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, comiXology have announced “Funny Creek,” “LaGuardia” won the 2020 Hugo Award for Best Graphic Story or Comic, and English filmmaker Alan Parker passed away on July 31, 2020.
– Via Syfy Wire, a Business Insider report suggests that in 2017, Marvel considered removing the title “Spider-Man” from Miles Morales and giving him a different superhero name. The article outlines concerns over a lack of editorial diversity at Marvel Comics, as the publisher promises a greater focus on inclusion, an issue that “Iceman” writer Sina Grace blogged about over the weekend. Recollecting his difficult time at the company, he says, “Stories like what I’ve written need to be considered when discussing if Marvel has actually done anything to be accountable for not only hiring more diversely, but for fostering an environment where those people feel valued.”
– In a tweet, James Hunt announced that writer and podcaster, Seb Patrick died suddenly yesterday morning. Patrick, born in 1982, was the official web editor and social media manager for Red Dwarf. He also contributed to Empire and Den of Geek, as well as BBC America. In 2013, Patrick co-created the UK’s first Kickstarter-funded sitcom, the podcast series “A Brief History of Time Travel.” Our condolences go out to Patrick’s family and friends: you can donate to their GoFundMe page here.
– Via Previews World, Z2 Comics have announced “Chasin’ The Bird: Charlie Parker in California,” a graphic novel depicting the life of Jazz musician Charlie “Bird” Parker, will include an introduction by former NBA player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The graphic novel tells the story of Bird’s time in LA, starting in December 1945, where Bird and Dizzy Gillespie brought the frenetic sounds of bebop from the East Coast jazz underground, to the West Coast, during a two-month residency at Billy Berg’s Hollywood jazz club. Written and illustrated by Dave Chisholm, with colors by Peter Markowski, “Chasin’ the Bird: Charlie Parker in California” will be available September 16, 2020.
– Via Publisher’s Weekly, Donna Bray of HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray has acquired at auction, the worldwide English rights to an expansion of the YA graphic memoir “The Wuhan I Know,” set to be published in summer 2021. Written and illustrated by Laura Gao, “The Wuhan I Know” is about growing up in two worlds, Texas and Wuhan, struggles with identity, and prejudices underscored by the pandemic.
– At this year’s BAFTA Awards, Channel 4’s The End of the F***ing World took home a couple of awards. The Netflix series won the top honor for Drama Series, while Naomi Ackie picked up the Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Bonnie. Ackie along with Jessy Barden and Alex Lawther sent a message thanking everyone involved in making the show. Both seasons ofThe End of the F***ing World are currently streaming on Netflix.
– In celebration of The Umbrella Academy‘s second season, Complex has tapped seven comic book artists to draw each main character in some promo art. Khary Randolph, Ant Piper, Joelle Murray, Ark Revner, Sanford Greene, Bex Glendining, and Steffi Walthall have all contributed and you can see their artwork here. The Umbrella Academy Season 2 is now streaming on Netlix, and you can read our thoughts here.
– Forbes reports that two of Netflix’s latest series, Cursed and Warrior Nun, have had major global success. Over the course of the past week, Cursed has seen global demand rise by 327% and US demand rise by 195%, relative to other shows. And over the course of the past month, Warrior Nun has seen global demand rise by 8,133% relative to other shows, and US demand rise by 3,476%. Both shows are now streaming on Netflix.
– Animation Magazine reports that We Bare Bears: The Movie will be released on DVD on September 8, 2020. The movie, an extension of the Cartoon Network show, depicts what happens when the bears’ love of food trucks and viral videos gets out of hand. This catches the attention of the menacing Agent Trout from the National Wildlife Control, who pledges to restore the “natural order” by separating them forever. We Bare Bears: The Movie will also be available on digital platforms September 8, 2020.
– Finally, as Fox’s X-Men turns 20 years old, The Hollywood Reporter has run a feature about Bryan Singer and the on-set troubles while the movie was in production. THR‘s story goes behind the scenes and includes interviews with some Fox executives at the time. The piece reveals that then 18-year old Alex Burton, who portrayed Pyro in the film, filed a civil suit against three of Singer’s friends and business associates, claiming that he had been plied with drugs, sexually assaulted by the trio at the DEN outpost in Encino, and then held against his will, and threatened with physical harm, from July 1999 to May 2000, a period that encompasses X-Men‘s six-month production. Burton, who has changed his name, has never appeared in another Hollywood project. You can read the whole piece here.
