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.
– Writer Ben Kahn announced on Twitter that Dark Horse Comics will release the previously self-published series “Renegade Rule” as a graphic novel. Written by Kahn and Rachel Silverstein with art by Sam Beck and lettering by Jim Campbell, “Renegade Rule” follows four queer female friends competing to become the champions of a VR eSports game. The book is tentatively set for release on October 13, 2020.
– While most publishers have declined to go digital-first after Diamond Comics’ shutdown of physical sales, Action Lab Comics have proven to be an exception. Among other books, April 8 saw the debut of Louis Southard and Ben Matsuya’s “Villains Seeking Hero” #1-5, and this week will see the release of issues #6-8 as well as the collection of the first arc. You can check the full list of comics debuting digitally this month at their official blog.
– Hero Initiative, the charity helping comic book creators in need, is launching live online events with top creators doing Q&As, art tutorials and more from today. Fans can bid money towards charity to participate in the events, which are being held over Zoom. You can read more in the press release at Newsarama.
– In collaboration with NYU Langone’s Preston Robert Tisch Center for Men’s Health, Hero Projects created “Plan & Preparedness for COVID-19,” a comic designed to give young people advice to avoid catching or recognizing and coping with the virus. You can watch it as a motion comic here or read it at The Beat.
– Variety reports an actor working at The Walking Dead Attraction in Universal Studios Hollywood has filed a lawsuit against the park, alleging management failed to prevent – or even actively encouraged – visitors punching, groping, or sexually assaulting the actors playing zombies. Universal declined comment.
– Finally, artists Bryan Hitch and Ivan Reis are now participating in Jim Lee’s 60-day sketch fundraiser for comic book stores affected by the pandemic; Tom Taylor participated in a deep dive with ABC Australia over new Suicide Squad member Thylacine; and Vault Comics released “Vault ColorUp!,” a free coloring book featuring art from Vault titles old and new. You can download the book here.
