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, Ed Piskor died yesterday, aged 41, after he was accused of sexual misconduct; we will have a full report up soon.
– Via The Beat, Mad Cave’s young adult imprint Maverick have announced “The Pirate Princess,” written by Luca Frigerio and illustrated by Lorenza Pigliamosche. The steampunk graphic novel follows Julie, the daughter of the Pirate King, as she sails across the ocean trying to reconnect with her father. During her journey, she discovers that there’s more to her displaced family and her role as the Pirate Princess than she originally thought. It will retail for $14.99 on October 8, 2024.
– Via Forbes, Roy Thomas has spoken out about the current controversy regarding Wolverine’s creation. In an interview with the magazine, the former Marvel editor-in-chief said, “First and foremost, this is not a financial issue. I’m not getting a penny, as far as I know…” saying all he’s after is acknowledgement of his role in creating the character.
Though there are no formal records showing his contributions and nearly everyone else who had firsthand knowledge is dead, Thomas has been telling the same story about Wolverine for decades, including in a 1982 interview with Marvel staff comics historian Peter Sanderson. Thomas said he would never dream of taking credit for a character he didn’t help create as an editor, before adding, “In this case, I did make up my character, and whether it was my job or not, it doesn’t mean I wasn’t a co-creator. To suggest otherwise is a bunch of crap as far as I’m concerned.”
– Marvel have announced “Black Widow: Venomous,” a one-shot written by Erica Schultz with art from Luciano Vecchio. Setting up her role in this year’s ‘Venom War’ crossover, the book sees Natasha Romanoff learning how to use her latest weapon: the symbiote she bonded with in the pages of Al Ewing, Torunn Grønbekk and co.’s “Venom” run last year. “Black Widow: Venomous” #1 will hit shelves on July 31, 2024.
– Via Publishers Weekly, First Second have acquired in a rights deal, “Rebis: Born and Reborn” by Irene Marchesini and Carlotta Dicataldo. This YA graphic novel follows a runaway child who meets an “alleged” witch in a medieval forest. Upon meeting, their lives will change forever. The book will be translated from Italian by Carla Roncalli Di Montorio. “Rebis: Born and Reborn” is set for publication in 2025.
– Via CBR, original Pink Ranger Amy Jo Johnson took to Instagram giving her best Rita Repulsa impression to announce a live reading of “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Return” #2. Written by Johnson and Matt Hotson, with art by Nico Leon, “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Return” is set in a world the original members of the team never passed on their mantles, and must come together after the mysterious disappearance of the original Red Ranger, Jason Lee Scott. The reading, also featuring original Blue Ranger David Yost, will begin live on Johnson’s Instagram tomorrow, April 3, at 7 pm EST. “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Return” #2 is currently on sale from BOOM! Studios.
– Artist Kelly Fitzpatrick has launched a GoFundMe, which aims to eliminate debt incurred as a result of living with fibromyalgia for the last six years. Fitzpatrick’s illness has caused several debilitaing conditions, including “mild cognitive impairment, depression, anxiety, chronic pain, limited mobility, [and] ocular migraines.” The artist moved to Canada in 2022 and has been living with her parents while dealing with her illness. Fitzpatrick said, “Any money that is contributed will go strictly into paying off the debt accrued on my two credit cards.” You can visit Fitzpatrick’s GoFundMe here.
