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, we had an exclusive preview of “Angel” #8, an interview with TKO Studios editor-in-chief Sebastian Girner, and exclusively unveiled the trailer for Scout Comics’ “Canopus.”
– Manga creator Tomomi Shimizu has received a surge in readership following the release of “What has happened to me.” The comic depicts the experiences of 29-year-old Uighur Muslim Mihrigul Tursun, who was detained in a Xinjiang detention camp three times between 2015 and 2017. The comic, which had its Japanese release in April 2019, has since been translated into English, Chinese and Uighur, and received 2.5 million views overall. Tursun’s story has gained notoriety for its brutality: upon arriving back to China from Egypt she was separated from her two-month old triplets, one of whom passed away during her detainment. From there she was tortured and interrogated. The story is especially poignant following the recent leak of Chinese state documents cataloging the pervasive arbitrary detention in Xinjiang, with over one million Uighurs sharing Tursun’s experience of torture, isolation and abuse. “What has happened to me” can be read here.
– Marvel have finally clarified Joe Quesada’s new role in Marvel following Kevin Feige’s promotion to CCO of Marvel. Quesada will serve as the Executive Vice President and Creative Director of Marvel. He was Marvel’s first CCO and served in the position for almost ten years, serving prominently on Marvel Studios’ Creative Committee and overseeing comics, movies, TV, animation, games, and publishing. Quesada will be working on an as-of-yet unrevealed comics project in 2020.
– In more management news, Marvel comics have promoted 13-year employee Stephen Wacker to the role of Head of Content and New Media. Currently Wacker executive produces Marvel’s 616 and Marvel’s Hero’s Project on Disney+, and produces all of the animated Marvel TV series. Wacker began as a senior editor at Marvel before transitioning into a new role as VP of Animation, Development & Current Series, then to VP of Creative & Content Development, before reaching this new position. Marvel currently have six ongoing animated series.
– Meanwhile at IDW, Editorial Assistant Megan Brown was promoted to Associate Editor, with Riley Farmer filling her old position. Megan Brown has been working at IDW for a year and a half, following careers with Barnes & Noble and the Irvine Police Department. Riley Farmer has been a freelance editor since interning at the University of South Carolina Press. Finally, freelancer Jake Wood was hired as a graphic designer, having previously worked for LiFT creative studios.
– Violinist and musical YouTuber Lindsey Stirling has released a new comic book in conjunction with her latest album Artemis. The comic of the same name continues the post-apocalyptic story of the album, following a protagonist based off of Stirling herself. The series will run for six issues and is self-published. “As I began writing my album, I was searching for a name that meant bringer of light or daughter of light, and I came upon: Artemis,” said Stirling. “Sometimes I look up at the moon and am overcome by her bravery. Every night she fights the darkness alone; and even when she is only a weak, tiny sliver, she still has the courage to shine.” “Artemis” is available here.
– Melissa Benoist – star of Supergirl – took to Instagram yesterday, speaking about her experience with domestic violence, the physical and psychological harm she grew beyond, and the prevalence of intimate partner violence. “The long and winding road of healing and reconciliation has brought me to this moment where I feel strong enough to talk about my experience openly, honestly and without shame,” Benoist wrote. “By sharing my story, hopefully I can empower others to seek help and extricate themselves from abusive relationships. Everyone deserves to be loved void of violence, fear, and physical harm.” Currently one in four women and one in nine men have been abused by a loved one or significant other: if you feel as if you have been a victim of intimate partner violence or need support in regards to it, you can access the The National Domestic Violence Hotline online or at 1-800-799-SAFE.
