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 interviews with “Sainted Love” writer Steve Orlando, and “Kill Six Billion Demons” creator Tom Parkinson-Morgan.
– Marvel announced they will mark the 50th anniversary of their Giant-Size comics with new one-shots throughout 2024, beginning with January’s “Giant-Size Spider-Man.” Written by Cody Ziglar with art by Iban Coello, “Giant-Size Spider-Man” will see Miles Morales face off against Dylan Brock/Venom; it will also include a reprint of Brian Michael Bendis and Sara Pichelli’s “Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man” #22, where Miles faced off against (Ultimate) Venom for the first time. The comic will follow a reprint of the very first Giant-Size title, “Giant-Size Super Stars,” on January 10.
– Speaking of Bendis, the writer is one of numerous WGA members who’ve lent their talent to a new anthology from Black Mask Studios, titled “General Strike: Calexit and Other Tales of Fighting the Good Fight.” Overseen by publisher Matteo Pizzolo, and featuring stories by Grant Morrison, Rodney Barnes, Jamal Igle, and Michael Avon Oeming, among others, the 48-page book will “use any profits to match the writing fees with contributions to the Entertainment Community Fund.” It is available to order now from Kickstarter.
– The WGA strike itself officially ended last night, with the governing boards of both guild branches voting to accept the tentative agreement the negotiating committee reached with the studios on Sunday. While guild members won’t vote to ratify the vote until next month, they are now free to resume writing without scabbing. With the announcement came details on the new three-year agreement, which includes transparency on streaming numbers, bonuses for popular shows, strong limits on the use of A.I., and more, that you can read up on here. (Christos Gage commented, “I’ve been a member of the WGA since 1997. This is the best contract we’ve ever gotten, by a huge margin.”)
– Stan Sakai unveiled Akemi, a new, recurring “Usagi Yojimbo” character, who will debut in October 11’s special “Space Usagi: Yokai Hunter.” Few details were given on her, though judging by Sweeney Boo’s variant cover for the comic, it appears she will be a spirited young apprentice for the original character. Sakai also teased an anthology from other creators, “Usagi Yojimbo: Shadow Warriors,” that will be published in the run-up to the character’s 40th anniversary next year.
– Werewolf by Night will be performed live in concert by the Minnesota Orchestra on Wednesday, October 4. The performance, being held at the Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis, will be preceded by a medley of director/composer Michael Giacchino’s video game music from the string ensemble the Bards Quartet. Tickets are on sale now at the link. The special’s performance comes ahead of the anniversary of its release on Disney+, and the forthcoming arrival of the Hammer-inspired color version on the streamer on October 20.
– Ex Posse Studios have formed a film/TV development deal with Sony Music Entertainment Japan. The deal will prioritize a screen adaptation of the imprint’s upcoming Scout Comics vampire series “Lip Stick Cliqa” (a spin-off of “Night of the Cadillacs,” created by writer Kayden Phoenix and artist Gershon Villamor.) While the deal may seem confusing, Sony Music Entertainment Japan is the arm that controls Aniplex and Crunchyroll, suggesting the adaptation may be animated.
– Finally, Scottish actor and musician David McCallum died on Monday, September 25, aged 90. Best known for playing Illya Kuryakin in The Man from U.N.C.L.E., and Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard on NCIS, McCallum also voiced time traveler Professor Paradox on the Ben 10 series, and Alfred Pennyworth in various animated Batman films, beginning with Batman: Gotham Knight; he also portrayed Zeus in 2009’s animated Wonder Woman, and Merlin on The Brave and the Bold. He is survived by his wife, Katherine Carpenter, four children (including guitarist Val McCallum), and six grandchildren.
