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, IDW has announced nine original new titles, Matt Kindt is running the Flux House Imprint at Dark Horse, and we have an exclusive preview of “Wolverine” #20.
– Liam Sharp’s long-awaited writer/artist series “StarHenge” officially has a release date at Image Comics for the first book, “The Dragon and the Boar.” The monthly comic follows a war across time as the futuristic wizard Merlin travels back to 5th century Britain, as part of his struggle against the machines waging war on magic. “I’ve wanted to do my own Image comic for 30 years. I’ve wanted to do a Merlin comic for even longer than that,” said Sharp. “This is a culmination of so many dreams and ambitions of mine finally being realized, and that makes it the most exciting and personal comic project I have ever done. I can’t wait to see it on the shelves!” The 30-page first issue is described as “The Terminator meets The Green Knight,” crossing into the far future, distant past, and modern day. “StarHenge, Book One: The Dragon & the Boar” #1 is set to release July 6 with a huge range of covers, including two from Sharp, and variants by Chris Weston, Ben Templesmith, Christian Ward, Ryan Brown, Matylda McCormack-Sharp, and Mike Perkins. A six-page preview is available here.
– Dark Horse has announced “Fragmentation,” a historical action graphic novel by Marc Guggenheim and Beni R. Lobel. The comic follows a family of three, whose personal tragedies become entwined with an inexplicable event, where iconic moments from history are crashing into the modern day, leaving the world at risk. “With ‘Fragmentation,’ we’ve tried to create the comic book equivalent of a Christopher Nolan feature film with a simple story of family at its core,” said Guggenheim. “Beni Lobel has done the work of his career bringing these amazing visuals to stunning life.” The book releases November 30.
– Mad Cave Studios is making the leap into creator-owned releases, with the graphic novel “John Tiffany” by Stephen Desberg and Dan Panosian marking the debut. The publisher has previously worked exclusively in company-owned series, but has now hinted at considering licensed properties in addition to its creator-owned series. “John Tiffany” was initially released in France, with Mad Cave now handling its English release. The noir story follows a bounty hunter reeling from a personal betrayal. “If you like James Bond or films like The Professional and Ronin – you’re really going to enjoy this series,” said Panosian. “Murder, intrigue, politics and sex… It’s an adult adventure.” Mad Cave is open to submissions from creators on their website.
– The Audible series Impact Winter, made in conjunction with Robert Kirkman’s Skybound, is getting a prequel comic from the publisher. The post-apocalyptic vampire story is getting a 40-page prequel in the form of “Impact Winter” #1 from writer Travis Beacham, artist Stephen Green and colorist Matt Hollingsworth. Beacham is the writer of the audio book too, and is also the co-creator of Pacific Rim and Carnival Row. Editor Amanda LaFranco said, “If you’re new to the world of Impact Winter, Darcy’s journey will pull you in and make you want to stick around for more. And if you’re already a fan, this story will shine a light on details that have been brewing since Episode One. It’s a story you do not want to miss!” The comic releases July 6; head here for a four-page preview.
– Blackbox Comics is celebrating its fifth anniversary with the new ongoing series “Ninja Kaidan” from writer Eric Palicki, artist Lucas Meyer and colorist Michael Bartolo. “Ninja Kaidan” promises to blend martial arts action with supernatural mystery, as the hero Yuki inherits the company Yokai Consolidated, and uses its Kaidan armor to interact with spirits. This will be the first Blackbox comic listed on Diamond’s FOC program, after it began publishing five years ago. “‘Ninja Kaidan’ leans into the traditions of comics and action movies of the 1990s, formative material in my evolution as a storyteller,” said Palicki. “Lucas was born to draw frenetic action, and he brings this story to life beautifully.” “Ninja Kaidan” #1 releases this July with a cover by Meyer and variants from Ron Frenz and Tiago da Silva. Head here for an unlettered five-page preview.
Continued below– The record price for a comic book selling at auction has been broken once again, as an 8.0 CGC rated copy of 1939’s “Superman” #1 has sold for $5.3 million. This beats out the $3.6 million paid for a 9.6 CGC copy of “Amazing Fantasy” #15 last September, and the $3.8 million sale of an unused Tintin cover in January 2021. “Superman” #1 was a milestone for American comics, as it marked one of the first ever solo titles for a comic character. It was written by Jerry Siegel, with interior and cover art by Joe Shuster.
– Netflix has announced four new additions to the cast of The Witcher season three, with Robbie Amell, Meng’er Zhang, Hugh Skinner and Christelle Elwin joining as series regulars. Amell, who recently reprised his role as Ronnie Raymond on The Flash, will be playing the rebel elf Gallatin. Zhang (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings) has been cast as Milva, a huntress raised by Dryads. Skinner (Fleabag) will be playing Prince Radovid, a smarmy playboy who is thrust into the center of Redanian politics. Finally, Elwin will be playing Mistle, a member of the street gang the Rats. The Witcher season 3 has no release date as of yet; two spin-offs, including The Witcher: Blood Moon, are also currently in production.
– Millenium’s Red Sonja movie continues to face setbacks, following director Joey Soloway and lead actress Hannah John-Kamen dropping out of the project last month. Now, Soloway’s successor, M.J. Bassett, is suing the US Citizenship and Immigration Services for their delays in delivering visas needed for the production. The film is set for production in Greece and Bulgaria, but Bassett claims the immigration office is withholding the necessary approvals without due cause, putting the film’s insurance, budget and production at risk. The USCIS has allegedly cited the war in Ukraine as the cause for these delays.
– DC’s Blue Beetle has cast Susan Sarandon as its main antagonist, Victoria Kord. The film follows Jaime Reyes (played by Xolo Maridueña) as he becomes the Blue Beetle. Victoria Kord is a character created for the film, and is the first hint at any involvement from Ted Kord, the Blue Beetle who preceded Reyes. Sharon Stone was previously reported to be in talks for the role. The film is directed by Angel Manuel Soto with a script from Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer, and is set to release August 18, 2023.
– Finally, HBO Max have ordered the Dead Boy Detectives pilot to series. The Flight Attendant creator Steve Yockey will serve as showrunner on the project, which will star George Rexstrew and Jayden Revri as the title characters, as well as Kassius Nelson (Last Night in Soho) as their living friend Crystal Palace, and Briana Cuoco, Yuyu Kitamura, Jenn Lyon, and Ruth Connell (who reprises her Doom Patrol role as the demonic Night Nurse.) The Dead Boy Detectives were created by Neil Gaiman and Matt Wagner for “The Sandman,” and were initially played on Doom Patrol by Sebastian Croft and Ty Tennant.
