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, DC announced a solo “Joker” comic by James Tynion IV and Guillem March, as well as a “Crime Syndicate” miniseries. We also have an exclusive preview of “Girlsplaining: A (Sorta) Memoir,” and continued our Festival of Lightsabers giveaways and Year in Review.
'The Provider,' 'Monsters in My Life'
– Bad Idea announced back-up strips, or “B-Sides,” in its upcoming titles. These include superhero story ‘Save Now’ (by Matt Kindt, Tomas Giorello, and Diego Rodriguez) in “ENIAC” #1; detective parody ‘Hank Howard, Pizza Detective’ by Robert Venditti, David Lapham, and Jose Villarrubia; creepy comedy ‘Monsters in My Life’ by Peter Milligan and Sarah Burrini; and caveman tale ‘The Provider’ by Sean Ryan, Khari Evans, and Andrew Dalhouse. Kindt and Lapham’s ‘The Hero Trade‘ will also be reprinted in “ENIAC” #3.
– “Long Lost” creators Matthew Erman and Lisa Sterle will reunite at Vault Comics for “Witchblood,” due out from March 31. The comic tells the story of Yonna, a 1000-year-old witch traveling around the Southwest States, whose coven is being hunted by a gang of biker vampires seeking the source of their magic: witchblood. For more from the creators and the artwork, head to The Hollywood Reporter.
– “Spider-Man & Venom: Double Trouble” creators Mariko Tamaki and Gurihiru will also reteam at Marvel for a spiritual sequel, “Thor & Loki: Double Trouble.” The comedic four-part mini will start in March, and begin with Loki daring Thor to steal a powerful relic from Odin’s vault.
– Drawn and Quarterly will publish “Secret Life” by Theo Ellsworth, a graphic novel based on the story of the same name by author Jeff VanderMeer (Annihilation). The book takes place entirely in The Building, “an office building wherein several factions vie for dominance. Inside, the walls are infiltrated with vines, a mischief of mice learn to speak English, and something eerie happens once a month on the fifth floor.” It will be published in Fall 2021.
– Rob Liefeld is heading to Archie Comics for an edgy four-issue reimagining of “Mighty Crusaders.” According to The Hollywood Reporter, the new take is inspired by political thrillers like Three Days of the Condor and Enemy of the State, with Liefeld explaining, “You have to say, ‘Here’s why you haven’t heard of this character’ and ‘here’s why this character went on the lamb.’ Now the truth of this character is coming out and the cast of characters around him have to deal with this truth and ultimately decide what side of justice are they going to stand on.” The comic will debut sometimes in 2021; for a larger art preview, visit Deadline.
– Dark Horse announced “Critical Role: The Tales of Exandria,” a bimonthly miniseries centering on Leylas Kryn, the Bright Queen of the Kryn Dynasty, and her partner Quana. The four-issue series, written by the podcast’s Dungeon Master Matthew Mercer, and Darcy Van Poelgeest, with art by “CoupleofCooks,” will begin on March 17, 2021.
– Per The Beat, Scholastic have acquired the rights to the Tapas webcomic “Magic Boy,” including print editions, audiobooks, novels, and eBooks. They will publish a trade containing the first 30 issues in Fall 2021. “Magical Boy,” which was created by Vincent Kao, tells the story of Max, a transgender boy who is not only struggling to come out to his parents, but the inherited family responsibility of being a “magical girl” hero. The news comes shortly after the comic was reportedly optioned for TV.
– Per Variety, Greenwich Entertainment has acquired the North American distribution rights to Days of the Bagnold Summer, the British comedy film based on Joff Winterhart’s graphic novel of the same name. The film will be released in theaters and on demand on February 19, 2021. You can read our review of the film here.
– Entertainment Weekly states Merrin Dungey (Alias) and Brianna Hildebrand (Deadpool) have been cast in the sixth and final season of Lucifer. Dungey will play Sonya, a cop, while Hildebrand will play Rory, a rebel angel trying to follow in Lucifer’s footsteps. Season 6 of Lucifer is currently in production; part 2 of season 5 will be released on Netflix sometime in the near future.
– Finally, Marvel announced Marvel Studios: Legends, a Disney+ series that “will showcase individual characters viewers have come to know and love over the years, and revisit some of their most iconic moments.” The first two episodes will respectively recap Wanda Maximoff and Vision’s storylines in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and be released on January 8, 2021, one week before WandaVision premieres.
