The Rundown: “The Wolverine” Wins at Box Office, Black Widow’s Role to be Larger in “Avengers 2,” 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 me at david@multiversitycomics.com.

– On one hand, The Wolverine opened to a lower than expected $55 million in the U.S. box office (experts have cited the abundance of blockbuster action flicks this summer overwhelming viewers). On the other hand, it opened to $86.1 internationally, a very healthy number that pushes it past its budget in the first week. That’s even without Japan – presumably its largest potential non U.S. market – opening until September. To me, I hope more give it a chance. This was actually a damn fine movie that really got who Wolverine actually is, and I went in with bargain basement expectations.

– Speaking of Wolverine, check out this infographic all about the character’s history, both as a fictional character and in publishing. Pretty rad little look at the character. Oh, and these posters for The Wolverine street artists enhanced? Totally fucking awesome.

– Joss Whedon sure is talking A LOT about “Avengers 2: Age of Ultron” lately. Now, he’s saying that there is going to be a lot of focus on Black Widow as a character, given that she’s a spy while the rest are heroes. She can do things that others can’t, and me? I’m all about that angle. Who is looking forward to more Natasha in the next movie?

– Could the already announced Amazing Spider-Man 4 be NOT a Spider-Man movie? That’s what Marc Webb wants you to believe, as he seems to think by that point, the Spidey universe could have evolved by then. Of course, that’s pretty easy to say now, as it’s pretty damn early to start pitching ideas for the fourth movie in a series that hasn’t even released its second yet.

– File this one under had to happen: John Williams is returning to score Star Wars Episode VII.

– Sam Daly is joining the vaunted ranks of people who have portrayed Superman, and now, he’s been introduced to the league of Supermen in the latest Daly Supermen. Guest starring Dean Cain and Brandon Routh, we recommend checking this video out.

– Michigan State University is going to have a superhero themed Homecoming, and it will feature Grand Marshal (and alumnus) Geoff Johns. I find this tremendously entertaining and think it is totally awesome for Johns.

– This comic from Boulet about pretending to be a girl web comicker and his treatment in the comments is both eye opening and flat out awesome. Boulet is totally rad, and this is a great example of that. Also, Felicia Day.

– Artist Scott Campbell is doing a picture book with Bob Dylan, and it looks wonderful.