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.
§ Terry Pratchett‘s estate announced the Discworld Graphic Novel Universe (or DGNU for short), a line of books based on the late author’s satirical fantasy novels. First up, writer Gary Chudleigh and artist Rachael Stott will team up on Thief of Time, due out April 2, 2026. Monstrous Regiment, which does not have a creative team attached at the time of writing, will follow in August 2026, and then The Wee Free Men (scripted by Terry’s daughter, Rhianna Pratchett) will round out the initial slate in Spring 2027. They will mark the first official Discworld comics since Ray Friesen‘s adaptation of Small Gods in 2016.
§ Mad Cave unveiled their Speed Racer plans, confirming writer David Pepose and artist Davide Tinto will reteam on an ongoing series after collaborating on next month’s Free Comic Book Day (May 3) #0 issue. Issue #1 will be released on July 30, 2025. Additionally, Mark Russell will pen a (currently unscheduled) Racer X series, which will also be set up by the FCBD issue, and then the line will be rounded out by Speed Racer: Tales from the Road (which will presumably be an anthology featuring various creators.)
§ Writer Si Spurrier and artist Vanesa Del Rey are teaming up on The Voice Said Kill, a trippy crime thriller set in the Louisiana bayou. The vague synopsis tells us to expect “alligator poachers,” a heavily pregnant park ranger “rais[ing] a hateful mug of moonshine with a criminal matriarch,” and “one deadly sonuvabitch, out of his mind on shrooms and retribution, load[ing] his rifle for the Human Hunt.” Issue #1 (of 4) will be published by Image on July 23.
Image also announced I, Tyrant, the debut series of writer ee zann, and artist Godfarr. A magical realist take on superheroes inspired by the literature of zann’s native Iran, the book sees the demonic Zahhak propose to the comics creator Hafez (named after the legendary Persian poet) that he give his story a Frank Miller-esque reboot. Issue #1 drops July 30.
§ Marvel‘s annual Swimsuit Specials are returning after three decades with the Marvel Swimsuit Special: Friends, Foes & Rivals, due out July 9. It will feature a main story starring Janet Van Dyne/Wasp, written by Tim Seeley and Tony Fleecs with art by Nick Bradshaw, plus pin-ups by Nic Klein, Marguerite Sauvage, Luciano Vecchio, and more. It will mark the first Swimsuit Special since 1995, and the sixth overall issue of the series. Some of the featured designs will be added to Marvel Rivals at a later date.
§ Oni Press revealed the first Rick & Morty event comic, Rick & Morty vs. the Universe. The plot will see the sentient Dimension C-137 invite Rick to his bachelor party, only for Rick to ruin everything, and wind up on the run with his grandson from every universe they’ve ever messed with. It will consist of a four-issue series by Daniel Kibblesmith and Jarrett Williams, kicking off July 9, plus three top secret tie-ins co-plotted by Kibblesmith, with undisclosed co-writers and artists, releasing respectively in August, September, and October.
§ Per The Source, the next graphic novel from Vault‘s music-themed imprint Hardshell will be Muddy Waters Too, based on rapper Reginald Noble/Redman‘s 2024 album of the same name. Written by Redman and Ben Katzner (Hello, My Name is Poop) with art by Geo Gant (Beware of Toddler), the book follows an inventor who develops a soil, that makes plants grow instantly when exposed to the right music. Unfortunately, the soil gets stolen. It will be released on August 26, and you can pre-order it at the official page here, or read a preview here.
§ Netflix released the trailer for BET, a live-action, English-language take on Homura Kawamoto and Tōru Naomura‘s manga Kakegurui.
Developed by Simon Barry (Warrior Nun), BET revolves around a vengeful student (Miku Martineau), who joins an underground gambling ring at an elite boarding school. All 10, 30 min episodes will be released on Thursday, May 15.
§ Via Variety, GKIDS and Dwarf announced a stop-motion film based on Taiyo Matsumoto (Tekkonkinkreet)’s autobiographical manga Sunny. The movie, which will be directed by Michael Arias (who previously helmed the film version of Tekkonkinkreet), will tell the story of an old car that becomes the sole escape for a group of children at an orphanage. The project will be exhibited to investors at the Cannes Film Festival on May 19.
§ Finally, Variety reports LOST co-creator Carlton Cuse and his son, writer/producer Nick Cuse (Watchmen), will develop a new Star Wars TV series together. No specifics on the project were given, but it will presumably be the saga’s first new live-action Disney+ series since Skeleton Crew. It will mark the first project the Cuses have worked on together. The news came ahead of the premiere of Andor‘s second and final season, tonight on Disney+.
