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, Vault has dubbed 2023 ‘Year of the Axe,’ with several new titles set in the “Barbaric” universe.
– Dark Horse Comics will release Sergio Rossi and Agnese Innocente’s graphic novel “Merry-Go-Round” for the first time in the English language. The graphic novel is inspired by the Arthur Schnitzler play La Ronde, which features ten interlocking scenes between pairs of lovers. The adaptation transposes the action to follow a group of teenagers as they navigate “love triangles, missed appointments, and beyond.” Originally published in Italy by the publishing house Il Castoro as “Girotondo,” the book was named best comic book by Andersen Magazine in 2021. “Merry-Go-Round” twirls to comic shop shelves on July 5, 2023, and to bookstores on July 18, 2023.
– Mark Millar is officially bringing the comic series “Nemesis” back for another round, teaming up with artist Jorge Jiménez for the five-issue series “Nemesis: Reloaded” next year. The series, which was co-created by artist Steve McNiven, was originally published by Marvel’s Icon Comics imprint in 2010; Image Comics will publish the revival, which is being produced as part of Millar’s Netflix-owned line of comics. The series follows the titular supervillain, an eccentric billionaire who dresses up in a mask and cape to terrorize the public.
“It’s one of the most fun things I’ve ever written and we bagged the brilliant, brilliant Jorge Jiménez from ‘Batman’ to do the honours,” Millar said. “The guy could not be any more hot than he is right now so I’m delighted to be partnered with him.” Millar teased that “Nemesis: Reloaded” is one of four titles that will lead into the Millarworld crossover event “Big Game,” which will be drawn by “X-Men” artist Pepe Larraz. The first issue features a main cover by Jiménez, with variants by McNiven, Frank Quitely, and Fiona Staples. “Nemesis: Reloaded” #1 draws blood on January 11, 2023.
– DC’s upcoming “Blue Beetle: Graduation Day” will be published simultaneously in English and Spanish editions. Via DC.com, the new solo series from writer Josh Trujillo, artist Adrián Gutiérrez, colorist Wil Quintana and letterer Lucas Gattoni was a runner-up in DC’s inaugural Round Robin tournament back in 2021. The story follows Jaime Reyes as he graduates from high school and navigates the challenges of figuring out his future, while balancing his heroic responsibilities. Issue #1 will feature a variant cover by Rafael Albuquerque, as well as a polybagged variant featuring a papel picado insert designed by Ivan Plascencia. The Spanish language edition of “Blue Beetle: Graduation Day” #1 is available for preorder ahead of its debut on November 29.
– Rihanna is joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe, courtesy of a new song produced for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Via Variety, Rihanna cowrote the song “Lift Me Up,” a tribute to the life and legacy of Chadwick Boseman, with composer and producer Ludwig Göransson, director Ryan Coogler, and Nigerian singer Tems, whose memorable cover of Bob Marley’s “No Woman, No Cry,” underscored the film’s first trailer. Rihanna teased the song on Twitter in advance of its full release this Friday.
The track marks a hotly anticipated return to music for Rihanna, who has been concentrating instead on her fashion and beauty company Fenty: her most recent music credits were for Canadian singer PartyNextDoor’s track “Believe It” in 2020, and N.E.R.D.’s single “Lemon” in 2017. The featured single from the prior film’s soundtrack, Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s “All The Stars,” received widespread acclaim, earning Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations, as well as nominations for Record of the Year and Song of the Year at the Grammy Awards. “Lift Me Up” rises on October 28, ahead of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’s release on November 11.
– The shake-up to Warner Bros. Discovery’s DC efforts have sparked the redevelopment of HBO Max’s long-planned Green Lantern TV series. Via The Hollywood Reporter, the series, which has been in the works since 2019, is being retooled to focus on the character of John Stewart. Writer Seth Grahame-Smith, who was previously set to serve as showrunner for the version of the series that focused on Green Lanterns Guy Gardner and Alan Scott, has left the project in the face of the recent DC and HBO shake-ups; neither Finn Wittrock or Jeremy Irvine, who were signed on to play Gardner and Scott, respectfully, remain attached to the series. The shift is reportedly unrelated to the recent news that James Gunn and Peter Safran are spearheading film, TV, and animation efforts for DC Comics properties at the newly formed DC Studios; the duo will not begin their tenure until November 1.
– The Saturn Awards unveiled this year’s list of winners at the 50th Anniversary Saturn Awards – the show’s 47th ceremony – last night, and several comic book adaptations were among the honorees. Sony and Marvel Studios’ Spider-Man: No Way Home took home the prize for Best Superhero Film, while Matt Reeves received the award for Best Film Direction for his work on The Batman. On the TV side, the Network/Cable television awards for Best Science Fiction and Best Horror Television series went to Superman & Lois and The Walking Dead respectively; while Loki and The Boys were named Best Fantasy and Best Action/Adventure Series, in the Streaming categories. You can find a full list of winners over at Collider.
