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 had an exclusive interview with writer Peter Milligan ahead of the release of his new series “Human Remains.” We also have an exclusive preview of “X-Force” #23.
– The X-Men will be front and center for Doctor Strange’s demise. Marvel has announced “Death of Doctor Strange: X-Men/Black Knight” #1, a one-shot by writer Si Spurrier and artist Bob Quinn, with a cover by Cory Smith. As the name implies, the issue brings the X-Men and the Black Knight to London in the wake of Doctor Strange’s death, as the former Sorcerer Supreme’s magical defenses collapse and the city is attacked by the forces of evil. Speaking on the issue, Spurrier said “we’re bringing you snark, horror, secrets, and lies from myths you thought you knew, and a positively devilish new look for your favorite merry mutants.” Spurrier recently concluded work on Marvel’s “Black Knight: Curse of the Ebony Blade” mini-series, which reshaped the hero ahead of his big screen debut in Eternals (played by Kit Harington.) “Death of Doctor Strange: X-Men/Black Knight” #1 releases in December.
– Drawn & Quarterly have added three new titles to their 2022 slate of releases. The first of these books is “The Third Person” by Emma Grove, which follows a transgender woman named Emma who talks to her therapist about receiving hormone replacements, but is shocked to discover that she has also shown up to these sessions while dressed as a woman named Katina, and a submissive workaholic named Ed. The next book is “The Peanutbutter Sisters and Other American Stories,” a collection of short stories by Rumi Hara. Each tale varies in length and in subject, with highlights including an intergalactic race in the year 2099, and the journey of two sisters who try to ride a whale through a hurricane. Then, in “Hummingbird Heart” by Travis Dandro, a teenager moves in with his grandmother following the sudden death of his drug-addicted father. As he struggles to balance his young adulthood with his complex emotions, an encounter with the police makes it clear that he’s not a child anymore. All three books will be available in the spring.
– Famed filmmaker Guillermo del Toro will be returning to Netflix for a new horror anthology series titled Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities. The show will run for eight episodes and sees the Hellboy director teaming up with an A-list assortment of talent. One such creator is comic book writer Emily Carroll, known for “Through the Woods,” “When I Arrived at the Castle,” and other stories. While the specific details behind the series remain a mystery, it has been announced that one of Carroll’s short stories will serve as the inspiration for an episode adapted by writer Haley Z. Boston (Brand New Cherry Flavor), and directed by Ana Lily Amirpour (A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night).
– WarnerMedia has announced that the Dark Knight will be returning to animation this holiday season in Merry Little Batman. The animated feature is part of Cartoon Network’s “ACME Night,” which will bring various WarnerMedia movies to TV screens on a weekly basis starting September 19. “ACME Night” will feature a mix of fan-favorite films like Man of Steel and Detective Pikachu with original movies like Merry Little Batman, Gremlins: Secret of the Mogwai, and Did I Do That to the Holidays? A Steve Urkel Story. While there is no specific date set for Merry Little Batman at this time, it has been revealed that it will be about a six-year old Damian Wayne transforming into “Little Batman” to defend his home from supervillains on Christmas. The film will be directed by Mike Roth off of a script from Morgan Evans. All of the “ACME Night” productions will be available on HBO Max next year.
– Actress Annie Wersching has joined the cast of Star Trek: Picard for the show’s second season. Wersching will be brought on in the recurring role of the Borg Queen, who has been portrayed by Alice Krige and Susanna Thompson in previous Star Trek projects. The Borg have historically proven to be one of the biggest threats in the Star Trek universe, and served as feared villains in both Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: First Contact. Wersching joins a cast that includes star Patrick Stewart as the titular Jean-Luc Picard, Alison Pill as Dr. Agness Jurati, Isa Briones as Soji Asha, and John de Lancie as Q. Star Trek: Picard follows Jean-Luc Picard as he embarks on a new chapter in his life, following the destruction of Romulus.
Continued below– G.I. Joe will be entering the world of board game with the release of its aptly titled G.I. Joe Roleplaying Game. Developed by Renegade Games, G.I. Joe Roleplaying Game allows players to create their own G.I. Joe character, completely with personality, role, and military background. It uses the Essence20 system, which has players roll both a d20 and an additional skill die that varies between a d2 to a d20 depending on the scenario. This is the latest collaboration between Renegade Games and Hasbro, G.I. Joe’s parent company. The two companies have also worked on games involving Power Rangers, Transformers, and Dungeons & Dragons. The core rulebook for G.I. Joe Roleplaying game is available for pre-order on the Renegade Games website.
– Writer/artist 15-san has been named as the grand prize winner of the Corona Manga Grand Prix awards. The Japanese awards are a biproduct of a collaboration between COVID-19 information service CoV-Navi and advertising service Manga Tari Co. To enter, contestants had to create an educational manga that explains COVID-19 vaccines and the benefits of receiving them. In total, nine artists will have their work published in the “Daily SPA!” and “Women’s SPA!” magazines. Grand prize winner 15-san earned 100,000 yen ($900 USD) and an outstanding offer to have her winning work distributed by CoV-Navi. Her story — titled “Shōgeki no Shinjitsu! Manga de Wakaru! Shingata Coronavirus Vaccine no Shōtai” (translated to “The Shocking Truth! Understand with Manga! The Identity of the Vaccine for the New Coronavirus”) — was inspired by a desire to protect her son. By sharing correct and clear information about vaccination, 15-san hopes that she can ease confusion and limit anxieties that people have about vaccines.
– Finally, writer Al Ewing has broken his silence on discriminatory images drawn by his “Immortal Hulk” collaborator Joe Bennett. Ewing posted a series of tweets in response to recently resurfaced art by Bennett that depicts Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro attacking scurrying people that are caricaturized with buck teeth, big noses, and rodent-like ears. Ewing stated that he is disgusted by what he has seen from Bennett and that he will not be working with him in the future. He also addressed previous reports of Bennett using anti-Semitic imagery in “Immortal Hulk,” saying that he understands if people are disappointed in him for not speaking out publicly sooner. Ewing offered an apology and posted a receipt for a donation made to the Rainbow Railroad and the Rainforest Trust, the latter of which helps preserve the Brazilian rainforests that Bolsonaro’s policies have destroyed.
