Tag Archives: derek kolstad

John Wick’s Derek Kolstad and writer Robert Venditti Hide UV Signatures in Ordained #1

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To celebrate, blockbuster screenwriter Derek Kolstad, creator and writer of the box office dominating motion picture franchise John Wick, and New York Times best-selling writer Robert Venditti have secretly signed random copies of Ordained #1 with specially-designed UV pens!

These UV signed copies of Ordained #1 are being randomly shipped to comic book stores around the world. When you pick up your copy, be sure to check the cover with a blacklight!

Pre-order Ordained #1 before Final Order Cutoff THIS MONDAY, November 3rd! Ordained comes to shops on December 10,

Ordained #1

Frank Quitely joins Bad Idea’s Warbird!

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Bad Idea has revealed that Frank Quitely is joining the Warbird team! Warbird is the spiritual successor to Planet Death. Quitely joins co-writers Derek Kolstad and Robert Venditti on the much-anticipated project.

Quitely first takes off on Wardbird with designs. Two of his non-spoiler designs are below. There you can see Cole, the hero of the story. Very much in the model of the classic Hollywood action heroes — a helping of Steve McQueen, a dash of Clint Eastwood, even a little younger Brando, Connery and James Garner!

Quitely has also already provided cover art for Wardbird. Cole in action with just a glimpse of the Russian next generation fighter jet the story revolves around.

Cole is a repo man of the highest caliber, repossessing heavily guarded mega yachts from billionaires, private planes from captains of industry, and everything in-between. If it’s got an engine, he can drive it, ride it, or fly it straight out from under the nose of an army of guards.

But now he’s handed the job of a lifetime. The impossible job. One that will bring him face to face with the highest stakes.

The Russians have stolen aeronautical military secrets from China, France, Germany, The UK, and the US to “Frankenstein” together the ultimate bleeding edge, next-gen fighter jet: The Warbird. There are only three of them in existence. They are a force of absolute nature—$1.4 billion apiece—dominating every global hotspot from Syria to Ukraine. And Cole’s been hired to steal one… and destroy the other two.

His fee? 10%. A cool $140 million. But this isn’t a repossession job. This is outright theft. And failure doesn’t mean jail time and fines—it means a bullet to the back of the head. 

NYCC 2025: Bad Idea reveals Derek Kolstad and Robert Venditti reteam for Warbird

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Warbird

In the lead up to New York Comic Con 2025, Bad Idea has revealed Warbird that reteams Derek Kolstad and Robert Venditti. The duo are part of the creative team behind Planet Death.

Cole is a repo man of the highest caliber, repossessing heavily guarded mega yachts from billionaires, private planes from captains of industry, and everything in-between. If it’s got an engine, he can drive it, ride it, or fly it straight out from under the nose of an army of guards.

But now he’s handed the job of a lifetime. The impossible job. One that will bring him face to face with the highest stakes.

The Russians have stolen aeronautical military secrets from China, France, Germany, The UK, and the US to “Frankenstein” together the ultimate bleeding edge, next-gen fighter jet: The Warbird. There are only three of them in existence. They are a force of absolute nature—$1.4 billion apiece—dominating every global hotspot from Syria to Ukraine. And Cole’s been hired to steal one… and destroy the other two.

His fee? 10%. A cool $140 million. But this isn’t a repossession job. This is outright theft. And failure doesn’t mean jail time and fines—it means a bullet to the back of the head.

Bad Idea will be revealing more at their New York Comic Con panel, along with the rest of their next wave of titles.

BAD IDEA: THE NEW YORK COMIC CON Panel

The next wave of BAD IDEA comics continues right here! Join mastermind Derek Kolstad, creator and writer of the JOHN WICK franchise of movies, New York Times best-selling writer Matt Kindt, Eisner-nominated writer Joshua Dysart, modern comic art phenomenon, Jonathan Wayshak, and BAD IDEA impresarios Dinesh Shamdasani, Peter Stern, Benjamin Simpson, and Siena Fallon for an exclusive look at BAD IDEA’s biggest slate yet! Witness brand-new art from PLANET DEATH, ORDAINED, SURVIVE, CUL-DE-SAC, HABITAT, WARBIRD, and much more! Plus, special guests AND a convention exclusive giveaway!

Thursday October 9th 5:15pm – 6:15pm
Room 1C03

Bad Idea’s Ordained gets variant covers from The Walking Dead’s Charlie Adlard

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Writer Robert Venditti joins forces with artist Trevor Hairsine, colorist Dave Stewart,  and letterer DC Hopkins for Ordained, coming in September from Bad Idea.

Bad Idea has revealed that Derek Kolstad, creator and writer of the internationally acclaimed, box office dominating motion picture franchise John Wick, the multi-award winning action-thriller Nobody and its sequel for Universal Studios, as well as the record-breaking epic comic book event Planet Death has come aboard to adapt for screen. The upcoming major motion picture stars a soon-to-be-revealed A-list Oscar nominee.

Bad Idea has also revealed that award-winning artist, Charlie Adlard, best known for his seminal run on the best-selling series The Walking Dead, is joining the series for a line of stunning covers.

Father Royston Craig became a priest late in life but he’s determined to make up for lost time. Along with his regular duties at his St. Louis church, he also performs the prayers of the last rites to patients on their deathbeds at the nearby hospital.

One day, he’s called to give these sacraments to Cormac Byrne, who doctors say won’t last the night. Byrne, like many others, has turned to God only at the end; he hasn’t been to church in decades. Father Roy is eager to hear his confession, but what starts as petty crime from a lifetime ago quickly becomes a horrifying litany of gangland violence and killings. Cormac Byrne is no ordinary man. He is, in fact, the head of the Irish mafia. God offers forgiveness to all who truly repent, and Father Roy completes his task by absolving Byrne of his mortal sins, leaving the man to die at peace…

…until the next morning. When Byrne makes a miraculous medical recovery. No longer at death’s door, Byrne is quick to return to his old ways. It’s business as usual and he’s got loose ends to tie up. First things first: KILL THE PRIEST who now knows where all the bodies are buried.

But Father Roy’s collar wasn’t always white, and Byrne is going to learn the hard way that Father Royston Craig was once Chief Petty Officer Royston Craig, a former Navy SEAL who found his faith in the midst of battle. Now Father Roy must face vicious gangsters, corrupt cops, and his own inner demons if he is to survive. And while he will be forced to tap into a violent skill set he thought never to again entertain, the one thing Father Roy will not do… is kill.

Ordained #1 is out September 10. Check out Charlie Adlard’s covers for the first three issues below!

SDCC 2025: Bad Idea announces its Star Studded Panel, Special Guests, Giveaways, and More!

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Planet Death #0

Bad Idea makes its triumphant return to San Diego Comic Con, ready to reveal the next phase of its massive 2025 slate. They’re kicking things off with their biggest panel ever on Friday July 25th at 5:00 PM in Room 32AB. 

The next Bad Idea blockbuster, Cul-De-Sac, swoops into stores on August 6th. Get a blood-drenched, behind-the-scenes look at New York Times best-selling writer Mike Carey and fine art illustrator Jonathan Wayshak’s upcoming horror masterpiece directly from the series artist himself! Jonathan is ready to answer your Cul-De-Sac questions, show off all-new pages, and even unveil his jaw-dropping original art live and in person!

Joining Jonathan on stage is the masterminds behind the massive comic book event of the year, blockbuster screenwriter Derek Kolstad, New York Times best-selling writer Robert Venditti, and visionary artist Tomás Giorello as they dive deep into all things Planet Death!

Plus, a battalion of Bad Idea impresarios including Bad Idea CEO Dinesh Shamdasani, Chief Operating Officer Peter Stern, SVP of Film & Television Benjamin Simpson, VP of Sales & Marketing Siena Fallon, and Creative Director Brockton McKinney ready to unveil never-before-seen art, show off brand-new covers, answer your questions, and just maybe tease several new, yet-to-be-announced comic book series. And of course reward attendees with a special, panel-exclusive reward!

All panel attendees will receive a special edition of the book that started it all, Planet Death #0, triple-signed by its superstar creative team, Derek Kolstad, Robert Venditti, and Tomás Giorello. Each copy will come with a limited edition SDCC Certificate of Authenticity, hand-numbered and exclusive to this panel giveaway.

Then join them for the Bad Idea San Diego Comic-Con Tiki Party! To attend the ultra-exclusive, invite-only, comic-con party of the year, first RSVP at RSVP@BADIDEACORP.COM, then show your Bad Idea First Customer Pin at the door. Celebrate with a little food, a lot of drinks, some great conversation with the staff and creators at Bad Idea.

WHEN:
Friday, July 25, 2025
7:00 PM – 10:00 PM

WHERE: 
Bali Hai
2230 Shelter Island Dr
San Diego, CA 92106

Rideshare is recommended.

Planet Death #1 Feels Like the Warhammer 40K mixed with Starship Troopers, and Gears of War

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Millions of miles from home, hundreds of ships descend into the stormy atmosphere of a hostile frozen world. On board, an army of resolute men and women brace for the coming assault. They are an invasion force, on an impossible mission — destroy the devastating enemy weapon garrisoned below.

Story: Derek Kolstad, Robert Venditti
Art: Tomas Giorello
Color: Sunny Gho
Letterer: Tom Napolitano

Get your copy now! To find a comic shop near you, visit http://www.comicshoplocator.com or call 1-888-comicbook or digitally and online with the links below.

Zeus Comics

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Planet Death #1 Feels Like the Warhammer 40K Comic We’ve Been Waiting For

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Planet Death #1

Millions of miles from home, hundreds of ships descend into the stormy atmosphere of a hostile frozen world. On board, an army of resolute men and women brace for the coming assault. They are an invasion force, on an impossible mission — destroy the devastating enemy weapon garrisoned below. Planet Death #1 delivers an action packed issue that feels like it was ripped out of the world of Games Workshop’s Warhammer 40,000.

Planet Death #1 doesn’t deliver anything new in its concept, but instead delivers a visceral story that’s just packed with visuals that feel familiar but still keep you in awe.

Written by Derek Kolstad and Robert Venditti, Planet Death #1 is a fairly predictable comic that puts readers, and its characters, right into the meat grinder with a planetary invasion gone horribly wrong.

Kolstad and Venditti don’t give us massive battles with countless numbers of bodies thrown into the mix. Instead, the dup narrow the focus a bit and follow Corporal Scott and his battalion that are part of the first wave. The issue follows everything from the preparation to the drop to the attempt to survive those first moments where Scott winds up being the lone survivor of his team.

But Scott isn’t quite the faceless soldier and we get a tease of his motivation and a reason to cheer him on, for him to make it home. The experience is a mix of Warhammer 40,000 with All You Need is Kill, and add in a little bit of Starship Troopers. It’s a straightforward concept and idea that doesn’t veer too much from its basic concept.

The visuals by Tomas Giorello are impressive. With color by Sunny Gho and lettering by Tom Napolitano, the comic looks amazing with art that perfectly fits the concept. The futuristic settings and characters look great and the action is fierce and chaotic. But, like the story itself, the overall look of so much feels a bit derivative of what has come before. Corporal Scott’s preparation looks a lot like animation of a Space Marine in Warhammer 40K getting prepared. The aliens they face look like the Locust in Gears of War. None of it is bad but it all creates a bit of deja vu while reading the comic.

Planet Death #1 is an entertaining comic that knows exactly what it is. It’s loud sci-fi action and doesn’t deviate much from that. It’s all about the chaos and a mission with large explosions, lots of action, and a rock and roll attitude about it all. The bodies pile up, the death count is high. It’s everything you’d want and expect from this sort of series.

Story: Derek Kolstad, Robert Venditti Art: Tomas Giorello
Color: Sunny Gho Letterer: Tom Napolitano
Story: 8.0 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.0 Recommendation: Buy

Bad Idea provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics

Preview: Planet Death #1

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Planet Death #1

Written by DEREK KOLSTAD & ROBERT VENDITTI
Art & Cover by TOMÁS GIORELLO
$5.99 | 64 PGS. | FULL COLOR
FOC JUNE 9, 2025 | ON SALE JULY 9, 2025

The explosive 64-page first issue of the record-breaking series premieres in a high end, deluxe prestige format!

From the minds of blockbuster screenwriter Derek Kolstad — creator and writer of the box office dominating motion picture franchise JOHN WICK — and New York Times best-selling writer Robert Venditti (Superman ‘78, Green Lantern), along with artistic visionary Tomás Giorello comes a groundbreaking new sci-fi epic.

Millions of miles from home, hundreds of ships descend into the stormy atmosphere of a hostile frozen world. On board, an army of resolute men and women brace for the coming assault.

They are an invasion force, on an impossible mission — destroy the devastating enemy weapon garrisoned below. Corporal Scott and his battalion are in the vanguard but the human forces are no match for their brutal alien adversaries. Scott’s battalion is dead within moments. He is its lone survivor. The landing force annihilated, the battle is lost.

Against overwhelming odds, Scott dares the unthinkable — cross behind enemy lines, survive the lethal landscape, evade capture by ruthless enemies, resist natural predators, face human deserters and finish the mission singlehandedly. Locked in his suit of full combat battle armor, sustained only by what he can carry, and driven by Earth’s wrath, Scott must do by himself what an entire army could not.

Destroy the weapon.

Return home.

Planet Death #1

Preview: Planet Death #1

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Planet Death #1

Written by DEREK KOLSTAD & ROBERT VENDITTI
Art & Cover by TOMÁS GIORELLO
$5.99 | 64 PGS. | FULL COLOR
FOC JUNE 9, 2025 | ON SALE JULY 9, 2025

The explosive 64-page first issue of the record-breaking series premieres in a high end, deluxe prestige format!

From the minds of blockbuster screenwriter Derek Kolstad — creator and writer of the box office dominating motion picture franchise JOHN WICK — and New York Times best-selling writer Robert Venditti (Superman ‘78, Green Lantern), along with artistic visionary Tomás Giorello comes a groundbreaking new sci-fi epic.

Millions of miles from home, hundreds of ships descend into the stormy atmosphere of a hostile frozen world. On board, an army of resolute men and women brace for the coming assault.

They are an invasion force, on an impossible mission — destroy the devastating enemy weapon garrisoned below. Corporal Scott and his battalion are in the vanguard but the human forces are no match for their brutal alien adversaries. Scott’s battalion is dead within moments. He is its lone survivor. The landing force annihilated, the battle is lost.

Against overwhelming odds, Scott dares the unthinkable — cross behind enemy lines, survive the lethal landscape, evade capture by ruthless enemies, resist natural predators, face human deserters and finish the mission singlehandedly. Locked in his suit of full combat battle armor, sustained only by what he can carry, and driven by Earth’s wrath, Scott must do by himself what an entire army could not.

Destroy the weapon.

Return home.

Planet Death #1

Get an early look at Bad Idea’s Planet Death #2

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Planet Death #1, the 56-page, prestige-format debut issue is rocketing into stores everywhere on July 9th.

The sci-fi, action epic comes from blockbuster screenwriter Derek Kolstad, creator and writer of the internationally acclaimed, box office dominating motion picture franchise John Wick, as well as the multi-award winning action-thriller Nobody and its upcoming sequel for Universal Studios, New York Times best-selling writer Robert Venditti and visionary artist Tomás Giorello.

You still have time to reserve your copy of this bone-crushing blockbuster. Head to your local comic shop and pre-order yours before Final Order Cutoff on Monday, June 9th!

And to whet your appetites, Bad Idea has released a brand-new batch of jaw-dropping pages from Planet Death #2! Catch our review of Planet Death #0!

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