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, a new Star Wars animated series was announced, and so were the 2018 Eisner Awards nominees.
– A film adaptation of Natasha Alterici’s Vault Comics series “Heathen” is in the works. Constantin Film and Prime Universe Films are producing the project, with a script from Kerry Williamson (Alex Cross, What Happened to Monday). “The entire ‘Heathen’ team and I are incredibly excited about adapting my little lesbian Viking comic for film, especially with a kindred spirit like Kerry writing it,” said Alterici of the announcement. “Heathen” follows exiled Viking warrior, Aydis, as she goes on a quest to challenge Odin and end his oppressive reign.
– First Second Books announced “Naima,” the debut graphic novel from editorial illustrator K.L. Ricks. The book is an “intimate magical fantasy,” about a young supernatural woman returning home to become a midwife. She is asked to help guide a family friend’s daughter who has recently discovered her own magical powers. Hicks stated, “I wanted to create a story that not only reflected my interests but reflected back to me, in that it presented characters that look like me, literally and figuratively.”
– In an interview promoting her new graphic novel “All Summer Long” (which First Second will publish on May 1), Hope Larson mentioned she is working on a sequel. She also revealed she and “Four Points” co-creator Rebecca Mock are collaborating on a historical fantasy graphic novel, which will be released in 2020.
– Jim Zub and Sean Izaake shed light on the Inuk character of Amka Aliyak in “Champions,” revealing she will become a superhero called Snowguard this June. Amka will be able to shapeshift and take on animal traits, getting her powers from an Inuit spirit/force called “Sila.” Zub sought the advice of Mixtape VR founder Nyla Innuksuk, who is Inuit herself, when conceptualizing the character. She offered advice on everything from traditional Inuit belief systems to tattoo and clothing styles.
– Halifax-based cartoonist Michael de Adder had a recent piece used without permission on merchandise sold by online retailer Teechip. He’s actually the second artist in the area that this has happened to in recent weeks, after cartoonist Bruce MacKinnon had his work stolen by RebBubble.
– Japanese network operator NTT Corp. is being sued because of their plan to block access to websites linking to pirated manga. Lawyer Yuichi Nakazawa says that the policy would violate the Telecommunications Business Act, which guarantees privacy of communications. NTT Corp. is making the move at the request of the Japanese government, which is urging network operators to voluntarily block these kinds of sites.
– In honor of Alien Day yesterday, Dark Horse Comics posted a page of art that depicts the opening of Alien³, with the caption, “You may think you know what happens next… but you don’t.” More information will be revealed in July.
– In other Dark Horse news, they’ve partnered with the Portland Timbers and Thorns FC to create superhero versions of stars Diego Chara, Tobin Heath, Christine Sinclair, and Diego Valeri. Ron Chan provided the artwork.
– S.J. Clarkson (Collateral, Jessica Jones) is in talks to direct the fourth film in the rebooted Star Trek franchise. She would become the first woman to helm a Star Trek film.
– Marvel is also looking for their first female director to helm the solo Black Widow film. So far they have met with Deniz Gamze Erguven (Mustang), Chloe Zhao (The Rider), and Amma Asante (A United Kingdom).
