News Roundup – July 28, 2012

Shawn got the News posted late last night. I did move it back into it’s natural time slot. You will have to forgive his tardiness, he’s on vacation too! And with the exception of a horrific tragedy the comic book news has been very light as of late. Even with the San Diego Comic Con a few weeks back. Hopefully we will have more Marvel Now updates soon. I am very curious. – Rusty

Before we begin I have not, nor will I be writing about the shootings in Aurora. It was a horrific thing to have happen, and I do not want to give the shooter even more press. Instead let’s begin by noting that The Dark Knight Rises composer Hans Zimmer wrote a composition about Aurora that anyone can download by donating to the victims. If you can, please help.

Grant Morrison is slated to jump off Action Comics and Batman, Inc next year. Morrison is expected to concentrate on more creator-owned books, but that does not mean he might not work on more DC stuff at some point. Now Batman, Inc was only ever supposed to be a twelve issues maxi-series, but DC could keep it around with a new creative team. (I don’t think they should. This is Morrison’s baby.) I am already curious who will end up on Action Comics. Let the speculation begin!

Speaking of creators leaving the DCU behind for more creator-owned work, Rob Liefeld tweeted that he would not be far behind Morrison. Fans not happy with Deathstroke, Hawkman, or Grifter will breathe a sigh of relief.

Batman, Inc #3 was delayed by DC Comics for containing content that might be considered insensitive given the recent shootings in Aurora. I appreciate DC being considerate.

Bleeding Cool is revealing that Esad Ribic will be illustrating the Thor relaunch. It is not know who the writer on the new series will be. I think Ribic is a very good fit for the book.

Shadowman will return in November from Valiant comics. Archer and Armstrong has sold out of its print run and X-O Manowar #1 is going to a fourth printing. All is going well for Valiant’s return!

Dan Didio stated recently that DC would have its first big crossover event sometime in late 2013, probably September, and will hopefully clarify and reinforce continuity. If you think about it this means that DC will not have a major crossover in their line for two years. I am pretty happy with that. I am also hoping that over the next year DC52 offers shorter, more exciting stories. Many DC52 titles took a year to tell one long story, and though many were good, they did seem to take forever.

Although Marvel’s TV adaptation of the comic Alias was not picked up, and the proposed Incredible Hulk TV series has yet to be given the greenlight, they are currently hard at work on an original TV series set in the Marvel Movie Universe. No word on what it might be about, but supposedly there are a number of high-concept ideas on the table. I’m hoping for Journey Into Mystery starring Little Loki. I also think it would be the perfect vehicle for Daredevil if and when the rights revert back from Fox.

-SJD