Strange Ruminations #4: Our Newsletter of the Weird Drifts Onwards

In the News:

1. Henry Cavill to Star in Voltron

Henry Cavill is set to join the cast of a live-action adaptation of the classic 1980s cartoon series, Voltron, which is currently in development. The film, directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber, marks a significant revival of the beloved franchise. Cavill, known for his iconic roles as Superman and in The Man From U.N.C.L.E., will join Daniel Quinn-Toye in this highly anticipated project.

Voltron originally debuted in 1984, adapted from the Japanese anime series Beast King Go-Lion. The show captivated audiences with its five lion robots combining to form the mighty Voltron, and its transformation sequences became legendary. The phrase, “And I’ll form... the head!” is still iconic for many fans who grew up in the '80s.

The live-action adaptation has been in development for two years, following the success of Netflix's animated series, Voltron: Legendary Defender, which ran for eight seasons. Notably, Joaquim Dos Santos, a key figure in the animated series, later co-directed Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, which speaks volumes about the talented minds involved in adapting Voltron over the years.

In addition to Voltron, Cavill is expected to appear in a new version of Highlander, another '80s classic centered on immortals battling through history. Cavill’s involvement in both projects has fans buzzing as these nostalgic revivals promise to excite both old-school fans and a new generation.

2. New Spawn Comics Coming in 2025

In 2025, Todd McFarlane is set to expand the Spawn universe with eight new comics, previewed at New York Comic Con. This line-up showcases McFarlane’s ongoing passion for his signature character and introduces new creators and storylines to enrich the lore.

The titles include Spawn #360 and No Home Here #1, launching in January 2025. Spawn #360 will feature McFarlane's iconic style alongside artist Brett Booth, while No Home Here #1 comes from Daniel Henriques and Jonathan Glapion. Early 2025 will also see the release of Spawn: Dark Ages #1, illustrated by Liam Sharp, followed by Medieval Spawn #1 in March, created by Rory McConville and Marco Itri.

In April, Spawn 77 will debut—a fresh interpretation of McFarlane's original concept, written by Thomas Healy and illustrated by Mark Spears. Bloodletter, another exciting addition penned by Joseph P. Illidge and Tim Seeley, tells the story of a former CIA agent who taps into dark occult powers.

By June, She-Spawn #1, penned by Gail Simone and illustrated by Ig Guara, will further expand the Spawn narrative. Meanwhile, The Freak and Cultus Noctis: The Book of NYX will delve into dark, mythic storylines, promising thrilling new chapters for long-time fans and newcomers alike.

3. The History of Star Wars Explored — An Upcoming Marvel One-Shot

Marvel Comics is celebrating a decade of Star Wars storytelling with Star Wars: A New Legacy #1, arriving on January 29, 2025. This one-shot honors ten years since the launch of Star Wars #1 by Jason Aaron and John Cassaday, which marked the reunion of Marvel and Star Wars in 2015.

The one-shot will feature stories from notable writers like Charles Soule, Jason Aaron, and Kieron Gillen, with artwork by Romano Rosanas, Leonard Kirk, and Salva Espin. The main cover is by Steven McNiven, with variant covers from Leinil Francis Yu and Kyle Holtz, ensuring collectors have plenty to look forward to.

The stories will highlight iconic characters, with Doctor Aphra and Sana Starros leading a heist involving a Sith artifact. Fans can expect beloved characters like Darth Momin, Commander Zahra, and Scar Squadron to play pivotal roles. The issue will also revisit the intense dynamic between Darth Vader and Doctor Aphra, as they face off in a game of wits and betrayal. This one-shot is set to deliver nostalgia and fresh twists for every fan of the galaxy far, far away.

4. More Terminator Movies on the Horizon (According to James Cameron)

James Cameron has hinted at more Terminator films in an interview with Empire magazine. With The Terminator celebrating its 40th anniversary, Cameron emphasized the potential to craft new stories that connect with modern audiences.

Although his direct involvement is uncertain due to his commitments with the Avatar sequels, Cameron stressed the importance of adapting the franchise to contemporary issues, particularly themes involving artificial intelligence. He admitted some aspects of the original films might be “pretty cringeworthy” today but maintains that the core ideas still hold potential for exciting new developments. Fans can look forward to a reimagined Terminator that speaks to the complexities of our times, blending nostalgia with fresh, timely narratives.

Artist Spotlight: Mattias Bergara

This week, we’re shining a spotlight on Matías Bergara, an incredibly talented comic artist from Uruguay, whose distinctive style has earned him acclaim in the industry.

He has lent his imagination to comics like Supergirl #7, The Dreaming, and American Vampire: Second Cycle. Many first discovered his work in John Constantine: Hellblazer #10, where his ability to blend darkness with surrealism left a lasting impression.

Bergara is perhaps best known for his work on Coda and Step By Bloody Step, where he demonstrated an extraordinary knack for bringing intricate stories to life through vibrant, evocative art. His style fuses traditional comic elements with experimental touches that breathe fresh life into the pages.

Born and based in Uruguay, Bergara’s unique background continues to influence his art, making him one of the most exciting artists working today. Take a look at some more of his work below!

The Comics That Made Me: Omega Men #4 (1983)

God, I loved the Omega Men back in the early eighties. It was my Star Wars fix when the Marvel Star Wars comics weren't delivering. The series had it all: action ,suspense, gross aliens, planetary destruction, you name it. The first four issues blew my mind. Then, as the story expanded and the creative team underwent some changes, it was still good, but the quality eventually waned and the series winked out like a candle in a hurricane. Still, I'll always keep the first year of The Omega Men as a treasure in my mind to be revisited often, especially those early issues featuring Keith Giffen's art, which I so loved from his Legion of Superheroes run. 

Issue #4 remains one of my favorites, and not just because of the knock-down drag-out brawl between Tigorr and Primus, but because the stakes were sky-high and millions of lives hung in the balance. But I'll not launch into the synopsis just yet, weirdos, because there might be some of you who are thinking "What the heck is he talking about? Who are the Omega Men?" Well, let's set the stage a bit then:

What came before:

The Omega Men’s adventure kicks off with a high-stakes raid on a Citadel outpost on the harsh planet Slagg. Led by Primus, the Omega Men aim to free the Vega star system from Citadel rule. However, tension brews among the team—especially between Tigorr, who favors a more aggressive approach, and Primus, who insists on strategy.

Their journey takes them to Changralyn, Broot’s pacifist home world, where they uncover a horrifying deal: the Citadel allows the people of Changralyn to live peacefully in exchange for newborn infants. Unable to stomach this cruelty, Broot breaks his people’s pacifist code and attacks the Citadel’s forces, igniting a brutal retaliation. The Citadel launches a bomb, decimating Changralyn’s city of Sharll and leaving Broot an outcast among his own people.

Meanwhile, the Citadel, hell-bent on conquering the last free planet, Euphorix, tries to bypass its planetary shield. With Earthling Harry Hokum’s scheming assistance, they broadcast fake news, claiming Euphorix’s defenses are down. This deception spurs Kalista to lead a mission home, but things go sideways when they encounter Lobo and his gang of bounty hunters. In the ensuing chaos, Kalista is captured and subjected to a bizarre alien known as the Greeshagurt, which begins absorbing her very essence.

Now, as fractures grow within the Omega Men and the Citadel closes in on Euphorix, the team faces their darkest hour. Will Primus unite them in time, or will the Citadel’s manipulative onslaught tear the Omega Men apart?

In this issue:

The Greeshagurt possesses Kalista, consuming her body and mind until she becomes its puppet. She stands motionless atop the shimmering planetary force shield encasing her home world, Euphorix. Two guards, patrolling on a hover-skiff, spot her silhouette and instinctively lower the shield to investigate. As the barrier drops, Kalista falls through, limp and unconscious. The Greeshagurt slithers away from her and lunges at one of the guards.

In the chaos, Kalista's body tumbles toward the ground below, only to be saved at the last moment by the second guard who dives in to rescue her. The creature isn't so lucky—it crashes to the planet's surface, dying on impact. Above, the Citadel warship tries to exploit the opening, but the Euphorians quickly reactivate the shield, sending the ship smashing back onto the barrier.

On the distant planet of Slagg, Demonia is busy stirring the pot. She finds Felicity, the feline warrior, sulking in the shadows. Felicity's frustration over Tigorr's cold shoulder is palpable—he hasn't given her the time of day since coming back from Changralyn. Demonia, ever the opportunist, feeds into Felicity's insecurities, hinting that Tigorr is too distracted by his rivalry with Primus to care about anything else. Felicity’s resolve weakens under Demonia's subtle manipulation.

Elsewhere, Tigorr shares drinks with fellow refugees. The air is tense, heavy with whispers. Rumors have started circulating—some claim Primus might be using his psionic abilities to control the others, and distrust begins to fester. There are those who are ready to back Tigorr if he decides to make a move against Primus. When Primus finally enters the dining hall, tensions boil over. Words are exchanged, tempers flare, and before long, it’s clear—there's only one way to settle who should lead the Omega Men: trial by combat. The brawl is brutal. Tigorr attacks with wild, unrestrained fury, while Primus, though skilled, fights with a calculated approach, his powers giving him an edge.

As the two warriors batter each other, Demonia seizes her chance. She records the fight, transmitting it straight to the Citadel, offering up the Omega Men’s location as a bargaining chip. Tigorr slams Primus to the ground, the crowd cheering him on, but something doesn’t sit right. He pauses, the realization hitting him—this is all part of someone's plan.

As Primus is dragged away, barely conscious, Tigorr slips away, heading straight for Demonia's quarters. He finds her mid-broadcast, spilling their secrets to the Citadel. Rage fuels him as they clash, and after a furious struggle, Tigorr emerges victorious. He wastes no time, sending his own message to the Citadel: they will not surrender—they will bring the fight to them.

Truly an issue that did something to me that I never thought possible back in 1983; it made me love science fiction and superheroes even more. I hope you enjoyed reading about it as much as I did revisiting it.

Weekly Panel of Weirdness:

Wrap-Up:

Thanks for joining us for this roundup of all things pop culture, Weirdos! With iconic franchises like Voltron, Spawn, Star Wars, and Terminator coming back in a big way, it's an exciting time to be a fan. I'll keep bringing you the latest news, highlights, artist spotlights, and retro-comic reminiscences — so stay tuned for more. If there’s anything you'd like me to cover or if you have suggestions, feel free to drop me a message.

Till next time, keep it weird and wild!

— Herm.