When it comes to PC game graphics, 2025 was a great year. We got a lot of amazing-looking PC games. Want to know which ones they are? Let’s take a look. In this article, we won’t be focusing on overall performance optimization. Instead, we’ll list the games that can greatly impress you with their graphics. … Continue reading Best PC Game Graphics of 2025 →
The post Best PC Game Graphics of 2025 appeared first on DSOGaming.
2026 is here, and comic book fans have a whole year’s worth of exciting new stories to look forward to. Marvel will be ushering in a new era for the X-Men line and building to what looks to be one of its most consequential crossover events in years, Armageddon. DC will move forward from the DC K.O. crossover with a new wave of titles, even as they expand the fan-favorite Absolute Universe. And elsewhere in the industry, we’ve got our eyes on everything from Skybound’s Energon Universe to the new Archie Comics reboot.
Scroll down to see our most anticipated comics of 2025, and be sure to let us know in the comments what you have on your to-read list this year.
IDW’s TMNT publishing line has been in top form in 2025, and we see no reason why that would change in the new year. If you’ve ever considered diving into this universe, now really is the time.
The flagship TMNT comic recently underwent a major evolution, as the new creative team of Gene Luen Yang and Freddie E. Williams II just took over the series and introduced a major new villain called Ujigami. Issue #13 delivered quite the twist on that front, and we’re excited to see where the series goes from here. Plus, there are all the worthwhile spinoffs like TMNT: Casey Jones and TMNT: Shredder.
We’re also hoping that 2026 will bring more news on the future of the Last Ronin saga. We know that writers Tom Waltz and Kevin Eastman are working on a third act of the Last Ronin trilogy. Could it see release in 2026? Here’s hoping.
The X-Men franchise is rounding out 2025 with the conclusion of a line-wide crossover event called Age of Revelation. Even though that crossover is set a decade in the future, its ramifications will extend back into the present day as the X-Men struggle to move forward. That’s where the new status quo, Shadows of Tomorrow, comes into play.
Expect plenty of new titles and fresh starting points for continuing books like Wolverine, X-Men, and Uncanny X-Men. We’re especially intrigued by Eve L. Ewing and Tiago Palman’s X-Men United, which seemingly deals with Emma Frost creating a psychic haven for mutantkind to replace the real one they lost with Krakoa. Also on our radar is Alex Paknadel and Roge Antonio’s Cyclops series, as the indomitable mutant leader breaks out on his own.
DC gave fans an easy gateway into the DC Universe with 2024’s DC All In initiative. Once DC K.O. wraps up, they’ll be unleashing phase 2 of that ambitious undertaking. Part of that includes a promotion called DC Next Level, featuring a new wave of promising titles.
The first batch of DC Next Level books includes Lobo, from Skottie Young and Jorge Corona, Batwoman, from Greg Rucka and DaNi, and Deathstroke: The Terminator, from Tony Fleecs and Carmine Di Giandomenico. The goal with each series is to match the energy and inventiveness of books like Absolute Batman, but do it within the traditional DCU. We’re definitely sold on that idea.
Things have been fairly quiet on the Archie Comics front in recent years, with the New Riverdale line quietly fading away and horror books like Afterlife With Archie coming out very infrequently. But all that changes in a big way in 2026. Archie is teaming up with Oni Press to completely reboot their comic line with a postmodern flair.
It’s really the creative teams that have us sold on this one, as Oni is drawing from some of the most interesting and innovative names in the industry for the new Archie line. That includes W. Maxwell Prince and Nick Cagnetti’s Archie, Corinna Bechko and Kano’s Sabrina the Teenage Witch, and Patrick Horvath and Tyler Crook’s Archie in Hell. The stated goal is to give readers the Archie franchise’s answer to All-Star Superman, and we couldn't be more thrilled at that prospect.
Marvel just wrapped up the One World Under Doom crossover, with the world still recovering from being temporarily under Doom’s tyrannical rule. That uneasy status quo will feed directly into Marvel’s big crossover event for 2026, Armageddon.
We don’t know a great deal about Armageddon just yet, other than that it’s being spearheaded by Captain America writer Chip Zdarsky and that it’s said to shake up the Avengers franchise in a way we haven’t seen since 2004’s Avengers Disassembled. Zdarsky will lay the foundation of the storyline in February’s Wolverine: Weapons of Armageddon miniseries before getting to the main event this summer.
We’re fully on board with DC’s Absolute Universe right now, and if the sales charts are any indication, we’re hardly the only ones. Fans can expect the Absolute line to grow even bigger in 2026, even as new connections start to form between the various titles.
We know of at least one new Absolute comic launching this year. That would be Pornsak Pichetshote and Rafael Albuquerque’s Absolute Green Arrow, due to hit in Spring 2026. If the recent Absolute Evil one-shot didn’t make it apparent, this series is going to be far different than readers are expecting, with Albuquerque even revealing it’s basically a horror comic.
We’re also looking forward to Absolute Wonder Woman #15 and Absolute Batman #16, which will feature the first team-up between the Dark Knight and Wonder Woman in this universe. Also on the Absolute Wonder Woman front, that series is about to introduce this world’s version of Zatanna. Too bad the Absolute U. already has a Justice League…
Few anthology comics have quite the reputation and pedigree of Joe Pruett’s Negative Burn. Fortunately, that series is making its long-overdue return in 2026 thanks to the Zoop crowdfunding platform. As before, the goal is to explore numerous genres and provide a platform for creators to push the boundaries of the medium.
The creative talent pool for this latest volume is certainly impressive enough, including Mike Allred, Marguerite Bennett, Brian Bolland, Mike Carey, J.M. DeMatteis, Francesco Francavilla, Phil Hester, Joe Jusko, Sam Kieth, Joe Linsner, Ron Marz, Peter Milligan, Steve Niles, Dan Panosian, Paul Pope, Joe Pruett, James Robinson, Declan Shalvey, and Dalibor Talajic.
Marvel published Jonathan Hickman’s Imperial in 2025, with the series shaking up the cosmic status quo and establishing a foundation for a new line of books. Most of those new titles have debuted already, like Planet She-Hulk and Nova: Centurion. But Marvel is saving the most exciting one of all for 2026.
Imperial Guardians offers readers a dramatically different take on the classic Guardians of the Galaxy team, one intended to suit this uncertain new status quo. The team roster is nothing if not eclectic, including Captain Marvel, Darkhawk, Gamora, Brawn, and Cosmic Ghost Rider. But the real appeal with this series is that it’s written by Dan Abnett, one half of the duo who so successfully revamped the Guardians in the ‘00s. Let’s hope he can work that same magic all over again.
There’s been a tangible void in DC’s publishing lineup ever since they shelved the critically acclaimed Vertigo imprint in 2019. Sure, there’s still the DC Black Label line for mature readers-focused takes on DC characters, but what about all the creator-owned fare, like Preacher and Y: The Last Man, that Vertigo used to do so well?
Fortunately, DC has seen fit to resurrect Vertigo in 2026. Fans can expect to see a couple of familiar properties like The Nice House By the Sea and a 100 Bullets sequel, but for the most part, this is all about spotlighting new ideas and new creative teams. And with books by industry luminaries like Deniz Camp, Kyle Starks, and Chris Condon, there’s ample reason to be excited about Vertigo’s return.
Skybound’s Energon Universe line has been a major hit over the past couple of years, for many of the same reasons as DC’s Absolute Universe and Marvel’s Ultimate Universe. It offers a clean, accessible gateway into the shared world of G.I. Joe and Transformers, driven by some of the top creators working today.
We’re eager to see where the line takes us in 2026, especially as all signs point to even more interconnectivity between the various titles. For example, March’s G.I. Joe #20 teases the very first meeting between Duke and Optimus Prime. Surely, this is going to be a watershed moment for this universe, and fans shouldn’t miss it.
As mentioned, Marvel’s new Ultimate line has been a huge hit for the publisher, and we’re still having trouble coming to terms with the idea that they’re ending it soon. But better to finish on a high note rather than allow the Ultimate Universe to overstay its welcome like its predecessor did.
The end of the Ultimate line officially begins in Ultimate Endgame #1, which launches on New Year’s Eve 2025. That issue delivers the moment fans have been waiting for since 2023, as The Maker finally emerges from his 1000-year exile and Earth’s heroes make their desperate stand. Look for that final showdown to play out across Ultimate Endgame and all the rest of the line in the early months of 2026. Who will win the battle for the soul of Earth-6160?
March 2026 is going to be a transformative month for the entire DC publishing catalog, as that’s when DC All In 2.0 officially begins. All In isn’t a reboot, but merely a fresh starting point for DC’s ongoing titles. We’re especially excited by the big changes hitting the Batman family of books.
The biggest news here is that Joker will make his debut in Matt Fraction and Jorge Jiménez’s flagship Batman title, with DC teasing that we’ve never seen the Clown Prince of Crime depicted the way he is in March’s Batman #7. Other big developments include Poison Ivy becoming the new mayor of Gotham City and Green Arrow joining the cast of Tom Taylor’s Detective Comics. If you’ve been looking for a good starting point with DC’s core Batman line, this is it.
Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples’ Saga has consistently been one of the best sci-fi comics on the market since it debuted in 2012. Unfortunately, the series has been prone to fairly lengthy hiatuses lately, with the most recent issue dropping in March 2025. Thankfully, Vaughan recently confirmed that Saga will return in 2026, as he and Staples are hard at work on their next story arc.
Vaughan writes, “I’m happy to share that I’ve already written all the scripts for our next arc, and completed my most detailed overview yet of the other remaining issues of Saga (which everyone corrected me is actually 30 more chapters after this volume, not 48 as I originally mistyped; I am dumb at math). Fiona and I are still 100% committed to completing Hazel’s 18-volume journey to young adulthood, and, spoiler alert, it’s going to be f***ing awesome.”
Better still, Vaughan is teasing that part of the reason the series has been MIA is that he and Staples have been working on other mystery projects, and we should see the fruits of those labors in 2026, too.
Writer Joshua Williamson has been one of the most important voices at DC in the last few years, penning books like Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths and the current monthly Superman series. While that won’t change in 2026, Williamson is hopping over to Marvel to craft a major revamp for a certain Armored Avenger. Marvel’s new Iron Man series pairs Williamson with artist Carmen Carnero for a book that explores why Tony Stark, not Iron Man, is the world’s most dangerous weapon.
"When he thought he was going to die, it changed him,” Williamson told IGN. “It was never the armor that Tony built in that cave. It was Tony. Tony is the creator. And I honed in on the idea of focusing on Tony as the creator who made a weapon… but TONY is the true weapon. We’ve seen him use his genius before in questionable ways, so yeah, Tony is the dangerous piece there. The armor has been stolen a million times now, and it always made me think… why don’t they kidnap Tony? Have him make new armors? And then it led me down a path of thinking about… what if instead of making new armors, someone made a new Tony?"
Unsurprisingly, the twin Deadpool/Batman #1 and Batman/Deadpool #1 crossovers were a big hit for Marvel and DC, proving that fans just want to see these two publishers play nice again. That spirit of cooperation is carrying over into 2026, as the two celebrate the 50th anniversary of the very first Marvel/DC crossover, Superman vs. The Amazing Spider-Man.
In addition to reprinting that original crossover, fans can expect another double dose of new stories with Superman/Spider-Man #1 and Spider-Man/Superman #1. We only know the creators involved in the former so far, but it’s quite the stacked lineup, including a main story by Mark Waid and Jorge Jiménez. Let’s hope this becomes an annual tradition.
A couple of years back, Mind MGMT creator Matt Kindt launched a new experimental imprint called Flux House at Dark Horse Comics. That imprint has now made its home at Oni Press, and we’re very excited by what it has to offer in 2026.
We’re currently eying two Flux House comics debuting later in the year. One is a Mind MGMT sequel dubbed Mind MGMT: New & Improved. The other is a collaboration with The Sixth Gun artist Brian Hurtt called Fort Psycho. Both series will be previewed in a Free Comic Book Day 2026 special, so definitely make sure you check out your local comic shop that weekend.
That’s what we’re looking forward to reading in 2026 so far, though there’s no telling what other major announcements will drop in the months to come. Be sure to let us know in the comments what’s on your reading list for 2026. And be sure to check out our pick for the best comic book or original graphic novel of 2025.
Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on BlueSky.
The modding team behind the Raising the Bar: Redux Mod for Half-Life 2 has released a trailer for its third episode/chapter. This third chapter is a culmination of seven years of growth, and it will be the largest so far. For those who don’t know, Half-Life 2 – Raising the Bar: Redux is a mod … Continue reading Half Life 2 – Raising the Bar: Redux Episode 3 Gets New Trailer →
The post Half Life 2 – Raising the Bar: Redux Episode 3 Gets New Trailer appeared first on DSOGaming.
4Divinity has released the first gameplay trailer for its upcoming cinematic FPS game, The Defiant. This trailer packs six minutes of gameplay footage. As such, it will give you a small glimpse at what its devs aim to create. In The Defiant, you step onto a land soaked with the warm blood of war. You … Continue reading First gameplay trailer for the new cinematic FPS game, The Defiant →
The post First gameplay trailer for the new cinematic FPS game, The Defiant appeared first on DSOGaming.
It's no secret that Ninja Gaiden has had a huge 2025. Things kicked off early in the year with Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, a new version of the beloved classic brought to modern platforms with enhanced visuals. Later on, we got Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, a 2D sidescroller from The Game Kitchen. However, perhaps nothing was more exciting than Ninja Gaiden 4, the long-awaited follow-up to Ninja Gaiden 3. If you haven't had a chance to check out this brand-new entry, you can pick up a copy for $49.99 today at Walmart.
Ninja Gaiden 4 was developed by both Team Ninja and PlatinumGames, offering a wild and immensely satisfying action combat system. Instead of solely focusing on Ryu, a new protagonist, Yakumo, was introduced alongside him. With two characters to play as, there are all kinds of new abilities and mechanics to utilize as you trek across Tokyo to combat an evil threat.
In our 8/10 review, we wrote, "When it comes to combat, there are few games I’d consider to even be in the same ballpark as Ninja Gaiden 4. It is quite simply the most fun I’ve had with a 3D action game since Devil May Cry 5. Its disappointing story, bland level design, and uneven boss battles certainly put a damper on the package as a whole, but they haven’t stopped me from continuously coming back for more all the same. Blemishes and all, this is the best pure action game since Hi-Fi Rush, and hopefully it doesn’t take another 13 years for the next one."
Noah Hunter is a freelance writer and reviewer with a passion for games and technology. He co-founded Final Weapon, an outlet focused on nonsense-free Japanese gaming (in 2019) and has contributed to various publishers writing about the medium.
2025 has been one of the strongest years for anime in ages, building on what is clearly a new Golden Age in the Japanese animation industry. With widening viewership, more access to anime on streaming, and its popularity growing around the globe, there’s more brilliant anime than ever. From the slice-of-life shonen silliness of Sakamoto Days that took Netflix by storm, to the immense success of Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle, which opened to 80 million dollars, 2025 was an epic year for some of our favorite series. But that's a different article (check out our Best Anime Series of 2025 award); instead, we're here to take a look at our most anticipated anime of 2026 – a year that could potentially top 2025 when it comes to iconic releases and anticipated returns.
Inspired by the massive success and continued cultural impact of anime, 2026 is stacked with unbelievable new series and blockbuster follow-ups, such as: the sophomore season of Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, the emotionally-driven fantasy quest that got everyone talking; a new take on Ghost in the Shell, one of the most seminal anime of all time from one of the best studios working today; and the highly anticipated debut of Witch Hat Atelier. And that’s just a few examples of the anime that could make 2026 another incredible year.
We're excited to see which genres blow up, which existential themes stick, and where the future of anime is headed. Who are our favorite creators? Which manga has been selling off the charts? What genre have we not had a hit in for a long time? We’re taking all of that into consideration as we present our list of the anime that we can't wait to watch in 2026!
There's a reason that Frieren: Beyond Journey's End made our Top Anime of 2024 list, and now we're closer than ever to finally finding out where our favorite adventuring party is now. Asking what happens when the war is over and the demon king is defeated, this surprisingly existential and always fantastic twist on the dungeon-raiding anime became an instant classic. The series follows the titular immortal elf Frieren as she deals with the loss of her campaign party – Eisen, Himmel and Heiter – with whom she won the war. It's only through her friendship and adventure with a new human apprentice that she begins to come to terms with her loss and what she could have done differently. This is majestically mature and magical stuff.
Featuring one of the most insane and unique set-ups ever – a doctor and his former patient are reincarnated as twins born to their favorite pop idol, who is then murdered – this show is a total must-watch. A murdery mystery supernatural crime thriller set in the stunning landscape of idol stars, Oshi no Ko has been going strong since it debuted in 2023. The third season will follow the children, Aqua and Ruby Hoshino, as they continue their careers in the entertainment industry, which will cause a rift between them to grow. The manga upon which the show is based recently ended to much controversy, so it'll be intriguing to see if the show stays faithful to the source material or strays from that path.
After the shocking events of the Shibuya Incident, Season 3 of Jujutsu Kaisen has a lot to take on. There were tragic deaths, massive loss, and unexpected team-ups, but the biggest things that we have to deal with are the oncoming execution of Yuji and setting up the wild Culling Game arc, which will see the crew take part in an insane Jujutsu Kumite! It's one of the biggest shonen anime in the world, and one of the most-read manga too, so if you haven't caught up yet, now is the time to get ready before Season 3 hits and changes everything we know about the series.
Fans of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure and Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials will adore the concept of this new anime series, which will debut in early 2026. It comes from the mind of Fullmetal Alchemist creator Hiromu Arakawa, and adapts her manga of the same name. This is peak shoju storytelling with a shonen twist, as a brother and sister must fight to unite in a world where a select group of humans are able to manifest powers through "supernatural duos,” or Daemons. Together, estranged twins Yuru and Asa will have to find each other and learn how to control their powers in order to save the world from those who cannot.
No one was sure if Kamome Shirahama's stunningly intricate work could be brought to the screen with as much care and detail as it needed. Bug Films actually delayed the production of Witch Hat Atelier so that director Ayumu Watanabe and his team were able to take all the time they needed to make the anime just as good as the smash hit manga deserves. In case you've yet to check out the massive Kodansha magic academy series, it centers around a young girl who wants nothing more than to master magic. When she accidentally learns the secret of the art from a visiting witch, she becomes his apprentice and discovers much more about the fantastical world she's joined. From the trailer, this looks like it’s got what it takes to become a classic; next year, we'll find out!
It's always exciting when we get a new entry into Hirohiko Araki's insane crime epic JoJo's Bizarre Adventure. It still is, after decades, one of the most unique and entertaining anime and manga around. The new sixth season adapts the seventh manga story arc, Steel Ball Run, which features new clan member Johnny Joestar, who is a former jockey and paraplegic in the American West. Functioning more like a standalone story than any of the other arcs, this is a great place for new viewers to jump in. It certainly has an undeniable hook: Johnny must team up with an executioner to take on the cross-country horse race known as the Steel Ball Run. Expect racing, battles, and fashion that would make the most daring dressers blush.
Speaking of unique and vibrant takes on tropes that we love, the light novel series Fate/strange Fake is a wild take on fantasy questing as well as a thought-provoking story about how much any of us can control our destiny. Of course, we can't wait for the historical anime adaptation to come to screens, especially for those that might not know the shocking set-up or what it means for the characters we meet. For those of you who love Sword Art Online or Lord of Mysteries, or any of the other titles in the Fate series, you'll likely fall head over heels for this when it hits in 2026.
As noted before, we're living in a new Golden Age of anime, and one of the biggest and best examples of this is The Apothecary Diaries, in which a street urchin is pulled into a walled palace and must use her wits to survive as she becomes entangled in never-ending court intrigue. Earning her place thanks to her incredible detective skills and abilities as an apothecary, Maomao exists in a unique setting for a series that operates on a mystery-of-the-week formula. This is an unexpectedly deep and thoughtful show that has dealt with numerous complex topics while being consistently entertaining and surprising. It'll be interesting to see how Season 3 maintains those stakes while building on the emotional heart at its core.
Sure, it's another take on one of the most famous anime of all time, but it's coming from the genius minds at Science Saru, so there's no way this couldn't make it on our list. We're extremely hyped to see what one of the most adventurous and groundbreaking studios does with the trailblazing, iconic cyberpunk anime by Masamune Shirow. In case you've yet to discover Ghost in the Shell – lucky you – it follows a high-tech cyborg cop named Motoko Kusanagi, who tracks down a hacker targeting cyborgs like herself. Given its pedigree, this could be the biggest smash anime hit of 2026.
Disney+ is finally back in the big-name anime game with Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War's fourth and final installment: The Calamity. Intended as the end of the epic, this will tie up all the loose ends of Soul Reaper Kurosaki Ichigo's adventures in the demon-filled world he protects. It's going to be beautiful, brutal, and one of the most talked-about anime endings in years, so make sure you don't miss the discourse and drama when The Calamity hits in 2026!
What are your most anticipated anime of 2026? Did we miss a fave? Are you even more excited than us by one of our picks? Let us know in the comments.
It’s not just holiday decor discounted today. Our favorite phone controller for mobile gaming is back down to its lowest price ever, matching Black Friday savings. The Backbone Pro has $35 knocked off its price tag, so you can grab it for just $134.99. You can find that sale pricing from Amazon, Best Buy, and Target. Sure, it’s still an expensive option, but few phone controllers offer the versatility of the Backbone Pro. Whether you’re in the Android or iPhone (USB-C) camp, if you’re looking to get in some gaming on the go, this is a deal you’ll want to check out.
Today’s top smartphones have some unbelievable capabilities, delivering enough oomph to play console-level games. However, tapping around on a touchscreen makes the experience fall short. The Backbone Pro remedies the problem, bringing the traditional controller experience along with some handy extra features to your phone.
Just like many top phone controllers, the Backbone Pro lets you slot your phone into its expandable middle section and connect via USB-C. This Pro model, an upgrade of the original Backbone One, also adds Bluetooth support, known as FlowState. That means you’re in for a simple wireless connection to other devices, like tablets, PCs, VR headsets, and even some TVs. Dual batteries, lasting up to 40 hours on a single charge, are housed in the grips, adding some nice heft and extending playtime up to 40 hours.
In IGN expert Matthew Adler’s review of the Backbone Pro, he found many other meaningful improvements from the Backbone One, stating, “The addition of full-size thumbsticks, upgraded triggers, customizable rear buttons, and virtually silent face buttons and D-pad more than justify the ‘Pro’ name.” Overall comfort is also improved, thanks to ergonomic grips with a laser-etched surface that keeps the controller firm in your hands, even during heated marathon gaming sessions.
All of this awesome functionality pairs with Backbone’s impressive app, which combines top game streaming services with a user-friendly interface. From PS5 to Xbox games, playing on your phone should be seamless and streamlined. Additionally, a built-in retro game emulator and expanded customization options further enhance the experience.
With top-tier comfort, impressive controls, built-in Bluetooth, and ample customization opportunities, the Backbone Pro is an especially great deal if you get while it's on sale. Be sure to grab it while you still can.
Danielle is a Tech freelance writer based in Los Angeles who spends her free time creating videos and geeking out over music history.
Spoilers follow for Stranger Things Season 5, Vol. 2.
In the Season 5 episode of Stranger Things, "Chapter Six: Escape from Camazotz," Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo) lays out for the Hawkins gang (and the audience) exactly what’s going on with the Upside Down. Per Dr. Brenner’s journal, all of the chaos comes down to a wormhole that’s been acting as a bridge between Hawkins and Vecna’s machinations.
If you’re an observant viewer, there have been plenty of breadcrumbs leading to this reveal, including earlier in Season 5 when Mr. Clarke (Randy Havens) was teaching his science class about wormholes. In an interview with IGN, series creators Matt and Ross Duffer said they committed to that idea going all the way back to Season 1 when Netflix required that they outline their endgame for the series.
The brothers have previously said that they've known what the final scene of the show will be for "six or seven years." And it sounds like many other elements of the show's final season have been in the works even longer than that.
“Netflix came to us very early on in the writing of Season 1 and were just asking to explain some mythology,” Ross said. “We said, ‘Well, we don't want to tell the audience everything in the first season.’ It's really from the point of view of the characters, and we wanted a mystery. And they said, ‘That's great, but for us, you write it down.’”
Ross told IGN that they sat down with their writers’ room, and that’s where they developed the wormhole underpinning: “It wasn't called The Abyss then, but the idea was that there was this other dimension that all of the evil and our Demogorgons and our monsters came from. It's been in the works for a while, so it's nice to finally be able to reveal it at last.”
Asked if the complexity of the various high-concept ideas about the Upside Down, The Abyss and the science of it all ever broke their brains, Matt admitted, “Sometimes it does hurt your brain. I'm not gonna lie.”
But he also pointed to their talented writers, especially Paul Dichter who has been with the series since Season 1. Matt said Dichter has the “superpower” of being a sci-fi expert.
“He's read every single hard sci-fi book in the world. Ross and I have not,” Matt chuckled. “He's very smart in areas like this, so he's able to keep all of this in his brain. And so whenever we get confused or the other writers get confused, Paul sets us straight.”
Another key collaborator from the start is executive producer/director Shawn Levy who helped them close out the series. In fact, for the first time in the history of the show, they co-directed an episode together, "Chapter Seven: The Bridge."
Matt Duffer said initially that was just a Duffer Brothers episode, but it became impossible for them to do it alone and finish writing the series finale, and they knew they couldn’t screw that up.
“Shawn initially wasn't going to be available, but his schedule freed up a little bit with Deadpool [& Wolverine],” Matt said of what changed. “It was really fun to collaborate with him. I mean, we were never working together. He was directing scenes and we were directing scenes, but it does average out to almost exactly 50/50. I'm going to be interested if people can figure out who directed what.”
Ross agreed, “Our styles are so similar when we're directing Stranger Things that hopefully it just feels like a cohesive whole. But again, we're so lucky that he was able to come in and help us out and buy us that time that we so desperately needed to write.”
We also spoke to Jamie Campbell Bower (Vecna) and Noah Schnapp (Will Byer) about the latest batch of episodes, and the long-established bond between their characters which is clarified in the episode "Chapter Five: Shock Jock." There Will first discovers that he can siphon powers from the demon, and then uses that knowledge to actually damage Vecna’s leg at the end of the episode.
Asked how that’s sitting with Vecna going into the series finale, Campbell Bower said his character’s “vexation is becoming worse.”
The actor said he processed what happened early in Season 5 between Vecna and Will as a byproduct of Will being a means to an end. “But then, of course, you know how much it affects Vecna in this chapter, and how much it can affect Vecna in this chapter makes that irritation so much worse for him,” he chuckled. “Does it set him on the back foot? I don't think he'd like to consider that it does, but I definitely think it is, like you say, a knockdown and a bit of a blow. But you know, old Vecky is gonna hobble his way on.”
As for his scene partner, actor Noah Schnapp, he said finding out how their dynamic resolved only came out in the final script when he read it with the rest of the cast.
“I was so anxious to see it, and that one was different. They didn't send it to anyone,” Schnapp said of how the episode’s script was dispersed. “We all actually read it together for the first time at a table read. And it was scary to turn the page. You want to just skip to the end and see – is it good? But progressively through that table read, the emotions just were higher and higher, and everyone was crying by the end. If it was that emotional reading it, I can't even imagine what it's like to watch the episode. It was fun that they did it that way, and that we all got to experience it together for the first time.”
Connexion