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.
– Marvel Comics unveiled a new one-shot called “Avengers 1,000,000 B.C,” by writer Jason Aaron and artist Kev Walker. In the one-shot, the creative pair will cast readers back in time to when the first iteration of the Avengers team, that Aaron introduced at the start of his tenure on the title, operated. The description promises that the one-shot will include “the dark events” that brought about the team’s downfall, the influence the prehistoric Avengers have had on the Marvel Universe, and “the true story of Thor’s birth.” “Avengers 1,000,000 B.C.” #1 is set for release in July.
– Via ComicBook.com, BOOM! Studios announced ‘Charge to 100,’ a new “Mighty Morphin” and “Power Rangers” event that builds to the twin series’ 100th issue in September. The event will follow the Power Rangers and Omega Rangers as they unite to take on “a terrifying new cosmic threat that’s rising from the depths to threaten every living thing in existence.” The event will release on alternate issues of the series, starting with this month’s releases, “Mighty Morphin” #18 and “Power Rangers” #18, which are legacy numbers #90 and #91, and an unspecified amount of one-shots are also set to be parts of the story. The event will conclude with the release of the series’ 100th issue in September. You can read reflections on the upcoming landmark from long-time “Power Rangers” writer Ryan Parrott, “Mighty Morphin” writer Mat Groom, and editor Dafna Pleban here.
– Kurage Bunch will begin the release of a new manga series based on the Ubisoft video game series Watch Dogs, called “Watch Dogs: Tokyo,” by writer Shirato Seiichi and artist Kamo Syuhei, on April 12, it was reported. The series is set to explore a new system being utilized by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government from the security tech company Blume Japan, with further details not yet known. The video game series follows hackers who fight against corruption by interacting with a chosen city’s ctOS, a central operating system, which connects all of the devices in the city, and allows access to information about the device’s owners.
– Joe Casey, the co-creator of America Chavez, spoke to THR about the “systemic flaws in the way that creators are neither respected nor rewarded” when a character is adapted into another medium. Speaking specifically about Chavez, who is set to be portrayed by Xochitl Gomez in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Casey detailed that he was sent a special agreement with a cash offer from Marvel for the character’s appearances in other mediums, but declined after deeming it an “insult of an offer,” with further offers never arriving. By speaking about his situation, Casey hopes that the next creator who is in his position will receive an offer for the “kind of money [that] could change their life.” Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is scheduled for release on May 6.
– Variety reported that HBO Max are developing “You Brought Me The Ocean” into a live-action series. The DC Comics graphic novel, by Alex Sanchez and Jul Maroh, tells the origin story of Aqualad, who began life as Jackson “Jake” Hyde, a teenager living in New Mexico with burgeoning water powers, and a crush on the swim captain at his high school, Kenny Liu. The project is in early development, with no cast members, writers, or directors currently onboard, though a team of executive producers, headlined by Charlize Theron, are working on the adaptation. You can find out further details here.
– THR revealed that Peter Ramsey (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse) will direct “at least one episode” of the upcoming Disney+ series Ahsoka. Ramsey is the first director to be named for the series, with the rest, should there be multiple, not revealed; likewise, the episode count is unknown to the public. The series will see Rosario Dawson reprising her role of the titular character, as she sets out to find Grand Admiral Thrawn. The series is set to begin production this month.
Continued below– TVLine broke the news that Kiernan Shipka is set to return to Riverdale this season, following her brief appearance in the ‘Rivervale’ event as Sabrina Spellman; additionally, they reported that the musical version of American Psycho will be the source for this season’s annual musical episode. Details about Shipka’s return, such as how many appearances she will make and the specifics of how she will be involved, are not yet known. Similarly, the episode that will feature songs from American Psycho has not been specified. Riverdale‘s sixth season continues to air weekly on The CW on Sundays.
– Netflix released a trailer for the upcoming animated film, Marmaduke, based on the newspaper comic strip created by Brad Anderson. The trailer shows Marmaduke (Pete Davidson) being paired with Guy Hilton (Brian Hull), the “world’s greatest dog trainer,” in an effort to curb his behavior after a video of Marmaduke diving into the family swimming pool goes viral. The film is helmed by a trio of directors, Mark A.Z. Dippé, Matt Philip Whelan, and Youngki Lee, and is set to debut on the streaming platform on May 6. You can check out the trailer for yourself here.
– The tributes to Stan Lee and actor Reg E. Cathey on episodes of The Punisher and Luke Cage, respectively, have been restored on Disney+. Fans recently noticed the tributes had been removed on the streaming service following their move from Netflix last month. The news travelled quickly, prompting Luke Cage showrunner Cheo Hodari Coker to question the decision, stating “We didn’t feel obligated to dedicate the season to him just because he died — we felt obligated because we loved him, and he was a galvanizing force.” Cathey portrayed the role of James Lucas, Luke Cage’s father, in the show. A reason for the tributes being removed has not been given.
– Finally, there were four wins for comic book adaptations at this year’s Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards: Tom Hiddleston won Favorite Male TV Star (Family) for his leading role in Loki, whilst Spider-Man: No Way Home won Favorite Movie, and two of its stars, Tom Holland and Zendaya, took home Favorite Movie Actor and Favorite Movie Actress for their respective portrayals of Peter Parker and MJ. Zendaya was jointly nominated for the award for her role as Chani in Dune. You can read the full round-up of the awards ceremony here.
