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.
– Bryan Hitch announced his departure from “Justice League.” He says that the ‘Legacy’ story arc running from issue 26 to 31, which he has completed writing, will end his run on the title. Hitch is not leaving DC though: he has art contributed covers to”The Wildstorm” and “Wonder Woman.” He will also be joining Jeff Lemire for the “Dark Nights: Metal” one-shot “Hawkman Reborn.”
– Heather Antos, Marvel editor of “Gwenpool,” “Star Wars: Poe Dameron,” and “Star Wars Rogue One” faced online abuse for an image she posted of her and fellow Marvel staff having milkshakes. From a reactive vocal segment of comics fandom the image evoked rants about “fake geek girls” and “Social Justice Warriors.” She was quickly backed up by people posting their own images with the hashtag #makeminemilkshake in response to the vitriol thrown at her and her co-workers. The incident again brings to light the continued existence and abusive nature of certain sexist and racist attitudes in comics fandom.
– DC has licensed the Teen Titans for a very unique project. The current team line up of Robin, Raven, Starfire, Kid-Flash, and Changeling will act as honorary chairs for Library Card Sign-up Month. They will be featured on posters and promotional images for the campaign. They well be there to remind parents and guardians that a library card is the first step toward learning and achievement for many children.
– According to an exclusive report from the Hollywood Reporter Tokyo Pop will publish a follow up to Nightmare Before Christmas. The book, “Nightmare Before Christmas: Zero’s Journey,” will follow Jack Skellington’s dog Zero on an adventure getting lost in Christmas Town. It is written by DJ Milky with art from Studio DICE (Beauty and the Beast manga adaption). The series will be serialized in full-color single issues and collected upon completion to two formats: full color trade paperbacks and black and white manga style volumes.
– Black Eyed Peas frontman will.i.am, along with band members Taboo and apl.de.ap, were at SDCC’17 with Axel Alonso talking about their comic project. The book, “Masters of the Sun – The Zombie Chronicles,” is an adaptation of a screenplay by will.i.am and adapted with Damien Scott. will.i.am referenced many influences behind the story, talking about the spread of inner city gang violence, the difference between ’80s and modern hip-hop, and the repression rampant in black and Latino communities. The story pits his hero, Zulu-X, and his group of fellow heroes, the Blast Masters, against an ancient scourge that has kept the black and Latin community under its thumb since the end of slavery. Zombies, the CIA and conspiracies play heavily in the story.
-Warner Brothers TV has cast Hartley Sawyer, from the CW’s Saving the Human Race, as the Elongated Man in The Flash Season 4. Ralph Dibny, the Elongated Man, is known both his stretching abilities and his prowess as a detective. He will be bringing both of his talents to the Flash and his crime-fighting team on in The Flash in the coming year.
– Despite rumors of his possible departure from his DCEU role, Ben Affleck reportedly has signed a four movie deal to continue playing the Batman. If the story is true, Affleck will play the role of the Dark Knight in director Matt Reeves’s Batman and a future Batman Beyond adaptation.
– Ryan Reynolds posted the first image of actress Zazie Beetz as Domino from Deadpool 2.
– In a bit of corporate reshuffling, Marvel has let go of a couple of executives. Peter Philips, who’s been with the company since 2011, has been let go from his position of Executive Vie President and General Manager. Kristin Vincent, Vice President of Digital Products and his number two at Marvel, joins him leaving the company as her position also has become redundant. She worked on Marvel Unlimited subscriptions, Marvel Insider Loyalty programs and the Marvel Kids website.
