Charmed Comics Revived by CBS & Dynamite Entertainment

[cyma]

DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCES LICENSE WITH CBS CONSUMER PRODUCTS TO REVIVE EVERGREEN TELEVISION PROPERTIES

Mighty Mouse and Charmed to Return in All-New Comic Book Series for 2017

October 4, 2016, Mt. Laurel, NJ: Dynamite Entertainment and CBS Consumer Products announced today a new license agreement for two classic properties from the rich history of television: the animated legend Mighty Mouse, and the hit 90’s series Charmed!

Mighty Mouse returns to comics for the first time in 30 years, just in time for the character’s 75th anniversary in 2017! Mighty Mouse was first conceived in 1942 as a parody of another cape and cowl hero introduced a few years earlier, and went on to star in countless animated films for the better part of the next 20 years, finding a new life on Saturday mornings in the 1960’s.

“Mighty Mouse is as much a part of American pop culture as the two characters he is inspired by,” says Nick Barrucci, Dynamite CEO and publisher. “The original comics and animation entertained generations of fans, and with the popularity of superhero movies, there couldn’t be a better time for his return! I am thrilled that Dynamite will be able to bring this timeless hero to a whole new generation of fans.”

Charmed premiered critical acclaim and commercial success, and by the end of its eight-season run, had won numerous awards and aired in more than 20 countries. Charmed follows the Halliwell sisters: three witches, each powerful in her own right, but invincible when they come together to summon The Power of Three. Protecting innocents from the underworld’s demons, the Halliwell sisters battle evil from their family home in San Francisco.

“Charmed is a perfect fit for Dynamite for a number of reasons,” says Dynamite CEO and publisher Nick Barrucci. “We have had tremendous success with cult television properties, and the Halliwell sisters will be right at home. Our plans for these new series are sure to please comics readers and die-hard TV junkies alike!”

Details on Dynamite’s upcoming Mighty Mouse and Charmed publishing programs will be released in the coming months.

www.cbr.com/all-new-mighty-mouse-charmed-comics-announced/

[cyma]

Had no idea Dynamite has Game of Thrones and Xena comics too! Wonder how they'll approach Charmed comics. Would it be season 11? Or untold stories between season 1-8? They also appear to do alternate timeline stories and crossovers so really very curious if we'll get stories about the Morality Bites and Chris-Crossed future. And ofcourse....what if Prue never died future or Paige grew up with the sisters future

As for whether it should be Paul Ruditis or Pat Shand, I feel like Paul's main strength was plot execution and his ability to handle multiple characters while still focusing on the main characters. Pat's strength was the deep emotional character scenes which I felt were missing in season 9 but I didn't like all the focus on the secondary characters which was in season 10.

So if there's a writer who can wield both these writers' strengths, she or he should be the next Charmed comic writer.

[Granny Charmed]

Oh do I hope dears they do some side stories set during the series or an alternate storyline like Prue being alive or a what if?. This girl is curious on what they have planned.

Having finally gotten hold of season 9 comics in graphic novel form. I am looking forward to catching up. But now that we have a new series - this girl might be able to get these monthly. Now that my Granddaughter has a comic shop not far from her campus to get them for me.

[Esmeralda]

The funny thing about this is I'm just as excited about Mighty Mouse coming back as I am about Charmed! "Here I come, to save your day! That means that Mighty Mouse is on his way!" is as huge a part of my childhood as my favorite superheroes, Superman and Supergirl.

As for Charmed, it's funny. I hope that neither Paul Ruditis or Pat Shand are part of this new series. I'm hoping that Shand goes on with his plans to finish up Season 10 in the next and final issue in December so that whole series is done and over with, and then we can put the Zenescope series into official fanon where it belongs and start all over with a new series that can ignore it and do something different.

I'm hoping that the new series will indeed be about the Halliwell sisters - Prue, Piper and Phoebe - since I've never believed that Shannen had anything to do with Prue not appearing in the Zenescope series - and show what might have happened had Shannen not been fired, with the series starting with Shax blowing in...but then showing what really happens after he leaves and all three survive. That could keep half-whitelighters far, far away, which is where they belong. I wouldn't mind if they meet Paige, especially if she's only a witch which would set up any kid to just be a witch, but not if Paige can become Charmed. I doubt if I'd be that lucky to see this happen, but that would be my dream comic series, since it would be something that could be done in comics but not onscreen since no way they could make the actresses look that young, and I'm still not ready for a reboot with different actresses.

Since I doubt we'd get that, I can hope that like the Zenescope series, this one can start after 'Forever Charmed', but hopefully prove that that episode was just Piper's delusion as she was in a coma after the explosion in 'Kill Billie, Vol 2' and now we can see what really happened (at least in *this* new, parallel Charmedverse, which for me would be real one) so we can ignore the idea of each sister having three kids and also ignore the fact that Piper and Leo live to be old so that we get back the drama of wondering if they'll survive the latest obstacle or not.

Although I'll admit I also doubt that will happen, so I can at least hope that it shows that Piper's daughter, Phoebe's three and Paige's twins and son won't be born until this series is over - if indeed they're not just Piper's fantasy. That way the series can be about the sisters as sisters and wives, not as mothers.

And I hope that something happens in the first episode so that like Paul Ruditis' vision of the Charmed Ones, they go back to being sisters who happen to be witches who believe that the wrong thing done for the right reason is still the wrong thing, and not Brad Kern's version who were demon-slayers who happened to live in the same house and who believed that ends justify the means, which also appears to be Pat Shand's version of the Charmed Ones.

One way or the other, I can hope for just one artist the whole series so they don't keep changing appearances. I won't mind if they don't look that much like the actresses as long as they're consistent. It's what I liked best about the Superman comics when they were my favorite - the version where Cary Bates was the writer and Curt Swan was the artist (back then the artist did both the drawing and the coloring) will always be Superman to me. I can hope the same thing could happen for Charmed.

[adzpower]

Dynamite is a well known company, good choice.

[unakite]

Prue, Piper and Phoebe, nothing more

[Esmeralda]

Oct 9, 2016 9:12:09 GMT -5 adzpower said:

Dynamite is a well known company, good choice.

Very glad to hear that, Adzpower. I hope they take better care of Charmed than Zenescope did.

[cyma]

Dynamite is currently screening candidates to join the sales and marketing team:

www.dynamite.com/htmlfiles/jobs.html

Wonder how they're going about selecting writers and artists for Charmed.

If there is some kind of writer job posting, who here is interested in taking the stress and pressure of writing season 11? Or rewrite or whatever CBS wants? :-)

[Esmeralda]

Oct 9, 2016 13:54:17 GMT -5 cyma said:

Dynamite is currently screening candidates to join the sales and marketing team:

www.dynamite.com/htmlfiles/jobs.html

Wonder how they're going about selecting writers and artists for Charmed.

If there is some kind of writer job posting, who here is interested in taking the stress and pressure of writing season 11? Or rewrite or whatever CBS wants? :-)

Oh, man! Can you imagine a fan actually being the one to write the season, even if it would have to be Season 11 and have to continue what Pat Shand has done?

I just wish either Scififantasychic or Kalvana were still around. They're the ones I'd love to see write the next series of Charmed.

[Granny Charmed]

Oh I would adore to see a fan writing the stories. I trust the judgement of them to handle our series well dears.

Although I would like some stories that isn't a continuation after season 8. I have always been a fan of DC Comics doing those special 4-6 part mini series stories.

However this girl would love one on Prue, Piper and Phoebe. But I am under the impression it will be a season 9 reboot comic or a season 11. But I am excited to see what they plan. Especially now that I finally am reading season 9 comics and enjoying them.

[snoble24]

i would love if with the new series it does not go with what zenescope had. i hated that at the end pru in the other womans body turned evil and was trying to kill her family and stuff.i wish for one they did some stories that were like not seen like untold stories from when it was still on tv.plus i like paige so i hope they keep her and dont mess the entire series up by not killing prue and bringing paige in.it would be cool though since paige often hung out at p3 during the time prue was alive if she had met prue. maybe she was an innocent for prue but didnt know it.you know like her boyfriend could of been some horrible demon who was gnna kill her and phoebe saw it in a vision and her and prue destroyed the demon. they could of talked to paige very briefly. it could be something phoebe doesnt remember because of a spell the demon did and paige also doesnt remember. the only one who did was prue but for whatever reason she didnt remind her sister this stuff. maybe to keep phoebe safe.i dont know i just really would love to see an untold story where prue meets paige for a bit.alo would love it to happen if in this new comic series that prue wasnt really dead. that she was a whitelighter.you know so many wanted her to become one and it could be the entire reason why she could never be summoned and seen like grams and stuff were.she could be some sort of secret weapon whitelighter the elders have.maybe something big is gonna happen so they made her a whitelighter and kept her secret somewhere and have been training her.they maybe did not even let leo know about it when he saved what was left of the elders and became one himself.it would really be intresting to see prue all of a sudden come in when some big thing is happening with the sisters.some big bad evil and the secret weapon the elders had being prue is finally revealed.i really have so many ideas on what could happen in this new series.i just sort ofhope you get to see the future kids of phoebe and paiges and pipers little girl just not right away.

[StoryGirl83]

We still don't know what the specific plan is for Dynamite's Charmed comics in regard to how they are going to handle Zenescope's comics, if they will be using them as canon and continuing after them or if they are doing something else. What we do have is information about the first issue from Dynamite: www.bleedingcool.com/2016/12/21/dynamite-launches-a-new-charmed-comic-with-erica-schultz-and-maria-sanapo/

The artist for the second cover is also the interior artist. I'm cool with her likenesses (although I'm a little iffy on her Paige) as long as they have more clothes on in the actual comics. Those outfits make me think of the parts of "Witches in Tights" that I didn't like (such as the title). I guess we will see what happens. I'm hoping for an awesome run of Charmed comics from Dynamite, so here's to hoping they don't disappoint.

[cyma]

Two summaries:

"Balancing work, witchcraft, and a life is never easy, and the Charmed Ones are stretched too thin. Meanwhile, a demon in the Underworld rallies the troops with a plan to take out the Charmed Ones forever."

And:

"A dark force has set its sights on the art world of San Francisco and the only ones who can stop it are Phoebe, Paige, and Piper!"

The likeness is good, but those outfits are giving me not so good flashbacks of season 5 and 6. But since Zenescope season 9 cover with naked Charmed Ones covered in leaves didn't at all reflect the story line or characters, I guess I'll wait for the preview of inside pages of the issue.

But I'm still wondering if it's after season 8 or set after comic season 10. Or just a stand-alone story set in between the TV seasons. There is always a demon out there who has a plan to take out Charmed Ones forever.

[adzpower]

I wouldn't take much notice of the covers, they usually make them more provocative on purpose to be eye catching. It could also have something to do with the story, perhaps they're dressing like that in disguise or for a part.

[Chrisaholic]

Just great. I haven't even finished the older comic series and now they start anew?! *sighs* I wonder though if I can order them from Europe.

[Esmeralda]

Dec 22, 2016 4:51:10 GMT -5 cyma said:

Two summaries:

"Balancing work, witchcraft, and a life is never easy, and the Charmed Ones are stretched too thin. Meanwhile, a demon in the Underworld rallies the troops with a plan to take out the Charmed Ones forever."

And:

"A dark force has set its sights on the art world of San Francisco and the only ones who can stop it are Phoebe, Paige, and Piper!"

The likeness is good, but those outfits are giving me not so good flashbacks of season 5 and 6. But since Zenescope season 9 cover with naked Charmed Ones covered in leaves didn't at all reflect the story line or characters, I guess I'll wait for the preview of inside pages of the issue.

But I'm still wondering if it's after season 8 or set after comic season 10. Or just a stand-alone story set in between the TV seasons. There is always a demon out there who has a plan to take out Charmed Ones forever.

Too true. At least they're not using one issue to re-introduce everyone. I also remember that the Zenescope ones started all about T&A - even in the inside pages - but then settled down. Hopefully if Dynamite starts that way, they also settle down.

I prefer when they *don't* have that great of a likeness, just enough that I can tell who's who, because then I'm not upset when they don't look like the actresses. These are already starting off pretty good so if the ones on the inside are as good I hope they stay that way, although I agree that I can only tell Paige is Paige by her red hair and I prefer her a brunette.

I somehow don't think these will follow the Zenescope ones - if they did, you'd think they'd be calling it Season 11. And since it ends with the end of the 'Forever Crap's' flashforward, it would make sense to just leave it there. I'm hoping that at least one of my dreams will come true - these will put Season 10 into the realm of official fanon where it belongs.

My disappointment in this one is that the Charmed Ones are still Piper, Phoebe and Paige, and not Prue, Piper and Phoebe as I would've preferred. I can hope that it will follow 'Forever Crap', but BEFORE all the kids show up - with no one even pregnant yet. If we have to put up with the second set, I'd prefer that over something like what Zenescope did with starting with 5 kids. If it's just Wyatt and Chris as babies, that's more than enough (actually too much...) for me.

I'd prefer it *not* being set in S5-8 because there's no drama - you know they'll all survive.

We shall see.ee. I'm just glad I'll continue to have an excuse to go to The Source (my local comic store) since then I look at the other comics, too.

[Esmeralda]

I just checked out the link: www.bleedingcool.com/2016/12/21/dynamite-launches-a-new-charmed-comic-with-erica-schultz-and-maria-sanapo/ and those likenesses are amazing - especially Phoebe! Both Paige and Piper are a *bit* off, but like I said before, that's why I don't like it when they look too much like them - the differences are more obvious. Like you said, we'll have to wait to see what they look on on the inside pages.

Unlike Zenescope, they also have actual photocovers, which are fun but not as impressive as the drawn ones.

Just noticed that the artist is "Maria Sanapo (Grimm, DC Comics Bombshells)." DC Comics Bombshells? That does NOT sound promising!

[conette]

Oooh, awesome!
Although Piper DOES look a bit again, I'm suddenly really hyped, despite not really reading that much of the original comics!

[cyma]

Erica Schultz shares some hints on the plot of Charmed by Dynamite Comics in a new interview by Previews:

Q: You're the first writer to take up the pen on the brand-new Charmed comic series. What are your thoughts on contributing to the show canon and setting the tone for the Dynamite Charmed comics to come?

Erica Schultz: I'm thrilled to be a part of the Charmed canon and to contribute to its stories. I was a big fan of the show. I hope to bring a lot of the same action, emotion, and humor that made the television series so great.

Q: What aspects of the individual Halliwell sisters do you find most fascinating to explore in your writing?

Erica: Piper took on a huge burden after Prue died, and it weighs heavily on her. Sure, she'll brush it off, but she really hurts inside. Phoebe really grew up and started taking ownership of her life, but she still holds a lot of guilt for her party girl past. Paige... well, Paige is still growing up, and has a lot to learn. But that gives us room to explore her as a character.

Q: For your story, you've chosen paintings as the conduit for evil. What's the appeal of using this creative media as a plot point for Paige, Phoebe, and Piper?

Erica: Paintings are entertainment like movies or books. You can lose yourself in them. That'll be a hint to what's to come.
Q: What would you want a hardcore Charmed fan to know about your story, and what do you think will attract the attention of curious newcomers?

Erica: Charmed always had a lot going on in each story arc. I hope avid fans recognize familiar aspects of the show while newcomers allow themselves to be immersed in the fantastical world of the Halliwell sisters.

charmedcomicfan11.jimdo.com/2017/01/08/erica-schultz-shares-hints-of-what-s-to-come-in-new-interview/#commentsModule13898628824

Kinda disappointed it's not set in alternate universe or even a continuation, but set in the canon. While season 4 was good, season 5 and on wards was disappointing. If the writer is planning on applying the season 1-4 tone to the new comics along with focusing on the sisterhood which season 5-8 didn't, then I guess it could be something interesting. 

[Esmeralda]

Jan 9, 2017 11:27:05 GMT -5 cyma said:

Erica Schultz shares some hints on the plot of Charmed by Dynamite Comics in a new interview by Previews:

Q: You're the first writer to take up the pen on the brand-new Charmed comic series. What are your thoughts on contributing to the show canon and setting the tone for the Dynamite Charmed comics to come?

Erica Schultz: I'm thrilled to be a part of the Charmed canon and to contribute to its stories. I was a big fan of the show. I hope to bring a lot of the same action, emotion, and humor that made the television series so great.

Q: What aspects of the individual Halliwell sisters do you find most fascinating to explore in your writing?

Erica: Piper took on a huge burden after Prue died, and it weighs heavily on her. Sure, she'll brush it off, but she really hurts inside. Phoebe really grew up and started taking ownership of her life, but she still holds a lot of guilt for her party girl past. Paige... well, Paige is still growing up, and has a lot to learn. But that gives us room to explore her as a character.

Q: For your story, you've chosen paintings as the conduit for evil. What's the appeal of using this creative media as a plot point for Paige, Phoebe, and Piper?

Erica: Paintings are entertainment like movies or books. You can lose yourself in them. That'll be a hint to what's to come.
Q: What would you want a hardcore Charmed fan to know about your story, and what do you think will attract the attention of curious newcomers?

Erica: Charmed always had a lot going on in each story arc. I hope avid fans recognize familiar aspects of the show while newcomers allow themselves to be immersed in the fantastical world of the Halliwell sisters.

charmedcomicfan11.jimdo.com/2017/01/08/erica-schultz-shares-hints-of-what-s-to-come-in-new-interview/#commentsModule13898628824

Kinda disappointed it's not set in alternate universe or even a continuation, but set in the canon. While season 4 was good, season 5 and on wards was disappointing. If the writer is planning on applying the season 1-4 tone to the new comics along with focusing on the sisterhood which season 5-8 didn't, then I guess it could be something interesting. 

I don't think she told us much of anything that we didn't know. And at this point, I'm just hoping it's something like S9 and not S10.