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 the sad news that Nicola “Nick” Cuti, the co-creator of E-Man, died at age 75. We also had an exclusive preview of “Josie and the Pussycats in Space” #5, and a debrief with editor Katii O’Brien about “Hellboy and the B.P.R.D.: The Return of Effie Kolb.”
– Via Newsarama, Marvel is paying homage to one of the most legendary comics of all time this May with “Giant-Size X-Men: Tribute to Wein & Cockrum” #1. The issue will feature a page-by-page recreation of the classic “Giant-Size X-Men” #1, with 37 different artists each bringing their own styles to a page. Among the announced artists are Alex Ross, Carmen Carnero, Marguerite Sauvage, Kris Anka, Phil Noto, and Mike Hawthorne. “The presence Wein and Cockrum have on comics is too immense to weigh,” Hawthorne said. “I can honestly say their X-Men were my first love and it’s a privilege to pay homage to these two giants and their contribution to our culture.” “Giant-Size X-Men: Tribute to Wein & Cockrum” #1 is due out on May 27.
– Former DC publisher Dan DiDio has provided a statement via a Facebook post following the news of his sudden departure from DC Comics on Friday. Saying he was at a loss for words due to the overwhelming support he’s received over the last few days, he provided his comment via an emotional video of a speech he gave in 2015 on the day DC Comics departed their New York offices to relocate to California. “The comics come and go, the people change, but the heart that’s been felt here from everybody that’s been here from day one has been spectacular,” said DiDio in the video. DC has still yet to comment on DiDio’s departure.
– Comicbook.com has an exclusive first look at the cover for Image’s “The Weatherman” Vol. 3 #1 from writer Jody LeHeup and artist Nathan Fox. The reveal comes just ahead of the trade release for Vol. 2 this Wednesday. The series follows Mars’ wisecracking weatherman Nathan Bright, who has no memory of his alleged role in the terrorist attack that killed 18 billion people, and attempts to atone for his supposed actions. You can check out the full cover, which features a bloodied, blank-eyed image of Bright’s previous identity Ian Black, over at Comicbook.com. “The Weatherman” Vol. 3 #1 is due out sometime later this year.
– BOOM! Studios has announced a new creative team for “Jim Henson’s The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance.” The twelve-issue series, which features new characters and untold stories from the Netflix TV series of the same name, will be taken over by writer Matthew Erman and artist Mi-Gyeong Jo on issue #9. The issue begin telling the origin story of All-Maudra Mayrin, the Gelfling leader, who must determine who she can trust as she hears whispers of a Gelfling rebellion. “This story shows a whole new aspect of the All-Maudra Mayrin. I’m so excited to illustrate Mayrin’s early adventures as a young, brave but untested Gelfling leader,” said artist Mi-Geyong Jo. “Jim Henson’s The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance” #9 comes out this May.
– The School Library Journal has the exclusive on a new original graphic novel titled “Lumberjanes: True Colors” from the BOOM! Box imprint. Writer Lilah Sturges and artist polterink, who worked together on the first two “Lumberjanes” graphic novels, are returning to tell a story featuring the character Ripley’s journey to discover who she truly is. “When a practical joke goes awry, Ripley suddenly finds herself the target of a lot of anger and frustration,” Sturges shared. “Afraid that no one likes her anymore because she’s too different, Ripley runs away from camp… only to meet a capricious magical beast known as a zebracorn (it’s like a unicorn, but the ZEBRA version).” “Lumberjanes: True Colors” hits shelves in October 2020.
– “Deadpool” and “Birds of Prey” writer Gail Simone has decided to, in her own words, bring “her particular madness” to YouTube with a new channel titled What’s It Like? With Gail Simone. In the first Welcome video, Simone gave a quick summary of her experience, career, and interests, then opened up her comments section for fan questions that she promised to answer in future videos. “Basically, we just want to have some fun talking about stuff we love: comics, games, and travel,” Simone said in the video. “If you like any of those things, well, we’re best friends already.”
