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, Brian Michael Bendis announced the move of his Jinxworld titles to Dark Horse with the new series “Joy Operations” by himself and artist Stephen Byrne. We also shared exclusive concept art for “The O.Z.” #2.
– Jason Aaron, Ed McGuinness, and Javier Garrón’s “Avengers” run hits a milestone this November, with the release of their 50th issue and the 750th legacy issue. The creative team will be celebrating with a 96-page story featuring the creative trio alongside artists Aaron Kuder (“Ghost Rider,” “Thor”) and Carlos Pacheco (“Green Lantern,” “The Life of Captain Marvel”) that features the Avengers going up against the Multiversal Masters of Evil, who were just introduced in “Free Comic Book Day: Avengers/Hulk” #1.
The issue will also feature a back-up story by novelist Christopher Ruocchio and artist Steve McNiven (“Civil War,” ‘Old Man Logan’) starring Thor. “It’s such an honor to be a part of issue #750 of ‘Avengers,’ and I’m looking to celebrate the rich history of the title,” said Aaron. “It’s not just that everything I’ve been doing in the last 50 issues of ‘Avengers’ has been leading to this, but there are threads feeding into the next year’s worth of stories that stretch back to most every major series I’ve ever written in my 15 years at Marvel Comics.” The milestone story promises to conclude the ‘World War She-Hulk’ story arc, send Ghost Rider off through the multiverse, introduce some new mystery Avengers, and more. “Avengers” #50 goes on sale November 17 with a cover by Ed McGuinness, and a variant from Steve McNiven.
– “Daredevil” #36 will mark a significant turning point in Chip Zdarsky and Marco Checchetto’s “Daredevil” run, ending the first series in their Daredevil saga with the wedding of Mayor Wilson Fisk and Typhoid Mary. The issue will feature series writer Zdarsky (“Spider-Man: Life Story,” “Sex Criminals”) with artist Manuel Garcia (“Mystique,” “Robin”), who had worked together previously on both “Lords of Empyre: Emperor Hulkling” and last year’s “Daredevil Annual” #1. Series artist Marco Checchetto will provide cover art. Plot details for the issue are scarce, with Marvel only revealing that the marriage of Kingpin and Typhoid Mary will lead to calamity, and that one of the Daredevils, Matt Murdock or Elektra Natchios, is unlikely to survive the tragedy. As promised, Marvel won’t be ending the collaboration between Zdarsky and Checchetto, with the reveal of what’s next for the denizens of Hell’s Kitchen set to be announced on Marvel’s 82nd anniversary, this August 31. “Daredevil” #36 will release November 17.
– In more Zdarsky news, IDW have released the solicitations for all their November Star Wars titles, with Chip Zdarsky and Jason Loo reuniting for a story in “Star Wars Adventures Annual 2021.” The pair, who previously collaborated on “Afterlift” and the upcoming “All-Nighter,” are credited as co-writers on the project, with Loo additionally supplying art for the story. It follows a group of kids on Bespin who steal a valuable coin without realising it’s the property of Lando Calrissian, leading them on a desperate escape from the smuggler administrator of Cloud City. Also in the annual is a story by writer Cavan Scott and artist Arianna Florean reintroducing the rabbit-like bounty hunter Jaxxon, as he goes up against Han Solo, Chewbacca and Jabba the Hutt. IDW will also be releasing “Star Wars Adventures” #12 from writer Cavan Scott, artist Manuel Bracchi, and cartoonist Andrew Griffith, alongside “Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures” #10 by Daniel José Older and Toni Bruno.
– Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings star Simu Liu spoke out in response to Disney CEO Bob Chapek’s comment, labelling the decision to release the upcoming film exclusively in theaters, as “an interesting experiment.” “We are not an experiment,” said Liu. “We are the underdog; the underestimated. We are the ceiling-breakers. We are the celebration of culture and joy that will persevere after an embattled year. We are the surprise.” Marvel’s executives have previously come under scrutiny for its treatment of Asian actors, with Executive Vice President of Marvel Television Jeph Loeb allegedly demanding Daredevil villains Madame Gao and Nobu not receive subplots because “nobody gives a shit” about Chinese and Asian characters in 2015. Shang-Chi will become the first Marvel film with an Asian hero in the titular role when it releases this September 3.
– The Witcher: Blood Origin has a host of new cast members as production begins in the UK. The Witcher prequel series will introduce Lenny Henry as Balor, Mirren Mack as Merwyn, Nathaniel Curtis as Brían, and Dylan Moran as Uthrok One-Nut. No character details for the new cast members have been revealed as of yet. The six-episode series will also feature Jacob Collins Levy as Eredin, Lizzie Annis as Zacaré, Huw Novelli as Brother Death, Francesca Mills as Meldof, Amy Murray as Fenrik, and Zach Wyatt as Syndril. The series is directed by Sarah O’Gorman and Vicky Jewson, with the release date currently uncertain.
– Finally, Y: The Last Man is set for a Disney+ release in the UK, premiering on September 22. The ten-episode series is set for a Hulu release beginning on September 13 in the US, but this is the first confirmation for a release date and platform outside of the US. The first three episodes will all be available for streaming at once, before continuing to release weekly. The series features seven women directing the whole first season, collaborating under showrunner Eliza Clark, who co-wrote the series with original creators Brian K. Vaughan and Pia Guerra.
