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.
– Per CBR, AWA Studios announced “Primos,” a Latinx superhero series written by former Daily Show correspondent Al Madrigal, with art by Carlo Barberi (“Spider-Geddon”). The book follows three cousins who gain superpowers from their Mayan ancestor, who has returned to Earth after centuries away in space. Together, they must defeat their ancestor’s brother, who has become hellbent on revenge after learning about the destruction of his civilization. “Primos” #1 (of 4) will be released simultaneously in English and Spanish on February 2, 2022.
– As part of this weekend’s San Diego Comic-Con Special Edition, Comic-Con International and Archie Comics have joined forces for “Eight Decades of Archie,” the first major exhibit at the new Comic-Con Museum. The exhibit includes “vintage comic books, original art, unique props and other exclusive memorabilia” starring Archie and the gang, “all built to delight both the most ardent and casual Archie fans.” The Balboa Park-located museum’s soft opening takes place today at noon, and the exhibit will be one of six open to the public ahead of the building’s grand opening in Summer 2022.
– Gay Times reports Alice Oseman’s “Heartstopper” will receive a tie-in book featuring new illustrations, an exclusive mini-comic, character profiles, and insights into the author’s creative process. The Heartstopper Yearbook will be released in the UK by Hodder & Stoughton on October 13, 2022, ahead of the fifth and final volume of the webcomic on February 2, 2023. The book will also likely coincide with the release of the Netflix series, starring Joe Locke and Kit Connor as friends-to-lovers Charlie and Nick.
– Earthworm Jim is returning in a new animated series, titled Earthworm Jim, Beyond the Groovy. Produced by game publisher Interplay Entertainment’s newly created film & TV division, the show will follow Jim and a new crew of recruits as they search for Earth. Interplay confirmed in a statement provided to Polygon that the character’s creator, cartoonist Doug TenNapel, will have no involvement in the series, presumably because of his history of homophobic and transphobic comments; additionally, an in-character Twitter account for the series saw “Jim” reply, “Trans rights are human rights, baby!” You can watch footage from the project here.
– Actress Andrea McArdle, who originated the role of Annie on Broadway, has dropped out of playing Eleanor Roosevelt on NBC’s Annie Live! following a family emergency. “My father is currently in the hospital,” she explained in a statement, “and I need to put all of my energy into his health and well-being. I wish everyone involved with the production great success. Break a leg everyone.” We wish McArdle and her family all the best. Annie Live! airs Thursday, December 2, at 8pm ET.
– Speaking of live comic book adaptations, Anime News Network shares that Japan 2.5D Stage Play World will return with several streamed shows this holiday season. As well as the “Naruto,” “My Hero Academia” and “Sailor Moon” productions that were available to watch this summer, the site will offer recordings of this year’s Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon: The Musical — Kaguya Hime’s Beloved, and the upcoming Live Spectacle Naruto — The Tale Of Uzumaki Naruto. Tickets are on sale for four different two-week viewing periods beginning December 10, with the new “Naruto” available to watch after January 7.
– Finally, Empire magazine unveiled a new list of the 100 Greatest Movies of all time, compiled from votes by readers and staff. The group includes The Dark Knight (#4), Avengers: Infinity War (#8), Endgame (#22), Guardians of the Galaxy (#58), Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (#70), Thor: Ragnarok (#83), Black Panther (#86), and Logan (#91). (In all, that’s six MCU entries, and eight total Marvel adaptations.) Each of the original Star Wars trilogy made the list, including The Empire Strikes Back, which ranked at #2 (behind The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.)
