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 spoke with “Cardboard Kingdom” co-creator Chad Sell about the latest book in the series, “Snow & Sorcery.”
– Image have announced “Houses of the Unholy,” a new graphic novel from Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips. This crime noir follows an FBI agent who investigates cults, as well as a woman with ties to the Satanic Panic, who are both drawn into the search for a killer hiding in the underworld. Brubaker describes the book as “somewhere in-between a creepy horror story and a f*cked-up noir, and directly tied to the Satanic Panic craze of the ’80s.” “Houses of the Unholy” will be available in comic shops on August 14, 2024.
– Image have also announced “Bear Pirate Viking Queen,” written by Sean Lewis with art by Jonathan Marks Barravecchia. The official synopsis for this three-issue miniseries reads, “Bears. Pirates. Vikings. And Queens — all battling for their claim to determine what the world will become. ‘Bear Pirate Viking Queen’ is a gorgeous, high fantasy story about the blood spilled to make countries.” The first issue will be released on May 1, 2024.
– Via Screen Rant, IDW have announced “Star Trek: Celebrations,” a one-shot featuring stories written by Vita Ayala, Mags Visaggio, and Steve Orlando, among others. The one-shot will shine a light on many of the franchise’s LGBTQ+ characters, including Seven of Nine and Paul Stamets. The book will feature a main cover by Paulina Ganucheau, though IDW is keeping other artists under wraps for now. Editor Heather Antos said “There’s a really great quote from Gene Roddenberry that that’s the future he wants to see: a future where we are all not just tolerating one another, but celebrating one another.” “Star Trek: Celebrations” will be available May 29, 2024.
– Marvel revealed “Union Jack the Ripper: Blood Hunt,” a three-issue miniseries written by Cavan Scott with art by Kev Walker. Spinning out of the event series “Blood Hunt,” the book follows Union Jack as he goes to war with a brood of vampires targeting his homeland, all led by a mysterious villain known as the Hunger. “Union Jack the Ripper: Blood Hunt” #1 will be released on May 15, 2024.
– Marvel also announced “Black Panther: Blood Hunt,” another three-issue miniseries spinning out of the event. Written by Cheryl Lynn Eaton with art by Farid Karami, it follows T’Challa after he is turned into a vampire, and reluctantly embarks on a quest from the vampire overlord to find an ancient power. “Black Panther: Blood Hunt” #1 will be available on May 29, 2024, while “Blood Hunt” itself will begin on May 1.
– Via Popverse, Rafael Grampá’s “Batman: Gargoyle of Gotham” #3 is set to introduce a sinister new villain, the Little Joker. Just as the previous issues have introduced new villains, this story follows suit. Grampá describes the story as “a kind of essay on evil. This is a very deep subject, but I’m trying to portray it in a way to really entertain people and discuss it in the comic, but having fun with that.” “Batman: Gargoyle of Gotham” #3 will be available May 28, 2024.
– Variety reports that nWave Pictures and Octopolis, in association with Sony Pictures International, have announced Chickenhare and the Very Very (Very) Old Groundhog. The CGI animated movie is a sequel to 2022’s Chickenhare and the Hamster of Darkness, based on the Dark Horse Comics series written and illustrated by Chris Grine. Benjamin Mousquet is directing, while Dave Collard wrote the screenplay. The film is expected to be complete by the end of the year.
– Finally, last week’s Publishers Weekly children’s books rights report revealed several upcoming graphic novels, including a print edition of Jem Yoshioka’s Webtoon series “Folk Remedy” from Andrews McMeel in Fall 2025, and “The Netherlings,” a contemporary middle-grade fantasy book by Joe Whitt and Rii Abrego, coming from Random House Graphic in 2026. The latter will follow “supernatural enthusiast and basketball player” Chloe, who accidentally befriends and recruits Ethan, a being from the Netherworld, even though he’s in “the middle of babysitting his little sister.” For more, head to the link.
