Sandman is heading to Netflix. The first piece of nerdy and newsworthy information in this jam-packed holiday week is that Neil Gaiman is teaming with Netflix, David S. Goyer, and Allan Heinberg for a rumored $500+ million 11-episode series that is HBO quality and will make the character and his universe, now celebrating over 30 years on the page, come to life on the screen. Mixed thoughts and reactions abound, but fans of Gaiman adaptations American Gods on Starz and Good Omens on Amazon Prime are cautiously optimistic.
The Walking Dead ends. Series creator Robert Kirkman sent out a cryptic message warning fans to avoid spoilers for issue #193. Chief among them? That it is the series finale. If it’s still on the stands, go pick up one up ASAP and weigh in on the lengthy run of the hit zombie survival comic book. Fans of the AMC shows are wondering if this will alter the live action adaptations in any way shape or form. With Marvel Zombies returning, there is also speculation that Kirkman will pen the new series that first made him famous in the superhero community.
Spider-Man: Far from Home premieres. Jake Gyllenhaal portrays Mysterio in one of the best comic book matchups in the history of cinema. Tom Holland shines as Peter Parker and the amazing Spider-Man. And there is enough humor and heart in the second installment of the now third live-action franchise for everyone’s favorite wall-crawler to cause even the most jaded superhero-fatigued audiences to be delighted. With a rare Tuesday opening night, Marvel has made their finest film. As always, beware of spoilers.
Mad Magazine shuts down after 67 years. The “Usual Gang of Idiots” will be ceasing publication of the property owned by DC, the last remaining (and surviving) EC Comics publication. With DC ending imprints left and right over the years, this should come as no surprise. Milestone, Vertigo, and a host of many others should have given the warning signs, if not the steadily-declining sales for the magazine itself. Mad will continue producing reprint material, but there are no plans to create new material beyond this summer. Cartoonists and comic fans are all in agreement that this truly is the end of an era.
San Diego Comic Con is coming. Thursday, July 18. Friday, July 19. Saturday, July 20. Sunday, July 21. Four days. And unlimited possibilities for all things nerdy. Comics, video games, movies, TV, cosplay, books… you name it. If you thought this week was full of nerdy and newsworthy goodness, just stay tuned for more great news recaps in the weeks to follow!
