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, DC announced a series of one-shots called “Batman: Secret Files,” and Dark Horse announced the barbarian rom-com “Savage Hearts.” We also had an exclusive preview of “Champions” #6, writer Danny Lore and artist Luciano Vecchio’s first full issue on the series.
– The Eisner-nominated team of Tom King and John Paul Leon are reuniting for an interlude in King’s ongoing “Batman/Catwoman” limited series. The one-shot “Batman/Catwoman Special” will feature colors by Dave Stewart. The book might show that the BatCat romance was always meant to be, as it “traces the life of Selina Kyle from her earliest days to her entry into the criminal underworld, and reveals that Bruce was actually a presence in her life all along.” “Batman/Catwoman Special” #1 hits shelves July 20 with a cover by Leon, and variant covers from Lee Weeks and Bill Sienkiewicz.
– The final webcomic announcing the results of the fan vote to choose a member of the new X-Men team has dropped. The Marvel Twitter account posted the comic from Zeb Wells, David Messina, and Rachelle Rosenberg to reveal that Polaris was the winner of the contest, beating out Banshee for the spot. Marvel revealed the full results of the poll on their website, showing the full rankings, from Polaris in first, to poor Strong Guy in last place. Keep a look out for one final reveal as well: the Marvel blog post and incoming “X-Men” writer Gerry Duggan confirmed that the full lineup would be revealed some time today. Duggan and artist Pepe Larraz are set to take over the title in July.
– While the X-Men are unveiling their new lineup to the world, the Avengers are set to go to war. In a homage to the similarly-named 2007 crossover event, the Avengers are facing ‘World War She-Hulk,’ starting in “Avengers” #46. The story finds She-Hulk being labelled as a global menace and coming into conflict with the Winter Guard, Russia’s mightiest heroes. Writer Jason Aaron promises that “traitors will fall, regimes will crumble and the dark evolution of Jennifer Walters will reach its bloody red crescendo,” teasing that something big is in store for “Avengers” #50. Aaron and artist Javier Garrón’s run will continue with ‘World War She-Hulk’ when “Avengers” #46 hits shelves on July 7.
– It appears we now know why Marvel delayed their “Predator” comic indefinitely: via The Hollywood Reporter, Jim and John Thomas, who wrote the original movie, have filed a lawsuit against Disney seeking the termination of the company’s rights to the character. In copyright law, the termination provision allows creators to reclaim works they sold after a certain period of time (typically 35 years for newer works). The Thomas brothers sold their screenplay (originally titled Hunters) to Fox in 1986, and said they served a termination notice back in 2016, before Disney bought the rights from Rupert Murdoch. Disney have counteracted with their own lawsuit.
– Vermont’s Center for Cartoon Studies and The Beat have announced the winners of the 2021 Cartoonist Studio Prize. The Print Comic of the Year prize went to Joel Christian Gill for his autobiography “Fights: One Boy’s Triumph Over Violence,” while Webcomic of the Year was awarded to “Dog Biscuits” by Alex Graham. Each winner will be awarded $1000, and a Wacom One Creative Pen Display. For more on this year’s awards, head to The Beat.
– The previously announced spin-off of Amazon’s The Boys continues to add to its cast. Via Variety, Reina Hardesty has joined previously announced cast members Shane Paul McGhie, Maddie Phillips, Aimee Carrero, Jaz Sinclair and Lizze Broadway, all of whom will play young heroes at America’s only college exclusively for young adult superheroes (run by Vought International). Hardesty already has some superhero acting under her belt, having recurred on The Flash and Legends of Tomorrow as the member of Flash’s Rogues, Weather Witch. Craig Rosenberg will serve as the showrunner for the as-yet-untitled spin-off, which is expected to receive a series order.
Continued below– Via Deadline, Game of Thrones alumni Pilou Asbæk is in talks to dive into Aquaman 2. Sources indicate that Asbæk, best known for playing Euron Greyjoy in Game of Thrones’ final seasons, is eyeing playing the villain in the sequel. James Wan is returning to direct the film, with a script by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick. Aquaman 2 is currently scheduled for release on December 16, 2022.
– As The Walking Dead rockets towards its final episode, AMC, Skybound Entertainment, and Image Comics have announced a new book featuring behind-the-scenes and never before seen art from the series. The Art of AMC’s The Walking Dead Universe will feature original sketches, concept art, storyboards, special product illustrations, and more from The Walking Dead and its spin-offs Fear the Walking Dead and The Walking Dead: World Beyond. The book is AMC Networks’ first foray into publishing. “The Art of AMC’s The Walking Dead Universe” will be available September 29, a month after the final season of the series hits screens on August 22.
– Netflix Spain has announced their programming plans for the next few months, including some details for a superhero series. Via Variety, among the new series reveals was the news that the superhero comedy series The Neighbor would be returning for a second and final season. Based on the comic “El Vecino” by Santiago García and Pepo Pérez, the series follows a hapless man who unexpectedly gains superpowers, and must master it with the help of his friendly neighbor while keeping his identity a secret. The second season launches May 21, and you can find a full rundown of Netflix Spain’s upcoming offerings over at Variety.
– Finally, the cast of the upcoming Indiana Jones 5 continues to fill out: hot off the reveal that Phoebe Waller-Bridge would be signing on alongside a returning Harrison Ford, Deadline has the news that Mads Mikkelsen is set to join the adventure. No details are yet available for what role Mikkelsen will have in the film, which will be the first in the franchise to be directed by someone other than Steven Spielberg; James Mangold (Logan, Ford v Ferrari) will helm the much-delayed picture, which is currently gearing up to head into production ahead of its planned July 29, 2022 debut.
