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, Cape/Comica/Observer Short Story Prize Winner Edo Brenes joined us to talk about his latest project “Blackberry Cheers”; we got an look at March’s Mignolaverse titles; and we’re looking for your thoughts on thoughts on Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. Also, IDW and Dark Horse announced the crossover “Transformers vs. The Terminator,” and AfterShock Comics announced their Free Comic Book Day offering “Dark Ark: Instinct.”
– Speaking of Free Comic Book Day, the full list of comics for 2020’s Free Comic Book Day is now available online. The annual event, which will take place on Saturday, May 2, 2020 at participating comic shops, will feature an eclectic selection of 47 titles (twelve Gold Sponsor comics and thirty-five Silver Sponsor comics), representing a range of popular and highly anticipated properties. Among the free titles are Robert Kirkman and Chris Samnee’s “Fire Power” #1 from Image; a Gold “X-Men” and a split Silver “Spider-Man/Venom” book from Marvel; two top secret titles from DC; a split title featuring “Critical Role: Vox Machina Origins” and the upcoming adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s “Norse Mythology” from Dark Horse; “Horizon: Zero Dawn” #0 from Titan Comics; “Lumberjanes: Farewell to Summer” from BOOM! Studios; and Vault Comics’s “Brandon Sanderson’s Dark One” #1. You can find a full line-up of comics over at FreeComicBookDay.com.
– Vengeance is coming for Red Sonja in the new limited series “Killing Red Sonja” from Dynamite. According to Newsarama, the “Red Sonja” ongoing’s writer Mark Russell, colorist Dearbhla Kelly and letterer Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou will be joined by co-writer Bryce Ingman and artist Craig Rousseau for the story of Cyrill, the son of a warlord who found his family and birthright gutted by Sonja’s war. Cyrill’s quest for vengeance will comprise a vital piece of Russell’s overall vision for Sonja’s world. “It’s the heartwarming tale of a sweet little boy who dreams of murdering a woman he has never met,” said Ingman. “Killing Red Sonja” #1 will hit the shelves in March 2020.
– Also via Newsarama, Dynamite has announced “Repairman Jack: Scar-Lip Redux,” a 120-page hardcover graphic novel in the long-running horror/thriller series Repairman Jack. The OGN will be written by Jack’s creator F. Paul Wilson, with art from Antonio Fuso, colors by Pippa Bowland, and letters by Crank. “Scar-Lip Redux” will be the first book to come from Wilson and Dynamite’s partnership which was announced at San Diego Comic Con this year, as well as the first Repairman Jack graphic novel from a comic book publisher. The book will find Jack in the fight of his life against Scar-Lip, a deadly Rakosh that seeks to end Jack once and for all. “Repairman Jack: Scar-Lip Redux” is scheduled for release in March 2020.
– The cast of Netflix’s Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is adding some new faces. Via Deadline, three new performers have booked recurring roles on the series ahead of Part 3’s premiere on January 24th. Sam Corlett will play Caliban, the so-called Prince of Hell who challenges Sabrina for control of the Throne of Hell. Skye P. Marshall will portray Mambo Marie, a voodoo priestess with a secret agenda who helps Prudence and Ambrose track down the evil Lord Blackwood. Finally, Jonathan Whitesell will play Robin, a mischievous member of a travelling carnival who develops feelings for Sabrina’s friend Theo.
– Europe Comics, a digital venture run by 13 European comics companies, has announced the English-language launch of the new platform Webtoon Factory. Initially launched in French by Belgian company Dupuis in January 2019, the company is now releasing its English version with 16 series already available in English and new episodes released weekly. Webtoon Factory is available for 3.99€ per month and 35.99€ per year (about $4.44 and $40 respectively). The app is currently available for Android and iOS, and readers can also read on the webapp via webtoonfactory.com.
– The long, tragic saga of the wrongful death lawsuit of The Walking Dead stuntman John Bernecker, who fell to his death on the set of the show in Georgia in July 2017, has come to a close. The jury found that AMC Networks’ entity, TWD 8, and its production company, Stalwart Films, were negligent in Bernecker’s death and awarded $8.6 million to Bernecker’s family. Bernecker’s parents, Susan and Hagen Bernecker, had accused AMC of cutting corners and ignoring its own safety protocols. The damages are expected to be covered by insurance. Variety has the full write-up of the verdict.
