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.
– In a press release, Dark Horse have announced “Dr. Werthless: The Man Who Studied Murder (And Nearly Killed the Comics Industry),” a new graphic novel by Harold Schechter and Eric Powell. The book examines the life of Dr. Fredric Wertham, the polarizing figure whose book, Seduction of the Innocent, was crucial to the development of the Comics Code Authority. The book also looks at Wertham’s research, as well as his relationship with the notorious killer Albert Fish. “Dr. Werthless: The Man Who Studied Murder (And Nearly Killed the Comics Industry)” will be released in comic book stores on July 31, 2024. You can also watch a half-hour discussion with the creators about the book on YouTube.
– Deadline reports that actor Keanu Reeves and author China Miéville will co-write The Book of Elsewhere, a novel set in the same world as “BRZRKR,” the comic Reeves created with Matt Kindt and Ron Garney. The Book of Elsewhere follows an immortal warrior on a quest to discover the key to his immortality, and a possible way to free himself of his curse. Random House imprint Del Rey are set to publish the novel on July 23, 2024.
– Via The Bookseller, Scholastic UK have announced a new graphic novel prize in response to the genre’s growth. Since 2019, data shows a 425% increase in volume growth, as well as a 391% increase in value growth among the Children’s Graphic Novel and Comic Strip category for Nielsen. The prize will be separated into three categories: Graphic Novel for Younger Readers, Graphic Novel for Older Readers, and Graphic Novel for Teens. The winners will be selected from children’s votes through Scholastic’s school channels. Submissions are being accepted until February 2, 2024, and a shortlist of nominees is expected in March.
– Via Popverse, this year’s Eisner Awards will see a couple of changes moving forward. This year, the slot for Comics-Related Periodical/Journalism is not included among the categories, with the caveat that categories are tentative and judges may add, remove or combine any category at their own discretion. Jackie Estrada, the Eisner Awards’ administrator, says, “For comics-related periodicals, they have been combined with the comic-related books. Online journalism sites are welcome to submit in that overall category.” The Eisner Awards will take place during San Diego Comic Con on Friday July 26, 2024.
– Syfy have officially announced a premiere date for the third season of Resident Alien, and also released a trailer. The season’s official synopsis reads, “Harry is vowing to work with General McCallister to rid the Earth of the Grey aliens — a task made more difficult when he discovers that the Grey Hybrid Joseph has taken a job in town as the new Deputy…” Resident Alien season 3 will debut on February 14, 2024, and run for eight episodes.
– Paramount and Bad Robot Productions have tapped director Toby Haynes (Andor) and writer Seth Grahame-Smith for a new Star Trek film. This is not meant to be the long-gestating fourth film in the Chris Pine series, but a prequel set decades before Captain Kirk took command of the Enterprise. The fourth film with Pine as Kirk, which does not have any writer or director attached, is also now being described as the final chapter in the series.
– Finally, Marvel Studios and the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma have launched a website to showcase the work they did together on Echo. The miniseries heavily features the Choctaw Nation and as such, the creatives behind the show worked very closely with them while creating the series. Sydney Freeland, the series’ director and also part Navajo, explained “I’m not Choctaw culture, but that was one of the big things that was important for us was creating a dialogue with the Choctaw Nation and getting their support.” You can check out the newly created website here. Echo is currently streaming on Disney+ and Hulu.
