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.
– In what can only be described as great news, the husband and wife team of Matt Fraction and Kelly Sue DeConnick have signed a two year deal with Universal TV to adapt their own comic projects, create new TV ones, and help other creators bring their work to the small screen. Milkfed Criminal Masterminds, as their production company will be known, will start with adapting “Sex Criminals,” Fraction’s book with Chip Zdarsky, which will certainly be the best time freezing show since Saved by the Bell.
– Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has hinted that the timeline for Shazam might be moved up. He told MTV: “It may happen a little earlier than what has been predicted. The script is coming in, it’s great. Support from the studio has been great.” Perhaps he is just thinking wishfully, but we’ve seen DC/Warners push production on a number of their films earlier than would be expected with their given release dates, so maybe the film shoots early, but has extra time for post-production. Johnson also notes that a Captain Marvel has still not been cast. Warners, I am very available.
– Speaking of DC, they have hired former editor Ben Abernathy as Director of Talent Relations, a new position that Newsarama describes as being in charge of “pay, scheduling, company news, and art returns as well as oversee the logistics for editorial summits, convention hospitality suites and talent parties.” Abernathy has a stellar reputation in the business, and DC has struggled in the past with their editorial/talent relations, so this is a very wise move on their behalf. Congrats, Ben!
– Another day, another “Secret Wars” tie-in. Today: “Star Lord and Kitty Pryde” from Sam Humphries and Alti Firmansyah, focusing on everyone’s favorite Quill and the “Age of Apocalypse” Kitty.
– And, finally, this ‘commercial‘ for Birdman toys is absolute nostalgic perfection.