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, the nominations for the 2020 Harvey Awards were announced. We also talked to “Cyberpunk 2077: Trauma Team” creative team Cullen Bunn and Miguel Valderrama about the upcoming game tie-in.
– Liam Sharp said that “The Green Lantern: Season Two” will be Grant Morrison’s last ever work for DC. CBR reported on a tweet Sharp had sent in response to a fan querying a potential “Season Three” for the series, where Sharp stated that the series was always planned to finish with the end of “Season Two,” and that Morrison has said he will no longer work for DC after the series is done, instead choosing to focus on his own characters and series. “Season Two” of Morrison and Sharp’s “The Green Lantern” series will end with issue #12, with issue #6 now available.
– “Shaolin Cowboy” will be getting paperback collections starting on April 20, 2021, releasing monthly until June, through Dark Horse Comics. The series, written and illustrated by Geoff Darrow, began in 2004, and was originally released through Burlyman Entertainment, the Wachowskis’s brief foray into comic book publishing, until Dark Horse acquired the rights in 2013. The Hollywood Reporter has a preview of the all-new covers to the series, featuring colors by Dave Stewart. The collections of the Eisner-nominated series will release for $19.99 each.
– This year’s Batman Day plans have been announced, with an emphasis on virtual engagement due to the pandemic. It will take place on September 19, with the biggest features including a limited time Batman or Riddler voiceover for the Waze GPS app, a Batman Virtual 5k/10k Run, an online Twitter mystery from DC starting the day before, as well as many other partnerships and takeovers, as detailed on GamesRadar. No comic book events have been announced as yet involving Batman for the special day.
– Publisher First Second Books have apologized after criticism of the terms and compensation for fan artists whose works were used in “The Adventure Zone” graphic novels. “The last thing we wanted was for anyone to feel that their work was undervalued — our intention was the opposite of that,” they said. “We’ll be modifying the terms of the contract for all artists who have contributed to the series, as well as for all future artists who contribute. We’ll also be matching the increase the authors have committed to pay past artists for artists whose work is featured in future books.” The McElroy family, who urged First Second to listen, stated “We will also be compensating artists from past books an additional $500, out of pocket.”
– A trailer for “Dungeon Critters,” the forthcoming fantasy graphic novel from First Second, was also released by The Hollywood Reporter. From Sara Goetter and Natalie Riess, the book features a band of animal friends on a journey of adventure and conspiracy through a fantasy world. An online serialization of the first third of the comic is currently being released, while the book itself will be available from September 29.
– Voice actor Norm Spencer has passed away, aged 62. Best known to fans as the voice of Cyclops in X-Men: The Animated Series, Spencer voiced the character in 68 episodes of the series, as well as in Spider-Man: The Animated Series, and video games such as Marvel vs Capcom 2, and X-Men vs. Street Fighter. The news became public when Spencer’s colleague Cathal J. Dodd (the voice of Wolverine in the animated series) tweeted about the loss.
– Ryan Coogler has released a statement on the death of actor Chadwick Boseman. Coogler directed Boseman in the title role of 2018’s Black Panther, and in his statement describes first seeing Boseman as the character in Captain America: Civil War, his experiences of working with him, the impact of their film, and Boseman’s legacy as an actor and icon. Additionally, Marvel has released a tribute video to the actor, featuring clips of his performances, and interviews with his colleagues and co-stars.
– The first collected edition of “Mr. Butterchips” comics was released through SLG Publishing. “Mr. Butterchips: A Collection of Cantankerous Commentary” collects the adventures of Alex Schumacher’s impatient monkey, suffering right-wing characters. The strip began in Drunk Monkey magazine in 2016, and became increasingly politically charged in the wake of the Trump presidency. The book collects all previously published strips, a 22-page acid-trip story, and other extras.
– Finally, Hasbro will be hosting an online fan event on the 25th and 26th September, titled Hasbro PulseCon, exclusively on their YouTube channel. The event, hosted by Jackie Jennings of Syfy Wire, will feature product reveals, panels, giveaways and talent appearances related to Hasbro’s biggest properties. Some confirmed product reveals include Marvel, Star Wars, Transformers, Power Rangers, D&D and others. ComicBook.com has a list of exclusive items available for pre-order during the event here.
