Nominees announced for the 2023 Russ Manning Most Promising Newcomer Award

Annual award for the ‘Most Promising Newcomer’ comic artist will be presented during the Eisner Awards in July at Comic-Con International.

Comic-Con International has announced the nominees for the 2023 Russ Manning Most Promising Newcomer Award, named for the creator of Magnus, Robot Fighter and illustrator of the Tarzan and Star Wars comic strips.

Presented almost annually since 1982, the award recognizes an artist who, early in their career, “shows a superior knowledge and ability in the art of creating comics.” The awards took a break during the pandemic, but returned last year when Luana Vecchio received the award.

Previous winners include Dave Stevens, Eleanor Davis, Jeff Smith, Marion Churchland, David Petersen, Tyler Crook, Dan Mora, Lorena Alvarez and Nate Simpson.

The nominees are:

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Rafael Grampá celebrates Batman Day with ‘Batman: Gargoyle of Gotham’

The Black Label miniseries will follow a Batman who gives up being Bruce Wayne.

Mesmo Delivery creator and Dark Knight Returns: The Golden Child artist Rafael Grampá will return to Gotham this fall for Batman: Gargoyle of Gotham, a Black Label miniseries that will arrive just in time for Batman Day on Sept. 16.

In the miniseries, Batman will decide to “kill off” his Bruce Wayne identity and dedicate his life to fighting crime as Batman. Mat Lopes joins him on colors.

“When his origin was introduced in Batman #1 in the 1940s, Bruce Wayne swore revenge by the spirits of his murdered parents and—driven by his belief in an omen—became Batman,” said Grampá. “For me, this subtle aspect of Bruce’s belief system has always been the fundamental core of Batman, and through that lens I recognized this untold story. Batman: Gargoyle of Gotham explores ‘who he is and why he came to be.’ It makes my dream of bringing my own interpretation of Batman to life a reality as I delve into the darkest corners of his essence. I sincerely hope readers enjoy the ride.”

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Marz + Lim ride the spaceways again in ‘Silver Surfer Rebirth: Legacy’

The miniseries will kick off in September.

Ron Marz and Ron Lim will team up once again on a Silver Surfer story set during their run on the title in the early 1990s. Silver Surfer Rebirth: Legacy will feature the former herald of Galactus teaming up with Legacy, aka Genis-Vell, the son of the original Captain Marvel.

The miniseries will feature the duo going on a “quest across time” that will also feature Thanos, Galactus and the Infinity Watch.

“I can’t say no to Silver Surfer, and I can’t say no to Ron Lim, so here we go again,” Marz said. “Playing in Marvel’s cosmic playground with Ron was how my career started, and I think I speak for both of us when I say this is right where we want to be. It just fits. This new series gives us a chance to build on the stories we’ve been telling, and tie them together into a bigger arc with Surfer at the center. We’re having a blast, so hopefully readers will too.”

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Skybound ‘stealth launches’ a new Transformers/G.I. Joe universe

‘Void Rivals,’ which arrived in stores today, also kicked off the Energon Universe, which will feature both Hasbro properties.

If you’ve read the new Skybound title Void Rivals today, then you know it’s actually part of a bigger Energon Universe launch — a universe that includes both G.I. Joe and Transformers.

Last seen in comics in 2022 as IDW wrapped up their work on both properties, early rumors and speculation mentioned Skybound as a potential new home. Now, through a license with Hasbro, Skybound has launched them in a way that only the company who once put out fake solicitations to keep the ending of The Walking Dead a secret could — as a surprise. Surprise!

“It’s a tremendous honor to be able to reintroduce this world to a new audience under the Skybound banner,” said Kirkman. “I’ve loved these characters for most of my life and to have the opportunity to add to the already rich tapestry Hasbro has built with the all-new Void Rivals is an unbelievable opportunity. If you look at everything done with Transformers and G.I. Joe, you can see the inkling of a vast universe with tremendous potential for crossovers and interaction that will enhance the fan experience while staying true to the individual identities of both concepts. I look forward to exploring that potential for years to come.” 

In addition to Void Rivals, Skybound has plans for three additional titles, including a Transformers title written and drawn by Daniel Warren Johnson of Do A Powerbomb and Beta Ray Bill fame.

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Rest in Peace, John Romita Sr.

The iconic artist of ‘Amazing Spider-Man’ and art director for Marvel passed away at the age of 93.

John Romita Sr., one of the greatest Spider-Man artists of all time and the amn who defined the look of many Marvel characters across several decades, has passed away, his son reported on social media. He was 93 years old.

“He was the greatest man I ever met,” John Romita Jr. said on Twitter. He said his father passed away “peacefully in his sleep.”

While Romita’s career started in the late 1940s with runs at Timely and then DC, where he drew romance comics in the late 1950s and 1960s, he’s best known for his long tenure at Marvel. He joined the company in 1965 to draw Daredevil, but soon replaced the departing Steve Ditko on Amazing Spider-Man, the character he’d most be associated with.

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