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.
§ Marvel shared Indiana Jones and the Sword of Pandemonium, the new comics series by Jason Aaron and Aaron Kuder, will now launch in February instead of December. In the meantime, there will be five variant covers, featuring Indy with Marvel artifacts like the Infinity Gauntlet, Doctor Doom’s mask, and Mjolnir. The covers, attached to November’s X-Men #41, Fantastic Four #19, Amazing Spider-Man #1004, Mortal Thor #803, and Venom #2, were respectively created by Carmen Carnero, Marco Checchetto, Sara Pichelli, Mahmud Asrar, and Iban Coello. They will arrive after the reprints of the original Marvel Indiana Jones run, out September 30.
§ Speaking of George Lucas characters, Swiss publisher Taschen will release a lavish two-volume book for the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, simply titled Lucas Museum of Narrative Art. The $200 release, edited by Jessica Hundley, features commentary on the museum’s collection from Lucas, and Guillermo del Toro, as well as an introduction by curator Ryan Linkof. It will be available in October, shortly after the museum (located in Los Angeles) opens on Wednesday, September 22. You can take a look at its exterior and interiors at the link. More compact and smaller editions will also be available from the museum.
A truck carrying our comics was in an accident. No one was hurt, but the comics.🌲 1📚 0Bad news: These titles will not arrive for OSD: #EventHorizonInferno 5, #SonicxGodzilla 2, #StarTrek60th Anniversary, & #TMNTJourneys 13.Good news: They’re in stores 9/9. Thanks for your patience.
§shipment of comics crashed after hitting a tree. Thankfully, no one was hurt, but it means the following have been delayed until September 9: Event Horizon: Inferno #5, Sonic the Hedgehog x Godzilla #2, the Star Trek 60th Anniversary Special, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Journeys #13. The accident means the Trek special will actually arrive the day after the franchise’s anniversary, on Tuesday, September 8
§ In an interview with ComicsOnline, Gargoyles creator Greg Weisman has confirmed the live-action reboot that was in the works for Disney+ is no longer moving forward, saying “that’s dead. I have no idea about [an animated revival], but there are no current plans for live-action.” The reboot, which Weisman was reportedly not directly involved with, began development in 2023, with Gary Dauberman (Swamp Thing) attached as showrunner. In any case, the first issue of Dynamite’s latest Gargoyles comic, which is a canonical continuation of the cartoon written by Weisman, is available now.
§ In more Disney news, the Mouse, the NFL, Champion sportswear, and Fanatics have launched a line of apparel, pairing various characters with NFL teams. It is available from the Disney Store, Fanatics, the NFL Shop, and select Lids locations while stocks last. Pairings include Captain America & the New England Patriots, Thor & the Minnesota Vikings, Doctor Doom & the Philadelphia Eagles, and Thanos & the Tennessee Titans. You can check out Disney’s thinking behind these choices on the official Parks Blog.
§ Actor Michael Wrightdied of heart failure on Wednesday, August 19. He was 70 years old. Best-known for his roles on V, Oz, and in The Five Heartbeats, Wright also portrayed Black Mask in 2003’s video game Batman: Dark Tomorrow, and Lazarus Prime on Black Lightning. The actor had also been battling a rare degenerative neurological condition he was diagnosed with in 2015. He is survived by his wife Susan, their children, and grandchildren.
§ Finally, actress and singer Shelley Fabaresdied on Saturday, August 22, after becoming ill with pneumonia. She was 82. Fabares voiced Martha Kent on Superman: The Animated Series and Justice League, as well as in the non-canon 2006 DTV release Superman: Brainiac Attacks (which marked her final acting role). Other work included The Donna Reed Show, The Brian Keith Show, One Day at a Time, Fantasy Island, Coach, and The Incredible Hulk series. She is survived by her second husband, and fellow actor Mike Farrell, and two stepchildren.
