The Rundown: Support the Norm Freyfogle Fundraiser, “The Walking Dead” Companion Series Casts Its Female Lead, and more

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 either david@multiversitycomics.com or brian@multiversitycomics.com.

– Because the comic book industry is a very kind one when it wants to be, fundraising efforts to support artist Norm Breyfogle’s medical needs are kicking ass but they need more help. If you can, support the cause and help a person in need, especially considering the stroke he suffered has left him paralyzed on the left side of his body, which as a left-handed artist obviously harms his ability to make a living and to live his life. Very sad, but make his and his families lives that much brighter by supporting if you can.

– “The Walking Dead” has a companion series coming that we know is a) set in Los Angeles, b) stars Cliff Curtis as its male lead and c) will likely have enormous ratings, and now, we know its female lead: Kim Dickens. She’s an actress you might know from “Gone Girl” and “Deadwood”, and she’s set to play a guidance counselor that works with and is in a relationship with Curtis’ character, who plays a divorced teacher. Also discovered from the source article: they have codenamed the project COBALT, which makes it seem like a James Bond film.

– “Hawkeye” #21 gets a preview after a very, very long time, and by god, does it look glorious. Feast your eyes on this sweet, sweet beauty.

– This series of tweets Robot 6 collected from Jason Latour and other creators about dealing with physical, mental and emotional exhaustion when working as a comic artist is a must read, especially for aspiring creators.

– This Robot Chicken-esque Marvel Holiday Spectacular that stars Thanos as Santa Claus is weird as all hell, but entertaining if you’re looking for something on YouTube way better than that horrible Marvel vs. DC mash-up.

– John Campbell, a comic creator who we have…talked about in the past, made some comics for “Birdman” that are about its star Michael Keaton, and they are batshit crazy but also kind of hilarious?

– Wes Craig shared some roughs from a project he’s working on, which may be a future “Blackhand Comics” story or might not be. Whatever it is, more Wes Craig the merrier.