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, we reported on Quirk Books’s graphic novel plans, published our latest conversation with the creative team of “Harrow County,” and ran an exclusive preview of next week’s “Rise of the Black Panther” #6.
– Fans of “The Crow” may be disappointed to hear that actor Jason Momoa (Justice League, Aquaman) and director Corin Harry (The Nun) withdrew from the new film. Deadline were told it was down to creative and financial differences with Samuel Hadida, whose Davis Films holds underlying rights, and who are also financing the film. Production was gearing up to start within five weeks in Budapest. The picture was in full pre-production with Hardy presiding. On Instagram, Momoa shared concept art (left) and wrote, “This film needs to be set free. And to the fans. Sorry. I can’t play anything but what this film deserves and it needs love. I’m ready when it’s right.”
– “Batman” issue #50, featuring the much anticipated wedding between Batman and Catwoman, will soon be upon us. Writer Tom King tweeted, that in the promotional image for the issue that ran in this week’s comics, there were a few artists’ names missing on the lineup roster. Their names are; Lee Weeks (“The Batman Chronicles”), Jason Fabok (“Batman Eternal”), Amanda Conner (“Harley Quinn”), and Tim Sale (“Batman: The Long Halloween”). They are joining many more for what will be a must read comic of the year.
– “Black Panther” issue #3 has been pushed back. The original release date for the issue was given as due for July 25th; the issue will now be released August 22nd. No reason was given for the delay. The current arc of the series, ‘The Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda,’ written by Ta-Nehisi Coates with art by Daniel Acuña, sees T’Challa discovering some Wakandans have colonized outer space.
– Syfy have made a pilot order for Peter Hogan and Steve Parkhouse’s Dark Horse comic “Resident Alien.” The companies attached to the pilot are Universal Cable Productions, Dark Horse Entertainment and Amblin TV. “Resident Alien,” is a dark, twisted and comedic ‘fish-out-of-water’ story following a crash-landed alien named Harry, who takes on the role of a small-town Colorado doctor. Chris Sheridan (Family Guy) will executive produce alongside Dark Horse publisher Mike Richardson, Keith Goldberg (The Legend of Tarzan), Darryl Frank (The Americans), and Amblin TV’s Justin Falvey. Universal Cable Productions are producing as part of its first-look deal with Dark Horse Entertainment to develop and produce scripted programming from the publisher’s comic book library.
– Publisher Cartoon Books will be releasing Jeff Smith’s New York Times bestseller and
Eisner-winning “RASL,” in three full color unabridged paperback editions later this year. This will be the first color release since the title was released in hardback, back in 2013. Book one, “RASL: The Drift” will be released in August, book two, “RASL: Romance at Speed of Light” will be released in September, and book three, “The Fire of St. George” will be released in November.
– Final Fantasy developer Square Enix have launched their first manga VR. “Tales of Wedding Rings VR” transforms the manga of the same name by the mangaka duo Maybe into moving panels, and fully 3D scenes that you can explore for yourself. It features full voice acting too. “Tales of Wedding Rings VR” is available now on the Oculus Rift via Home for $19.99, and is supported in English. A HTC Vive launch should be arriving soon.
– Image Comics series “Shirtless Bear-Fighter,” by writers Sebastian Girner and Jody LeHeup with artist Nil Vendrell, will be getting a 8.5-inches tall vinyl figure of the main character, Shirtless. Made by Skelton Crew Studios, the figure will also include a “dixilation” variant. Jody LeHeup said in a statement about the figure: “We couldn’t ask for a better partner in Skelton Crew Studio,” “Israel [Skelton] and his team are incredibly professional, detail-oriented, and passionate about making true-to-life-comic merch out there.” Skelton Crew Studio have made merchandise for comic series including “Hellboy,” “Chew” and “Locke & Key.” Israel Skelton, head of the company, said in a press release. “The book’s an absolute riot from start to finish and we’re thrilled to bring Shirtless to life.” Anyone who preorders a figure on their website before July 1st, will grab a bonus plush ‘bearskin,’ and a replica of the note Shirtless receives from the bears in the comic.
Continued below– Film director Charles Matthau has bought the film rights to Juste De Nin’s Spanish graphic novel “Garbo: The Spy Who Fooled Hitler,” which tells the extraordinary true story of WW2 spy Juan Pujol García. The film version, which is being written by Reuben Sack, Justin Parker, Bradley McManus and Matthau, will be retitled Bodyguard of Lies.
– Many creators have reported that they have been denied applications for badges identifying them as comics professionals for this year’s New York Comic Con. Jamal Igle, artist on “Supergirl” and “Black” among others, stated he was turned down for the first time since the con started. CBR have reached out to ReedPOP, the convention’s organizer, for comment.
– Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett’s animated band Gorillaz have a temporary new band member taking the place of Murdoc, namely Ace, from The Powerpuff Girls‘ Gangreen Gang. Ace made his debut in two newly released music videos, “Humility” and “Lake Zurich.” This isn’t the first time Gorillaz and the Powerpuff Girls have crossed over, in The Powerpuff Girls Movie, there is an advertisement for the Gorillaz LIVE tour in a newspaper, sparking the theory that they share a universe. The Gorillaz next album, The Now Now, will be released June 29th.
