As a fan and admirer of David Dastmalchian‘s multifaceted career, I am truly captivated by his remarkable journey as both a celebrated character actor and a dedicated comic book creator. His ability to seamlessly transition between the silver screen and the world of comics is nothing short of inspiring, especially considering that comic books are merely his side gig!
A couple of years back, David Dastmalchian was preparing for a bachelor trip with his old friend James Gunn, just before Gunn’s wedding.
He was thrilled to share with his friend that he secured a position writing a comic based on ‘Creature Commandos’ for DC. Unbeknownst to Dastmalchian, Gunn, who would later head DC Studios, had already been developing his own version of ‘Creature Commandos’ as an animated TV series focusing on the monster team.
Dastmalchian stated, “He exclaimed, ‘See for yourself!’ Gunn had both storyboards and footage from his animated project at the ready,” explained Dastmalchian, who collaborated with Gunn on ‘The Suicide Squad’. “I was worried that perhaps my comic series might be discontinued since it’s a different version of Creature Commandos compared to what James is working on. But he reassured me, ‘No, no, no. It’s all good. It’s independent. And publishing is its own entity.'”
Creature Commandos is only one of the eight comic book ventures that Dastmalchian will reveal over the next year or so. This is a staggering amount for any writer, but it’s even more remarkable considering comic books are just a side project for him. Dastmalchian is primarily recognized as a versatile character actor, having switched roles in films like The Dark Knight and Ant-Man. He has also collaborated frequently with directors such as Denis Villeneuve and Christopher Nolan.
Between taking on film and television roles, Dastmalchian has devoted the last few years to expanding his repertoire in comic books. He initially made a name for himself as the creator of the Dark Horse horror comic titled “Count Crowley: The Unwillingly Nocturnal Monster Hunter.” A new installment of this popular series is set to be released in a trade paperback format later this year.
In the near future, you’ll find the intriguing Image Comics book titled “Knights vs. Samurai“. This story is set in the late 1500s and features magic, dragons, English knights, and Japanese samurai facing off against each other. However, as they uncover their leaders’ deceit, they come to understand that they should be allies instead of enemies. The book will hit shelves in September, with Todd McFarlane, the creator of “Spawn“, providing guidance for Dastmalchian on this series. Thersa Matsuura, an expert in Japanese mythology and host of the podcast “Uncanny Japan“, offers her expertise as a consultant.
Since he’s primarily recognized as an actor, there could be instances where people from the comic book world may have thought his involvement with comics was more about personal vanity rather than genuine creative work.
As a fellow gaming enthusiast, I frequently find myself entering conversations with people who seem a bit reserved. But once we’ve chatted for a few minutes, I hope they see the genuine comic book fanatic in me, someone who truly adores this world and has a heartfelt passion burning within.
In addition to current projects, upcoming work involves developing stories for the anthology “DC Horror Presents,” showcasing spine-tingling tales set in the DC universe. As Dastmalchian explains, “We’ll have an opportunity to utilize a well-known Batman antagonist in an unsettling, gruesome manner. Additionally, this villain’s lesser-seen daughter will make an appearance.” Dastmalchian and Leah Kilpatrick are collaborating on this project. Furthermore, they are penning an entry for the Dark Horse Horror special titled “Headless Horseman,” a narrative that pays homage to “The Creature from the Black Lagoon.” Lastly, Dastmalchian is engaged in a project with the emerging company Panick Entertainment.
As a dedicated gamer, I’ve always envisioned my favorite stories like “Knights vs. Samurai” and “Count Crowley” not just confined to the pages of comics, but also brought to life in games, movies, TV shows, or even uncharted territories of media that are yet to be discovered. I eagerly await the day these dreams become a reality.
Below is a Jim Lee cover for Creature Commandos.
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2024-08-16 22:57