Tag Archives: michael e. uslan

NYCC 2026: Michael E. Uslan, Steven S. DeKnight and Sebastián Cabrol Present Dr. Syn #1 – A Fiery, Blood-Soaked Tale of Revolution & Rebellion

Oni Press has unveiled Dr. Syn #1 (of 4), the fiery FIRST ISSUE of a rebellious new resurrection for the infamous vigilante-turned-freedom fighter … and a brand-new beginning for one of history’s first proto-pulp heroes in a daring new incarnation. Traitor. Rogue. Revenant. Rebel. He’s been known by many names . . . and now writers Michael E. Uslan and Steven S. DeKnight join artist Sebastián Cabrol to chronicle the fearsome origin of the once-forgotten revolutionary who first watered liberty’s tree with the blood of tyrants — beginning in comic shops everywhere in January 2027. 

Once, the Reverend Doctor Christopher Syn waged a guerrilla insurgency across 18th-century England— justice for the cruel deaths of his family at the hands of King George III and the rest of England’s persecuted and oppressed. Hidden behind a terrifying mask to keep his true identity concealed, Syn’s rebellion soon became legend, inspiring copycat uprisings across the English countryside as the “Scarecrow of Romney Marsh” became a beacon of resistance against his nation’s mad monarch. 

But that’s where history’s chronicle of the Scarecrow’s reign is about to go violently, terribly wrong . . . ​Now Dr. Syn has been captured, tried, and condemned for his crimes. Forced into death by exile in the British Empire’s most inhospitable outpost—the American penal colony known as “Georgia”—Syn has found himself imprisoned alongside a hardscrabble crew of his king’s most notorious “undesirables.” With a mismatched team of allies fueled by the same burning vengeance for justice at his side, can England’s most dangerous revolutionary finally bring the empire down in an inferno of roaring flames . . . and could this backwater collection of pestilence-ridden colonies called America provide the spark? ​The year is 1775. And Dr. Syn’s war is about to begin.

Across more than a century, Dr. Syn has been a recurring fixture of feature film, pulp fiction, and comics book publishing. Always clad in his trademark Scarecrow mask, Syn was first introduced in 1915 by author Russell Thorndike as the titular smuggler hero at the epicenter of Doctor Syn: A Tale of the Romney Marsh. As his adventures continued across six more novels, Syn’s exploits were the subject of multiple film adaptations from the 1930s onward, culminating in 1963’s Disney feature film The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh, which also resulted in a tie-in comic book series published by Dell Comics. Uslan, DeKnight and Cabrol’s new reinvention of the character will be the first major appearance of the character – frequently counted alongside Tarzan, Conan, and Buck Rogers as one of the first and most influential proto-pulp archetypes – in the 21st century and will mark the first time the legendary British character has walked American shores.

With covers from Dustin Weaver, Jeffrey Alan Love, Elia Bonetti, and Kelley Jones, in stores January 2027!

Don’t miss Oni Press’s panel at New York Comic Con on Friday, October 9, 2026 between 4:30 PM – 5:15 PM in North-Room S 406.1—featuring Dr. Syn co-writer Michael E. Uslan as a panelist as well as creators George Northy (Yuletide), Oliver Mertz (A Ghost Arm Made of Angry Ghosts), Ryan O’Sullivan (Judge Dredd / Biker Mice from Mars), and Dave Baker (Halloween Boy) and Oni Press editors Karl Bollers and Bess Pallares.

  • Cover of 'Dr. Syn' No. 1 featuring a skeletal figure in a pirate costume riding a black horse, with ominous text below.
  • Cover art of 'Dr. Syn' comic book issue No. 1, featuring a skeletal figure in a pirate outfit on a black horse, surrounded by a dark, atmospheric backdrop.
  • Cover page of 'Dr. Syn' No. 1, featuring bold typography and a black and white design.
  • Cover of 'Dr. Syn' comic book featuring a scarecrow figure with a skull head, surrounded by flames and eerie purple hues.
  • A skeletal figure dressed as a pirate, known as Dr. Syn, stands confidently with a gun in hand. He wears a black coat and broad-brimmed hat, surrounded by a dramatic blue background that highlights his ominous presence.
  • A skeletal figure in a black cloak and a tricorn hat holds a gun, riding a dark horse with glowing red eyes, set against a smoky, mysterious background.
  • Cover of 'Dr. Syn No. 1' featuring a mysterious pirate figure with a skeletal face and a noose, set against a dark, textured background.
  • A tense scene depicting armed figures confronting horseback riders bursting through a doorway, illustrated in dramatic black and white style.
  • A chaotic scene depicting a group of individuals on horseback charging through a building, with one person in the foreground appearing shocked and surprised. The setting includes a chandelier and ornate stairway.
  • A comic-style illustration depicting a series of dramatic scenes with a mounted figure using a rope to capture a fleeing person in a snowy forest setting.
  • A black and white comic style illustration featuring three characters near a large tree with a noose. The scene depicts tension, with one character holding a weapon on horseback while another is tied up. Various expressions of fear and authority are shown through close-up panels.

Clayface gets a Final Trailer before its October Debut

In four weeks, look fear in the face. Clayface – only in theaters October 23.

DC Studios’ Clayface is a horror thriller from director James Watkins, starring Tom Rhys Harries in the title role of the cult favorite villain from Gotham’s rogues gallery.

Matt Hagen’s meteoric rise from Gotham street kid to Hollywood leading man is tragically cut short when a local crime boss’s actions leave him horribly disfigured. Abandoned by his team and with nothing left, Matt seeks out a cutting edge treatment that miraculously returns him to his former self… but also unexpectedly affects his grip on reality, spiraling him down a destructive path of all-consuming revenge.

The film also stars Naomi Ackie, David Dencik, Max Minghella, and Eddie Marsan, as well as Nancy Carroll and Joshua James.

James Watkins directs from a screenplay by Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini, story by Flanagan, based on characters from DC. The film is produced by Matt Reeves, Lynn Harris, James Gunn, and Peter Safran, with Michael E. Uslan, Chantal Nong Vo, Lars P. Winther, Paul Ritchie, Rafi Crohn, and Trevor Macy executive producing.

Watkins’ creative team includes director of photography Rob Hardy, production designer James Price, editor Jon Harris and costume designer Keith Madden. Music is by Volker Bertelmann.

The Warner Bros. Pictures film will be released only in theaters in North America on October 23, 2026, and internationally beginning 21 October 2026.

Clayface gets a Teaser Trailer Teasing the Horror to Come

Look fear in the face. Clayface only in theaters in North America on October 23, 2026, and internationally beginning 21 October 2026.

DC Studios’ first-ever foray into the genre, Clayface is a horror thriller from director James Watkins, starring Tom Rhys Harries in the title role of the Gotham City villain.

Clayface unravels one man’s horrifying descent from rising Hollywood star to revenge-filled monster in a story that explores the loss of one’s identity and humanity, corrosive love, and the dark underbelly of scientific ambition.

The film also stars Naomi Ackie, David Dencik, Max Minghella, and Eddie Marsan, as well as Nancy Carroll and Joshua James. James Watkins directs from a screenplay by Mike Flanagan, and Hossein Amini, story by Flanagan, based on characters from DC. The film is produced by Matt Reeves, Lynn Harris, James Gunn and Peter Safran, with Michael E. Uslan, Rafi Crohn, Paul Ritchie, Chantal Nong Vo, and Lars P. Winther executive producing.

Watkins’ creative team includes director of photography Rob Hardy, production designer James Price, editor Jon Harris, visual effects supervisor Angus Bickerton, costume designer Keith Madden, and casting director Lucy Bevan.

Clayface

Swamp Thing returns in 4K in February 2023

The Return of Swamp Thing

In time to commemorate its landmark 35th anniversary, everyone’s favorite muck-encrusted plant man is back in a special edition of The Return of Swamp Thing featuring a stunning new 4K restoration! The must-see sequel to the original cult classic based on the award-winning DC Comics series has been restored from the original interpositive with Dolby Vision HDR Mastering for an optimal viewing experience. On February 7, 2023, Lightyear Entertainment will deliver the fan-favorite genre film on a extras-laden, two-disc 4K Ultra HD & Blu-ray set, and via digital outlets for purchase, with rental to follow.

In The Return of Swamp Thing, Swampy falls for sexy Abigail Arcane (Heather Locklear, Melrose Place, Dynasty), stepdaughter to the world’s maddest scientist, Dr. Anton Arcane (Louis Jourdan, Swamp Thing, Gigi, Octopussy). Abby owns a plant store, and is more comfortable talking to her plants than to men in the local singles bar. However, when she meets the half human/half plant, she immediately sees beyond the horror of his physical form and falls in love with Dr. Alec Holland, the man behind the muck, who also happens to be busy saving her from her father’s nefarious and murderous plans. 

From Michael E. Uslan (originator and executive producer of the Batman film franchise) and legendary cult film director Jim Wynorski (Chopping Mall, Not of This Earth), THE RETURN OF SWAMP THING also stars Sarah Douglas (Superman II, Conan The Destroyer) with Dick Durock (Raw Deal, Stand By Me) returning as Swamp Thing. Filmed well before the era of CGI, the film also featured Swampy’s elaborate costume and mutant creatures designed by legendary Academy Award nominee, Carl Fullerton.

Befitting the special edition release, the 4K Ultra HD & Blu-ray set features two brand new special features: a Reflections on Swamp Thing 35 Years Later interview with producer Michael E. Uslan and the RiffTrax music video for Your Ever-Lovin’ Swamp Thing by The RiffTones.

In addition to the home entertainment releases, Lightyear will also be releasing the RiffTrax digital single and music video for Your Ever-Lovin’ Swamp Thing worldwide on Lightyear Records through Virgin/UMG. The hilarious ode to Swampy’s romance with Abby was originally composed and performed as part of the RiffTrax skewering of THE RETURN OF SWAMP THING in 700 theaters. The toe-tapping bluegrass ditty by Kevin Murphy and The RiffTones (featuring Brian Murphy) will be released on February 10 in time for Valentine’s Day.

BONUS FEATURES

In addition to the brand-new special features, additional bonus programming from the original Blu-ray release includes:

  • Audio commentary from director Jim Wynorski, composer Chuck Cirino and editor Leslie Rosenthal (2018)
  • Audio commentary from director Jim Wynorski (2003)
  • Interviews with director Jim Wynorski, editor Leslie Rosenthal, composer Chuck Cirino, and Lightyear Entertainment executive Arnie Holland
  • Original Theatrical Trailer
  • 6 Promotional TV Clips
  • 2 TV Spots
  • 2 Greenpeace Public Service Announcements
  • 1989 Promo Reel
  • Photo Gallery (accompanied by Chuck Cirino’s film score)