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, a stretch goal for the crowdfunded documentary Mike Mignola: Drawing Monsters was announced, offering a limited edition card for Hellboy: The Board Game.
– Per a press release, Scout Comics’ horror imprint Black Caravan will publish “Swamp Dogs,” a five-issue series written by former Screen Rant contributor J.M. Brandt, and Theo Prasidis (“The Doomsters Monolithic Pocket Alphabet”), with art by Kewber Baal (“Vengeance of Vampirella”). Plot details were not given, but an ashcan of the comic will be released in July, when the cover and synopsis for the first issue — due out around Halloween — will be revealed. The book is intended to become Black Caravan’s flagship title, and lead into multiple ongoing series, future miniseries, and standalone issues.
– Vault Comics have delayed the first issue of Ram V and Anand RK’s new series “Radio Apocalypse” until October. The post-apocalyptic series, which tells the story of the world’s last radio station, was originally set to debut on April 28. Vault editor-in-chief Adrian Wassel said, “Covid has thrown a wrench into every aspect of our lives, and yet somehow we’ve all learned to keep moving forward. Still, the last thing we want to do is rush what will be a singular and masterful series, and so we’ve decided to hold the ‘Radio Apocalypse’ release just a bit longer. I promise, it’s worth it.”
– Image Comics will publish The Essential Guide to Comic Book Lettering, a how-to book by letterer Nate Piekos, in October. It will provide “readers with the most in-depth tips and techniques ever published on the subject of digital comic book lettering in this exhaustive guide. He covers everything from creating lettering templates, emotive dialogue, and dynamic sound effects to developing design skills and building a lettering career in the comic industry.” It will be released in comic book stores on October 20, and in bookstores on Tuesday, October 26.
– NBM Publishing revealed their graphic novel slate for Winter 2022, which includes the comedic “Dungeon” books by Christophe Blain, Joann Sfar, and Lewis Trondheim (out September); “Silent Invasion” Vol. 4 by Michael Cherkas and Larry Hancock (October); Salva Rubio and Efa’s biography of Romani-French jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt, “Django, Hand on Fire” (January); and “Alfred Hitchcock: Master of Suspense,” by Noël Simsolo and Dominique Hé (February). You can read the full list of upcoming books, including their previously revealed Summer 2021 books, at Broken Frontier.
– BOOM! Studios and Netflix announced a feature film and anime series based on Keanu Reeves, Matt Kindt and Ron Garney’s supernatural action series “BRZRKR.” Reeves will star in the film and spin-off show as the immortal hero “B.” (who is modeled on Reeves), and produce the projects with BOOM! Studios. It is unknown when the film will be released, with Reeves set to begin filming John Wick 4 this spring. “BRZRKR” #1 (of 12) is out now.
– Variety reported DC Films approached Promising Young Woman director Emerald Fennell to write a Zatanna movie. The theatrical release will be produced by J.J. Abrams’s Bad Robot Productions, which is also developing Constantine and Justice League Dark series — two properties heavily associated with Zatanna in the comics — for HBO Max. Fennell was recently nominated for the Academy Award for Best Director for Promising Young Woman; her other work includes season two of Killing Eve. The magician-styled Zatanna was created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Murphy Anderson for 1964’s “Hawkman” #4.
– Variety also reported Marvel are developing a spin-off for Maya Lopez/Echo, the deaf Native American superhero who will be portrayed by Alaqua Cox on Disney+’s Hawkeye series. Etan Cohen (Holmes & Watson, Idiocracy), and his wife Emily Bowen-Cohen, a Jewish/Muscogee (Creek) cartoonist, are reportedly attached to write and executive produce the show. Created by David Mack and Joe Quesada for 1999’s “Daredevil” #9, Echo has the ability to perfectly mimic other’s skills and abilities, and was the first character to assume the mantle of Ronin.
– Finally, Singapore paper The Straits Times reported a new comic is highlighting the importance of end-of-life and palliative care, and discussing death and dying. The 72-page book, titled “All Death Matters,” was commissioned by the Lien Foundation, and written and illustrated by James Tan. It will be released in the city-state’s public libraries from mid-April.
