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, Jeff Lemire is launching a new series at BOOM! Stuidos, while Marvel revealed Stephanie Phillips and Alessandro Miracolo will helm the “Phoenix” series starring Jean Grey this summer. Furthermore, the legendary Trina Robbins has died, aged 85; we will have a full obituary up soon.
– The Beat took a look at the controversy surrounding the Webtoon Originals program, and the contracts that have been criticized as “unethical” by creators recently. According to a post on the digital comics outlet’s subreddit, creators are offered contracts that would give the site complete control of the IP, all printing and merchandising rights, and make them the creator’s agent for print and publishing deals. This is in addition to a low rate of pay, according to the original post. Webtoon has denied issuing contracts which purchase 100 percent of an IP.
When reached for comment, Webtoon responded to the allegations saying, “We’re aware of a post online that misrepresents our terms and how we work with creators. At Webtoon, we’ve created multiple programs that allow creators to select the path to monetization that works best for them and their series.” However, creators have spoken out: “Your Wings and Mine” creator Hakei stated “These contracts prey on inexperienced, desperate creators.” “Raven Saga’s” Chihiro Howe added, “Why do you think I never promote my series anymore… I’m quitting, and I don’t want them to own my series after my contract is done.” Ray Dokomi of “Boyfriends” fame said in an extended Twitter thread, “Do not sign with Webtoon, and if you’re already there, don’t sign any additional contracts like IP acquisition and merch contracts, it’s all bullshit and empty promises.”
– Dark Horse Comics are joining forces with Critical Role and Third Person to produce a three-issue miniseries based on the Midst podcast. “Midst: Address Unknown” will be written by Colin Lorimer, with art from Alejandro Aragón, and feature covers by William Kirkby. It follows siblings Rowan and Ogden Shearwater, who crash land into the sci-fi/western world. Midst was created by the anonymous trio calling themselves Third Person before it was acquired by Critical Role, who remastered the first two seasons. Critical Role has worked with Dark Horse in the past to release tie-in titles for both Vox Machina and The Mighty Nein. “Midst: Address Unknown” #1 (of 3) is due out August 2024.
– “Roaming” by the team of Jillian Tamaki and Mariko Tamaki is among the finalists for the Doug Wright Awards, honoring the best comics from Canada. The book follows friends Zoe and Dani on their trip to New York, and the complicated feelings that arise when Zoe falls for Dani’s friend Fiona. This would not be the first award for the creative team (and cousins), as their books “Skim” and “This One Summer” took the Governor General’s Literary Award for young people’s literature. You can see the full list of nominees here. The winners will be announced during the Toronto Comic Arts Festival on Saturday, May 11.
– ComiXology has unveiled its latest Original, a crime drama set in the world of professional wrestling. “Hard Style Juice!” follows the Castro family, father “King,” and children Mona and Rey, and the chaos that follows a suspicious death that occurs in the ring. Writer Clay McCormack says of the project that “pro-wrestling and comic books have always felt like two sides of the same coin for me, so combining the two was a no-brainer.” Artist Ricardo López Ortiz calls the book “the underdog sports story I’ve always wanted to tell.” Issue #1 (of 5) will be available digitally (and exclusively) from comiXology Originals on Tuesday, April 16, 2024.
– Storm King Comics has announced “The Killing Hole,” a 96-page graphic novel from the team of Steve Niles and Trevor Denham. It follows two alienated 14-year olds in 1979, who escape bullies and troubled home lives thanks to a bunker in the woods. However, their solace soon turns deadly. It’s due out on July 23, 2024.
– Finally, writer Mike Baron will now be self-publishing “Nexus: Scourge,” his revival of “Nexus” with artist Kelsey Shannon. The book was originally going to be published by Dark Horse in March, before Baron took back the rights with the blessings of publisher Mike Richardson. The press release claims this was because of “unforeseen challenges during the pandemic,” but it is worth noting that (as can be seen on all of his social media) Shannon is a supporter of Comicsgate. This would not be the first time Baron, who is a conservative, has worked with a creator close to Comicsgate, as his recent “Florida Man” comic was edited and marketed by Chris Braly, of the CG-sympathetic website Bleeding Fool.
