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, Ten Speed Press announced “The Black Panthers: A Graphic History” from David F. Walker and Marcus Kwame Anderson; Humanoids announced a reimagining of The Count of Monte Cristo called “Count;” and Matthew Dooley became the first cartoonist to win the Wodehouse Prize.
– From GamesRadar, writer Steve Orlando announced some upcoming creator-owned projects on Twitter, including a new superhero series. Orlando shared a first look at the character designs for an original team of heroes called the Crisis Command, drawn by artist Davide Tinto, which is set for fall 2020. Next, Orlando announced a “Big, Raw, Queer Horror” book from himself and co-writer Steve Fox, due out in 2021. Finally, he provided a first look at artwork drawn by Patrick Piazzalunga for a series Orlando billed as “Wag the Dog meets Superman,” also due out sometime in 2021.
– Valiant Entertainment is setting up virtual portfolio reviews for new comics creators. Via The Hollywood Reporter, the program comes amid widespread convention cancellations due to coronavirus, which have removed the opportunity for new artists to get their work in front of editors. On July 9-10, Valiant senior editors Heather Antos and Lysa Hawkins will be running 10 minute, one-on-one sessions with sequential artists, cover artists, letterers and colorists, choosing 20 participants from a larger pool of applicants. More information about the sessions, including submission guidelines, can be found on Valiant’s website.
– Marvel Comics is teasing their next big story for Venom and the symbiotes. Via GamesRadar, a full page ad will appear in next week’s “Empyre Magazine” #1, announcing that “Knull is Coming” in 2020. The teaser refers to the evil god of the Symbiotes that has played a major role in several of current ongoing “Venom” writer Donny Cates’s series over the past two years, popping up in “Silver Surfer: Black” and “Guardians of the Galaxy” in addition to “Venom.” Further details for exactly how, when, or where Knull would be coming have yet to be revealed.
– The upcoming Amazon adaptation of the Image comic “Paper Girls” has gotten a little more comic book cred. Comicbook.com reports that “Iron Man” writer Christopher Cantwell has joined the series as a co-showrunner. This isn’t Cantwell’s first showrunning gig, as he was known for creating the AMC series Halt and Catch Fire before breaking into comics with “She Could Fly” in 2018. Cantwell is joined in showrunning by his Halt and Catch Fire co-creator Chris Rogers, as well as Toy Story 4 writer Stephany Folsom. Paper Girls received a series commitment from Amazon last year.
– Via The Beat, longtime Toronto Comic Art Festival artistic director Chris Butcher has announced his plans to step down from his position. According to a post on his blog, Butcher submitted his resignation nearly a month ago on June 5. The announcement comes amidst criticism of both Butcher and TCAF for dismissing and silencing the voices of BIPOC and other marginalized groups in the organization. Butcher acknowledged those criticisms, also stating that he was resigning to address ongoing health concerns in his own life, as well as to make room for others in the organization to take over leadership roles.
– Diamond Comics Distributors Founder and CEO Steve Geppi has announced he will be reassuming his role as President of Geppi Family Enterprises, Diamond’s parent company. Via Comicbook.com, the news comes in the midst of a turbulent year for the company, which saw much of its operations halted or stopped due to coronavirus and recently ceased distributing for DC Comics. Geppi will take over the role from Stan Heidmann, who served in the position for less than a year.
– Via Comicbook.com, the premiere date for the upcoming animated comedy Star Trek: Lower Decks has been announced. The 10-episode first season, which will premiere on CBS All Access on Thursday, August 6, will be the first animated comedy series set in the Star Trek universe. Hailing from Rick and Morty writer Mike McMahon, Star Trek: Lower Decks follows the exploits of the support crew serving aboard one of Starfleet’s least significant ships, the USS Cerritos, in the year 2380.
– Justice League actor Ray Fisher has alleged that director Joss Whedon’s on-set behavior was “gross, abusive, unprofessional, and completely unacceptable.” Via CBR, Fisher shared his statement on Whedon’s behavior on Twitter, and criticized former Warner Bros. co-president of production Jon Berg and former DC Entertainment president and chief creative officer Geoff Johns as enablers of Whedon’s misconduct. Warner Bros. has yet to comment on Fisher’s claim, but Berg denied the allegations against him to Variety.
– Humble Bundle is offering an Image Comics showcase, featuring up to $1,563 worth of content. The lowest tier features the first volumes of comics like “Invincible,” “Curse Words,” and “Blackbird” for as low as $1, with higher tiers unlocking acclaimed favorites like “Monstress,” “Criminal,” “Black Science,” and “Pretty Deadly.” The bundle is available through July 21.
