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Star Wars: The Fall of Kylo Ren Miniseries set for Aug.

New York, NY— May 15, 2026 — Kylo Ren’s journey in the sequel trilogy made him one of the most compelling—and tragic—figures in the Star Wars mythos. Now, Marvel expands its story with a new comic book series! Following his acclaimed work on Star Wars: Rise of Kylo Ren and Star Wars: Legacy of Vader, writer Charles Soule reunites with Rise of Kylo Ren artist Will Sliney to continue the saga of Ben Solo in STAR WARS: THE FALL OF KYLO REN, a five-issue series launching in August. In Legacy of Vader, Kylo went on a galaxy-spanning quest to uncover the secrets of his grandfather, Darth Vader. In THE FALL OF KYLO REN, he returns to the First Order more powerful and determined than ever before! Witness him shape the galaxy far, far away to his will as Supreme Leader in a saga that leads directly into the events of The Rise of Skywalker. The truth behind Kylo’s motives and the full scope of his destiny are revealed here!

THE LEGACY OF VADER CREATES A NEW EMPIRE OF FEAR!

Kylo Ren returns from devastation, wielding total fury! As Generals Hux and Pryde tear the First Order apart with treacherous ambition, Kylo cuts through their schemes with merciless clarity. His wrath forges unity through fear and unleashes a Supreme Leader neither general can escape…nor survive disappointing. A pivotal turning point for Kylo, Hux, and Pryde and essential reading for every Star Wars fan.

“The story of Kylo Ren (and Ben Solo, of course) always felt huge to me,” Soule shared. “It was clear that a great deal was out there to explore beyond the moments provided by the films, and it’s been such a pleasure—and a challenge—to deliver new tales for one of the most prominent villains in Star Wars. I’m thrilled I get to do it one more time, and even more so that I get to reunite with the incredible Will Sliney, who kicked things off with me on The Rise of Kylo Ren all those years ago. First the Rise, then the Reign, and now the Fall… it just feels right.”

“This is the one book I have been dying to get back on,” Sliney said. “Ever since Charles and I worked on The Rise of Kylo Ren, we knew we were a part of something special. To be honest, I’ve never experienced a fan group so excited for the story when we worked on Rise, and quietly behind the scenes, Charles and I had been talking about The Fall of Kylo Ren for a long, long time.

“The story we got to tell in Rise is such a key part in the story of Ben Solo. Fall is the same. I’m thrilled to be back drawing it, I can’t wait until this gets out into people’s hands.”

STAR WARS: THE FALL OF KYLO REN #1 (OF 5)
Written by CHARLES SOULE
Art by WILL SLINEY
Cover by PHIL NOTO
Variant Covers by LUKE ROSS and PHIL NOTO
On Sale 8/12

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Three More added to What If…? 50th Celebration

New York, NY— May 14, 2026 — To celebrate the 50th anniversary of What If?, Marvel Comics is taking a bold leap into the multiverse to discover mythos-shattering new twists on some of its most definitive stories! The series of one-shots kicks off next month with WHAT IF…? UNCANNY X-MEN #1 and WHAT IF…? THOR #1 and continues through July with WHAT IF…? SECRET WARS #1; WHAT IF…? JESSICA JONES #1; and WHAT IF…? SPIDER-MAN #1. And today, Marvel reveals the covers and story information for the final three WHAT IF…? one-shots hitting stands in August: WHAT IF…? RUNAWAYS #1; WHAT IF…? CAPTAIN AMERICA #1; and WHAT IF…? X-MEN #1.

In WHAT IF…? RUNAWAYS, Rainbow Rowell returns to Runaways alongside artist Zulema Scotto Lavina to reveal what would happen if the iconic group of teenagers boldly followed in the footsteps of their supervillain parents! Then, in WHAT IF…? CAPTAIN AMERICA, acclaimed writer Marc Guggenheim and X-Men 2099 legend Ron Lim unfreeze Steve Rogers in a world he never saved! And, in WHAT IF…? X-MEN, rising stars Ashley Allen and Sumit Kumar imagine a world where Professor X was never born and mutantkind’s fate was left in the hands of his evil twin sister, Cassandra Nova!

WHAT IF…? RUNAWAYS #1
Written by RAINBOW ROWELL
Art by ZULEMA SCOTTO LAVINA
WHAT IF…THE RUNAWAYS HADN’T RUN AWAY?

Every year, a group of philanthropists gathers for a charitable fundraiser…or so their children, Alex Wilder, Chase Stein, Gertrude Yorkes, Karolina Dean, Molly Hayes, and Nico Minoru thought. When they discover their parents form the Pride, a sinister, sacrificial group that answers to a godly race called the Gibborim, the teens are terrified, shocked, and…intrigued? Their destiny awaits, and there’s no running away.

WHAT IF…? CAPTAIN AMERICA #1
Written by MARC GUGGENHEIM
Art by RON LIM
WHAT IF…CAPTAIN AMERICA WAS REVIVED IN 2099?

Captain America’s time during World War II ended with him frozen in ice, out of commission for decades. In the 616, he was revived and joined with fellow heroes the Avengers. But what if he missed the Heroic Age altogether? What evils would rise without the Sentinel of Liberty?

WHAT IF…? X-MEN #1
Written by ASHLEY ALLEN
Art by SUMIT KUMAR
WHAT IF…CASSANDRA NOVA KILLED PROFESSOR X?

In a world where Cassandra Nova killed Charles Xavier in the womb, telepaths are hunted and experimented on – and what she’s making from them is far worse than what she’s taking. But when telepaths Jean Grey and Emma Frost escape, Cassandra Nova will stop at nothing to bring them back! Bring on Cassandra’s X-Men!

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Prelude to DNX Event Announced for August

New York, NY— May 13, 2026 — Marvel Comics recently announced DNX, an all-new event series by Jed MacKay and Federico Vicentini kicking off in September. The storyline sees the X-Men and the Fantastic Four unite against 3K in a race to stop the supervillain group from unleashing a virus that forcibly—and horribly—transforms humans into mutants! Built up since the start of MacKay’s run, DNX will be preceded by two pivotal lead-in chapters this August, X-MEN #35 and #36, each packed with shocking developments that set the stage for the highly anticipated event.

The X-Men have met their match in 3K, a cabal of mutant supervillains brought together by a common goal: MAKE MORE MUTANTS. Their plan involves unleashing the X-Virus on the world, an event that triggered one of the darkest timelines imaginable in Age of Revelation. Cyclops and the 3K’s Chairman, A.K.A. founding X-Man Beast, both witnessed the horror of that future and returned home with renewed missions: the X-Men to prevent it, 3K to own it. While the X-Men seek out the Fantastic Four to help save one of their own, 3K prepares to unleash the X-Virus in a major population center. X-MEN #35 and #36 by MacKay and artists Tony S. Daniel and Netho Diaz lead directly into the saga as the X-Men’s current Beast—a younger Hank McCoy restored to a more innocent time in his life—grapples with the dark reflection he sees in the Chairman, while 3K targets Magneto, whose mysterious illness is revealed to be directly tied to the X-Virus.

In X-Men #35, Hank McCoy, the bouncing blue Beast, is haunted by a ghost—not of his past, but of his future…and his present. The Chairman of 3K, an older, amoral version of himself, represents one of the greatest threats the X-Men have faced since the fall of Krakoa, and Beast must struggle with his own terrible potential.

In X-MEN #36, 3K works toward a viable build of the X-Virus, brought back from the Age of Revelation. Until now, they have been frustrated—but when the Chairman realizes that the missing piece of the puzzle lies within Magneto, 3K moves on the X-Men’s home base in Alaska.

“X-MEN #35-36 paves the road to DNX, with 3K’s Chairman taking the last of his first steps towards a new world,” MacKay explained. “It’s been exciting to write this version of Hank McCoy, fully freed from morality and ethics, and putting him on a collision course with the X-Men for DNX will change both the X-Men and 3K moving forward!”

X-MEN #35
Written by JED MACKAY
Art and Cover by TONY S. DANIEL
On Sale 8/12

X-MEN #36
Written by JED MACKAY
Art and Cover by NETHO DIAZ
Variant Cover by ROD REIS
On Sale 8/26

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The Tomb of Apocalypse Continues his Story in Aug.

New York, NY— May 12, 2026 — From his throne on Arakko, the powerful and ancient mutant known as Apocalypse will make his presence felt on Earth once again as he recruits Jubilee on a dangerous quest to secure a mysterious Celestial artifact in TOMB OF APOCALYPSE #1 by rising star writer Ashley Allen (Magik & Colossus) and artist Domenico Carbone (Moon Knight: Fist of Khonshu). When an unknown device from Mars crash-lands outside the X-Men’s home at Haven House, Jubilee answers the call in a bid to prove herself as more than just a babysitter for the Outliers. Activated by her mutant powers, the device sends Jubilee and Wolverine across the world to a desert outpost in Egypt, where armed mercenaries are excavating the Tomb of Apocalypse! As they descend deep into the earth to uncover what Apocalypse has planned for humanity, mutantkind, Earth, and Arakko, they’ll discover they’re not alone as they cross paths with long-time allies Rictor and Shatterstar.

Allen and Carbone are drawing on years of X-Men storytelling and long-simmering plot points across multiple eras of mutant history to illuminate the way forward, with Jubilee and Wolverine leading the charge. How will the former mallrat react to being pulled into Apocalypse’s machinations, and who else might the X-Men encounter in the underground maze full of puzzles and death? The Tomb of Apocalypse will reveal itself across this five-issue limited series with major changes coming for those who dare to enter it.

“For Earth’s mutants, it has taken time to regroup and process the fall of Krakoa,” explains Allen. “But unfortunately for our heroes, Apocalypse values action. And he’s never been one to miss out on an opportunity.”

ANCIENT AND UNFATHOMABLE POWER!

From his exile in space, the shadow of the mutant called APOCALYPSE looms over all life on the pale blue dot from whence he hailed. Once dedicated to ensuring the strongest and fittest mutants would inherit the Earth, now Apocalypse’s attentions have turned to a new deadly undertaking – for which he will need the unique abilities of…JUBILEE and WOLVERINE!

TOMB OF APOCALYPSE #1 (OF 5)

Written by ASHLEY ALLEN
Art by DOMENICO CARBONE
Cover by ROD REIS
Variant Covers by NOGI SAN, IVAN SHAVRIN, FABRIZIO DE TOMMASO, and PABLO VILLALOBOS
On Sale 8/26

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Midnight Universe Announced by Marvel

New York, NY— May 11, 2026 — The light had its turn.

For over 80 years, Marvel heroes have inspired hope. This August, that hope dies in the shadows of the MIDNIGHT UNIVERSE, a new publishing line where top creators unleash haunting new visions of Marvel’s greatest icons. The nightmare begins with three titles: MIDNIGHT X-MEN by Jonathan Hickman (House of X, Ultimate Spider-Man) and Matteo Della Fonte (Nova: Centurion); MIDNIGHT FANTASTIC FOUR by Benjamin Percy (Wolverine, Punisher) and Kev Walker (Infernal Hulk); and MIDNIGHT SPIDER-MAN by Phillip Kennedy Johnson (Infernal Hulk) and, in his exciting Marvel Comics debut, artist Scie Tronc.

Dark. Unpredictable. Unmissable. The MIDNIGHT UNIVERSE draws in longtime fans and newcomers alike to enter a terrifying new world where anything can happen. Interconnected by rich lore-building, Marvel’s most definitive modern creators are given free rein to reimagine heroes with shocking twists and chilling transformations in boundary-less, creator-driven storytelling that will keep readers on edge issue after issue. The X-Men no longer fight for acceptance; they hunger for blood. The Fantastic Four venture into the unknown not to save the world—but to unleash terror upon it. And Spider-Man discovers that with great power… comes something monstrous.

“From the original New Universe to two Ultimate Universes, Marvel has a long history of creating and inspiring bold worlds filled with unforgettable characters and fresh ideas that feel new yet recognizable at the same time,” Editor in Chief C.B. Cebulski explained. “With the new Midnight line, we’ve given some of our most outstanding creators the opportunity to delve into the darkest corners of their imaginations and birth some of the creepiest, most terrifying takes on the Marvel Universe you’ve ever seen.”

More will be unveiled in the months ahead, but today, the main cover for MIDNIGHT X-MEN #1 by Dike Ruan is revealed. Befitting the line’s mysterious, ominous aura, the main covers of the MIDNIGHT titles will be Cloaked Covers, partially obscured with the full artwork revealed with a turn of the page. With the exception of the debut issues, the full artwork will remain shrouded in shadow, revealing itself only to readers daring enough to pick them up on the stands.

The clock strikes midnight, and it’s the dark dawn of a new era, beginning with MIDNIGHT X-MEN! The shadows of New York City are stalked by vampires and the mutant empyres. The sword of Damocles hangs over the peace between these two species and the factions within them. An outright war is brewing, and the unturned will be caught in the crossfire.

On returning to the X-Men to deliver another visionary reinvention of mutantkind, Hickman said, “I’m so enthusiastic about this project—it’s the most excited I’ve been in years. The conceit of MIDNIGHT X-MEN aligns perfectly with the kind of stories I like to tell. It has a rich, open-ended mythology that equally mixes old and new ideas into something that feels both familiar and original.”

Then, in MIDNIGHT FANTASTIC FOUR, an obsessive scientist delves into the secrets of the universe, perhaps best left unknown to mankind, leaving himself and three others warped in strange and horrifying ways. What horrible secrets lie in the new dimensions they have discovered? And can humanity survive the discovery?

On getting the chance to explore his darkest impulses, Percy explained, “If you’ve read my work, you know that I see the world through a dark, disturbed lens. To me, it’s always midnight,” Percy explained. “When Hickman called me, it was from a landline in the basement of an abandoned house with the wires cut. Blood poured from the receiver into my ear. I said yes.

“When I imagined this other version of Marvel—a terrifying, poisoned universe—my mind immediately went to the Fantastic Four. This is a title I have always loved, but would never be allowed to write otherwise. Now I could lean into my worst instincts and reimagine their story as one of cosmic, Lovecraftian dread. I am joined in this by the visionary Kev Walker, who is hard at work bringing a new origin story for Marvel’s ‘first family’ to screaming life. I can’t wait to share our nightmares with you.”

And in MIDNIGHT SPIDER-MAN, a young Peter Parker is transformed into a hideous spider hybrid by the ruthless Oscorp Corporation in their pursuit for eternal life. When Oscorp begins to use the secrets unlocked by his mutation to create more human-animal hybrids, Peter embraces his grotesque new form to stop them.

“The work we’re doing right now on the Midnight line feels like history being made,” Johnson shared. “We’re all bringing creator-owned sensibilities to our projects, we’re redefining boundaries, we’re reinventing these timeless characters in a way that’s never been done. Midnight is nothing like the main line, nothing like the Ultimate line. You will see things in these books that shock you.”

“You don’t take on a job like reinventing Spider-Man to go halfway,” he continued. “I’m leaving it all in the ring with MIDNIGHT SPIDER-MAN, and I know Jonathan and Ben are doing the same.”

MIDNIGHT X-MEN #1
Written by JONATHAN HICKMAN
Art by MATTEO DELLA FONTE
Cover by DIKE RUAN
On Sale 8/5

MIDNIGHT FANTASTIC FOUR #1
Written by BENJAMIN PERCY
Art by KEV WALKER
On Sale September 2026

MIDNIGHT SPIDER-MAN #1
Written by PHILLIP KENNEDY JOHNSON
Art by SCIE TRONC
On Sale October 2026

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REVIEW: Gilmore Girls the Series

Talking fast and being whip-smart got you noticed at the turn of the century. Aaron Sorkin set the pace with The West Wing, but it met its match on October 5, 2000, when the WB invited us to visit Stars Hollow, CT (population 9,973), and stay a spell. The Gilmore Girls was unlike any dramas on the air at the time, mixing humor and pathos while using its colorful cast of characters, and I do mean characters, to explore family, both found and blood.

It generated buzz and turned Lauren Graham into a star, and propelled other members of the cast into the public conversation while the production team of Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino became major players. In the years since its conclusion in May 2007, its pull rivaled that of a black star, generating memes galore and a rabid, growing fandom. Such was its demand for more that Netflix accommodated them in 2016 with the four-part A Year in the Life.

The conversation among fans continues as seen in the recent film Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice, where the characters engage in a lively debate over who was the better boyfriend for Rory (Alexis Bledel).

To satisfy that demand, Warner Home Entertainment has just released Gilmore Girls: The Series, which collects all seven seasons and the miniseries in a twenty-eight-disc box set that demands to be watched. And in so doing, your first thought is ‘my how young everyone looks’. But you also watch the series find its footing as Lorelai (Graham) returns to her parents (Kelly Bishop and Edward Hermann), asking for money so that her brilliant daughter can attend a prestigious private school. Her mother agrees, but in return, demands their presence every Friday for dinner.

Over time, we come to understand why Lorelai fled home as a teen, had Rory at 16, and made her way, working at the nearby Independence Inn, rising to become its manager. She has built a support system with Chef Sookie (Melissa McCarthy) and the prissy front-desk clerk Michel (Yanic Truesdale). She goes to town for endless cups of coffee at Luke’s diner, bantering and flirting with Luke (Scott Patterson), beginning the Will They/Won’t They dance that carries on way too long.

Lorelei and Rory Gilmore get a cup of joe at Luke’s Diner.

But the Palladinos, who wrote or rewrote almost every episode, gave it a twist, filling Stars Hollow with idiosyncratic characters that gave the town its charm and set it apart from the network competition. Interestingly, the pilot received financial support from the Family Friendly Programming Forum’s script development fund, a rarity. Amy Sherman-Palladino not only used rapid-fire dialogue but also made the issues small and personal, focusing more on the aftermath of the blowups than on the matter at the center.

Across the 112 hours and 12 minutes, you can enjoy the antics as well as the growing cast as Lorelai and Rory each find their foils, rivals, and potential life partners. There are many wonderful relationships developed across the series, from Rory’s warm relationship with her grandfather to her rivalry with Paris (Liza Weil) at Chilton. While Lorelai’s simmering romance with Luke has its ups and downs, it’s Rory’s relationships with three distinct men that let the viewers watch a girl become a woman and try to find herself.

It begins with Dean (Jared Padalecki), then Luke’s nephew Jess (Milo Ventimiglia) roars into town and becomes the bad boy everyone wants to love. He’s followed by Logan (Matt Czuchry), who represents the life her grandparents enjoy.

As the series entered its final season, the WB and UPN merged into UPN, and the new entity couldn’t make a deal with the Palladinos, who left the show in the hands of writer/producer David S. Rosenthal, and you could tell. It missed the snap and spark of the preceding seasons and was wisely overlooked when the Palladinos came back.

The miniseries picks up years later, and while it was nice to revisit, we see how time has been kinder to Lorelai but less so to Rory, who is struggling to be an independent adult. That said, it was nice to see everyone back again, except Hermann, who, sadly, passed away, and his character and performance are well remembered here.

All the episodes make their Blu-ray debut in this sturdy box set, and the high-definition transfer has a fine 1.33:1 ratio, looking crisp and colorful.

Special features from the DVD sets have been ported over, and sadly, nothing new has been added. The witty Gilmore-isms” booklets being included in the DVD sets of the first four seasons are absent, which is a shame since the series’s allusions are one of its charms (and an education for many viewers, even today). The Dolby Digital English 5.1 audio track works just fine to capture the dialogue and the music that is a character in its own right.

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Mary Jane gets one-shot to Celebrate 60 Years

New York, NY— May 6, 2026 — Sixty years ago, Marvel Comics hit the jackpot. In Amazing Spider-Man #42, Mary Jane Watson made her full debut, brought to life by Stan Lee and John Romita Sr., and her luck has never run out! From Peter Parker’s true love to a fashion model, a superhero, and even a symbiote host, MJ has done it all with style. This August, Marvel celebrates the character’s legendary legacy in MARY JANE: FACE IT, TIGER #1, a giant-sized one-shot with all-new stories spanning her most iconic eras, plus a glimpse at what’s next for the inimitable Mary Jane. August will also see the launch of all-new MARY JANE WATSON VARIANT COVERS, a runway-worthy collection of new Mary Jane artwork from today’s hottest artists.

MARY JANE: FACE IT, TIGER features a lineup of renowned writers, including legendary Spider-Man scribes J.M. DeMatteis, J. Michael Straczynski, and Ann Nocenti, along with rising star Ashley Allen. They’re joined by an all-star group of artists, including Phil Noto, Alina Erofeeva, Andrea Broccardo, and Luigi Zagaria—ensuring Mary Jane will look her very best!

“Since we first saw her ASM #42, we ALL hit the jackpot!” says handsome Spider-Editor Nick Lowe. “Mary Jane has had one heck of a journey from supporting character in a love-triangle all the way to super hero! It’s super rare for a supporting character to become a main character, but Ms. Watson is one of those rare breeds, and we’re all lucky to be a part of her story!”

MARY JANE: FACE IT, TIGER #1
Written by J.M. DEMATTEIS, ANN NOCENTI, J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI & ASHLEY ALLEN
Art by ALINA EROFEEVA, ANDREA BROCCARDO, LUIGI ZAGARIA & PHIL NOTO
Cover by JIM CHEUNG
Variant Covers by DAVID NAKAYAMA
On Sale 8/5

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The Office: The Complete Series – Superfan Extended Episodes Coming in July

Universal City, California, May 6, 2026 – One of the most celebrated sitcoms in television history returns in its most complete and ultimate form ever with THE OFFICE: THE COMPLETE SERIES – SUPERFAN EXTENDED EPISODES, available on Digital platforms and Blu-ray™ beginning July 14, 2026, from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. Spanning 194 expanded episodes, this all-new collection reconstructs every installment of the landmark series, adding additional footage to each episode and delivering more than 25 hours of unaired* material. It’s the ultimate version of The Office—bigger, longer, and more uncomfortably hilarious than ever before. Widely regarded as one of the biggest and most influential sitcoms of all time, The Office transformed workplace comedy and became a cultural phenomenon, launching iconic characters, endlessly quotable moments, and a devoted global fanbase that continues to grow. Now, audiences can experience the series with extended scenes, deeper character moments, and jokes that were never seen during its original broadcast. Developed for American television by Emmy® Award‑winning creator Greg Daniels, alongside the original creative team, the Superfan Extended Episodes offer fans more insight into the day‑to‑day dysfunction at Dunder Mifflin Paper Company.
 
Get ready to work overtime with THE OFFICE: THE COMPLETE SERIES – SUPERFAN EXTENDED EPISODES featuring over 25 hours of unaired* footage woven into the original broadcast episodes! Join Michael Scott (Steve Carell), Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson), Jim Halpert (John Krasinski), Pam Beesly (Jenna Fischer), and the rest of the employees at Scranton’s most infamous paper company, Dunder Mifflin, as they have the ups and downs of their everyday work lives chronicled documentary style. Developed for American television by Primetime Emmy® Award winner Greg Daniels, he and the original creative team behind the show have expanded and reconstructed every single episode in the series to bring you The Office as you’ve never seen it before!

*During initial TV broadcast run.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION BLU-RAY:
Street Date: July 14, 2026
UPC Number: US 191329289419 / CDN: 191329289419
Layers: BD 50
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 1.78:1
Rating: Not Rated
Languages/Subtitles: English SDH
Sound: English (DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1)
Number of Discs: 30
Run Time: 101 hours and 20 minutes

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Bad Ass on a Budget is for Indie Filmmakers

Veteran stuntman and action filmmaker Eric Jacobus (God of War, Man Who Feels No Pain) delivers a tech-agnostic, philosophically grounded roadmap for zero-budget filmmakers to achieve high-impact action by mastering the “human universals” of physiology, psychology, and human relationships.

Badass on a Budget is a masterclass for the “Zero-Budget Action Filmmaker” (ZBAF) by veteran action designer Eric Jacobus, who draws on decades of experience from viral hits (Rope-A-Dope and Blindsided) to indie feature film production (Contour and Death Grip) to global franchises (God of War and Mortal Kombat). Rejecting gear-centric trends, Jacobus focuses on tech-agnostic “human universals”—physiology, psychology, and relationships—to provide a holistic framework for a high-impact “Action Ecosystem” where performance, choreography, camera, and editing work in perfect synergy. The guide explores the neuroscience of creativity through “Open” and “Closed” states, introduces “Storeo” as a narrative scaffolding for choreography, and details technical execution through the “Five Stages of Movement.” Beyond the lens, the book emphasizes the critical “Director-DP marriage,” resilient set culture, creating the “overnight assembly” to build cast momentum, and how you should never chase the “perfect cut” of your film. By addressing the entire lifecycle of a project—from the physical strain of production to the existential “Hangover” of completion—Jacobus offers a timeless, philosophically grounded roadmap for any artist looking to transform minimal resources into a viral masterpiece

In 2025, Jacobus published his best-selling book If These Fists Could Talk: A Stuntman’s Unflinching Take on Violence, which delves into the intersection of violence and art. He is an avid researcher and regularly speaks at conferences on topics ranging from the science of violence to the anthropology of martial arts cinema.

Never has there been a more savvy tutorial in print, something that guides the reader on a path of winning through creativity and crafting a next-to-no budget action film, and peppered with true stories of how one scrappy guy was inspired by Hong Kong martial arts movies to make his own on virtually nothing but knowledge, naivete, and the desire to just go out there and do it himself because no one else would, Jacobus crafts an entertaining, slam-bang roundhouse kick of a book that every indie-spirited filmmaker will find invaluable and essential to honing their craft.

The book went on sale May 1 and is available online. It has already garnered positive comments from industry professionals:

“Eric is undoubtedly one of the most inventive action stars and filmmakers out there. His creativity and skill as an action performer in projects like Rope-a-Dope and Blindsided were awe-inspiring to me. Watching Eric in action is always amazing, so I can’t think of a better guy to write a book about it.”

Scott Adkins, Actor (Prisoner of War, John Wick 4, Ip Man 4)

“For any filmmaker tired of the ‘same old same old,’ this book is a refreshing masterclass in action design from a true indie pioneer.”

JJ Perry, Director (Day Shift)

“Eric stands at the top tier of performers in the American martial arts film world. What he delivers in this book isn’t just advice—it’s a battle-tested blueprint. Whether you’re aiming to create action films, martial arts cinema, or any kind of movie, this guide lays out exactly what it takes to get there.”

Isaac Florentine, Director (Undisputed II & III, Close Range)

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Mortal Thor #14 Celebrates Thor & Journey into Mystery #800

New York, NY— May 7, 2026 — In a world without a God of Thunder, lightning still strikes! This August, writer Al Ewing and artist Pasqual Ferry celebrate 800 issues of THOR with a special anniversary issue that pits Sigurd Jarlson, the Mortal Thor, up against The Serpent’s most heinous test yet. With the fate of the Ten Realms hanging in the balance and no superpowers or enchanted hammers to wield, Sigurd’s quest to prove himself worthy and restore life to the forgotten god of Asgard will set the stage for the third act of Ewing’s mythos-shaking THOR saga.

At the end of Ewing’s IMMORTAL THOR, the God of Thunder met his fate and died as a sacrifice to power a spell by his sibling Loki. This spell saw Thor forgotten by those who knew him and the rest of the Asgardians seemingly forever severed from the realm of Midgard. But the story continued in MORTAL THOR, as a new hero rose on the streets of New York City, a hero with no powers, just a determination to right wrongs—with a hammer. Seeking a normal life but forced to step into the fray, Sigurd Jarlson found himself beset by threats from Thor’s past, including the vicious Donald Blake, aka The Serpent, and Mr. Hyde. Sigurd’s encounters with these villains have led him closer to uncovering the mystery tying him to the missing Asgardian God of Thunder, with a pivotal moment set to take place in August’s issue of MORTAL THOR.

“Issue #800 wraps up some long-running plotlines that have plagued Thor since before his death, but it also sets Sigurd Jarlson on a quest that will send him through the realms of myth to an Asgard that’s never needed a Thor more than now,” explains Ewing. “Sigurd is still without any powers beyond his own courage, wits, and willpower — can a mortal face the trials of the gods, save ten worlds, and bring the Thunder God back to the people who need him? I couldn’t ask for a better artist than Pasqual Ferry to help tell this story, and I hope you all enjoy the ride we’ve got planned for you. #800 is only the beginning!”

MORTAL THOR #14/LGY #800 will also include anniversary stories from rising star writer Chris Condon (Ultimate Wolverine) and artist Jesse Lonergan (Drome), plus the return of fan-favorite Thor and Journey Into Mystery scribe Kieron Gillen.

AN ASGARDIAN MILESTONE: THOR #800!

The Serpent has trapped Sigurd Jarlson in the worst of all possible worlds for his greatest trial. Now, without even a weapon in his hand, he must prove himself worthy to enter the Realms of the Gods. Somewhere in the city, a man without even a hammer begins the ultimate quest…the quest for Thor!

MORTAL THOR #14 (LGY #800)
Written by AL EWING, CHRIS CONDON, and KIERON GILLEN
Art by PASQUAL FERRY, JESSE LONERGAN & MORE
Cover by ALEX ROSS
Variant Covers by RYAN STEGMAN
On Sale 8/19