fringe | DC Comics

Q&A with FRINGE star Josh Jackson

We had an opportunity to ask FRINGE star Josh Jackson a few questions about his role as a writer on the new digital comic series BEYOND THE FRINGE, here’s what he had to say:

THE SOURCE: How did you get involved with this project?

JOSH JACKSON: I'm not sure who above my pay grade made the choice to ask me but, I was brought in when our producers where looking for writers for the new run of Fringe comics.

TS: Are you a big comics reader or fan?

JJ: Like just about every guy my age comics were a huge part of growing up. I have probably spent thousands of hours debating 'who would win' and 'which powers kick ass more' But lately I tend to read longer form graphic novels.

TS: What has it been like for you to write a comic, do you enjoy the process?

JJ: Writing in comic form is totally different from standard script writing. Thankfully I had a couple helpers to get me used to writing panel by panel instead of scene by scene.

TS: What can we expect from “Beyond the Fringe”?

JJ: From my portion of it, I hope that it will fill in a piece of Peters' story in a satisfying way.

TS: How does the comic tie to season four of the show?

JJ: You'll have to read 'em and find out!

Tags:

Beyond The Fringe, Digital Comics, fringe, Josh Jackson

NEW ‘FRINGE’ DIGITAL COMIC SERIES DEBUTS

Cover for "Beyond the Fringe" issue #1. Copyright DC Comics and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

NEW DIGITAL COMIC SERIES BASED ON CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED TV SHOW ‘FRINGE’ DEBUTS JUST IN TIME FOR SHOW’S FOURTH SEASON PREMIERE ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, AT 9/8c ON FOX

‘Beyond the Fringe’ Series is Written with Series Star Josh Jackson and Created by DC Entertainment

September 21, 2011 – Burbank, Calif., - Just in time for the start of its fourth season on September 23, critically acclaimed TV show FRINGE (Fridays 9/8c on FOX) debuted today a new digital comic series “Beyond the Fringe.” Created by DC Entertainment, written with series star Josh Jackson and featuring cover art by Drew Johnson, the first arc of “Beyond the Fringe” will explore key events that take place between seasons three and four on the show and will also explore a series of “what if” alternative scenarios.

“We received a great response from fans to previous ‘Fringe’ comics, and I’m especially excited to see their reaction to ‘Beyond the Fringe’ as we further integrate the story into the mythos of the show. And of course, we’re thrilled to be working with Josh Jackson in his debut as a comic book writer,” stated Hank Kanalz, senior vice president of digital for DC Entertainment.

The new series will alternate every two weeks between “A” and “B” storylines for a total of 14 chapters. “A” storylines will explore events tied directly to the “Fringe” show canon, while “B” storylines will take a “what-if” approach and look at how things might change if certain elements are out of balance. “Fringe” star Josh Jackson is on board to write “Peter and the Machine,” an arc comprising the first three “A” issues and which will detail events that take place in the timeline between what viewers saw happen at the end of season three, and the start of season four.

“Beyond the Fringe” is the third comic series based on the popular drama. New issues of “Beyond the Fringe” will be released every two weeks this fall at $.99 per download. Issue #1 is available for download today online at read.dccomics.com or on mobile devices through the DC Comics app.

Premiering its fourth season on September 23 at 9pm ET/PT on FOX, FRINGE is an acclaimed procedural thriller that follows the Fringe Team as they investigate unbelievable events and mysterious occurrences linked throughout the world in pursuit of a larger, more shocking truth. The series stars Anna Torv, Josh Jackson, John Noble, Lance Reddick, Blair Brown, Jasika Nicole and Seth Gabel. Created by J.J. Abrams & Alex Kurtzman & Roberto Orci, FRINGE is produced by Bad Robot Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television. Abrams, Bryan Burk, Jeff Pinkner, J.H. Wyman and Joe Chappelle serve as executive producers, while Kurtzman, Orci and Akiva Goldsman are consulting producers. Additionally, Pinkner and Wyman serve as the series’ showrunners. Become a fan of the series on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fringe and follow the series on Twitter at @FRINGEonFOX.

DC Entertainment, home to iconic brands DC Comics (Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, The Flash, etc.), Vertigo (Sandman, Fables, etc.) and MAD, is the creative division charged with strategically integrating across Warner Bros. and Time Warner. DC Entertainment works in concert with many key Warner Bros. divisions to unleash its stories and characters across all media, including but not limited to film, television, consumer products, home entertainment, and interactive games. Publishing thousands of comic books, graphic novels and magazines each year, DC Entertainment is the largest English-language publisher of comics in the world.

Tags:

Digital Comics, fringe

Geoff Johns and Hank Kanalz on last night’s FRINGE alternate universe covers

Geoff: Anyone see FRINGE last night? If you did, or if you’ve read this blog this week, you saw the RED LANTERN/RED ARROW cover. And maybe the bizarre SUPERMAN: THE MAN OF STEEL RETURNS in the style of Frank Miller’s BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS. Or the infamous cover to CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS #7, but Supergirl’s holding Superman. Or the event that rocked the mid-90s, THE DEATH OF BATMAN. So where did these come from?

An alternate Earth.

For real.

A month or so ago, I was fortunate enough to take on the job of Chief Creative Officer. That meant I was charged with bringing out characters out of the comic book pages and into the vast world of television, film, animation and video games that is DC Entertainment. One of the first calls I got was from the director of the Fringe season finale – writer/producer/director Akiva Goldsman. He was shooting a scene in an alternate world where things weren’t exactly like ours. Where even the smallest details were somewhat off. Including the comics. Together with executive producer Jeff Pinker, Akiva wanted to showcase an array of DC Comics that could’ve been including the ones you can see below. He wanted them to be as authentic as possible. Something only the hardcore would really recognize. We all came up with some ideas. That’s when Hank Kanalz came in…

Hank: …and when Geoff Johns and Ivan Cohen call, you pick up the phone. The idea was so crazy, it could really work, so we set out to do just that. As I always tell people, WildStorm is more than just an imprint – it is also a full service creative studio. And yes, we also publish the Fringe comic book (a new #1 on sale June 23, end of plug).

We mobilized Batman: Arkham Asylum artist Carlos D’Anda, The Authority: Lost Year artists JJ Kirby, Michael Lopez, and Oliver Nome, and art directors extraordinaire Larry Berry and Ed Roeder to create these fun alternate reality covers. We assembled the first four covers quickly…but we really wanted to exceed all expectations for the fifth cover. With the concept of RED LANTERN/RED ARROW we had only one choice – Ivan Reis. Geez, did he and Oclair Albert deliver, or what?

Geoff: So what do you think? Do you want to see the stories behind the covers? If so, you should hit up Hank. Who knows, maybe these would be fun to write…

[gallery link="file"]

Tags:

carlos d'anda, ed roeder, fox, fringe, Geoff Johns, hank kanalz, ivan reis, jj kirby, larry berry, oliver nome

Still wondering about that RED LANTERN/RED ARROW image?

We’re sure you were running a myriad number of possibilities through your head when we debuted the image yesterday, and it’s time to get to the bottom of where the image – and a few others – are from.

If you’re a fan of the show FRINGE on FOX, you know that part two of the show’s season finale airs tonight. And, as if you needed more reason to tune in (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX, we’ve got a few.

See, in tonight’s episode both universes are put at great risk as Walter (John Noble) and Olivia (Anna Tory) visit the “other side.” But what are some of the cool Easter egg-style things one would see on the “other side”? Well, stuff like that RED LANTERN/RED ARROW cover, for starters.

So tune in tonight, look out for more covers like the one above and come back to The Source tomorrow morning for a look at all the covers shown in the episode.

Tags:

fox, fringe, red lantern/red arrow