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.
– 2000 AD will publish a crossover in their eponymous comic, and “Judge Dredd Megazine” in September. The stories in that month’s “2000 AD” Prog 2350, and “Judge Dredd Megazine” #460, will imagine what “2000 AD” would have been like if it had merged with its World War II-themed sister title “Battle Action” during the 1980s. It will feature dystopian sci-fi versions of several “Battle Action” characters, created by Ken Neimand, Alex de Campi, Gordon Rennie, Arthur Wyatt, Chris Weston, Staz Johnson, and more. The announcement follows in the wake of the recent “Battle Action” special and miniseries, overseen by Garth Ennis. The two issues will be released in the UK on September 20.
– Penguin Random House announced Inklore, an imprint specializing in translated titles, including manga, webtoons, and light novels. Their first release, due out in 2024, will be “My Love Story With Yamada-kun at Lv999,” a Japanese gamer romance by Mashiro. It will be followed by Under the Oak Tree, a fantasy romance novel by KIM Suji that’s been adapted into a webcomic at Manta; “The Heavens,” an adult-aimed space fantasy series from Lev Grossman and Lilah Sturges, described as a cross between Succession and The Empire Strikes Back; “Northern Lights,” a YA fantasy series by Norwegian cartoonist Malin Falch; and “Cherry Blossoms After Winter,” a Korean boys’ love comic by Bamwoo.
– Getty Publications will release “Liberated: The Radical Art and Life of Claude Cahun,” a graphic biography of the genderfluid, surrealist French photographer, sculptor, and writer, by cartoonist and YouTuber Kaz Rowe. The book will chronicles Cahun’s Jewish upbringing in turn-of-the-century Nantes, to their artistic and romantic partnership with Marcel Moore, and their resistance work during World War II. The 96-page book, which includes 11 black-and-white photographs, will be released in hardcover on September 12. In the meantime, you can check out a recreation of one of Cahun’s self-portraits by Rowe (who is, like the book’s subject, non-binary.)
– DSTLRY unveiled their company mascot, Mominu, a red panda designed by co-founder and manga artist Junko Mizuno. Its colors were inspired by the publisher’s upcoming first release, the anthology “Devil’s Cut,” which will preview several of their first series on August 30. Mizuno says “Mominu fits the concept of DSTLRY perfectly — edgy and fierce, but sometimes sweet.” The character will be showcased on a 1-in-100 variant cover for “The Devil’s Cut,” and a five-inch toy, will also be available from comic book stores stocking the cover (supplies of the latter will be limited to 500 though.)
– Marvel Unlimited launched “Blade: First Bite,” an Infinity Comics series by writer Bryan Hill, artist Mack Chater, and colorist Dan Brown. Acting as a prelude to Hill and Elena Casagrande’s relaunch of the monthly “Blade” print series on July 19, the four-part comic sees Eric Brooks revisit his past “in order to find answers about his future.” Part one is available now, with each subsequent chapter releasing on the app every Wednesday.
– Titan’s YA imprint Nova will publish “A Call to Cthulhu,” an irreverent take on the Lovecraft Mythos by writer/artist Norm Konyu (“The Junction”). Described as “part comic book, part art book, part children’s storybook,” the 48-page release follows Cthulhu after he “receives a phone call in the middle of the night,” and a conversation he is “not prepared for.” It will retail in hardcover for $12.99, shortly before Halloween on October 10.
– Warrior Nun showrunner Simon Barry revealed the Netflix series will return, although he did not state how, when, and where it would arrive. Per TV Line, Barry is pitching a TV movie or shortened season to conclude the show to other outlets than Netflix. The series, based on the comic by Ben Dunn, starred Alba Baptista as Ava Silva, a teenage orphan who discovers she has supernatural powers, and joins an order of warrior nuns to protect the world from demons. It was canceled shortly after its second season last year, prompting a passionate fan campaign (which Barry credits) to reverse the decision.
– Dr. Seuss’s Grinch will star in a new video game from developer Outright Games (Justice League: Cosmic Chaos), titled The Grinch: Christmas Adventures. The sidescrolling platformer will let kids play as the Grinch and his dog Max, while they “ruin Christmas by completing puzzles,” throwing snowballs, fooling Whos by putting on the Santa disguise, and flying around in a jetpack. It will mark the third Grinch game, following a pair of live-action movie tie-ins from 2000 and 2007, and be released by Bandai Namco on PC, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation & Xbox consoles on October 13.
– Finally, Popverse shares three of CBR’s news editors — Brandon Schreur, Sean Gribbin, and Narayan Liu — have left the site. Their departures continue a wave of exits since its owner Valnet laid off three core staff members last month, including editor-in-chief Adam Swiderski, leaving the site with only four editors. Prior reporting by Popverse indicates Valnet is forcing out any staff member or contributor who objects to their demands to overperform. All three outgoing staff thanked former senior news editor Stephen Gerding, who was among those laid off, in their farewell messages.
