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 “Young Justice” #14, and an interview with the creators of “Witchfinder: The Reign of Darkness” #4.
– The Hollywood Reporter writes that David Erwin was named publisher and “chief creative overlord” of Heavy Metal magazine. Erwin previously worked on Hasbro’s Transformers brand and served as executive creative director of DC Comics. Erwin joins CEO Matt Medney, editor-in-chief Grant Morrison, and managing editor Tim Seeley on the iconic magazine.
– From Twitter, David Wise, co-developer and story editor on the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon, passed away following his battle with lung cancer. He was 65.
– Following another wave of cancellations from publishers and creators, Emerald City Comic Con announced a refund program for ticket holders who are weary of attending the convention due to concerns with COVID-19 coronavirus. ReedPop, the organizers of Emerald City Comic Con, wrote, “The evolving situation with the COVID-19 virus and developments in and around the city of Seattle have most certainly been at the forefront of our minds as Emerald City Comic Con approaches. Our customer base is central to all ReedPop decisions, and this scenario is no different. We value all of your voices and the spectrum of feedback that we have been receiving. Knowing that no two fans are alike, we have decided to make an exception to our no refunds ticket policy for our fans who are unable or uncomfortable aמּending Emerald City Comic Con in light of current events.”
– From Newsarama, DC announced that Stargirl will debut on the DC Universe digital subscription service on Monday, March 11th, ahead of its broadcast release on The CW. New episodes will be available on the platform every Monday in addition to behind-the-scenes featurettes and extended versions of select episodes. From the press release, “Stargirl follows high school sophomore Courtney Whitmore as she moves to Blue Valley, Nebraska after her mother remarries Pat Dugan and inspires an unlikely group of young heroes to stop the past.” Brec Bassinger stars in the title role with Luke Wilson as Pat Dugan.
– Matt Reeves, director of the upcoming film The Batman, posted images of the new Batmobile on Twitter. The Batman, starring Robert Pattinson as Bruce Wayne, is scheduled to debut on June 25, 2021.
– The Hollywood Reporter also announced a new multi-part Audible drama of The Sandman launching this summer. Co-creator and writer of “The Sandman” series, Neil Gaiman, will narrate the Audible production in addition to serving as creative director and executive producer. The Hollywood Reporter has a trailer available on their site.
– Comic book creator and character designer, Kris Anka, revealed on Twitter that he is working on the recently announced Spider-Man Into the Spider-Verse sequel.
– From The Chronicle Herald, cartoonist Michael de Adder is receiving the 2020 Herblock Prize for his editorial cartooning. Adder’s cartoons have been featured in The Chronicle Herald and the Toronto Star, and have poked fun at Donald J. Trump, stoking outrage from the President’s supporters. He is signed on with political cartoon provider CounterPoint.
– From Twitter, comic creator Rosemary Valero-O’Connell will sell her pencil work for the graphic novel “Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me” to raise money for Bernie Sanders’s presidential campaign in the United States. The graphic novel written by Mario Tamaki was nominated for a GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Comic Book.
– Variety reports that ViacomCBS is set to sell Simon & Schuster. The media company is reevaluating its assets to remain competitive and has had inquiries about the longstanding publishing unit. Simon & Schuster’s catalog includes prolific writers Stephen King and Mary Higgins Clark.
