Music in Movies and TV: Supergirl

 

Music in Movies and TV: Supergirl

 

Unlike Michael Dean Parsons and Kris Bowers, Claudia Sarne doesn't necessarily agree that every requested change will improve a scene. Yet she is a team player. As in any other field of collaboration, Claudia recognizes she is just one contributor to this year's Supergirl movie. So, when director Craig Gillespie suggested she lighten the mood for the Argo scene, Claudia agrees that her second attempt helps balance Kara Zor-El and Krypto’s traumatic departure from the city with the movie’s overall score.

 

Another scene highlights the conditions musicians often face when composing music for film. Claudia received a scene of Kara being attacked in space with no notes regarding where it fit into the movie. The way she read the scene, Claudia guessed it was the end of the movie. So, she went all out to give Kara's story a rousing finish, only to learn later that the scene fit in elsewhere.

 

When asked how Artificial Intelligence may threaten her career, Claudia feels the introduction of AI is inevitable. Filmmakers cannot afford to ignore inexpensive tools that hasten the filmmaking process. Yet just as movies and TV shows connect with us at a deeply personal level, Claudia holds out hope that savvy directors will always value the Human element in bringing their vision to life. 

 

Whether scoring grounded emotional scenes or enhancing spectacular action set pieces, Claudia Sarne loves doing both. They are all important in crafting a compelling story. And just like any other artist, she loves making art. But instead of applying pigments to paper, Claudia paints with sound, propelling viewers on life-changing journeys with their favorite characters.

 

Thanks to Claudia Sarne, Warner Brothers, and San Diego Comic-Con for sharing this story with us.

 

To hear from Michael Dean Parsons and Kris Bowers, see Music in Movies and TV: Spider-Noir.

Jim Zub’s Conan Journey

 

Jim Zub (second from right)

Jim Zub’s Conan Journey

 

At this year's Titan Comics' Conan panel at San Diego Comic-Con, I asked Jim Zub how he had grown as a writer since he wrote Conan for Marvel Comics. Jim explained that his journey alongside the Cimmerian actually began at Dark Horse Comics, when he co-wrote the Conan/Red Sonja miniseries with Gail Simone. Jim figured it might be his only shot at writing Conan, so he made the most of the opportunity.

 

 

 

 

Yet in life, one thing often leads to another. When Marvel Comics was looking for guest writers for its Savage Sword of Conan series, they picked Jim to write the three-issue story arc "Conan The Gambler." With industry greats like Jason Aaron and the legendary Roy Thomas swelling Marvel's ranks, Jim grasped the unexpected opportunity, grateful for a second chance to chronicle Conan’s adventures.

 

 

 

But when Jason Aaron decided to cease his Hyborian Age labors, Marvel needed another scribe to take his place. Based on his story in Savage Sword of Conan #7, 8, and 9, Marvel picked Jim to script Conan's monthly journeys. Jim Zub wrote 13 more issues of Conan The Barbarian and the Conan: Serpent War miniseries.

 

 

 

After retracing his journey with Conan for me, Jim Zub explained that, after Marvel dropped Conan, Titan Comics gave him time to immerse himself in Robert E Howard's world. While Jim had always loved the original stories, the lead-up to Titan’s Conan The Barbarian #1 allowed him to delve deeper into the Howard mythos. After writing so many stories for Titan, Jim Zub better recognizes when he is channeling Howard's narrative voice in a comic script, and what to do if he isn't. 

 

Titan's Conan The Barbarian #33 Cover A

 

 

Robert E Howard may have stopped writing Conan before he died. Still, Jim Zub wants to adhere as closely as possible to the master. And by becoming conversant with so many of Howard’s characters, Jim Zub can expand his Conan universe, as he is doing with boxer and sailor Steve Costigan in his upcoming Conan: Scourge of the Serpent event.

 

 

 

Thanks to Titan Comics, Heroic Signatures, Jim Zub, and San Diego Comic-Con for sharing this story with us.

 

For Jim Zub's latest story, see Conan The Barbarian #33 Review. 

Music in Movies and TV: Spider-Noir

 

Music in Movies and TV: Spider-Noir

 

Michael Dean Parsons and Kris Bowers are hardworking musicians who contribute to the Spider-Noir TV series. To achieve a classic Noir sound infused with orchestral Sci-Fi/ Fantasy, they used many instruments to produce music rich in harmonics.

 

Michael and Kris drew inspiration from composer Jerry Goldsmith. When the filmmakers wanted another score for the movie Chinatown, Goldsmith produced a different sound which has become the archetypal Noir movie sound.

 

Before they started, Michael and Kris collected 250 soundtracks to familiarize themselves with what audiences expected. After compiling this vast library and grounding themselves in genre history, they set the collection aside. Then, they crafted their own unique sound for Spider-Noir.

 

Their creativity took them on unexpected journeys. Kris had arranged to record sounds on a harpsichord from a music store. But instead of playing melodic music as he and the store owners expected, Kris ended up banging on the strings to create motor sounds for an old vehicle.

 

Both musicians have also learned to adapt their vision as the planned episode becomes a reality. Stories evolve until the showrunner puts his stamp of approval on each episode of Spider-Noir. As Michael Dean Parsons said, when a showrunner doesn't like their music, that's not a problem. Rather, it's an opportunity to improve what they've created. As in all forms of storytelling, writing is rewriting.  

 

Spider-Noir is available to stream on Amazon. 

 

Thanks to Michael Dean Parsons, Kris Bowers, the creative team behind Spider-Noir, and San Diego Comic-Con for sharing this story with us. 

 

Matt Kindt & Brian Hurtt's Fort Psycho

 

Matt Kindt has the best job ever. He spends his days and nights making comics. He writes, draws, and occasionally hand-letters his comics. For his latest series, he's teaming up with artist Brian Hurtt to tell a story about former soldiers branded as war criminals. After spending their careers fighting in wars, the shunned soldiers must discover who they are without a gun in their hands.

 

Matt Kindt and Brian Hurtt came up with the series title. Then they asked, "What does Fort Psycho mean?" As GI Joe fans, the two creators took their cues from Larry Hama's comic series to create an index of characters. While they assembled a list of a hundred or more characters, Matt and Brian fleshed out the soldiers' backstories. 

 

 

 

The two creators have been sharing not just a studio, but also bouncing ideas off each other for decades. Brian Hurt likes to draw action. He describes his creative style as “Organized chaos.” So Matt Kindt tells him what he needs to happen on each page, and leaves Brian to decide how to visualize it. Inevitably, Brian adds panels to each page to enhance the action and fun factor.

 

 

 

Fort Psycho finally gives the two friends a chance to work together. As they finish each page, Matt and Brian send them off to their colorist. They wanted a special palette of colors to create their Psychovision. This necessitates Oni Press working directly with the printers to achieve the desired color tones. Matt also specifies which types of paper the printer uses to ensure each book offers a fun reading experience and becomes a physical artifact readers will treasure. Then, Flux House and Oni Press go the extra mile by offering fun promotions, such as their Comic In A Can variant cover.

 

 

 

 

Best wishes to Matt Kindt and Briant Hurtt on their new series. Thanks to the creators, Oni Press, and San Diego Comic-Con for sharing this story with us.

 

 

 

Titan's Upcoming King Kull Series

 

Conan traveled back in time to fight alongside King Kull and his stalwart Pict friend Brule in Conan The Barbarian: The Age Unconquered Vol 3. Recently, Jim Zub drew King Kull back into Conan's orbit in Conan The Barbarian: Scourge of the Serpent Vol 1. But Kull didn't stop there. The indomitable King of Atlantis also made inroads into Savage Sword of Conan.

Now, King Kull is getting his own series. How will Titan's upcoming Kull series differ from the King's appearances in Conan The Barbarian and Savage Sword of Conan? And when can the new series appear in stores?

Here's all the info from Titan Comics:

 

KULL RETURNS IN 2027

WRITTEN BY JOHN ARCUDI, ILLUSTRATED AND COLOURED BY THE MULTIPLE EISNER AWARD WINNING TEAM MARK BUCKINGHAM AND DAVE STEWART

As announced at San Diego Comic-Con 2026 during the Conan Panel on Saturday 25th July, global publishers Titan Comics and Heroic Signatures are thrilled to announce a BRAND-NEW comic book series, based on the literary predecessor to Conan the Barbarian; Kull!

This new comic series brings on board a stellar creative team featuring multiple Eisner award winning artist Mark Buckingham (Fables, Hellblazer, Amazing Spider-Man), as well as the Eisner award winning Dave Stewart, and writer John Arcudi (The Mask, B.P.R.D., Major Bummer)

Kull Issue 1 is due hit comic shops in early 2027. Stay tuned for more updates!

 

Here is a map of Kull's Thurian Age:

 

 

When Titan's Chief Operating Officer, Andrew Sumner, sat down with Heroic Signatures' editor Chris Butera, Kull was one of the first characters they bonded over. Like their Conan and Solomon Kane stories, the team's first Kull miniseries will number four issues. But while they are following the same format, they wanted to give the Kull series its own unique look. 

 

 

Writer John Arcudi made some of his first sales to Marvel's Savage Tales and Savage Sword of Conan. In addition to the titles Titan mentioned, John went on to work on series like Alien, Predator, Terminator, and Doom Patrol. Among artist Mark Buckingham other credits are series like Titans and Dead Boy Detectives. 

At San Diego Comic-Con, Mark Buckingham said he sought inspiration for his new Kull series from Jack Kirby and Moebius. He strives for a lean, elegant delicacy in depicting Kull's Thurian Age. Mark sought to convey the high culture of this story set thousands of years before Conan's Hyborian Age, while also showing the corruption that will eventually swallow it.

 

 

Andrew Sumner is giving the new series the thumbs-up. Hopefully, readers will too!

 

Thanks to Titan Comics, Heroic Signatures, and San Diego Comic-Con for sharing this story with us.

 

For King Kull's recent adventure, see my review of Conan The Barbarian: Scourge of the Serpent Vol 1. 

Lanterns & Stuart Fails to Save the Universe at San Diego Comic-Con

 

While I attend panels in the Convention Center, San Diego Comic-Con spreads out across the downtown area. There are so many fun things happening that you cannot see them all. SDCC 2026 may be in the record books now. But here's a look at some of the fun that occurred this last weekend.

Who knows? Perhaps these fan experiences will pop up in a city near you soon! 

HBO Max Brings 

LANTERNS And STUART FAILS TO SAVE THE UNIVERSE 

To Life With Immersive Fan Experiences In San Diego

 

OVERVIEW
HBO Max has officially kicked off its presence in San Diego with the debut of two experiential activations for LANTERNS and STUART FAILS TO SAVE THE UNIVERSE. Taking over locations throughout the Gaslamp District, the activations invite fans to step directly into the worlds of the series through interactive moments and series-themed storytelling, journey-driven challenges, photo opportunities, exclusive merchandise and takeaways, and one-of-a-kind experiences.

Beginning yesterday on Thursday, July 23 and running through Saturday, July 25, “Lanterns Training Headquarters” recruits attendees into the Green Lantern Corps for an interactive journey inspired by LANTERNS. Set within the world of Rushville, Nebraska, the experience challenges visitors to prove their fearlessness through hands-on training exercises, uncover mysteries tied to the upcoming series, and compete for the opportunity to earn a custom Lantern ring. 

The activation transformed participants into aspiring Lanterns, placing them at the center of a story-driven adventure pulled directly from the universe of the show. Earlier today, cast members Kyle Chandler, Aaron Pierre, Garret Dillahunt, Poorna Jagannathan, alongside creators and writers Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof, and Tom King, stopped by to take on the challenge themselves and find out if they are worthy of wearing the ring. 

 

Running through Sunday, July 26, “The Comic Center of Pasadena” brings STUART FAILS TO SAVE THE UNIVERSE to life through a multiverse-spanning adventure that transports fans inside Stuart Bloom’s iconic comic book store. Visitors journey through a series of alternate realities, discover their hero archetypes, explore immersive environments inspired by the series, and receive personalized collectible keepsakes along the way. The experience also features exclusive merchandise and shareable photo moments designed to celebrate the upcoming comedy event series. On Thursday, creators Chuck Lorre, Zak Penn, and Bill Prady, plus stars Kevin Sussman, Lauren Lapkus, John Ross Bowie, and Brian Posehn, stepped into the Stuart multiverse and experienced the adventure firsthand.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beyond the activations, HBO Max also hosted must-see panels for both series. On Thursday, STUART FAILS TO SAVE THE UNIVERSE treated attendees to an advance screening and conversation featuring creators Chuck Lorre, Zak Penn, and Bill Prady alongside series stars. LANTERNS followed on Friday with a Hall H panel featuring cast and creative talent, an exclusive first look at the series, and never-before-seen footage.

HBO Max's Comic-Con celebration continues tomorrow as co-creator and showrunner Ryan Condal will introduce a special advance screening of HOUSE OF THE DRAGON Season 3, Episode 6, offering an exclusive early look at the next episode of the hit HBO Original series.

LANTERNS, from DC Studios and Warner Bros. Television, premieres August 16 on HBO and HBO Max.

Max Original Comedy Series STUART FAILS TO SAVE THE UNIVERSE, from Warner Bros. Television, premiered July 23 on HBO and HBO Max with new episodes debuting weekly Thursday’s at 9:00 p.m. ET.

The first 5 episodes of Season 3 of HBO Original Series HOUSE OF THE DRAGON are now streaming on HBO and HBO Max with new episodes debuting weekly Sunday’s at 9:00 p.m. ET.

 

ABOUT LANTERNS
“Green Lantern,” LANTERNS follows new recruit John Stewart and Lantern legend Hal Jordan, two intergalactic cops drawn into a dark, earth-based mystery with cosmic ties as they investigate a murder in the American heartland. HBO in association with Warner Bros. Television and DC Studios. The LANTERNS pilot is co-written by Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof, and Tom King, who are co-creators for the series. Mundy serves as showrunner. The first two episodes are directed by James Hawes, with Stephen Williams, Geeta Vasant Patel and Alik Sakharov also tapped to direct. The series is executive produced by Mundy, Lindelof, James Gunn, Peter Safran, King, Ron Schmidt, and Hawes. Based on the DC comic characters from “Green Lantern.”

 

 

ABOUT STUART FAILS TO SAVE THE UNIVERSE
Comic book store owner Stuart Bloom is tasked with restoring reality after he breaks a device built by Sheldon and Leonard, accidentally bringing about a multiverse Armageddon. Stuart is aided in this quest by his girlfriend Denise, geologist friend Bert, and quantum physicist/all-around pain in the ass Barry Kripke. Along the way, they meet alternate-universe versions of characters we’ve come to know and love from “The Big Bang Theory.” As the title implies, things don’t go well. The series stars Kevin Sussman (Stuart), Lauren Lapkus (Denise), Brian Posehn (Bert), and John Ross Bowie (Kripke). The series, from Chuck Lorre Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television, is created, written, and executive produced by Chuck Lorre, Zak Penn, and Bill Prady. Kyle Newacheck is executive producer and directs multiple episodes.

ABOUT HOUSE OF THE DRAGON S3
Based on George R.R. Martin’s “Fire & Blood,” the series, set 200 years before the events of “Game of Thrones,” tells the story of House Targaryen. Season three cast includes Matt Smith, Emma D’Arcy, Olivia Cooke, Steve Toussaint, Rhys Ifans, Fabien Frankel, Ewan Mitchell, Tom Glynn-Carney, Sonoya Mizuno, Harry Collett, Bethany Antonia, Phoebe Campbell, Phia Saban, Jefferson Hall, Matthew Needham, James Norton, Tom Bennett, Kieran Bew, Kurt Egyiawan, Freddie Fox, Clinton Liberty, Gayle Rankin, and Abubakar Salim. Co-Creator/Showrunner/Executive Producer, Ryan Condal; Co-Creator/Executive Producer, George R.R. Martin; Executive Producers Sara Hess, Melissa Bernstein, Kevin de la Noy, Vince Gerardis, David Hancock, Philippa Goslett. 

 

Thanks to HBO Max PR for sharing this news with us. 

Spaceballs: The New One at San Diego Comic-Con

 

While I center my San Diego Comic-Con experience around comics, Hall H entertains the fans with all the latest developments from Hollywood. One of the most iconic properties returning to the big screen next year is Spaceballs. And the cast and crew will be working hard to ensure the sequel neither sucks nor blows. But how will they update the franchise for today's fans? And who is starring in the long-awaited Spaceballs: The New One?

Here's all the info from Amazon MGM Studios:

 

 

On Friday, July 24, Amazon MGM Studios skipped ludicrous speed and went straight to plaid in Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con as the cast and filmmakers of SPACEBALLS: THE NEW ONE sat down for a galactic panel. Following a heartfelt and hilarious video message from the legendary Mel Brooks, moderator Kevin Smith welcomed stars Daphne Zuniga, Keke Palmer, Lewis Pullman, Josh Gad, director Josh Greenbaum, and screenwriters Dan Hernandez and Benji Samit to the stage. 

As the crew arrived on stage, Spaceballs Troopers combed the audience looking for Dark Helmet impersonators only to uncover Dark Helmet himself, Rick Moranis, hiding amongst the fans. Moranis then joined the group onstage to thunderous applause and a standing ovation to mark his return to the galaxy. 

During the panel, filmmakers Josh Gad and Josh Greenbaum reminisced about pitching the sequel to Mel Brooks, while Daphne Zuniga and Rick Moranis reflected on returning to their iconic characters and reuniting with Brooks for the first time in decades. Keke Palmer shared what it was like stepping into the iconic SPACEBALLS universe, and Lewis Pullman reflected on joining the franchise that launched his father Bill Pullman’s career. While Lone Star couldn’t be at the panel in-person, he was there in spirit – treating Hall H to a special video message.

 

 

 

 

Gad also paid homage to one of his personal idols, John Candy, who he described as the heart and soul of the original film.

As your father’s brothers’ nephew’s cousin’s former roommate Mel Brooks would put it, the Hall H crowd proved that the Schwartz is still very much with us. 

 

 

Here's the movie's teaser poster and official write-up:

 

 

 

 

Spaceballs: The New One

Director: Josh Greenbaum 

Screenwriters: Benji Samit, Dan Hernandez, Josh Gad

Producers: Brian Grazer, Jeb Brody, Mel Brooks, Kevin Salter, Josh Gad, Josh Greenbaum 

Executive Producers: Adam Merims, Benji Samit, Dan Hernandez 

Starring: Rick Moranis, Josh Gad, Keke Palmer, Lewis Pullman, Anthony Carrigan, George Wyner, Daphne Zuniga, Bill Pullman, Mel Brooks 

Release Date: April 2027 

Synopsis | Somehow, Dark Helmet has returned! Forty years after the events of the first Spaceballs, fifty years after the events of Star Wars: A New Hope, and one year after the events of The Devil Wears Prada 2, the galaxy is once again under threat. A threat so evil, so unstoppable, so completely lacking in any original ideas, that it has vowed to bring back the past... every last bit of it. With Lone Starr in hiding, Queen Vespa on the throne, and the Schwartz stretched thinner than a franchise releasing TV episodes theatrically, the only hope for the galaxy is Vespa's undisciplined son, Prince Starburst, and a mysterious Palace advisor named Destiny. Together, they must find Lone Starr, Yogurt, and any other iconic legacy characters fans are demanding before they discover the hard way that, while some threats you can fight, the reboot is not one of them. 

 

 

Thanks to Amazon MGM Studios for sharing this news with us. 

Titan Comics Booth at San Diego Comic-Con

 

After meeting him at ERB Inc's special press event on Friday, John Dziewiatkowski, co-publishing director at Titan Comics with Ricky Claydon, kindly gave me a quick tour of the Titan Comics booth. They had their tables full of a lot of great books for sale. 

Here's a quick look at some of what they were displaying:

 

 

As you may have noticed, they've got a lot of great stories to check out. The Blade Runner hardcover omnibuses are a steal at $40 each. The Craniacs trade paperback is hilarious fun. Poking into the corner of the photo above is Yan, Strange Pictures, and Record Journey, all of which I've reviewed. They've also got beautiful covers for the final issue of Star Wars Insider magazine. 

Still, what everyone is clamoring for is these San Diego Comic-Con exclusive covers. They've produced more for this year than in 2025, and they're in great demand. Titan hosted signings yesterday, and they've got one organized for Sunday. So if you're attending the convention, and haven't checked out the Titan Comics booth, pay them a visit.

Oh, and one last thing:

 

 

Conan is angry that Yan Vol 1 and 2 didn't win the Eisner Award. So when you stop by, make sure you appease him by picking up the 3 volume series. (And please shout "Crom!" three times, in ascending volume, to make COO Andrew Sumner happy).

 

Here are my reviews for some of the featured products:

Yan Vol 1

Yan Vol 2 

Yan Vol 3

Record Journey Vol 1

Strange Pictures Vol 1

 

Thanks to John Dziewiatkowski for showing me around the Titan Comics booth.