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, First Second Books announced “Intercats,” Marvel revealed their new “Cable” series by Gerry Duggan and Phil Noto, and IDW Publishing put out a solicitation for “Judge Dredd: False Witness.”
– Marvel Comics have issued a new cover and redesign for Spider-Woman in anticipation of her new solo series coming this February. The issue was initially solicited with a cover featuring Spider-Woman’s classic costume, the new design, courtesy of Dave Johnson, will now be appearing instead. Kris Anka previously redesigned Spider-Woman’s costume in the aftermath of the original “Spider-Verse.”
– The Free Comic Book Day 2020 Gold Sponsor Comics were announced. The twelve comics are: “Archie: Blue Ribbon Presents,” “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Ranger Slayer Preview,” “Critical Role/Norse Mythology Preview,” “Investigators: Take The Plunge Sneak Peek,” “My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic Fcbd 2020,” “Fire Power” #1, “Only A Matter Of Space-time,” “Jack Kirby: The Epic Life Of The King Of Comics,” “Valiant 2020: The Year Of Heroes FCBD Special,” and “The Legend Zelda: Twilight Princess/Splatoon: Squid Kids Comedy Show Preview.” DC will also have an as-of-yet untitled FCBD special and Marvel will have a FCBD X-Men comic that will lead into its next big event. Next year’s Free Comic Book Day will happen on May 2.
– Famous comic strip “The Far Side” is going digital as it becomes officially available online for the first time ever. Since it first debuted on December 31st, 1979, the series has been published in over 2000 newspapers, 40 million books, 77 million calendars and 17 languages. The site will include themed comic collections once a week, sketches by creator Gary Larson, a daily assortment of cartoons and new, never-before-seen art by Larson. You can find this all at TheFarSide.com.
– Publisher’s Weekly just released their annual Graphic Novel Critic’s Poll, with George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott and Harmony Becker’s “They Called Us Enemy” taking first place, with 5/13 votes. “The Hard Tomorrow,” “Good Talk,” “Rusty Brown” and “Clyde Fans” came in equal second, and “Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me,” “Rat Time,” “Grease Bats,” “BTTM FDRS” and “Hot Comb” came in equal third. Past Winners include 2018’s “All The Answers” by Michael Kupperman and 2017’s “My Favorite Thing Is Monsters” by Emil Farris. “Moving and even occasionally funny, Takei’s story is a dismal reminder of what’s happening on the American southern border today, in a classic American tale of heroic immigrant determination in the face of American bigotry,” said Publishers Weekly‘s senior news editor, Calvin Reid, on “They Called Us Enemy.”
– Similarly, Broken Frontier have opened up nominations for their annual Broken Frontier Awards. There are fifteen award categories with five nominees in each. The results of each category are decided based on a popular vote and staff preferences. This will be the competition’s sixteenth year. Nominees for Best Writer are Al Ewing, Jeff Lemire, Marjorie Liu, Mark Russell and Ram V. Nominees for Best Artist are Aimée de Jongh, Lorena Alvarez, Luke Pearson, Molly Mendoza and Tillie Walden. Nominees for Best Ongoing Series are “Immortal Hulk,” “Minor Leagues,” “Now,” “š!” and “Seven Stories.” Make sure to cast a vote.
– The New York Public Library has added two Marvel books to its annual list of “Best Books for Teens” this year Marvel: Powers of a Girl by Lorraine Cink and Alice X. Zhang, and “Ironheart” Vol. 1 by Eve L. Ewing, Luciano Vecchio and Kevin Libranda made the list. Both books are spearheading the growing representation of female heroes in comics, with NYPL calling Marvel: Powers of a Girl “a timeless tribute to the women of the Marvel Universe packed full of gorgeous illustrations.” You can see the full list here.
– Rapper 50 Cent will be enlisting the help of Quibi and Lionsgate to put together an anime adaptation of Anthony Piper’s graphic novel “Trill League.” The graphic novel followed a team of black super heroes, heavily inspired by anime and hip-hop art and culture. The official synopsis for the series reads, “In an era of social injustice and internet trolls, a league of black superheroes, Trill League is tasked with saving the world from monsters, super villains and haters of all kinds. Get ready for this remixed rendition of your favorite superheroes as the series satirizes modern American society.” The series will launch on the upcoming streaming service Quibi, which debuts April 6, 2020.
