2 premiere.

We left Nine Perfect Strangers season 1 off with Masha in the wind, but she’s not escaping the legal troubles. She notes in a conference that she has multiple warrants out for her and other legal issues, and she’s also lying to everyone around her. She is still seeing her daughter Tatiana, and it’s no wonder she is still focused on experiments.

However, she gets an opportunity when a man named Martin comes to see her. They have spoken before, and he shares that “She” wants Marsha to set up her new work base in her place.

Doctor Doom sees himself as a hero, seeking to end suffering and bring humanity under his rule for their own good. Removing his guilt allows Doctor Doom to tap into his full power and become an unstoppable force. Doom's quest for power ultimately overcomes his desire to eliminate Reed Richards, showing that he has come to the realization that his worst enemy not Mister Fantastic, but in fact, himself.

The Marvel Universe has plenty of highly intelligent individuals, but few stand up to the likes of Doctor Doom. Not only is he a dangerous villain, he's wildly intelligent and clever. He already combines magic and science into a formidable source of power, as well as running his own country. Yet, with a single wish, he removed the one thing holding him back: guilt.

Doctor Doom and the Masters of Evil #4 – written by Paul Tobin, with art by Patrick Scherberger, David Baldeón,...

The Vigil #6 introduces technology from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, allowing the team to escape their enemies. The use of the Infinite Improbability Drive is a clever reference that showcases the blend of humor and sci-fi in Douglas Adams' work. The Vigil's journey continues in the Bleed, a space between worlds, thanks to the borrowed Infinite Improbability Drive. The possibilities are endless.

Warning: Spoilers for The Vigil #6!As their enemies close in on them, DC Comics' metahuman team the Vigil pulls off an impossible escape thanks to technology straight out of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. The Vigil miniseries centers around the titular team that has been tasked with stopping experimental weapons from falling into the wrong hands. The final issue sees Dr. Sankaran unveil what could be the most dangerous piece of experimental technology yet.

The Vigil #6 by Ram V, Devmalya Pramanik, Rain Beredo, and David Sharpe...

Warning: Spoilers for Action Comics #1051After years of avoiding the emotional topic, Jon Kent—who was once known as Superboy—may finally start to address his stolen childhood. Though Jon has been serving as Superman since his father left Earth for Warworld, he's still not much older than a boy himself, and he still needs his parents.

Jon Kent began his superhero adventures as Superboy during DC's Rebirth era. Back then, he was a goofy, carefree child, much beloved by his parents Lois and Clark—even when he got into trouble with his best friend, Damian Wayne's Robin. But Jon's idyllic childhood was interrupted when he was held captive in another dimension by Earth-3's Ultraman, an evil version of Jon's father, Superman. After years of being lost in space and time (and a volcano), Jon finally made it back home—only to discover just three weeks had passed for his parents and friends.

Warning: Spoilers for Action Comics #1051The Superman Family's new era means Superman is stepping down as the true leader of Metropolis. Instead, John Henry and Natasha Irons—two generations of the superhero Steel—are stepping up as the City of Tomorrow's new leaders.

The Irons family steps into center stage in the main story from Action Comics #1051 by Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Rafa Sandoval, Matt Herms, and Dave Sharpe. Not only are they both seen throughout the issue helping to save the day as Steel, they also hold a packed press conference to celebrate the opening of Steelworks Tower, which officially beats out the Lexcorp Building as the tallest building in Metropolis.

John and Natasha stand publicly tall as themselves, leading Metropolis into a brighter future. John Henry gives an impassioned speech about how eductaion technology will help end some of the city's—and the world's— major crises.

Related: Superman...

Warning! This post contains Spoilers for Action Comics #1051A second "Age of Superman" has come in the latest issue of Action Comics, kickstarting an exciting new era within the Dawn of DC publishing initiative that will be even bigger than Clark Kent's first debut as the Man of Steel. This new issue follows Superman's exciting return from liberating Warworld and the aftermath of Lex Luthor successfully making the majority of the world forget his secret identity. However, while this restored Clark Kent's classic status quo, Superman and his family intend to make some big changes for the city of Metropolis.

In the new Action Comics #1051 from Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Rafa Sandoval, Matt Herms, and Dave Sharpe, the narration comes from an article written by Lois Lane about the original Age of Superman. When Clark Kent first came to Metropolis, things obviously changed (and not just crime rates). According to Lane,...

Spoilers for Action Comics #1051 by DC Comics

The Superman Family is getting a major change to the status quo, as Kal-El and Lois Lane officially adopt two children. In Action Comics #1051 by DC Comics, Superman and Lois announce they're adopting Otho-Ra and Osul-Ra, who the Man of Steel saved on Warworld and brought back to Earth for a better life. The revelation is met with widespread approval from those closest to Superman.

In Action Comics #1051 by Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Rafa Sandoval, Matt Herms, and Dave Sharpe from DC Comics, Superman's return to Earth after freeing the enslaved people of Warworld leads to the Superman-Family reuniting in Metropolis. With Jon Kent, Connor Kent, Kong Kenan, Kara Danvers, and John Henry Irons among those celebrating his return, Superman and Lois Lane make an announcement, revealing they are adopting Osul-Ra and Otho-Ra, two young children that Kal-El saved on Warworld who lost their parents during Mongul's rule.

Spoilers for Action Comics #1051 by DC Comics

One of Superman's most recent costumes was just hinted at being used for non-superheroic activities, as Jon Kent just discovered his father's gladiator armor in their home, leading an embarrassed Lois Lane to tell her son not to look through her belongings. Yes, DC hints that Superman's gladiator armor seen in the Warworld Saga appears to be used in the romantic activities of Kal-El and Lane.

In Action Comics #1051 by Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Rafa Sandoval, Matt Herms, and Dave Sharpe from DC Comics, Superman returns to Earth as the Super-Family gathers at Lois Lane's and Kal-El's apartment. When Jon Kent looks for a board game to play with his newly adopted siblings, Osul-Ra and Otho-Ra, he goes into his parents' room, where he opens a closet and is confused to find Superman's gladiator armor, chains and all. Lois Lane quickly closes the door...

Warning: Spoilers for Lazarus Planet: Assault on Krypton #1Jon Kent's Superman started a romantic relationship with journalist Jay Nakamura in 2021, but with the flirtatious introduction of new character Ash, readers have to ask: is Jon Kent about to enter his first major love triangle?

DC's newest Superman made waves in his solo series Superman: Son of Kal-El not only for inheriting his father's title, but also for coming out as bisexual. Jon Kent met the video journalist Jay Nakamura early in the series, and the two shared their first kiss in issue #5 by Tom Taylor, John Timms, Hi-Fi, and Dave Sharpe. They quickly grew closer as Jon helped Jay save Jay's home country from dictatorial rule. The couple appear to be going strong by the end of the series, and Jon came out to his father in a touching scene. But now Jon is growing comfortable in his role as Superman,...

The 34th annual GLAAD Media Awards has announced its nominees for media that accurately and inclusively represent LGBTQ+ stories. Among the nominees are a number of ongoing comic books and anthologies, including a number of landmark 2022 series from DC and Marvel.

The nominations for the 34th Annual GLAAD Media Awards honoring queer media from 2022 were announced on Wednesday, January 18. Among the categories announced online are "Outstanding Comic Book" and "Outstanding Original Graphic Novel/Anthology." The nominees for these two comic-focused categories, including the creative teams, are as follows:

Outstanding Comic Book Immortal X-Men, by Kieron Gillen, Lucas Werneck, Michele Bandini, David Curiel, Dijjo Lima, Clayton Cowles (Marvel Comics) New Mutants, by Vita Ayala, Danny Lore, Charlie Jane Anders, Danilo Beyruth, Rod Reis, Jan Duursema, Guillermo Sanna, Alex Lins, Alberto Alburquerque, Ro Stein, Ted Brandt, Dan Brown, Ruth Redmond, Carlos Lopez, Tamra Bonvillain, Travis Lanham (Marvel Comics) Poison Ivy, by G. Willow Wilson,...

Warning: Contains spoilers for Action Comics #1050!DC just confirmed that Superman did not need powers to accomplish what might be his most impressive feat ever: converting Manchester Black, who had been one of his biggest haters, to a true believer. In Action Comics #1050, Lex Luthor manages to kidnap Black, who recently joined Superman’s new incarnation of the Authority, and uses Black’s powers for horrifying ends. As Black taunts Luthor, one thing becomes apparent: Manchester Black is now Superman’s biggest fan–and the Man of Steel didn’t need powers to convince him.

The issue, written by Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Tom Taylor and Joshua Williamson, illustrated by Mike Perkins, Clayton Henry and Nick Dragotta, colored by Frank Martin and lettered by Dave Sharpe, opens with Black in Luthor’s clutches. Luthor intends to use Black’s powers as the touchstone for his “Project: Blackout,” which will erase the...

2022 was a great year to be a DC Comics reader; from massive events to small moments, this has been a memorable year across the board. Gathered here are only a few of the greatest moments from DC Comics this past year.

Limiting this list is a difficult task, and not every essential DC moment from 2022 made the cut. From Tim Drake's first ongoing series in over a decade, to Connor Hawke's moving coming out letter, to Blüdhaven rising up to aid their hero Nightwing, there are at least a dozen remarkable stories, panels, and characters that could have made this limited list. But the stand-out moments that follow are all historic and essential in their own right, each sure to impact the future of DC Comics in the year (and years) to come.

Related: 'Dawn of DC' Special Issue Coming To Free Comic Book Day 2023

The Arrowverse's Dreamer...

Warning: Spoilers for Action Comics #1050Years after telling the world his secret, Superman has finally admitted his one regret about revealing his secret identity. Superman has always believed in telling the truth, but so has his wife, celebrated investigative journalist Lois Lane. By revealing his identity as Clark Kent to the world, he accidentally reduced Lois to "Superman's wife" in the eyes of the public.

Superman's secret identity as Clark Kent has been an essential component of his story and character from his very first appearance in 1938's Action Comics #1 by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. He has revealed that secret to a few people over the years: his parents, of course, as well as the Justice League and its affiliates. Lois Lane was also eventually let into the secret shortly before she married Clark Kent. But both Superman and journalist Clark Kent wholeheartedly believe in the power of the truth,...

Spoilers for Action Comics #1050 by DC Comics

Lex Luthor has made the world forget Superman's secret identity as the villain has reversed one of the more shocking storylines in recent DC Comics history. In Action Comics #1050, Luthor reveals that he's telepathically erased the world's memory of Clark Kent being Superman, as he admits that the world needs the Man of Steel but that they need to believe he's a god, not a man who walks among them.

In Action Comics #1050 by Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Tom Taylor, Joshua Williamson, Mike Perkins, Clayton Henry, Nick Dragotta, Frank Martin, and Dave Sharpe from DC Comics, Lex Luthor is revealed to have captured and killed Manchester Black, using his telepathic powers to unleash a powerful signal across the world. Luthor tells Superman that after the recent crises in the DC Universe, he realized that the world needed to think of Superman as a god...

Warning: Spoilers for Superman: Son of Kal-El #18They might not be Batman and Robin, but Nightwing and Lois Lane team up to create a new Dynamic Duo that DC Comics fans deserve to see more of. Lois and Dick Grayson are two of the oldest characters in DC's history, and after recently working together, it's clear they would make the perfect crime-fighting team.

Team-ups and heroic partnerships are an essential part of DC's history. The most famous partnership might just be the original Dynamic Duo: Batman and Robin. Dick Grayson debuted as Robin in 1940, just a year after Batman's first appearance. Meanwhile, Lois Lane is just as old as Superman; like Clark Kent, the character who originated the superhero genre, Lois Lane debuted in 1938's Action Comics #1. Dick and Lois rarely cross paths—especially after Dick created the Nightwing identity and moved on from working with Batman. But a recent...

Warning: contains spoilers for Superman: Son of Kal-El #18!Recently, across the Superman family of titles, Lex Luthor has slowly been amassing a new Superman Revenge Squad. In Superman: Son of Kal-El #18, Jon Kent and his father meet Red Sin, a mysterious villain with a deep hatred for Superman and all he stands for. Red Sin also has a connection to Lex Luthor, and he manipulates that for his own end in this issue. Luthor now has Metallo in his pocket once again, and with Red Sin, sets the stage for a new incarnation of the Superman Revenge Squad. The issue is on sale now in print and digital.

In this issue, readers are introduced to Red Sin, a young man with red sun technology, which can severely weaken Superman. After attacking the Man of Steel, Red Sin sets his sights on Jon, but the young Superman is able to overpower him.

Spoilers for Superman: Son Of Kal-El #18 by DC ComicsAfter being stripped of his invulnerability, Jon Kent's Superman just revealed the true purpose behind his belt. In Superman: Son of Kel-El #18 by DC Comics, after his powers are affected by a villain who is effectively a walking red sun, Jon Kent smashes his belt, which ends up being a surprise failsafe to restoring his powers.

In Superman: Son of Kal-El #18 by Tom Taylor, Cian Tormey, Ruairi Coleman, Scott Hanna, Romulo Fajardo Jr., and Dave Sharpe from DC Comics, Jon Kent goes after Luis Rojas, the 18-year-old son of former Lexcorp scientists who were killed in a deadly explosion. Unfortunately, Rojas has continued their work, known as the "Red Sin," which he has used in his efforts to take down Superman. As a result, when Superman finally comes face-to-face with Rojas, his powers fail him as he's stripped of his invulnerability.

Warning: Spoilers for Batgirls 2022 Annual #1With a pair of new civilian love interests between them, it's possible Batgirl and Robin will avoid falling prey to Batman's worst trait: losing himself to the mission and forgetting to live his life. Tim Drake has taken steps to re-balance his life by dating his old classmate Bernard Dowd, and now Stephanie Brown is pursuing a "normal" romance of her own.

Batman has never been known for having a balanced personal and "work" life. He frequently loses himself to the "mission" of Batman and has trouble maintaining relationships of all kinds, from familial to romantic. No one knows this better than Catwoman, of course. On the other hand, Batman's many protégés often have better luck maintaining a private life outside of their masks. In recent issues of Batman, Bruce himself has noticed his current Robin, Tim Drake, taking steps to discover himself outside of...

Warning: Spoilers for Batgirls 2022 Annual #1Robin is considered Batman's first sidekick, but it's really Batgirl who carries on the Caped Crusader's true legacy. Dick Grayson and Barbara Gordon served as Robin and Batgirl at roughly the same time in almost every version of DC continuity. Now Barbara Gordon is carrying on Batman's legacy as a mentor in her new role as leader of the Batgirls team.

Though there is sometimes this misconception that Batman prefers to work alone, Bruce Wayne has been training sidekicks since practically the beginning of his tenure as Batman. From Dick Grayson as the first Robin to Duke Thomas as the Signal, Batman's legacy involves the many young heroes he's trained over the year. It would be easy to assume that the Batgirl mantle would fall under his domain, but the first Batgirl, Barbara Gordon, trained herself and operated outside of Batman's jurisdiction. Even after she became the techno-spy Oracle,...

Warning: Spoilers for Action Comics #1049As one of the most iconic superheroes, Superman has gone by many nicknames over the years—but his newest should absolutely replace "Man of Steel" as his most important nickname. Given to him by an entire society of people he has saved, "Unblooded Sword" is a far more meaningful name for Superman than anything that has come before.

Considered the dawn of the superhero genre, Superman's debut came in Action Comics #1 by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, and his nickname "Man of Steel" came not long after in Action Comics #6 by the same iconic team. The "Man of Steel" name has become almost as famous as the hero himself; the 2013 Zack Snyder-directed Superman film is even named Man of Steel. The name emphasizes Superman's strength and invulnerability. Clark Kent is quite literally a man made of something steel-like, as bullets bounce off of him,...

Warning: contains spoilers for Action Comics #1049!A war is brewing between Superman and the residents of New Genesis–finally giving the Man of Steel adversaries worthy of his power. In Action Comics #1049, Orion, Kalibak and other Fourth World denizens come to Earth looking to claim the Fire of Olgrun for themselves–but run smack into Superman, who is not letting it go without a fight; when the dust settles, a new feud has been born. The issue is on sale now in print and digital.

The past year of the Man of Steel’s life has been some of the most eventful. Assembling a new incarnation of The Authority, Superman took it upon himself to liberate Warworld, a hellish, artificial planet where numerous species from across the galaxy were forced to fight in gladiatorial games, often to the death; Warworld was ruled by the tyrannical Mongul, who easily beat Superman when he first arrived.

Spoilers for Black Adam #6 by DC ComicsWhile Batman has worked with many heroes during his time with the Justice League, he just revealed one member he was disgusting to work alongside: Black Adam. In Black Adam #6 by DC Comics, The Dark Knight reveals that he was never a fan of working with the former villain in the Justice League, as he doesn't mince his words when fighting the former hero.

While Black Adam has been a villain and antihero in his DC Comics stories, the character became a surprise member of the Justice League in Brian Michael Bendis' run on the superteam. While Superman believed that Black Adam could become a great hero alongside the Justice League, Batman has never been a massive fan of the villain taking on a more heroic role. In a new fight that pits Batman against Black Adam, The Dark Knight tells the ruler of...

Spoilers for Black Adam #6 by DC ComicsIn a battle between two of the most recognizable faces in the DC Universe, Batman is taking on Black Adam, as the former Justice Leaguer represents the one hero The Dark Knight might be willing to kill. In a new preview for Black Adam #6 by DC Comics, Batman faces off against Black Adam, as it appears the hero won't hold back in making sure the former villain is stopped.

Black Adam has been known as a villain in most of his stories at DC Comics, but the character has evolved from an antihero to a full-blown member of the Justice League. In his time with the mighty heroes, Black Adam ruffled feathers with the likes of Batman and Superman but proved that he could change from his villainous past. Unfortunately, with Black Adam embracing his darker side once again, Batman is making it his...

The MCU introduced Star-Lord and the Guardians of the Galaxy as a fun-loving, ragtag team of beings from all over the galaxy led by Peter Quill of Earth. While the movies stayed true to the group on the surface, they missed out on a lot of the depth of their inner dynamics. Star-Lord in particular took a heavy hit with his role in the grand scheme of things in the MCU, becoming the subject of a lot of jokes aimed at him throughout the films. Compared to his treatment in the MCU, his comic counterpart is getting dealt a much better hand and has improved a lot over the years. The Guardians have recently begun to highlight his worth and their respect for him in the new series Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind #1.

Star-Lord was originally introduced in Thanos #8 by Keith Giffen, Ron Lim, Al Milgrom, Christie Scheele, and Dave Sharpe.

Spoilers for Superman: Son of Kal-El #17 by DC ComicsIn a race between Kal-El's Superman and Jon Kent's Superman, the fastest Man of Steel has been named. In a preview for Superman: Son of Kal-El #17 by DC Comics, a race between the superpowered son and father happens. While both heroes show off their incredible speed, racing across the world at an impressive speed, Jon Kent is ultimately named the winner in the Superman-starring matchup.

Superman is no stranger to competing against his fellow heroes in races to determine who's fastest in the DC Universe. Most famously, Kal-El's Superman has raced against The Flash numerous times, with each hero being named winner in different versions of the test of speed - although the red speedster has won most of their races. Superman even faced off against The Flash in Joss Whedon's Justice League in the Dceu. Now, Superman is showcasing his speed against his son,...

Warning: Spoilers for Action Comics #1048With her new role as a mentor to the Super-Family's new members, Supergirl is proving that she deserves a bigger leadership role in the DC Universe. As a Kryptonian, Kara Zor-El has long been one of the most powerful characters in the Dcu. Now, her new responsibilities demonstrate just how well-suited she is to leadership, and especially to training other heroes.

Supergirl has gone through many iterations and transformations over the decades, and her origin has changed more than once. The essential details tend to remain the same: Kara Zor-El, a teenage citizen of Argo City on Krypton, was sent to Earth in the wake of Krypton's destruction - much like her then-younger cousin, Kal-El. Upon arriving on Earth, Kara discovers - due to some mishaps during her journey - that her now-older cousin Kal-El has grown up to become Superman. Kara develops her...

Spoilers for Action Comics #1048 by DC ComicsWhile Superman's most intense mission on Warworld might have just ended, upon returning to Earth he's being immediately tested by Darkseid's son Orion, who has arrived to question what the Man of Steel has done on the planet. In Action Comics #1048, an encounter with Orion and Darkseid's minions leads to a fight between god-tier-powered forces in the DC Universe, as the supervillain's son wants Superman to answer for potentially waking up a deadly Old God.

Darkseid has a handful of children in the DC Universe, with the mighty New God helping create many minions and fighters that help his evil cause on Apokolips. Darkseid's children include the god-killing Grail, the warrior Kalibak, and Orion, his only offspring not to be raised on the Hellfire planet he ruled. Instead, Orion grew up in the paradise of New Genesis, where he was traded for Mister Miracle...

Warning: contains a preview of Action Comics #1048!Perhaps Superman’s most underrated ally Bibbo makes his grand return in a preview for Action Comics #1048. Bibbo was a staple of Superman comics in the early to mid-1990s, but has made only sporadic appearances since. Now, with the Man of Steel needing as many allies as he can get, Bibbo steps up to help.

Suicide Slum is one of the roughest areas of Metropolis, and Bo “Bibbo” Bibbowsky calls it home. A bartender by trade, Bibbo first appeared in 1987’s Adventures of Superman #428, created by Marv Wolfman and Jerry Ordway. Bibbo is one of Superman’s biggest fans, referring to the Man of Steel as his “fav’rit.” Bibbo has even come to Superman’s aid at times. Bibbo was a huge presence in the Superman comics of the 1990s, sometimes referred to as “The Triangle Era,” but as it began to wind down,...

Exclusive: Scott Free Films and New Sparta Films will team on Neither Confirm Nor Deny, the true story of the CIA secret mission to recover a nuclear Soviet submarine three miles under the Pacific Ocean. The companies have just acquired the David H. Sharp book The CIA’s Greatest Covert Operation. At the height of the Cold War in the late 1960s, the Soviet nuclear submarine K-129 sank in mysterious circumstances. Despite a massive secret search, the Soviets never found…...

Comic Book Reviews: DC Round Up Week 12-07-2016

We got Batman the one man army, Green Arrow and Aquaman getting the same “We didn’t do it” storyline, and a few other DC books continue to lose steam after an amazing start! Read on to see what’s going wrong with DC Comics Rebirth!

Aquaman #12

Story: Dan Abnett Art: Phillippe Briones, Gabe Elateb

Review: More of Nemo led by Black Manta framing Aquaman and the Atlaneteans for the attacks on U.S. Soil. No one wants to give Aquaman or the Atlanteans the benefit of the doubt and once more its Justice League to come get Arthur (while seemingly one cares about the surmounting death toll and damage being done to the various states). I think I’m done with Aquaman, this whole “U.S. hates Aquaman” storyline just keeps forcing me to stretch my imagination and acceptance of...

Comic Book Reviews: DC Round Up Week 11-16-2016

This week Batman’s plans for Operation: Break Bane’s Damn Back! Continues with an unexpected (but not really) twist, Green Arrow continues to deliver, and I basically give up Aquaman being interesting. To top it off I’m thinking I’ll finally drop Suicide Squad as despite Jim Lee’s artwork the story is just dumb. It’s lowest common denominator dumb. Characters acting different then they do anywhere else, being forced to feel more like the “movie”, and now potential zombie Captain Boomerangs. How did the other books fair this week? Read on!

Aquaman #11

Story: Dan Abnett Art: Philippe Briones, Gabe Eltaeb

Review: So it takes Arthur nearly getting beaten to death by the Shaggy Man (yes that’s a real villain, a robot that’s indestructible and looks like Big Foot) to finally win some good graces back...

Comic Book Reviews: DC Comics Round Up Week 11-02-2016

After a brief hiatus from reviewing the great books of DC Comics I hop back and see what the current state of various series are. Officially moved from “I kind of care” to “I don’t care at all” are Cyborg, Justice League, Blue Beetle, Doom Patrol, Catwoman: Election Night and probably a few others soon. So the review list gets shorter! I am casually keeping up with these titles so if anyone has questions or thoughts feel free to sound off in the comments below and I’m more than happy to engage in discussion!

Aquaman #10

Story: Dan Abnett Art: Brad Walker, Andrew Hennessy, Gabe Eltaeb

Review: Mera is brought before the widowhood and a prophesy is revealed that at some point in the future Mera will become insane with grief after Arthur befalls an untimely end, and thus...

Comic Book Reviews: DC Comics Round Up Week 10/12/2016

A little late this time around, but never forgotten! This week I take a quick look at the developing stories from DC’s Rebirth line up. While not a huge week for story development, we do get to wrap up a few plots and open the doors to a few more!

Action Comics #965

Story: Dan Jurgens Art: Stephen Segovia, Art Thibert, Arif Prianto, Dave Sharpe

Review: So with Superman seemingly unable to prove anything nefarious about this new Clark Kent, it’s up to Lois to try to figure out what’s going on! To do that she pretends to the Lois Lane of New 52 Universe, and as expected things don’t go completely as planned. Jurgens continues to do an excellent job here with how he handles the characters. Everyone feels right, in that their motivations, manner of speech and actions...

Faith #1

Written by Jody Houser

Art by Francis Portela and Marguerite Sauvage

Colors by Andrew Dalhouse

Letters by Dave Sharpe

Published by Valiant Comics

No matter what age you are or how long you’ve been reading comics, getting into a new comics universe is always terrifying. Lots of backstory you don’t know about. Established characters with origins already explained. It can be intimidating. However, a good team with a good story can manage to bypass those fears, guide you in and make you fall in love with that character and their universe.

The first issue of Valiant Comics’ mini-series Faith is a good example of that.

Spinning out of the series Harbinger, Faith tells the story of psiot Faith Herbert (codename Zephyr) after she moves to La to become a better hero when she’s not working a job at Buzzfeed stand-in Zipline. Faith does have backstory that carries over from Harbinger,...

Dead Drop #1

Writer – Ales Kot

Artist – Adam Gorham

Colourist – Michael Spicer

Letterer – Dave Sharpe

Publisher – Valiant Entertainment

Valiant has been putting the pedal to the metal in 2015 through their multiple mini series’ alone. The Valiant brought upon an epic tale that felt like a historically twisted fairy tale in which some major players in the Valiant universe played a key role, and Divinity revealed a new and very powerful individual whose abilities from the far reaches of the cosmos have been brought to Earth. With a wide array of absolute top-notch creative teams on these books alone, the trifecta, the triumvirate, the third eye, if you will, is now found within the team behind Dead Drop.

It doesn’t take very long for the action to take hold and grab you. The opening page shows a graceful Aric Dacia, better known as X-o Manowar, flying rapidly down overtop Times Square in New York City.

Eternal Warrior #3

Writer: Greg Pak

Art: Trevor Hairsine & Diego Bernard with Alejandro Sicat

Colours: Brian Reber & Guy Major

Letters: Dave Sharpe

Covers: J.G. Jones & Riley Rossmo

Publisher: Valiant

Purchase: http://www.comixology.com/Eternal-Warrior-2013-3-Digital-Exclusives-Edition/digital-comic/50943

Even though this book has been dropping once a month like clockwork, so far anyway, the wait between issues has been excruciating. It may have only debuted two months ago, yet the tale of Gilad Anna-Padda is so expertly handled that writer Greg Pak has created a monster with his fans. But does Pak’s lightning remain trapped in its epic bottle, or are some crack starting to shine in the warriors armour?

After declaring a war on the gods last month, Gilad and his daughter Xaran head to the local K-Mart to stock up on some munitions. After some father-daughter bonding, the kind that only two immortal warriors could have, the two...

Barbara Gordon must deal with the fallout from 'Death Of The Family' in this issue that will forever change her status quo in The New 52! What does James Gordon Jr. have planned for his sister, Batgirl? Story By Ray Fawkes Art By Daniel Sampere, Vicente Cifuentes Colors By Blond Letters By Dave Sharpe Cover By Juan Jose Ryp, Tomeu Morey Release Date Wed, February 13th, 2013...

No, this is not a column about that. Get your minds out of the gutter, people!

I was working in the Special Projects department at Marvel Comics as an assistant editor when my boss, Executive Editor Bob Budiansky, called me into his office.

“I have something for you that will be absolutely perfect,” he said, “because you’re the only one in the department who will really appreciate it. I talked about it with Tom (DeFalco) and he agrees with me.”

“Okay,” I said, a bit apprehensive and yes, curious.

“The NFL approached us about doing a magazine aimed at kids who love football.”

“Okay,” I said, getting excited.

“It’s going to be like Sports Illustrated For Kids, only concentrating on football, of course.”

“Okay,” I said, trying stay dignified and professional.

“Each issue will also feature a full comic, plus news, articles and tidbits about Marvel.” “Okay,” I said,...

• “Rise of the Third Army!" • Kyle Rayner arrives on Earth to heartbreaking news! • The debut of the all-new Carol Ferris Star Sapphire!> Story By Tony Bedard Art By Andrei Bressan, Amilcar Pinna Colors By Nei Ruffino, Pete Pantazis Letters By Dave Sharpe Cover By Ivan Reis, Oclair Albert, Rod Reis Publisher DC Comics Cover Price: $2.99 Release Date Wed, October 17th, 2012...

Dick In A Boxiest A-Trak & Armand Best Reenactment Of The Tango Scene In Scent Of A Woman Lady Gaga and Paul McCartney Get This Girl To The Stage, Monistat! Rihanna I’D Eat His Chips For Days — Oh Sh*T!!! Ladies!!!! Chip Days If I Worked Out As Much As Fergie, I Would Actually Walk The Carpet Nude With A Single Swiffer Duster Over My Region Fergie Worst Person To Sit Behind Deadmau5 And A Lil Vest Just Blaze Getting My Polyps Removed So I Can Turn Into An All New Episode Of Bones Adele Least Likely To Slip In The Tub Katy Perry If You Stare Long Enough, You Can See Slutty Dolphins Snooki I Love Your Shoes Bech Greta Bech Nothing But Net Lady Gaga If You Rub Them Together, They’D Make Boring Fire Gwyneth Paltrow and Taylor Swift Dressformers: More Than Meets The Eye Bonnie McKee...

As many of the titles of DC Comics ‘New 52’ wrap up their first story arcs for said series, so does the 5th issue of Gail Simone’s Batgirl. Personally, I wasn’t all too thrilled with the first four books of the new series outside of maybe the first two so it was a breath of fresh air to find the latest issue launching a brand new story arc for readers to jump into; particularly for those who are picking up the title for the first time.

The issue opens with Batgirl swinging into action high above a bridge in Gotham where a family of mobsters (yes, a real blood-related family) is keeping a large group of pedestrian motorists at bay. It’s clear from the start that something’s wrong with the mobsters state of mind as hinted by the few cryptic mentions of the number 338 (ie, demanding $3.38 from...