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.
Draft of the cover for That One Matt Bors Comic
§ NPR correspondent Glenn Fleishman will crowdfund That One Matt Bors Comic, a book about the infamous final panel of Bors’s “Mister Gotcha.” The comic, published on The Nib in 2016, features a smug man telling a Medieval peasant who thinks society should be improved somewhat, “Yet you participate in society. Curious! I am very intelligent.” Along with Bors, contributors will include Ryan North, Anna Merlan, Box Brown, Laura Hudson, Parker Molloy, Greg Pak, K.C. Green, Mattie Lubchansky, James Kochalka, Tom Tomorrow, and Ben Passmore. You can sign up to the Kickstarter page here.
§ Avery Hill announced last week that co-founder and co-publisher Dave White has stepped away, after 14 years at the company. Co-founder Ricky Miller is staying on as the sole publisher. “Having seen Avery Hill through an incredible first decade and a half, the time is right for me to step away,” White said in a press release. “I’ve loved having the opportunity to support and champion the amazing creators I’ve worked with, as well as building long lasting relationships across the UK comics community, and I know [my colleagues] will continue to bring UK graphic novels to new heights in the years going forward.”
§ Sony and Prime Video released “Saving Grace,” a single for Spider-Noir by KIRBY (Kirby Lauryen). KIRBY previously performed music for the Prime series Swarm. Spider-Noir will premiere on MGM+ on Monday, May 25, before releasing in its entirety on Prime Video two days later, and be available in color and black-and-white.
Speaking of Prime, Amazon revealed during their upfront that Nia DaCosta (The Marvels, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple) will direct the first two episodes of Sex Criminals. The news comes shortly after it was confirmed Imogen Poots and John Reynolds will star on the comedy series, based on Matt Fraction and Chip Zdarsky‘s raunchy comic. For more from the event, including The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season three‘s premiere date (Wednesday, November 11), head here.
Superboy in My Adventures with Superman, courtesy of Collider
§ Via Collider, Adult Swim revealed Darren Criss will be voicing Superboy/Connor Kent on My Adventures with Superman season three. Criss, a Tony Award-winning actor probably best-known for Glee, previously voiced the Man of Steel himself in 2020’s animated Man of Tomorrow movie, and its follow-ups until 2024. My Adventures with Superman season three will premiere on Saturday, June 13 at midnight ET/PT (effectively the next day).
In other DC news, Deadline reports Greg Mottola (Confess, Fletch, Superbad) is the frontrunner to direct the planned Bane and Deathstroke movie. Mottola previously directed episodes 2-3 of Peacemaker season two for DC Studios. Meanwhile, The Hollywood Reporter states Sinqua Walls (Friday Night Lights) has joined the cast of the live-action Man of Tomorrow. Like the recently cast Matthew Lillard, his role in the July 9, 2027 release is undisclosed.
§ Finally, Deadline also shares a sequel to Popeye The Slayer Man has begun filming, with Daniel Baldwin joining the cast as the town mayor, and Avaryana Rose (The Caretaker) as his daughter. Director Robert Michael Ryan and screenwriter John Doolan will return for the film, which will continue the slasher take on E.C. Segar‘s iconic Sailor Man. The first Slayer Man, which was released last year, was one of three horror films to take advantage of the character entering the public domain in 2025.
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