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 ”Star Wars” #37, as well as the upcoming reissue of “Heart Attack.”
– After the success of the ‘Thaw’ arc in Declan Shalvey and Andrea Broccardo’s “Alien” series, the creative team will reunite for a new volume this November. Starting with a brand new “Alien” #1, the new series will be set in two time periods, following two crews, the present day team and the doomed earlier one. It will also continue the development of the new, deadlier subspecies of Xenomorph in the Alien universe, introduced in the current arc, and see Shalvey join Broccardo on art. The first issue is out on November 15, with October’s “Aliens Annual” #1 bridging the two volumes in the meantime.
– Dark Horse revealed the cover and story for “Blacking Out.” The original graphic novel will follow alcoholic ex-cop Conrad as he attempts to solve a murder that occurred during a Southern California wildfire. Chip Mosher wrote the book, with art from Peter Krause. It’s due out in bookstores on April 23, 2024, and in comics stores the following day. In the meantime, check out our interview with Mosher from when he was crowdfunding the project here.
– Vault Comics is making the first issue of “Unnatural Order” free for retailers. The book is the first comics work from writer Christopher Yost in nearly a decade, and features art from Val Rodriguez. Yost has spent the last few years screenwriting, scripting properties such as Thor: Ragnarok and The Mandalorian. The story follows a hero from another time battling an ancient evil called “The Druid” in early Britain. The move comes about a year after the post-COVID sales surge began slowing, with Vault hoping to not only keep sales up, but also boost its own profile. The publisher issued a challenge to retailers, asking them to “Make this the best selling comics of 2023.” “Unnatural Order” #1 is due out this October.
– The family of Bill Messner-Loebs has started a GoFundMe for the artist and writer. Following a recent trip to the hospital, Messner-Loebs and his wife are now facing eviction from their home. The GoFundMe has set a goal of $25,000. As of this writing, $13,996 has been raised.
– After unexpectedly dropping off several books, writer Donny Cates spoke with the YouTube channel ComicPop Returns to explain that he was involved in a severe car accident. Cates explained that he is currently recovering, and struggles to remember the last six months of his life. “I’ve had to relearn how to tie my shoes and feed myself and all that boring crap,” Cates says about his recovery, “but I assure you, a little brain damage won’t stop me from doing… whatever it is that I do that you all seem to enjoy so much.”
– After taking an interim role as publisher of “Heavy Metal” last January, Kris Longo is stepping down from that role. “It was never for one minute an easy gig, and it was not always a joyous one,” Longo writes on Facebook, “but I will say with absolute sincerity that it was an honor and a privilege to be a steward of this magazine, which will surely rise up again.” Longo had been with Heavy Metal Entertainment for three and a half years, serving as Chief Sales Officer previously. He states that he will devoting time to his own marketing agency (Modern Fanatic), and his “next move in the comics industry.” The news comes following the cancellation of the magazine, which you can read about here.
– Finally, you can watch the trailer for Netflix’s The Chosen One on the Netflix Geeked Twitter. The series is based on Mark Millar and Peter Gross’s “American Jesus.” The trailer shows title character Jodie discovering his seemingly Biblical gifts following a near death experience. The series is set to debut on August 16, streaming exclusively on Netflix.
