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, Diamond Distributors have announced the Gold tier of Free Comic Book Day offerings for 2023.
– Via io9, Image have revealed a first look at “Monarch” #1, written by Rodney Barnes, with art from Alex Lins and Luis NCT. The book follows a young teen named Trayvon living in Compton, whose life and the world are changed forever when he wakes up to find that humanity has made first contact with an alien civilization. When the aliens prove to be malevolent, Trayvon must step into the unlikely role of protector. You can check out the preview pages here. “Monarch” #1 will be available in February 2023.
– Image also announced “Haunthology” by Jeremy Haun. Image’s synopsis reads: “From creatures of the night… to even more terrifying creatures of the day, readers were first introduced to ‘Haunthology’s’ nightmarish mindscapes through a successful Kickstarter campaign. Whether exploring a claustrophobic old house full of nefarious entities or exploring the heavy thoughts one has during the end of the world, this very personal project was completely written and drawn during the COVID shutdowns.” Featuring an introduction from Nathan Ballingrud, “Haunthology” will be released in May 2023.
– Via Polygon, Marvel have announced a new “Cosmic Ghost Rider” ongoing series from Stephanie Phillips and Juann Cabal. Marvel’s official synopsis reads: “When Frank’s peaceful existence is shattered, he must suit up once more and face his most savage enemy yet — himself! Be there for the start of a sprawling space adventure with shocking twists and turns in the saga of Cosmic Ghost Rider!” The book marks Phillips’s second Marvel title, after “Rogue & Gambit,” beginning March 2023. “Cosmic Ghost Rider” #1 will also debut in March 2023.
– Polygon also reports that Marvel’s new “Scarlet Witch” comic, written by Steve Orlando with art by Sara Pichelli and Matt Wilson, will not only feature the debut of a new costume designed by Russell Dauterman, but of fan favorite MCU character, Darcy Lewis, in the Marvel Universe proper. Speaking about Darcy’s inclusion, Orlando said “Darcy essentially gives a voice to the audience in the same way that Kat Dennings’s character does.” “Scarlet Witch” #1 releases January 4, 2023.
– Meanwhile, Marvel announced “I Am Iron Man,” a five-issue series from Murewa Ayodele and Dotun Akande. “I Am Iron Man” will showcase the “rich history” of Tony Stark and untold stories from the Silver Age all the way through today’s modern era and beyond. Murewa Ayodele called the new book “the series for Iron Man fans and anyone that has ever wanted to get into Iron Man comics,” while Akande added “it’s going to be a thrilling ride. Steel yourself.” “I Am Iron Man” #1 will debut March 1, 2023.
– Via ICv2, Oni Press have announced “Punch Up!” by animator and artist Zachary Sterling. “Punch Up!” is the first solo graphic novel from Sterling, the first in a planned trilogy, and follows Pitch, a young orphan with dreams of becoming a martial arts fighter. (He also hopes to meet an aging fighter who may happen to be his father.) Sterling also has another graphic novel in the works at Graphix called “Mabuhay!,” about a Filipino American family who comes face-to-face with witches and other monsters. “Punch Up!” will be available June 6, 2023, while “Mabuhay!” will debut on October 17, 2023.
– Deadline reports Syfy have shortened Resident Alien season three from twelve episodes to eight. This will make it the shortest season of the show, after the first (which had ten episodes) and the second (which had 16). It is unconfirmed why, although Deadline states the second season’s ratings “dropped significantly” after its midseason hiatus, when the initial order for season three was placed. It is currently unknown when the third season will premiere.
– Via Forces of Geek, Titan Books have announced Marvel’s Secret Invasion, a novelization of the comic book event by Brian Michael Bendis and Leinil Francis Yu, written by Paul Cornell. Titan also announced, via a tweet, Loki: Journey Into Mystery, a novel by Katherine Locke based on the comic series by Kieron Gillen. Journey into Mystery will be available in June 2023, while Secret Invasion will be released September 9, 2023.
– Square Enix have revealed the details of Marvel’s Avengers 2.7 update, which includes the Cloning Lab Omega-Level Threat and the Winter Soldier as a playable character. The Winter Soldier (who’ll be voiced by Scott Porter) will launch with a mission chain that sees the Avengers help him after being held in captivity. Players that complete the mission chain will be rewarded with Bucky’s iconic outfit. The Cloning Lab is a challenging AIM base that players will navigate before facing off one last time against MODOK in a grand multiplayer fight. The update will be released on November 29.
– Finally, the 2023 Grammy Award nominations were announced, and comic book adaptations made a fairly strong showing: Michael Giacchino was nominated for Best Score Soundtrack (Film And Television) for The Batman, while Richard Jacques was nominated in the same category for Video Games and Other Interactive Media for Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy. Danny Elfman was also nominated for Best Arrangement for the Main Titles to Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. You can check out all the nominees here, and find out the winners on the evening of February 5.
