In today’s Comics Relief, just when you thought there were no more Secret Wars announcements to be had, Marvel squeezes in just one more. Plus Deadpool and Cable reunite for a new series where Cable has a beard now (he’s so trendy), a new exhibition in New York on superheroes is announced, and much more. But first, the second longest awaited Batman comic (after Frank Miller and Jim Lee’s conclusion to All-Star Batman that is) finally gets a release date. Read on for all the info…

After a decade, DC Finally puts Batman: Europa mini-series on the schedule

There are delays in comics publishing all the time, but DC Comics might take the cake with this one. Batman: Europa, a series that was first announced way back in 2004, has just been put on the schedule for publication in November. Batman: Europa is a four-issue limited series which features the Dark Knight in a race against time in Europe. Here is the official description:

“Batman on the verge of being taken down by an enemy he cannot defeat: a virus for which there is no cure! And the only hope for his salvation is The Joker! Who infected Batman, what does the Clown Prince of Crime know, and how will the Dark Knight get that information? Together, the enemies crisscross Europe, desperate to find answers before time runs out.”

The series is written by Brian Azzarello, and features European comic book artists such as Matteo Casali and Giuseppe Camuncoli, as well as Jim Lee, who was usually the culprit for why the book has had such a huge delay. Lee, the series’ original artist, will illustrate the first issue over Camuncoli’s layouts. This is the second time the book has been put back on the schedule; it was announced a second time back in 2011, only to get pushed off the schedule again. Let’s keep our fingers crossed it makes it to comic shops this time out. [Comics Alliance]

Marvel Announces Deadpool & Cable Mini-Series For the fall

Just based on the reactions to his movie trailer alone (a movie that was made because of fan demand as much as anything else) Deadpool is enjoying a moment in the media spotlight unlike any he’s ever had. Marvel is looking to capitilize on this, and has announced Deadpool & Cable: Split Second, a six issue mini series written by the first man ever to write both characters back in the ’90s “big guns, lots of pouches” days, writer Fabian Nicieza. According to Nicieza, he promises that the series would feature “time travel confusion, bromance, mercenary action” and more. Nicieza is joined by co-writer/artist Reilly Brown. Deadpool/Cable will debut in October in the Infinite Comics format, with a print edition beginning in December.

Fortunately, we broke it all down for you — including what it means for the cinematic universe on Nerdist News.

[Nerdist]

Jae Lee Draws Fan Into The Cover Of Latest Dynamite Series, Masks 2

Another Lee who became famous in the Image Comics boom of the ’90s was Jae Lee, who went on to draw various comics like Stephen King’s Dark Tower books and many others. Recently he got the chance to give a longtime fan a gift that most comics fans only dream about, which is to have one of their favorite artists to draw them on the cover of a comic book. Thanks to a contest held by Groupees, as part of their bundle with Dynamite Entertainment, they offered a prize for their top purchase price. The winner was to be drawn onto a comic by Lee, and the person who won, a fan by the name of Chris “Lefty” Calhoon, had this to say at being drawn onto the cover of Dynamites’ Masks 2 #8:

“Having been an avid comic book reader since I was a kid, the idea of being on the cover of a comic with a superhero was an unrealistic dream, until now.  Having the great artist Jae Lee illustrate my face on such a cool cover is very exciting.  I would like to thank Dynamite Comics, in collaboration with Groupees, for this most unique and wonderful prize.- Chris ‘Lefty’ Calhoon.”

You can check out the cover of Masks 2 #8 below. [Bleeding Cool]

New York Historical Society Announces Superheroes in Gotham Exhibition

You know we live in a world where comic books have taken over pop culture when the very prestigious New York Historical Society is preparing an exhibit on comic book heroes and their ties to New York City for their museum this fall. But that’s exactly what’s happening. Starting October 9th till February 21st, Superheroes in Gotham will be an exhibit that aims to “tell the story of the birth of comic book superheroes in New York City; the leap of comic book superheroes from the page into other media; the role of fandom, including the yearly mega event known as New York Comic Con; and the ways in which comic book superheroes, created in the late 1930s through the 1960s, have inspired and influenced the work of contemporary comic book artists, cartoonists, and painters in New York City.”

The exhibition will feature a rare copy of 1938’s Action Comics #1 and a Batmobile from the 1966 Batman TV series, as well as original Spider-Man drawings by Steve Ditko from Amazing Fantasy #15. The two Ditko sketches will be available for public viewing for the first time outside of the Library of Congress. For more info, you can click on the New York Historical Society’s website right here. [CBR]

Dark Horse Previews 150 Issues of Usagi Yojimbo

Stan Sakai’s Usagi Yojimbo, his long-running series about a samurai rabbit bodyguard in feudal Japan, is reaching its milestone 150th issue in November from publisher Dark Horse Comics. (The character appeared previously in series from other publishers going back to 1984.) Now Dark Horse has released their first look at the cover art for their big 150th issue, which is described as having Usagi meeting a European swordsman for the first time, a traveler who makes his mark by defeating Lord Odo’s best samurai. Usagi Yojimbo #150 is scheduled to arrive in comic shops November 18. Check out the cover art for issue #150 below. [CBR]

It Ain’t Over Yet: Marvel Announces Secret Wars Too

There’s been seemingly a million and a half Secret Wars tie-ins at Marvel since the event began, but before it all ends and All New, All-Different Marvel begins, there’s one more: Secret Wars Too. This book is a one-shot dose of comedic relief set to follow the universe-shattering event, and is set to release in November.

Editor Will Moss had this to say about the upcoming one-shot:

“After the multiverse-destroying intensity of Secret Wars, we figured it might do everyone some good to blow off a little steam before we say goodbye to Battleworld. Joined by none other than God Doom himself — Jonathan Hickman! — Jon Moisan and I have assembled only those with the funniest of funny bones to bring you the follow-up that you hadn’t even had time yet to realize you desperately crave!”

In addition to Hickman, Secret Wars Too will also feature work from creators like Sergio Aragones, Ryan Browne, Al Ewing, Rob Guillory, Kate Leth, Eric Powell, Declan Shalvey, Kyle Starks, Ramon Villalobos, and Britney Williams, each giving a humorous take on the events of Marvel’s latest epic. [Nerdist]

POW! and WHAM! Are Not Words In Modern Day Russia

And finally, your oddball comics news of the week: The latest (more harmless) example of wackiness coming out of Putin’s uber-nationalistic Russia is the apparent need for translated English language comics having their sound effects made to sound more Russian.

A group of translators is calling for comics translators to use words derived from the official languages of the Russian Federation rather than simply rendering the existing sound effects in the Russian alphabet. The translators actually wrote a letter to the Vinogradov Russian Language Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, where they had this to say:

“In comic books you can often encounter words imitating sounds. Often translators simply transliterate the English words. Instead, we recommend using indigenous substitutes.”

Man, the Russians sure have gotten weird under Putin. [Robot 6]

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