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, Skybound announced two new “G.I. Joe” series, DC revealed a My Adventures with Superman tie-in comic, and we have exclusive previews of next week’s “Star Wars: Mace Windu” #2 & “What If…? Venom” #2.
– As the Krakoa era ends, and a new chapter begins, a new four-part limited series will see Apocalypse hold a tournament to determine his successor. “X-Men: Heir of Apocalypse” will see twelve mutants get pitted against each other to determine who shall take over from En Sabah Nur himself on Earth, as he takes up his throne on Arakko. The challengers are: Armageddon Girl, Cable, Cypher, Emma Frost, Exodus, Forge, Gorgon, Mirage, Mr. Sinister, Penance, Rictor, and Wolverine (Laura Kinney). Steve Foxe writes and Netho Diaz draws the twice-monthly series, which kicks off June 5.
– Marvel fans can now enjoy over 100 Infinity Comics without an Unlimited subscription. Thanks to the publisher’s “Marvel’s Infinity Comics: Start Scrolling” program, a wide selection of the digital exclusives, notable for their vertical format, can be read on the app for free. Titles will be rotated in and out regularly according to Jessica Malloy, VP of Marketing for Marvel Unlimited, who hopes it will “keep welcoming in readers to our ever-expanding comic universe!”
– Oni Press has announced the latest installment of their “Quick & Easy” series, “A Quick & Easy Guide to Coming Out.” The book, written by Kristin Russo with art from cartoonist Ravi Teixeira, will offer advice and anecdotes for anyone struggling on how to come out to friends and family, no matter where they fall on the LGBTQ+ spectrum. It’s due out on September 24.
– Vault Comics and comic book crowdfunding website Zoop are partnering for the release of “Barbaric: Born in Blood” #1, promising a “transformative new approach to fan engagement.” In what the publisher and website are calling the “Join the Horde Crowdbuilding Campaign,” where the more fans back the campaign, the more exclusive rewards become available for the “Barbaric Horde.” Uniquely, there is no backing goal. In addition to early digital access to the issue, backers will have access to “exclusive behind-the-scenes art, and more goodies direct from creators Michael Moreci and Nathan Gooden,” including exclusive variant covers and merchandise. You can back “Barbaric: Born in Blood” #1 here. The issue introduces a new villain for the series and hints at Owen’s past. The campaign will run for the next 28 days.
– Yvonne Chapman (Avatar: The Last Airbender, Kung Fu) will play Amanda McCoy in season four of The CW’s Superman & Lois. The series will see her take over LuthorCorp in Lex’s absence. According to the show’s official description, “Little is known about her mysterious past, but she’s the only one in Luthor’s inner circle that he views as an equal, which makes her a massive threat to the Kents… and anyone else who stands in her way.” Superman fans may recognize the character from John Byrne’s run, where she discovered the Man of Steel’s secret identity, much to the disbelief of her boss Luthor.
– Celebrating 85 years of the Caped Crusader, LEGO unveiled an exclusive tribute to Batman: The Animated Series. Starting on March 31/April 1 at 9pm PT / 12am EST, LEGO Insiders can purchase the 4120-piece Gotham City set (Item 76271) exclusively from the toy brand’s website for $299.99. The set assembles into a large 3D skyline, and comes with Batman, Joker, Catwoman, and Harley Quinn figures, as well as the Batmobile, Batwing, and Bat-Signal. While supplies are limited, it will be available to the general public starting on April 4. In the meantime, you can sign up for a LEGO Insiders account here.
– Blizzard revealed its latest Overwatch 2/anime crossover, this time with Shinichirō Watanabe’s iconic space western Cowboy Bebop. Set to drop March 12, the collab will see some of the shooter’s characters get new Bebop-inspired skins, with Cassidy appearing as Spike Spiegel, Ashe as Faye Valentine (with a Red Tail-inspired B.O.B.), Sombra as Ed, Mauga as Jet Black, and Wrecking Ball as Ein, although we will not see the previews of the in-game skins until March 11. There will also be emotes, highlight intros, and more added to the game. This is the second anime crossover Overwatch 2 has done, with the first being a One-Punch Man collab this time last year.
– Ahead of the Academy Awards this weekend, Publishers Weekly ran a conversation between N.D. Stevenson and Sara Varon, both of whom have films based on their works, Nimona and Robot Dreams, nominated for Best Animated Feature. The pair discuss various subjects, including seeing their characters change from page to screen, their art styles, and working in animation, before learning they will both be attending the ceremony. Varon signs off saying, “Yes, see you at the Oscars! What a cool thing to be able to say!”
– Finally, a GoFundMe has been launched for prolific TV writer Ron Friedman, whose credits include the original The Transformers series (including the 1986 movie), G.I. Joe, and the ’90s Iron Man and Fantastic Four cartoons. Friedman, 91, and his wife Val are struggling with basic living and health treatment expenses no longer covered by his WGA pension, and are seeking to relocate to a less expensive home, closer to the hospital they rely on. The GoFundMe, organized by Ron’s friend and former student Jared Egol, seeks to raise $48,000 to cover the cost of the move, and the couple’s medical bills, rent and so on for the next few months; at the time of writing, they have raised $4,945.
