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.
§ Via Instagram, Pornsak Pichetshote revealed Absolute Green Arrow has been extended from six to 12 issues. The series, created with Rafael Albuquerque, reimagines Green Arrow as a masked serial killer hunting billionaires, and Dinah Lance/Black Canary as a bodyguard on his trail. Pichetshote says, “Thanks to all the amazing readers and fans who’ve embraced this book in a way I could have never have guessed. It means more than you know. Much more to come from here…” Issue #3 of the series is available now.
§ Via Daily Dead, Oni revealed Artists from the Abyss, a new series of EC Comics specials spotlighting different artists, starting with Charlie Adlard. The book, simply titled Artists from the Abyss: Charlie Adlard, will be released on November 11, and feature The Walking Dead artist’s stories for Oni’s EC books so far, as well as a new story written by Chris Condon. Subsequent specials, releasing from December to February, will celebrate David Lapham, Sami Kivelä, and Leomacs.
§ Image will rerelease Tim Seeley and Stephen Molnar‘s Vertigo series Imaginary Fiends in trade paperback this fall. The horror crime book, originally released in 2018, follows a young woman, who’s forced by the FBI to team up with the entity that drove her to insanity as a child, to help hunt down other “interdimensional mental parasites”. The new edition will arrive in comics stores on September 30, and bookstores on October 27.
§ Via IGN, actor Danny Trejo will make his comic book debut with Year of the Devil. Created with director Keith Arem (Call of Duty), writer Chris Yates (Marcus Walker: Kingslayer Protocol), and artist Frank Mazzoli (Rebel Moon: Nemesis), the book features Trejo’s likeness as Diego, “an immortal warrior cursed to battle the Devil and the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse across the centuries, in a desperate fight to save the woman he loves and prevent humanity’s extinction.” The book will begin crowdfunding on BackerKit on September 29.
§ Insomniac Games dropped a pre-rendered, cinematic trailer for Wolverine, revealing Lady Deathstrike is one of the main antagonists of the game. The violent action title will be the subject of a panel at San Diego Comic-Con on Thursday, July 23, ahead of its (physical and digital) release on PlayStation 5 on Tuesday, September 15.
§ Anime News Network shares Sony is making the Crunchyroll Store exclusive to Mega and Ultimate subscribers from August. The tiers, which were raised in February, respectively cost $13.99, and $17.99 a month. GameSpot and GamesRadar both characterize the move as another attack from Sony on selling Blu-rays, following their decision to stop manufacturing disks for PlayStation games in 2028. The move also comes after the Crunchyroll streaming service ceased free ad-based viewing on on December 31.
§ Variety reports Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender will be released in theaters after all, but only for a limited run from Friday, July 24 to Thursday, July 30, at the AMC Burbank Town Center 6 in Los Angeles, and the AMC Empire 25 in Manhattan. The animated film continuation of the classic series was originally intended for a wide release before being pulled by Paramount, who’ll release it on their streaming service on July 25. The limited theatrical release will help Aang qualify for film awards like the Oscars next year. Tickets are on sale now.
§ The nominations for the sixth annual Critics Choice Super Awards, honoring the best genre media, were announced. Superman got six, including Best Superhero Movie, while The Boys earned five, including two for Antony Starr. Masters of the Universe and The Fantastic Four: First Steps got four each; Gen V, Spider-Noir, and Peacemaker all earned three; and Supergirl, Wednesday, Wonder Man, and Daredevil: Born Again received two each. For the full list, head to the link. The winners will be announced on Thursday, August 6.
§ Finally, Magdalene Visaggio wrote a searing essay for trans new site Assigned Media in the wake of the death of senator Lindsey Graham, discussing how years of abuse from bigots has hardened the heart of the one-time seminarian. Titled “I Am Not Sorry Lindsey Graham is Dead,” the article discusses how people like Graham have now left her with hate in her heart, despite years of learning to be forgiving like Jesus Christ, and how it disturbs her. The essay dropped amid Visaggio, who is struggling financially, offering to coach newcomers, providing script reviews and more at rates of $150-$300. Alternatively, you can support her via her Venmo (magdalene-visaggio) or Cash App.
