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.
ICYMI, veteran Marvel colorist Andy Yanchus passed away, while AfterShock’s YA imprint Seismic Press announced the spooky graphic novel “Fearbook Club.” We also spoke to Dan Abnett about his new 2000 AD arc “The Out.”
– Via CBR, Marvel have announced “Devil’s Reign: Superior Four,” a tie-in miniseries by writer Zac Thompson (“Undone by Blood”) and artist Davide Tinto (“Commanders in Crisis”). The comic will see Doctor Octopus forming his own take on the Fantastic Four, composed entirely of versions of himself from other universes. Thompson said to expect “a lot of ego, hubris, and condescension along the way. While the adventure is kicked off from a yearning for Otto’s past as the Superior Spider-Man, it’s also going to answer questions about Ock’s future(s) in the Marvel U.” The series will debut in January, shortly after ‘Devil’s Reign’ begins in December.
– CBR also reports Heavy Metal have formed a partnership with comics and animation company Herø Projects for a new line of original graphic novels, and TV and film projects based on Herø’s books at Heavy Metal’s studio division. The Onyx line of graphic novels will launch Summer 2022, and include titles like “The Red” (previously published under Heavy Metal’s Virus imprint), “Stable,” “The Awakening,” “Remnant, and “Dogma Resistance.” Hit the link for more details and artwork.
– Per Deadline, HBO Max is developing a series based on “Misfit City,” the BOOM! Studios comic by writers Kirsten “Kiwi” Smith & Kurt Lustgarten, and artist Naomi Franquiz. Created in 2017, “Misfit City” is an adventure series in the vein of The Goonies, which follows a group of girls who discover a pirate’s treasure map. Popular writers Hannah Hafey and Kaitlin Smith will serve as creators and executive producers for the series, alongside Smith and Lustgarten.
– While promoting the 4K release of the first Addams Family film, director Barry Sonnenfeld revealed he is actively developing a Metal Men movie, starring the DC characters created by Robert Kanigher and Ross Andru. A story treatment is now being worked on for the project, which Sonnenfeld first became attached to in 2012.
– James Gunn disclosed that he will reteam with The Suicide Squad composer John Murphy on Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Murphy succeeds Tyler Bates, who scored both of the previous two films, as well as Gunn’s Slither and Super. Guardians Vol. 3 will be released on May 5, 2023.
– Netflix revealed that the original cast of Cowboy Bebop will reprise their roles for the Japanese dub of the live-action series; they also announced the original anime will begin streaming worldwide outside of Japan on October 20. The Cowboy Bebop remake will premiere on the streaming service on November 19.
– In further TV news, Kevin Smith announced the second half of Masters of the Universe: Revelation will be released on Netflix on November 23; AMC has greenlit the spin-off anthology show Tales of the Walking Dead for a six-part first season in Summer 2022; and Doom Patrol season 3 will premiere on the Starzplay streaming service in the UK on Sunday, November 14.
– Dr. Seuss Enterprises and ComicMix have settled a lawsuit over the latter’s Seuss-inspired Star Trek parody, Oh, the Places You’ll Boldly Go! The two publishers agreed that ComicMix will no longer publish the book, while Seuss Enterprises drops any claims for damages or attorneys’ fees. ComicMix’s publisher Glenn Hauman stated that the agreement was made because artist Ty Templeton was diagnosed with Stage 3 colorectal cancer earlier this year.
– Maia Kobabe’s graphic memoir “Gender Queer” has been banned from Florida’s Brevard Public Schools libraries. BPS superintendent Dr. Mark Mullins said “staff immediately agreed that this book violates our guidelines,” but it is unclear if he was referring to its sexually explicit content or not. The book was previously pulled pending review from Fairfax County, Virginia’s high school libraries last month, prompting criticism of parents who objected to the book for erroneously claiming it contained underage sex, and objections from students over homophobic talking points that emerged during the debate.
– Finally, Hasbro chairman and CEO Brian Goldner has died, aged 58. Goldner had been battling prostate cancer since 2014, and had only taken a medical leave of absence on Sunday. Former IDW editor-in-chief Chris Ryall paid tribute, saying “Goldner was a nice, approachable guy for someone at his level, and a great CEO for Hasbro. Among everything else, Brian was always an enthusiastic champion of the projects we produced in partnership with Hasbro’s Pub group, too. Really sorry to hear of his passing.” Goldner is survived by his wife, Barbara, and their daughter, Brooke.
