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, Dark Horse announced an Avatar sequel miniseries called “The Next Shadow.”
– TKO Studios expanded their third wave of releases with three books in the new TKO Knockout Shorts line:
Each book in the line will be a self-contained story printed in the 8.5 inch by 5.5 inch zine format. The first three Knockout Shorts are scheduled for release alongside the previously announced third wave comics on November 9.
– Viz Media announced they will be publishing “The Fist of the North Star” manga series in hardcover and digital editions in the Summer of 2021. The series, by writer Buronson and artist Tetsuo Hara, was serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump from 1983 to 1988, and told the story of Kenshiro, a martial artist who dedicates himself to fighting various enemies that prey on the weak and vulnerable in a world ravaged by nuclear war. Viz Media have previously published the series as a monthly comic, while Gutsoon! Entertainment had released colored graphic novel editions, but neither published the series in its entirety.
– Rebellion Publishing announced that Jim Killen, the former Science Fiction, Fantasy, Role Playing Games and Graphic Novels buyer for Barnes and Noble, has joined their US editorial team as Editor-at-Large. In a press release, Ben Smith, the Head of TV, Film and Publishing at Rebellion, stated “Our respect for his knowledge and insight has meant that I have long wanted to tempt Jim over to fence into publishing. I am delighted he is starting a new chapter in his highly respected career with Rebellion and look forward with great anticipation to the impact he will have on our list and performance.” Killen begins work in the role from today.
– King Features Syndicate announced they have bought the publishing rights for Tove Jansson’s Moomin franchise, along with a collaboration with Finnish kids activewear brand Reima. As yet, there haven’t been any specific Moomin titles announced for release, but Vice President of King Features Syndicate, Carla Silva stated they company is looking forward to bringing “classic heartwarming adventures of the Moomin family and their friends through fresh publishing and products.” As part of their collaboration with Reima, the brand’s Moomin Baby Kit will be available directly in the US. Timelines relating to releases for both deals were not revealed.
– 20th Century Studios released the first — and only — trailer for The Empty Man, an adaptation of the comic book series of the same name by Cullen Bunn and Vanesa R. Del Rey. The David Prior-directed film follows an ex-police officer (James Badge Dale) trying to find a missing girl, and coming across a group trying to summon the titular supernatural entity. The film is scheduled for release in cinemas on Friday, October 23, after being delayed from August 7.
– Two castings for upcoming MCU projects were reported: Danny Ramirez (On My Block) was added to the cast of the Disney+’s The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and Xochitl Gomez (The Baby-Sitters Club) joined Sam Raimi’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. At this time, it is not known who either of the individuals will be portraying in their respective projects, although Ramirez’s role is being reported as “pivotal.” The Falcon and the Winter Soldier does not have a release date, while Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is currently scheduled for release on March 25, 2022.
Continued below– Deadline revealed that Charlie McDowell (The One I Love) will be directing the film adaptation of Daniel Clowes’s “Patience.” McDowell will also be writing the script alongside his frequent collaborator, Justin Lader, while Jim Burke and Steven Snyder of Innisfree Pictures will serve as producers on the adaptation. “Patience” follows a man, Jack, whose pregnant wife Patience was murdered. Ten years later, Jack discovers a time machine which he hopes can change his life, and, when he tries it, is sent back in time and learns about her past and how she became the woman he knew and loved. Patience does not have a release date at this time.
– Michael B. Jordan joined the upcoming Warner Bros. and DC film, Static Shock, as a producer via his banner, Outlier Society. The film will focus on the Milestone Comics character, Virgil Ovid Hawkins aka Static, who, following exposure to a radioactive chemical, becomes capable of generating and controlling electromagnetic energy. Reginald Hudlin, who is involved in the Milestone Comics revival, is already onboard the project. In a statement, Jordan said “I’m proud to be a part of building a new universe centered around black superheroes; our community deserves that.” Static Shock does not have a release date yet.
– In TV-related news, after airing the first episode of its third season on October 15, CBS All Access announced that Star Trek: Discovery has been renewed for a fourth season, with production set to begin on November 2, 2020. Meanwhile, Disney+ revealed that the seventh and final season of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. will be arriving on the platform in the UK on November 13, after its previous channel, E4, decided not to pick up the final season.
– Finally, Crystal Dynamics announced that they have pushed the addition of Kate Bishop/Hawkeye to Marvel’s Avengers “out of October,” as well as the full next-gen version of the game on Playstation 5 and Xbox Series X|S until 2021. Both delays were cited as being to ensure the quality of the experience. The developer clarified that players will still be able to play the current-gen version of Marvel’s Avengers on next-gen consoles to take advantage of the “powerful hardware,” and see “improved frame rates and faster loading times.” Next-gen console players will also still be able to carry their save over, as well as play co-op with friends on the respective current-gen consoles. You can read Crystal Dynamics’s full ‘State of the Game Update’ here.
