The Flash Podcast has been keeping our listeners and readers updated with all the latest at San Diego Comic-Con 2024, as the beloved July event has been taking place this week, focused on numerous panels, from all things comics to television and film from the world of DC and Marvel at SDCC!
DC Animation Kicks Into Gear
We are still waiting for James Gunn’s DC Universe, and while Superman is on its way next year, SDCC spotlighted the first release for DC Studios’ new reboot, which will be Creature Commandos. During Jim Lee’s panel, Gunn showcased a new trailer for the Max animated series, showing us a brand new team coming to life in the DCU.
Batman is getting the animated treatment once again, this time with Batman: Caped Crusader, a new series coming to Prime Video. From the great minds of Matt Reeves, Bruce Timm, and J.J. Abrams, the DC adventure also confirmed that Minnie Driver will be voicing a female version of The Penguin, known as Oswalda Cobblepot.
The Multiverse Saga Turns To Doom
Marvel Studios’ presence at SDCC began with Deadpool & Wolverine, as we were there on Thursday night for the screening of the big Phase 5 film (don’t worry – no spoilers here!) before the entire cast walked up on stage, including THOSE cameos.
However, Saturday is when things kicked into overdrive, with The Fantastic Four: First Steps cast finally taking the stage, confirming that the film is now in production.
The next releases coming up for the MCU that were featured at SDCC 2024 were Captain America: Brave New World and Thunderbolts*. For Sam Wilson’s solo outing, Anthony Mackie and Harrison Ford brought all the smiles, with our new Captain America set to embark on a new mission.
The MCU is returning to familiar territory, as Anthony and Joe Russo are back with the franchise, but not just for ONE film. The brothers are set to helm Avengers: Doomsday – formerly known as Avengers: The Kang Dynasty – and Avengers: Secret Wars! But with a shift from Kang to Doomsday…it is time for Victor von Doom’s time to shine in the franchise.
As we were witnessing a crowd of people walk up on stage, all dressed in green cloaks and a very familiar mask, one person stepped forward, in a green business suit, before unmasking himself….ROBERT DOWNEY JR is DOCTOR DOOM! “New mask, same task,” the MCU veteran quipped, as he added, “What can I tell you? I like playing complicated characters.”
The Arrowverse Ends This Fall: Superman & Lois Season 4
For our longtime readers and listeners, the Arrowverse has been a crucial franchise for us, but sadly, all good things must eventually come to an end. While The Flash season 9 ended Earth-Prime’s run, Superman & Lois season 4 will end the franchise, as the final Greg Berlanti-DC drama took Hall H with storm, showcasing new footage from the final season.
Following the end of Season 3, Superman & Lois Season 4 will pick up right where we left them off with, as the Man of Steel takes on Doomsday…in SPACE! Luckily, the preview was shared online:
The cast and showrunners ended their SDCC panel with getting to take their final bows, leading to massive applause, as this series will end a franchise that has been on the air for 12 years.
A Return To The Batman Universe….But With A Catch!
Matt Reeves is just beginning with his Batman franchise, following the 2022 reboot with Robert Pattinson. However, before we get to The Batman 2, we are going back to Gotham City, but through the lens of HBO, with the new spinoff series, The Penguin.
Hall H was previewed to new footage from Colin Farrell’s upcoming DC TV show, continuing the adventures of Oz Cobb after the end of The Batman. Cristin Milioti’s Sofia Falcone was brought up as a key player in the series, with the Falcone family getting a new perspective in Reeves’ spinoff.
DC & Marvel Comics Highlights
Mark Waid is returning to DC, this time for the greatest team of all time with his new comic series, Justice League Unlimited – not to be confused with the beloved series of the same name! However, the biggest surprise at SDCC 2024 for DC Comics was the unveiling of what is next in the Absolute Universe, with new details revealed about this fresh continuity.
For all of our Flash readers and fans, Wally West will be taking the spotlight in Absolute Flash, from writer Jeff Lemire, with penciler Diego Olortegui. This take on Wally will be a teenager.
As if Spider-Man hasn’t died enough, Marvel Comics announced at SDCC 2024 the upcoming 8 Deaths of Spider-Man arc, described as, “The 8 deaths of Spider-Man begin! The world has changed, Doctor Doom is Sorcerer Supreme, but he has no plans to spend his time like his predecessor… Each year, Doctor Strange would use every ounce of his power and experience to save the world from an evil god and his scions. This year, Doom is delegating this task to… Spider-Man?! The leader of Latveria has given Spider-Man a new, magic powered suit and eight extra lives with which to save (!?) the world. True believer, they won’t be enough…”
However, another big event within Marvel will be ONE WORLD UNDER DOOM, bringing a different status quo to the comics universe. This will begin in 2025!
That is it for SDCC 2024!