Welcome 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, BOOM! Studios have announced that they will be bringing Jonathan and Aaron Ferrara’s popular web comic series “Husband & Husband” to print. BOOM! Studios have also added to their Ben 10 line up with a second original graphic novel, “Ben 10: For Science!” Finally, writer Joey Anderson Sayers and artist Jonathan Lemon will resume publication of long running comic strip “Alley Oop” in January of 2019, after a brief period of reruns.
– Image Comics revealed 16 titles will have Christmas-themed variant covers this December, proceeds from which will support the non-profit Hero Initiative organization. The Hero Initiative helps fund comic book creators who are in financial and medical need. 100% of the proceeds will go towards the Hero Initiative. Artists contributing include Andrei Bressan and Adriano Lucas, Ryan Browne, Andy Suriano, Howard Chaykin, Ray Fawkes, Manda Schank, Jacopo Camagni, Danny Luckert, Marcelo Costa, Benjamin Roman, Raffaele Ienco, Dennis Culver, Lee Garbett, Brandon Graham, John McCrea, and Jeff Lemire. To see all the titles announced as participating, head on over to Image’s press release.
– Bleeding Cool reported from MCM London Comic Con, that Titan Comics have announced ‘Event Horizon,’ a “Robotech” comic book event. The publisher promises that the event will “redefine ‘Robotech’ and will provide a jumping on point for new readers who won’t need vast Robotech knowledge to jump in.” ‘Event Horizon’ is set to release in the summer of 2019.
– Polygon reports that all 20 volumes of Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata’s “Bakuman” will be available to read on Weekly Shonen Jump‘s website and app for free until October 31, 2018. This campaign is tied to Jump Paint, the manga magazine’s comic-creation app, which recently celebrated its millionth download. “Bakuman” explores “quirky, rival manga artists; toxic relationships for teenage love interests; and lots of love for lots of death.” Fans have plenty to sink their teeth into before the promotion ends this Wednesday.
– Anime News Network reported that the new Gundam NT anime will receive a manga, as well as a novel. Kōzō Ōmori (“Mobile Suit Gundam 00”) is drawing the manga, and it will launch in the next issue of Gundam Ace magazine on November 26, alongside the novel, penned by Kiyoto Takeuchi (“Appleseed: Ex Machina”), which tells the story of the past of three important characters in the anime. Gundam NT debuts in Japan on November 30, 2018.
– Dark Horse Entertainment announced a new global partnership with Hong Kong-based Vanguard Visionary Associates. The new deal will allow Dark Horse to fully fund development of their properties, as well as create new content and acquiring material for television and film. The partnership also seeks to bring Dark Horse’s publications and properties to more international markets, like China. “We see a great fit between our companies,” stated Vanguard Visionary Associates Chairman Stanley Cheung, who will join the Dark Horse Entertainment board.
– DC Universe’s Swamp Thing has added Jeryl Prescott (The Walking Dead) as a cast regular, reports Deadline. Prescott will play Madame Xanadu, “a blind fortune teller with a mysterious past and supernatural perceptions that reveal the future.” Just as in the comics, this adaptation of Madame Xanadu “is a centuries-old immortal who advises and aligns with crusaders against evil but is reluctant to join the fray directly.” Swamp Thing will launch on DC Universe sometime in 2019, though no official release date has been announced.
– The Hollywood Reporter confirmed that Katherine Langford (13 Reasons Why) has filmed scenes for the currently untitled Avengers 4. Langford’s character details were not available, and Marvel Studios had no comment. Avengers 4 will hit theaters on May 3, 2019.
– While at a special Black Panther awards screening, Critics Choice Association journalist Erick Weber tweeted Kathleen Kennedy confirmed that Disney and Lucasfilm have scrapped any kind of Boba Fett film and will instead focus on Jon Favreau’s The Mandalorian. You can read more at Deadline. Weber also tweeted that Kevin Feige confirmed that there would be an Avengers 4 trailer before the end of the year, that Namor could possibly appear in the MCU, and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is on “hold.”
– Finally, in last week’s Reader Poll we asked readers what the best comic book version of Frankenstein is, and the results are in. Bernie Wrightson’s “Frankenstein” is this week’s winner with 42.9 percent of the vote, followed by DC’s “Seven Soldiers” version with 21.4 percent, and Mike Mignola’s version in third place with 12.5 percent. Thank you to all who participated and don’t forget to check out this week’s Reader Poll.
