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 have an exclusive preview of next week’s “Amazing-Spider-Man” #70.
– Following last week’s announcement of the new packed creative team for “Amazing Spider-Man,” Marvel has provided a first look at some artwork from the upcoming issues by interior artists Patrick Gleason, Sara Pichelli, and Michael Dowling, as well as cover artist Art Adams. The art features a sample from each of the artists as well as Gleason’s designs for Ben Reilly, who will be returning to the pick up the mantle. The art teases bits of the story to come, including what appears to be Peter Parker heavily injured in a hospital bed and Ben Reilly sparring with Colleen Wing and Misty Knight. The new run, which will feature a stable of writers including Zeb Wells, Kelly Thompson, Saladin Ahmed, and Cody Ziglar, will begin with an oversized “Amazing Spider-Man” #75 this October.
– Writer Tom Taylor has shared a look at artist Bruno Redondo’s connecting covers for the upcoming ‘Fear State’ event tie-ins for “Nightwing” #84-86. The covers feature a team up with the Batfamily, including a new costume for Barbara Gordon as Batgirl. Gordon has been regularly appearing in the ongoing “Nightwing” series in her role as Oracle, though she appears to be suiting up once more for the event. Redondo shared a closer look at his designs, complete with a spinal support build into the costume. The covers also feature a look at fan-favorite characters Cassandra Cain and Stephanie Brown, both identified by Taylor as Batgirls and wearing the bat on their chests for the first time in present day continuity since the ‘New 52.’ “Nightwing” #84 hits stores on August 13.
– io9 has a first look at the cover for the new mystery thriller Secret Identity from writer Alex Segura, a novel about a comic writer. The story follows queer writer Carmen Valdez, an aspiring comics creator with an idea for a new female superhero series “The Lethal Lynx.” When Carmen’s partner is murdered and her idea for “Lethal Lynx” is stolen and published without her name on it, Carmen must dig through a field of fellow creatives and battle her own demons to uncover who killed her partner and stole her story. The novel features a series of comic pages from “The Lethal Lynx” inserted into the book, drawn by artist Sandy Jarrell and lettered by Taylor Esposito. Secret Identity hits bookshelves on March 15, 2022.
– “S.W.O.R.D.” and “Guardians of the Galaxy” writer Al Ewing had a bit of personal news to close out Pride Month this year, sharing that he is bisexual in a personal essay on his blog. The essay digs into Ewing’s coming out journey as he contends with a form of imposter syndrome that may resonate with others who have similarly grappled with their identity. “Enough self-interrogation,” he writes. “Enough second-guessing. Enough wondering if I’m enough. It’s just… it’s exhausting. It doesn’t help me, it doesn’t help anybody… I am who I am, and I’m bi. I don’t care if I’m allowed to be, I just am.” Happy Pride, Al, and welcome to the community.
– Amazon Prime has announced that it will internationally stream Evangelion: 3.0+1.01: Thrice Upon A Time, a new version of the fourth and final Neon Genesis Evangelion film. Via Anime News Network, the film contains “minor revisions” to the animation sequences of the recent film – titled Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 – but those changes reportedly don’t alter the story. The original version of the film opened in Japan at #1 on March 8 after several delays from its scheduled June 27, 2020 premiere due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The revised film began playing in Japan on June 12. Evangelion: 3.0+1.01: Thrice Upon A Time will begin streaming on Amazon on August 13.
– The investment firm Blackstone has acquired a majority stake in the comics and collectibles evaluators Certified Collectibles Group, home to the comic book grading service CGC. Via ComicBook.com, Blackstone made a name for themselves on the international stage when the United Nations repudiated the firm for their predatory housing investments during the 2007-2008 housing crisis. A press release issued by the two companies noted that Blackstone is interested in growing the company. ComicBook.com offers a good rundown of the investment firm’s less than reputable behavior, including their “slumlord-like behavior” towards renters, their links to a federal lawsuit over Medicare fraud, and their company’s deforestation in the Amazon.
Continued below– Cover artist and designer Jeffrey Veregge (“Red Wolf,” “G.I. Joe”) is critically ill in the hospital with acute renal and respiratory failure. Fellow creators shared the link to his GoFundMe on Twitter. An update shared on the platform by Veregge’s wife Christina last week stated that he was stable and sedated while he undergoes a number of tests to help identify the cause of his condition. Donations will help cover medical expenses as well as living expenses while he is unable to work.
– San Francisco comics publisher and shop Silver Sprocket hit a snag in their plans to move into a larger space recently. Portland shop Floating World Comics shared the word on Twitter that the shop was robbed, losing their computer, tablet, and phone while also suffering at least $4000 in damage to the building. Though the robber was caught, the San Francisco police are currently holding their lost computer and tablet as evidence. Any San Francisco residents can help them out with supplies or moving assistance, otherwise you can shop on their online store.
– DC artist Robson Rocha (“Birds of Prey,” “Batman/Superman”) is currently battling COVID-19. Via CBR, the news was shared on Twitter by fellow Brazilian comic book artist Fabi Marques, who shared that Rocha is at Eduardo de Menezes Hospital and is in need of support. Marques asked for blood donations, and provided a link for donations as well. The DC3cast will make a donation on behalf of their listeners for each retweet of the CBR article to help spread the word and get Robson some aid.
