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, Marvel announced “X-Corp,” a new X-Men series by writer Tini Howard and artist Alberto Foche. Plus, we have an exclusive look at next week’s “Cable” #8, from writer Gerry Duggan and artist Phil Noto.
– DC is bringing back a classic Batman title with the return of “Legends of the Dark Knight.” The series will be available in 10-page digital chapters, beginning April 2, and will be printed as 20-page physical comics beginning May 18 (thus printing two digital chapters per physical issue). The first story will be written and drawn by Darick Roberston (“The Boys,” “Hellblazer: Rise and Fall”), and focuses on a new villain supplying Gotham’s villains with deadly chemicals. Future issues will feature Becky Cloonan, Stephanie Phillips, Matthew Rosenberg, Brandon Thomas, Cian Tormey, Giannis Milonogiannis, Dike Ruan, and more. The first issue of the series will also feature a card stock variant cover by David Marquez, as well as incentive variant covers by Riccardo Federici and Francesco Francavilla.
– In other Batman news, DC has retitled an upcoming miniseries from writer Tom Taylor and artist Andy Kubert. The book, originally called “Batman: The Dark Knight,” will instead be published as “Batman: The Detective.” While there has not been any official reason given for the change, this new title does distinguish the series from any previous work. DC has never published a series called “Batman: The Detective,” whereas they have used “Batman: The Dark Knight” on many occasions, including a pair of books by David Finch. Most famously, ‘The Dark Knight’ title is associated with the work of Frank Miller, who used the naming convention on “The Dark Knight Returns,” “The Dark Knight Strikes Again,” and “The Dark Knight III: The Master Race.” “Batman: The Detective” is set to come out on April 13.
– DC Comics will honor their first Black superhero this June with the release of “Green Lantern: John Stewart – A Celebration of 50 Years.” The book will be a 368-page hardcover collection of various comics that prominently feature John Stewart, including issues of “Green Lantern,” “Justice League,” and “Justice League of America.” In addition, the book features a series of essays talking about the significance of John Stewart, which will be written by John Ridley, Geoff Johns, actor Phil LaMarr, and John Stewart’s original co-creator Neal Adams.
– Marvel has announced the full new roster for the Guardians of the Galaxy team through the cover reveals for issues #13-15 of the current series. Doctor Doom, the Super-Skrull, Mantis, and two iterations of Quasar will join Star-Lord, Groot, Nova, and the rest of the current team. Marvel previously announced that Wiccan and Hulkling will be joining the team beginning in issue #13, which doubles as a 175-issue celebration for the beloved space franchise. With all of the new roster additions and the existing members, the Guardians of the Galaxy will now feature 17 members as they protect space in their roles as deputized heroes of the Galactic Council. Writer Al Ewing and artist Juan Frigeri will usher in this new era beginning April in “Guardians of the Galaxy” #13, with covers by Brett Booth.
– The life story of Jack Kirby has been dramatized in King Kirby, a new audio drama podcast that launched this week. The podcast is based on the 2016 play of the same name by writers Fred Van Lente and Crystal Skillman, who also wrote this new adaptation. Steven Rattazzi stars as Jack Kirby, with actors Amy Lee Pearsall, Joseph Mathers, Timothy McCown Reynolds, and Nat Cassidy rounding out the cast in supporting roles as Roz Kirby, Joe Simon, Martin Goodman, and Stan Lee. The series follows Kirby’s early days as a child in the Jewish Ghetto of New York City’s Lower East Side, through to his time serving in World War II, and pioneering the medium of comics with the creation of Captain America, the Avengers, the X-Men, and more.
– The Vault Comics series “Vagrant Queen” has been adapted into a series of audiobooks from GraphicAudio. The series is written by Magdalene Visaggio with art by Jason Smith and was previously adapted into a television program on the Syfy channel, which ran for one season in 2020. “Vagrant Queen” follows Elida, a former child queen who was driven from her throne, and now fights for her life as revolutionary forces hunt her down. The first audiobook, Vagrant Queen and the Bezoar King was released today, while the second, Vagrant Queen and a Planet Called Doom, will be released on April 21.
– ShortBox will be publishing a new story titled ‘Gristle’ by Lily Blakely. The story focuses on an isolated and increasingly paranoid woman and a mysterious, fleshy plant. ShortBox is an independent comic book publisher that publishes their books through a mail-order service facilitated by Patreon. ‘Gristle’ will be appearing in issue #13 of “ShortBox.”
– Finally, Wonder Woman actress Lynda Carter announced this week the passing of her husband Robert A. Altman. The couple were married for 37 years and had two children together, Jessica and James. He was 73 years old. Altman was a lawyer and video game executive, who co-founded ZeniMax Media, the parent holding company for Bethesda Studios, best known for the Fallout and Doom video game franchises.
