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 [email protected].
In case you missed it, DC announced an ongoing “Blue Beetle” series from the creative team behind the “Graduation Day” miniseries.
– Image Comics will release “Bad Karma” in print this November. The action comedy, written by Alex de Campi with art by Ryan Howe and colorist Dee Cunniffe, was originally released digitally on Panel Syndicate, and follows two army veterans as they rescue an innocent colleague on death row for a crime they committed. “Turns out nobody’s interested in Aaron’s innocence, but someone is very interested in making sure Sully and Ethan don’t live to see the New Year. They just didn’t figure on one thing: Ethan’s ex-wife Cheryl.” The comic will be released in its entirety as a 312-page hardcover in comic book stores on November 1, and bookstores November 7.
– Dark Horse and Stan Sakai’s Dogu Publishing imprint announced “Oni Ronin,” an original graphic novel written by newcomers Mack Flavelle and Kohei Naganime, with art by Tatsubi. Set during Japan’s Sengoku (“Warring States”) period in the 15th and 16th centuries, the book tells “the redemption story of the cowardly Sarobei, a samurai messenger who meets feudal lords, brave warriors, and heroic ghosts on his journey of self-discovery.” It will be released in bookstores on November 28, and comics shops the following day. The book also features “creative assistance” from Maldoror, Manabu Seko, and Keojimal.
– Via Substack, Joshua Williamson announced that, thanks to fan demand, his new “Green Arrow” series with artist Sean Izaakse has been extended from six to 12 issues. “Thank you for supporting this book and making your voices heard, because I know I’ve got plenty more stories to tell with this ragtag bunch of archers,” he said. The first issue of Oliver Queen’s new self-titled comic — his first since 2019 — is on sale now.
– Warner Bros. released the second trailer for The Flash movie, giving us more of Michael Keaton and Ben Affleck’s versions of Batman, as well as Sasha Calle’s Supergirl, Michael Shannon’s General Zod, Ron Livingston and Maribel Verdú as Barry Allen’s parents, and the Batwing. The film will be released in theaters on June 16, shortly after the series finale of the CW series.
– Netflix dropped the teaser trailer for The Witcher season three, revealing the next eight episodes will be split into two volumes, releasing June 29, and July 27. The season, based on the second novel in the saga, Time of Contempt, will mark Henry Cavill’s final appearance as the titular monster slayer Geralt of Rivia, with the role having been recast with Liam Hemsworth for season four.
– In further Netflix news, the streaming service revealed the Nimona movie, starring Chloë Grace Moretz, Riz Ahmed, and Eugene Lee Yang, will also feature the voices of Frances Conroy, Lorraine Toussaint, RuPaul, and Indya Moore, plus Saturday Night Live veterans Beck Bennett, Julio Torres, and Sarah Sherman. The animated film, based on N.D. Stevenson’s graphic novel, will be released sometime this summer.
– Jamila Rowser and Robyn Smith’s “Wash Day Diaries” won the 2022 Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Best Graphic Novel/Comics last week. Published by Chronicle Books, the young adult OGN follows the lives and hair routines of four young Black women in the Bronx. Rowser and Smith are believed to be the first Black women to win (as well as be nominated in) the category. Alex Segura also won the Prize for Best Mystery/Thriller for his novel Secret Identity, which is set in the comic book industry in 1975, and has a spin-off comic planned for next year. You can check out all the winners and nominees here, and read a transcript of the acceptance speeches here.
– Finally, via The Hollywood Reporter, NBCUniversal have partnered with Nigerian publisher Comic Republic to develop TV series based on their Vanguards Universe. “The Vanguards Universe revolves around what happens when members of the first race — humanity’s self-proclaimed gods — reunite to punish the people of Lagos for the sins of the Guardian. Those who have decided to be heroes and protectors are forced to become humankind’s first line of defense, to serve and to protect, to be Vanguards.” The deal gives NBCU access to 14 potential superhero headliners. Selwyn Seyfu Hinds (Hulu’s upcoming miniseries Washington Black) will oversee development of the projects at his production company Mad Massive Entertainment.
