Welcome back to The Beat Digest, a twice-weekly round-up of the biggest comics-related news stories we’ve missed every Tuesday and Friday. Is there a story out there you think we should cover? Be sure to let us know in the comments.
§ BOOM! Studios will release The Life and Death of Lucas Dreamwalker, a one-shot collecting R.L. Stine and Francesco Francavilla‘s story from the horror anthology Hello Darkness. The pulpy, noir-inspired comic, which was originally serialized in three parts last year, asks the question, “How many times can you be killed in a dream before you die?” It’s a mystery the title character must solve “as the mystery of [his] third [and likely final] death is foretold.” It will arrive in stores on May 27, shortly after the release of issue #21 of the main series on May 13.
§ Maverick, Mad Cave’s YA imprint, announced Penelope’s Escape from the Platypusary, a talking animal tale based loosely on real events, by writer Arianna Irwin (Mean Girls: Senior Year), and artist Prenzy (On the Stump, Flawed). Set in 1957, the graphic novel follows the platypus Penelope, who escaped the Bronx Zoo after repeated attempts by her captors to have her breed with her intended mate Cecil. In the press release, Irwin says that when she learned of Penelope’s story, she “was instantly captivated by this fearless 1950s platypus who refused to accept her fate.” It will be released on June 9.
§ Variety reports Bryan Hill‘s directorial debut Archangel will be released in the fourth quarter of 2026. The supernatural thriller, which stars Conor Leslie (whom Hill previously worked with on Titans), follows an organization researching the afterlife, that finds itself “targeted by an ancient entity trying to prevent [us] from understanding the supernatural.” The film will be released alongside its source material, a graphic novel also written by Hill. It is now being sold to distributors at the Berlin International Film Festival, which began yesterday, February 12.
§ Deadline revealed HarperCollins have formed a deal with Viva Pictures Distribution and the UK’s Cantilever Media for three animated films based on their titles, including Ken Lamug‘s children’s graphic novel series Mischief and Mayhem. The books, which began in 2021, revolve around the young supervillain Mischief, and her talking cat, Mayhem. It is the first project being developed, with the identity of the other movies’ source material remaining a mystery at the time of writing, although Mischief and Mayhem, they are expected to target a similarly young (and young-at-heart) audience.
§ In addition to Mattel’s acquisition of the toy license, Paramount Skydance revealed a whole host of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles plans, as part of a greater push for the whole franchise. Variety shares these include Teeny Mutant Ninja Turtles, a preschool cartoon that’ll premiere on YouTube later this year; a prose novelization of The Last Ronin by Erik Burnham, due out from Abrams on June 2; and Splinter’s Dojo, an illustrated, middle-grade Scholastic release in September. Plus: TMNT-themed pizzerias in Santa Monica, Monterrey, Mexico, and Sao Paulo, Brazil. Cowabunga indeed.
§ Speaking of the ninja turtles, Collider reports Judith Hoag, who played April O’Neil in the 1990 movie, was approached to reprise the role in the now-shelved Last Ronin film. Hoag, who praised the comic as a “wonderful story,” was at Big Lick Comic-Con in Roanoke when she shared the news. At the time of writing, Paramount is forging ahead with a reboot of the live-action films from Sonic the Hedgehog producer Neal H. Moritz instead, which is currently scheduled for a release on November 17, 2028.
§ Film Music Reporter states Tom Holkenborg (aka Junkie XL) will score the new Supergirl movie, instead of the previously announced Ramin Djawadi. It’s unknown why, although Djawadi doesn’t appear to be busy, with only the horror film 11817 and the third season of Fallout on his current slate of projects. He and director Craig Gillespie previously worked together on the remake of Fright Night. Holkenborg previously scored Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice with Hans Zimmer, and Zack Snyder‘s cut of Justice League. Supergirl releases June 26.
§ Finally, actor Bud Cort died on Wednesday, February 11, following a long illness. He was 77 years old. Best known for 1971’s black comedy Harold and Maude, Cort also voiced the creepy Toyman on the DCAU shows Superman, Static Shock, and Justice League Unlimited. Other work included Batman: The Animated Series, The Mask: Animated Series, the original MAS*H film, Brewster McCloud, Ted & Venus (which he also directed), Heat, Dogma, But I’m a Cheerleader, Coyote Ugly, Pollock, The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou, 2015’s The Little Prince, Arrested Development, and Ugly Betty. He is survived by a brother, and three sisters, as well as six nieces and nephews.
