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.
– Image will publish “Edenwood,” an ongoing fantasy series by writer/artist Tony S. Daniel, and colorist Natália Marques. A multiverse comic, the book takes place in a version of the United States where the demonic land of Necronema has supplanted the Midwest, while the rest of the country is protected by the witchcraft-controlled Edenwood. “After killing a Gather, a transient demon with the powers to cross any barrier or dimension,” young hero Rion is appointed by the Witch War Council to enter Necronema with a team of demon hunters, a list of assassination targets, and a mission to rescue an imprisoned witch. The first issue will be released on September 27.
– Scholastic Graphix announced the ninth and final volume of the “Amulet” series, “Amulet: Waverider,” will be released on February 6, 2024. Kazu Kibuishi’s middle-grade fantasy series, which began in 2008, will end with protagonist Emily Hayes heading to Typhon to help her mom and brother Navin, and Prince Trellis returning to the Kingdom of the Elves to confront the fraud who seized the throne. “The threat of darkness follows all Stonekeepers closely, and it will take the strength of both new friends and old foes to conquer it… and survive.” It will retail in paperback at 256 pages for $14.99.
– BOOM! Studios revealed “Hunt for the Skinwalker,” an adaptation of Dr. Colm A. Kelleher and George Knapp’s non-fiction book by writer Zac Thompson (“Undone by Blood”) and artist Valeria Burzo (“Castle Full of Blackbirds”). Published in 2005, Hunt for the Skinwalker chronicles the supposed paranormal ongoings at Gorman Ranch (now Skinwalker Ranch) in Ballard, Utah, including cattle mutilation, cryptid sightings, crop circles, UFOs, and claims of poltergeist activity from then owners Tom and Ellen Gorman in the mid-’90s. The book has since inspired multiple documentaries, articles, films, TV shows, and audio dramas. It was not stated when the comic will be released.
– Marvel announced a new, four-part “Jean Grey” series, written by Louise Simonson with art by Bernard Chang (“Children of the Atom”). The comic will follow Jean in the wake of this summer’s disastrous Hellfire Gala, as she recenters herself by looking back on all of the major events in her life, from her early days with the X-Men, her first encounters with the Phoenix Force and Madelyne Pryor, and more. Issue #1 will be released with a main cover by Amy Reeder on August 23.
– Dark Horse will publish “Shelter for Lost Dreams,” a 48-page middle-grade graphic novel by Spanish cartoonist Alfonso Font (“Clarke & Kubrick,” “Tales of an Imperfect Future”). The book follows a boy who discovers a magical world within his uncle’s house, where “he meets a girl who shares his sense of wonder. With his uncle’s wisdom and an enchanted gift, the children will learn important lessons through the diverse experiences of people throughout time — from common hikers encountering an unusual creature, to a general making the final decision to end a war, and many more!” It will be released in hardcover on December 19, 2023.
– The winners of the 83rd annual Peabody Awards were announced. Andor was among the honorees in the entertainment category, with the jurors citing its “spectacle, but also a keen-eyed commitment to mirroring our own mundane trials and tribulations.” Lucy and the Wolves in the Walls, the VR game based on Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean’s children’s books, was also an interactive & immersive honoree. Head to the link for the full list of 2022’s “most compelling and empowering stories released in broadcasting, streaming, and interactive media.”
– Speaking of Andor, showrunner Tony Gilroy released a statement denying reports he is continuing to oversee season two during the WGA strike. A Variety article last week claimed he was still working on aspects like casting and music while staying off set, prompting skepticism from other WGA members over whether it was possible for him to avoid tweaking the scripts. “I discontinued all writing and writing-related work on Andor prior to midnight, May 1 [when the strike began],” he said. Disney was among the studios who requested showrunners continue their non-writing duties on TV series last week, prompting the WGA to respond some of their demands (like allowing “changes in technical or stage directions”) still count as writing.
– Finally, IDW released “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate,” a one-shot tying into the newly released mobile game. Written by Henry Barajas with art by Pablo Verdugo, the 12-page comic sees the Turtles search for their missing master, Splinter, after he is apparently kidnapped by the Foot Clan. “April and Metalhead analyze artifacts recovered by the brothers to help zero in on where Splinter is being held. However, as the gang gets ever closer to Splinter’s location, they start to uncover an even greater threat working from the shadows!” The comic is available to buy now from all digital comics retailers.
