[SPEAKER_00]: Jack, developing pirate series for Archie.
[SPEAKER_00]: Dark Horse recognizes Union, Barshan, Satrapay, dead at age 56.
[SPEAKER_00]: This is Comic Book Club News for June 5, 2026.
[SPEAKER_00]: Shaquille O'Neill, best known for his line of gummy candy and nothing else I can think of offhand as developing what is called an epic pirate series titled Vengeance Unchained, the Legend of Black Caesar for Archie Comics.
[SPEAKER_00]: Yes, that Archie Comics.
[SPEAKER_00]: Now while that sure is a bunch of words and secrets, there is some other talent behind this project.
[SPEAKER_00]: The multiple Ister Award nominated Stephanie Williams is writing the series with art by Ray Anthony Height and Studio Sky Tiger.
[SPEAKER_00]: So what is this book beyond a chance to sell more gummy candy and seriously if anyone can think of anything else, O'Neill has ever done, I'd love to hear it really drawing a black ear.
[SPEAKER_00]: Here's the synopsis per PR quote, described as a grounded character-driven pirate epic the project church the transformation of an African king from royalty to slavery to a feared outlaw of the Caribbean, blending historical inspiration with cinematic storytelling.
[SPEAKER_00]: The project is positioned as a sprawling franchise-ready narrative, combining the political complexity of black sales, the sweeping scope of Vikings, and the character-driven storytelling of Shoga.
[SPEAKER_00]: Insiders say the tone leans gladiator on the high seas, with a focus on power, survival and vengeance.
[SPEAKER_00]: Archie Comics?
[SPEAKER_00]: Really?
[SPEAKER_00]: Vengeance on change, the legend of Black Seasor is planned to hit stores later this year.
[SPEAKER_00]: While you wait, why not slam dunk some delicious shack gummies into your mouth?
[SPEAKER_00]: Hey, wait!
[SPEAKER_00]: Here's a good news for a change.
[SPEAKER_00]: Dark Horse has officially involuntarily recognized Dark Horse workers united the union formed to attempt to create better working conditions for the folks employed by the company.
[SPEAKER_00]: In a statement posted on the Dark Horse website, interim CEO, Jay Komas, shared the news, as well as the they've reached out to the unions attorney to take the next steps in formalizing the process.
[SPEAKER_00]: I've read your statement carefully and I realize that organizing a union is not something people do lightly.
[SPEAKER_00]: It takes courage, coordination, and a level of trust in each other.
[SPEAKER_00]: I understand the employees disappoint me with how issues have historically been addressed.
[SPEAKER_00]: You've taken this step because you believe Dark Horse can be better.
[SPEAKER_00]: So do I.
[SPEAKER_00]: Look, I don't want to get hyperbolic and say this is pleasantly shocking, but it is for a number of reasons.
[SPEAKER_00]: First and foremost, Dark Horse has had a rocky 2026 so far, with founder Mike Richardson abruptly removed for the company replaced by Comus, a gaming exec with no-known comic book experience.
[SPEAKER_00]: In addition, Comus works for Dark Horse's parent company and Bracer, a Swedish company mostly known for, you guessed it, video games.
[SPEAKER_00]: And more recently, Dark Horse announced they're closing all retail locations for things from another world, which is particularly
[SPEAKER_00]: With all this going on, the workers formed a union to improve job security, wages, and benefits, increased transparency, and have a seat at the table in terms of decision-making.
[SPEAKER_00]: Komas had until June 3 to recognize the union and recognize that they have.
[SPEAKER_00]: Grats to all the workers who made this happen, a good job to Komas and Dark Horse for doing the right thing.
[SPEAKER_00]: Marshawn Satrapay, the iconic creator of award-winning international bestsellers like Persepolis and Chiquit with Plums, has died at age 56.
[SPEAKER_00]: According to a statement shared by her family, Satrapay died of sadness after the passing of her husband last April.
[SPEAKER_00]: Born in Iran in 1969, Satrapay's parents were active against the monarchy of the Shah.
[SPEAKER_00]: Something that would come to inform a lot of her work later on.
[SPEAKER_00]: After dealing with the oppressive regime for most of her formative years, she moved to live with a friend in Austria in 1983, ultimately returning to Iran to study visual communications and earn it to greed.
[SPEAKER_00]: Beginning in 2000, Persepolis, autobiographical comics about her time growing up in Iran, were first published in four parts in French and in two parts translated into English.
[SPEAKER_00]: The graphic novel won the High Honors at Angolem and caused controversy worldwide as well thanks to the subject matter.
[SPEAKER_00]: However, such a pay continued unabated with chicken with plums which also garnered worldwide critical acclaim.
[SPEAKER_00]: In 2007, Persepolis was adapted into an animated film that debuted a can and was nominated for best animated feature at the Academy Awards.
[SPEAKER_00]: That was followed by another animated adaptation this time of chicken with plums, and Satrapay continued in film, directed the voices in 2014 starring Ryan Reynolds and Anna Kendra, and in 2019 Satrapay directed Radioactive, a biopic of Marie Curie, followed by the solos and dear Paris, a 2024 film that will have four different stories together about reacting to death.
[SPEAKER_00]: A year later, Satrapay's longtime husband Mateus Ripa died at age 53.
[SPEAKER_00]: The statement from her family said via newswire reads quote, Marge on Satrapay died of sadness a little over a year after the death of Mateus Rippa, her husband, and the love of her life.
[SPEAKER_00]: For comic book club news, I'm Alex Albin, and I know I'm making some logical leaps here, but it's worth saying regardless.
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