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, Z2 announced “The Illustrated Al: The Songs of ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic.”
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– AWA Studios launched their new series “Lesser Evils: Emmett” on GlobalComix ahead of its print release. Written by Ian Grody & Justin Fair with art by Yishan Li, the book is a modern fantasy anthology set in Brooklyn, and its first arc follows “Lydia Loew, an artisan potter, who goes on a bender after a bad breakup,” causing her to accidentally create the eponymous golem, Emmett. The story is available to read for free in a vertical format right now, three months before the release of the first print issue, “Emmett” #1, on August 24. The first issue will also have an accompanying short film, which will be shown at the Tribeca Film Festival (taking place from Wednesday, June 8 to Sunday, June 19.)
– Oklahoma-based publisher Literati Press shared in a press release that their forthcoming releases will include “Haunted, Beloved,” a new one-shot by “Heathen” creator Natasha Alterici. Due out July 20, the ghostly tale follows “a newly incorporeal lover, [who] makes an earnest attempt to reconnect with their widow. But will their paranormal meddling be for better or for worse?” The book marks Alterici’s first project since developing severe carpal tunnel syndrome drawing the second volume of “Heathen” (something she got corrective surgery for in October 2021.) “It’s been a difficult time, but I was able to focus on my writing, and am now very excited to share these new stories with you,” she says. Literati promises more projects with Alterici in future, and in the meantime, you can check out their recent releases at their website.
– Kevin Smith is looking for an artist on Twitter: the writer tweeted, “SEQUENTIAL ARTISTS! Wanna draw an issue of my new comic book ‘Quick Stops’ – an Askewniverse anthology book for Dark Horse Comics? Post the best examples of your sequential art under the hashtag #SecretStashPress and you might be chosen to draw Jay & Silent Bob as a paid gig!” The comic is set to launch as part of Smith and Dark Horse’s Secret Stash Press imprint later this fall.
– Mad Cave Studios are rereleasing four of their most popular titles as part of a Legacy Collection: these will consist of “Battlecats,” “Nottingham,” “Stargazer,” and “Becstar.” Mark Irwin, VP of Business Development, stated, “There’s nothing like discovering your next new favorite series. With MCS Legacy, we’re presenting to new readers a chance to discover and descend into Mad Cave’s madness with #1s from our different flagship series, while also giving our day one Mad Cave fans something special to add to their collection.”
– Via Variety, Apple TV+ have ordered a live-action Speed Racer show to series, with J.J. Abrams attached as executive producer. Based on Tatsuo Yoshida’s classic manga, the show will follow the adventures of the titular Speed Racer (Gō Mifune in Japanese), who drives the advanced racing car Mach Five, and his supportive friends and family. The project is being produced by Warner Bros. Television with Bad Robot, and the showrunners will be Ron Fitzgerald (Westworld, Perry Mason), and Hiram Martinez (Snowpiercer, Snowfall). It marks Warner Bros.’s second attempt at a live-action Speed Racer, following the Wachowskis’ 2008 film, which has gained a cult following since disappointing at the box office.
– Netflix disclosed their releases for June, revealing Chickenhare and the Hamster of Darkness will be added on the streaming service on Friday, June 10. The animated Belgian film, based on the comics by Chris Grine, follows Chickenhare, a brave young explorer (who is part chicken, part hare) and his friends as they try to stop a powerful artifact from falling into the paws of his greedy uncle. The film was released by Sony in mainland Europe earlier this year.
– French cartoonist Sylvain Chomet has a new film in the works, titled The Magnificent Life of Marcel Pagnol. The animated feature, which is in English, follows real-life French novelist, playwright, and filmmaker Marcel Pagnol in 1955, as he takes a trip down memory lane while accompanied by a magical version of his childhood self. The film is in production for a 2024 release, and North American distribution rights have been picked up by Sony Pictures Classics.
– Finally, The Beat revealed Lucky Wheels: Bam the Batmobile Learns a Lesson!, a picture book tying into the upcoming preschool cartoon Batwheels. Written by Andrew Guastaferro with art by Sean Calico, the book follows Bam the Batmobile (and Batman) as they deal with the former’s worn out tires, while pursuing the Joker in his vehicle, Prank. The hardcover book will hit stores on Tuesday, September 6, while the animated series begins on Cartoon Network and HBO Max sometime this fall.
