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.
– There were four middle-grade graphic novel deals reported by Publishers Weekly last week, which included First Second’s acquisition of “Eowulf and the Descendant Dilemma,” a spin-off of Mike Cavallaro’s “Nico Bravo” series, which will see the titular descendant of Beowulf take her place in the spotlight. The book will is set for Winter 2024.
Also, Abrams bought Mike Lawrence’s “Lionharts,” a book about the eponymous family of adventurers; Viking acquired “Jupiter Nettle and the Seven Schools of Magic,” by writer Sangu Mandanna and artist Pablo Ballesteros, which will feature a 12-year-old girl who finally realizes her dream of studying at a magic school, only to be disappointed; and Little, Brown purchased worldwide rights to Rashad Doucet’s “Art Club,” a graphic novel about talented artists being recruited to launch an after-school art club after a reduction in spending for their art program. “Art Club” is set to be published first, landing in the Fall of 2023, with “Lionharts” and “Jupiter Nettle and the Seven Schools of Magic” both following in the Spring of 2024. You can see the full list of deals here.
– Variety reported that Red 5 Comics will publish “Mystery Brothers,” by writer Quentin Lee and artist Elis Zill. The comic will follow a pair of 13-year-old Chinese American half-brothers, who are trying to prevent a future where robots take over the world. (Variety‘s description also teased that one of the half-brothers “may or may not be completely human.”) Scott Chitwood, co-founder of Red 5, said that the comic “brings back feelings of nostalgia for movies of the ’80s where kids face extraordinary situations with a sci-fi twist.” Lee’s production company, Margin Films, retain the media ownership of “Mystery Brothers,” should an adaptation be sought. “Mystery Brothers” is set to debut at San Diego Comic-Con 2022 with an exclusive edition.
– Scott Snyder took to Twitter to reveal that the writers’ room for the upcoming Amazon Prime adaptation of “Wytches” will be starting work this week. Snyder himself is a member of the writing team for the series, whilst “Wytches” co-creator and artist, Jock, will be supporting the design team. The series had initially been set for a film adaptation with production company Plan B, but Snyder revealed earlier this year that Plan B had partnered with Amazon Prime Video for a series instead, while adding that James Tynion IV will also be a writer on the adaptation. With Snyder having such a busy schedule, he detailed that his assistant, Tyler Jennes, will be in control of his Twitter account for the foreseeable future. The “Wytches” adaptation does not currently have a release schedule.
– Paramount+ released a new trailer for the upcoming animated film, Rumble, as well as a new release date and platform for the long-delayed feature. Having been subject to multiple theatrical release date changes, the film is now set to debut exclusively via Paramount+ on December 15. Based on Rob Harrell’s “Monster on the Hill,” Rumble takes place in Stoker, a city that was the birthplace of monster wrestling, but which has fallen on hard times. Teenage human Winnie (Geraldine Viswanathan) believes a monster who “might not look like much,” called Steve (Will Arnett), is the answer to saving the city. Although her endeavor is perceived as futile, Winnie’s plan truly begins to take shape when she discover’s Steve’s love for dance.
– Finally, Stephen Sondheim, the giant of musical theater, died at the age of 91. Sondheim’s career was prolific; it began with his work as a lyricist for West Side Story in 1957, before he went on to write the music and lyrics for musicals such as Company in 1970, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street in 1979, and Into the Woods in 1987. Sondheim’s work was recognized by multiple different awards bodies, and he received eight Tony Awards, eight Grammy Awards, and an Academy Award (for Dick Tracy), among others. His legacy endures beyond the stage, through references across popular culture as well as continued film adaptations of his work, such as the soon-to-be-released West Side Story. Sondheim is survived by his husband, Jeffrey Romley, and his half-brother Walter.
