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 case you missed it, we had an exclusive first look at next month’s “Guardians of the Galaxy Annual,” which will mark the end of Collin Kelly, Jackson Lanzing, and Kev Walker’s run.
– DC announced “This Land is Our Land: A Blue Beetle Story,” the first young adult OGN starring Jaime Reyes, created by writer Julio Anta (“Home”), artist Jacoby Salcedo (“Frontera”), and colorist Francesco Segala (“Stranger Things”). Due out October 1, the book will retell Jaime’s origin story, but with a greater emphasis on his family background, as he deals with a friend becoming brainwashed by an anti-immigrant hate group. The publisher also revealed “Wonder Woman: The Adventures of Young Diana,” a collection of Jordie Bellaire and Paulina Ganucheau’s 2021 back-up stories from the main series, releasing August 6.
– DC also released their April 2024 solicits, which revealed Neil Gaiman and Charles Vess’s “The Sandman” #19 will be reissued with new coloring, and more. The award-winning issue, which saw William Shakespeare stage a performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream for Auberon and Titania themselves, will receive remastered pages based on colorist Steve Oliff’s original color guides, a foreword by Oliff discussing the process, and an all-new cover painted by Vess. “From the DC Vault: ‘The Sandman’ #19 Remastered” will be released on April 2.
– Furthermore, DC unveiled their Free Comic Book Day (May 4) offerings, although they still kept the contents of their main release (the “FCBD Special Edition”) top secret. The two middle-grade and young adult titles will feature previews of Yehudi Mercado and Ngozi Ukazu’s respective upcoming graphic novels, “Barkham Asylum” (out May 7), and “Barda” (June 4). The fourth release, showcasing MAD Magazine, will reprint classics like ‘Spy vs. Spy,’ as well as various DC parodies, and feature Kerry Callen’s viral artwork of Superman forgetting he’s already in costume on the cover.
– And in more DC-related news, a clip from a Variety interview with Christopher Reeve’s children went viral for reasons that have rendered The Flash movie even more of an embarrassment. While discussing the new documentary Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story, Reeve’s kids awkwardly admitted they had not seen The Flash, prompting co-director Ian Bonhôte to change the subject, and subsequently confirmed they were not involved in its CG recreation of their father. The Flash was widely blasted on release for its use of Reeve’s likeness, as well as that of his predecessor George Reeves. Super/Man, which premiered yesterday at Sundance, is currently seeking a distributor.
– SelfMadeHero revealed their Spring 2024 releases. These include “Snowpiercer” co-creator Jean-Marc Rochette’s “The Last Queen” (out March 28), the tale of a World War I survivor finding refuge in nature; “The Anxiety Club” (April 25), a tale of friendship by Dr. Frédéric Fanget, Catherine Meyer, and Pauline Aubry; and Séverine Vidal and Kim Consigny’s “George Sand” (May 9), a biography of the 19th century novelist of the same name. All three books were translated from French by Edward Gauvin. The slate also includes a rerelease of Peter Kuper’s “Ruins,” the Eisner Award-winning story of a couple on sabbatical in Mexico, on February 29.
– Dark Horse will release “The World of Black Hammer Omnibus Volume 4” in bookstores on September 9, 2024, and comic book shops the following day. The 288-page paperback will reprint “Skulldigger and Skeleton Boy,” and “The Unbelievable Unteens,” and retail for $29.99. “The World of Black Hammer Omnibus Volume 3,” collecting “Colonel Weird: Cosmagog” and “Barbalien: Red Planet,” will be released in the meantime on April 10, while the sixth and final issue of “Black Hammer: The End” will arrive digitally and in comic book stores on March 13, ahead of the trade paperback on July 17.
– Archie announced “Archie & Friends: Hot Rod Racing,” a high octane special featuring a new story, ‘The Race to Save Face,’ introducing the character of racer Daisy Thunder. Written by Craig Boldman, with art by Steven and Lily Butler, colors by Glenn Whitmore, and lettering by Jack Morelli, the story sees Daisy, an old school friend of the Riverdale gang, return to challenge them to a charity race. “Can Archie prove that his souped-up jalopy can best Daisy’s hot wheels?” You’ll be able to find out on April 3.
– If you’re avoiding Doctor Who spoilers, we would strongly advise against clicking the following link, which contains details on the future of Millie Gibson’s newly introduced sidekick Ruby Sunday. Now then: Variety has revealed Varada Sethu (Andor) will join Ncuti Gatwa’s second series — which has already begun filming — as a new companion. Gatwa and Gibson’s first series on the show will premiere in the meantime on the BBC and Disney+ in May.
– Finally, writer Brett Lewis (“Bulletproof Monk,” “The Winter Men”) suffered a severe head injury on Sunday, January 14, and underwent an emergency hemicraniectomy. According to a GoFundMe launched by his sister Jenn Graves, Lewis will recover at a acute rehabilitation hospital before being sent home (where he’ll require 24/7 care), and undergo more surgery in two-to-three months’ time. Lewis was already living with the effects and debt from a brain injury sustained in an assault in 2009, and while the effects of this injury remain to be determined, he will be unable to work in the meantime. His family currently seeks to raise $100,000 to cover the bill, and you can click the link to donate.
