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 have an exclusive preview of “Miranda in the Maelstrom” #3.
and Luis Antonio Delgado
– IDW’s variety of licensed Ghostbusters comic books were removed from digital comic book stores, prompting suggestions that the publisher has lost ownership of the franchise’s license. Frequent “Ghostbusters” writer Erik Burnham stated “I can’t comment on anything one way or the other,” when questioned about the situation on Twitter. The publisher first acquired the rights to the franchise’s comic books in 2008 and started publishing one-shots and miniseries, before launching an ongoing series in 2011. Titles such as “Ghostbusters: Year One” and “Transformers/Ghostbusters,” were the latest releases under the license.
– “Rob,” a new webcomic by the creative team of writer Richard Dinnick, artists Magda Price and Miguel Sepulveda, colorist Enrica Eren Angiolini, and letterer Tyler Smith, was announced by Legendary Comics. The series will take the classic concept of Robin Hood and blend it with a futuristic aesthetic. “Rob” is set in the distant future, where a new iteration of feudalism has emerged following humanity’s expansion out to other worlds. The first three chapters of the series will be released on Webtoon on February 3, and continue weekly for its first season through August. Syfy Wire have a preview of the series.
– Marvel Comics announced they will be honoring Women’s History Month with a ‘Women of Marvel’ series of variant covers by Jen Bartel. There are eight variants in the collection which will include depictions of characters such as She-Hulk, Patsy Walker, and Silk wearing outfits inspired by the fashion from their debut years. The first variant will be for “Avengers” #43 and feature Jen Walters/She-Hulk. “Avengers” #43 is scheduled for release on March 3. The four covers revealed so far can be found here.
– Marvel also unveiled plans to launch a variation of their Masterworks series aimed at younger readers, calling the line ‘The Mighty Marvel Masterworks.’ The line will initially see the first issues of “Amazing Spider-Man,” “Fantastic Four,” and “Uncanny X-Men” collected in individual volumes with a smaller trim-size (6″ by 9″) than the regular Masterworks series, with cover art by Michael Cho. The Direct Market variants of the volumes will feature classic comic book cover art. The ‘Mighty Marvel Masterworks’ are scheduled for release in the summer.
– Scout Comics and Entertainment Holdings Inc. revealed that Joseph Schmalke and Rich Woodall’s horror comic, “The Electric Black,” is being adapted into an animated series. “The Electric Black” tells the story of a cursed antique shop of the same name and its owner, Julius Black, who, along with his employees, frequently manipulate customers into leaving with one of the shop’s forbidden objects. Starburns Industries, the studio founded by individuals behind shows such as Rick & Morty, will be developing the series, with their own James Fino producing alongside Mike Griffin and Paul Young. A release date for the series has not been announced.
– Disney XD’s Big Hero 6: The Series was cancelled. EW shared the news that the series will be ending with the third season’s finale. Big Hero 6: The Series started in 2017 and continued the story of Hiro and his robot, Baymax, following the events of Big Hero 6, with Ryan Potter and Scott Adsit both returning to voice their respective characters. The film was an adaptation of a Marvel comic series of the same name. Big Hero 6: The Series‘s final episode is scheduled to air on February 15.
– Zack Snyder’s Justice League had its release date of March 18 confirmed with the unveiling of three black-and-white posters. Each poster has a subtitle (‘Fallen,’ ‘Risen,’ and ‘Reborn’) and respectively depicts a broken stone carving of the Justice League symbol; a torn Justice League flag waving upon a pile of rubble; and a Justice League film reel with Synder’s signature in a red font. The four-hour film will be releasing on HBO Max in the US. You can see the posters for yourself here.
Continued below– Big Finish announced that they will be producing a fifth volume of audio adventures based on the 1960s The Avengers TV show, based on four stories from the show’s comic strip in TV Comic, this time with original cast member Linda Thorson returning. Thorson will play the villian, Tatiana, after originally starring as John Steed’s (now voiced by Julian Wadham) sidekick, Tara King, who is now performed by Emily Woodward. Big Finish started adapting the comic strips for audio adventures in 2016. The fifth volume is scheduled for release in April.
– Funko revealed the first of their Pop! Vinyl Comic Covers series of figures, featuring “Action Comics” #1, the debut of Superman. The box features a backdrop of the famous issue’s cover, with a Superman Pop! Vinyl figure pf the character’s design from the issue. This is the latest series of Pop! Vinyl figures to be based on iconic artwork, with the pop culture collectible manufacturer having previously released Pop! Vinyl Albums series figures. The boxed figure can be viewed here.
– Finally, The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago announced they will be holding a Marvel: Universe of Superheroes exhibition when they reopen in March, with the exhibition opening to the public on March 7. The exhibition will celebrate the history of the comic book publisher and showcase a multitude of props, costumes, and pieces of original art. To get a glimpse at some of the artifacts on display and for full ticket details, head over to the Museum’s exhibit page.
