Welcome back to The Rundown, our daily breakdown on comic news stories we missed from the previous day. Have a link to share? Email our team at rundown@multiversitycomics.com.
– The new live-action Fullmetal Alchemist film has set a release date in the United States. The original “Fullmetal Alchemist” manga followed a pair of brothers tragically disfigured in a tragic accident exploring a sinister plot within the authoritarian regime they work under. The first screening of this live-action adaptation in the U.S. will be held at the upcoming Anime NYC Con, with the film’s director Fumihiko Sori (Ichi, Tomorrow’s Joe) in attendance, on November 19.
– Rob Liefield (“Youngblood,” “X-Force”) in a post on Facebook aired out some issues he has been having with Dimond Comics Distributors, the sole distributor (or monopoly if you prefer) of comic books in America. The dispute is in regards to an order of 1000 comics that Diamond has misplaced, which has prompt Liefield to simply request a refund. It should be noted that the consistent delays on the behalf of Liefield and other creators during the 90s eventually led to the demise of many of the other distributors of the day, leading to our current monopoly filled existence.
– Matt Kindt (“X-O Manowar,” “Pastaways”) on Twitter yesterday teased the return of his New York Times bestselling Dark Horse series “MIND MGMT.” Kindt, who both writes and draws the series, teased what appears to be an image of rough outlines for a cover of a new issue with the caption “it’s happening again…”. The series centers around Meru, a true crimes writer, who, whilst investigating a mysterious airline flight, discovers a secret agency of super spies with psychic abilities.
– Led by Scarelett Johansson (Lost in Translation, Captain America: Winter Soldier) cast members of the upcoming Avenger: Infinity War will be lending their talents to a charity reading of Thorton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play Our Town. The reading which will be directed by Kenny Leon, Artistic Director of the Alliance Theatre Company in Atlanta, and will feature the talents of Johansson, Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man, Weird Science), Chris Evans (Snowpiercer, Captain America: The First Avenger), Mark Ruffalo (Avengers, Spotlight) and additional surprise celebrity guests and friends. Johansson is organizing the event with all proceeds being donated to help relief efforts in Puerto Rico following the devastation of hurricane Maria. Tickets for the event go on sale today and can be purchased online here.
– On the subject of the Avengers, Marvel has announced that they will be partnering with any interested retailers for a special release party for their new weekly “Avengers: No Surrender” title. For those who choose to participate there will be special merchandise available, including an exclusive variant cover by Daniel Acuña (“Uncanny Avengers,” “Black Widow”). “Avengers: No Surrender” will combine the creative teams of all three ongoing Avengers titles for an epic 16-week long story featuring the talents of Mark Waid (“Kingdom Come,” “Captain Kid”), Jim Zub (“Samurai Jack,” “Thunderbolts”), Al Ewing (“The Ultimates,” “Loki: Agent of Asgard”), Pepe Larraz (“Thor: Season One,” “Kanan: The Last Padawan”), Kim Jacinto (“Angela: Queen of Hel,” “Uncanny Avengers”), Paco Medina (“Legendary Star-Lord,” “X-Men”) and many others. “Avenger” #675, which kicks of “No Surrender” will be out January 10, 2018.
– It’s a good time to be working in comics and animation in Taiwan right now as that country has just announced plans to funnel $33 million dollars into developing a more robust manga and anation industry there. The subsidies, which were announced on Friday by Culture Minister Cheng Li-Chiun, will be invested in promising new manga artists and publishers. In addition, Taiwan also has plans in the works for a National Manga Museum to be built in Taichung and is expected to be completed sometimes in 2020.
– Valiant Comics is really jazzed to show you their new “Quantum and Woody” series, so excited in fact that they have released a free issue #0.0001½ as a preview. The new “untrustworthy ongoing series” by writer Daniel Kibblesmith (“The Doorman,” “Unity”) and artist Kano (“Beta Ray Bill: Godhunter,” “Gotham Central”) looks to be jam-packed with funny one-liners and jaw-dropping art, but as far as issue #0.0001½ goes you will have to just give it a read and judge for yourself. The first issue of “Quantum and Woody” will be hitting shelves December 20.
Continued below– Jason Aaron (“Mighty Thor,” “Southern Bastards”) hot off the release of his “Marvel Legacy” one-shot has partnered with the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund to raise money for their ongoing efforts defending the first amendment rights of comic creators. Aaron has donated several signed copies of “The Goddamned,” “Scalped,” “Thanos Rising,” “The Other Side” and several other awesome titles. And if Jason Aaron signatures aren’t exactly what you’re looking for then you can go here to help benefit the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund.
– And if you need even more reason to donate to the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund look no further than the news coming out of Turkey this past week where several cartoonists await trial. Cartoonist Musa Kart and his journalist colleagues from the newspaper Cumhuriyet are currently awaiting trial for “aiding and abetting” terrorist organizations, an allegation oft-leveled by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan against dissident journalists. Thus far this year already two different Turkish satire magazines have been shut down by their government nevertheless, cartoonists and journalist continue to speak out against the establishment.
– Venom appears to be rounding out it’s cast with the addition of Scott Haze (Child of God, Thank You for Your Service) to the Tom Hardy (Taboo, Mad Max: Fury Road) led Sony Marvel film. Production members were tight-lipped as to who Haze would be playing, but after it was reported that the reccently cast Riz Ahmed (Rouge One, Four Lions) would not be playing the film’s antagonist Carnage, it is very likely that Haze will be playing the murderous Cletus Kasady aka Carnage. Venom is set to debut in theatres October 5, 2018.
