Welcome to your weekend edition of Comics Relief, where today we’ve got news on DC Comics’ latest app, some crazy sounding metal comics from Brian Azzarello and Simon Bisley, and Marvel’s latest initiative to get new readers. Starting things off however is news of a very welcome artisitc return to Marvel’s Sentinel of Liberty, Captain America. Read on for more details…

Artist John Cassaday returns to Captain America for 75th Anniversary story

One of the greatest Captain America artists of the modern age is John Cassaday, and the illustrator—whose work was most recently seen in Marvel’s Star Wars relaunch—will be returning to Cap for a special 75th anniversary short story very soon. March’s Captain America: Sam Wilson #7 is going to run a short story by Cassaday, as well as stories by Tim Sale and the duo of Greg Rucka and Mike Perkins. You can check out Cassaday’s  preview image of his new Cap story below, which he recently shared on his Facebook profile: [Newsarama]

Marvel resurrects original name, Timely Comics, for special promotion

In an incredibly savvy business move, Marvel Comics is bringing back its original name from the 1930’s and ’40s, Timely Comics, for a new publishing initiative to offer low-cost reprints of some of their recently launched “All-New All-Different” titles. Scheduled to launch in June (around the time of DC Rebirth—no coincidence there) the various Timely Comics titles will contain the first three issues of new series for just $3.

In a fun little tribute, the design of the new Timely Comics logo includes Steve Rogers’ new shield he’ll be using when he takes up the role of Captain America again later this year. The initial Timely Comics titles coming in June are as follows: Invincible Iron Man, All-New All-Different Avengers, All-New Inhumans, Carnage, Daredevil, Drax, Doctor Strange, Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, New Avengers, Scarlet Witch, Squadron Supreme, Totally Awesome Hulk, Ultimates, Uncanny Inhumans, Venom: Space Knight, and Web Warriors. [CBR]

Brian Azzarello, Simon Bisley join with 3 Floyds Brewing for new comic series

Attention beer fans and metalheads: Writer Brian Azzarello and Lobo artist Simon Bisley will soon be working with 3 Floyds Brewing Co. to create Alpha King, a new comic series being described as a “heavy metal mad mash-up through a futuristic medieval apocalypse.” It seems 3 Floyds founder Nick Floyd will join Azzarello, Bisley, colorist Ryan Brown, and letterer Jared K. Fletcher on a book that intends to “explore the mythos behind the brand.”

In a statement, Brian Azzarello said, “This book is what happens when beer and comics conceive on a barstool. I’m a proud poppa.” 3 Floyds is a craft brewery and pub based in Munster, Indiana; they produce almost twenty separate beers, most of which have very metal names like Zombie Dust, Apocalypse Cow, Arctic Panzer Wolf, and—of course—Alpha King. Alpha King #1 is scheduled to go on sale Wednesday, May 4th. You can see a preview of the cover for the first issue below. [CBR]

DC gives first details on their DC All Access App

DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. have announced the launch of a new mobile app called “DC All Access.” The new app will unite every part of the DC Universe — including comics, films, TV shows and more — in one app built “specifically for DC fans.” The new app will include exclusive news, original videos, the official DC news streams, exclusive DC character emojis, a comic book reader, and more. To learn more about the new app, you check out the video from DC Entertainment below:

New adult coloring books coming from Marvel and DC…including Watchmen??

Adult coloring books seems to be a thing these days, and both Marvel and DC are getting in on the action. Coming this fall from Marvel are books about Star Wars, Doctor Strange, and a Women of Power coloring book featuring several of their well known heroines. Perhaps even more strange, though, is DC’s choice to make a Watchmen coloring book. Now you too can relive your childhood and color the scene where the Comedian is beaten to death and thrown out a high rise window. Good times!  You can find out more about these coloring books at the following links: [Newsarama and Bleeding Cool]

Halo set to return to Dark Horse Comics in new anthology series

The universe of beloved video game Halo is about to return to comics, as Dark Horse has announced that coming soon is Halo: Tales From Slipspace, a new anthology series. The book will feature stories from Halo development director Frank O’Connor and producer Tyler Jeffers, as well as well known comics creators like John Jackson Miller, Bill Sienkiewicz, and Duffy Boudreau (writer of the previous Halo comic book series from Dark Horse, Halo: Escalation). There is no release date or preview art just yet, but expect those to be forthcoming very shortly from Dark Horse. [Bleeding Cool]

To get the full Batman v Superman story, you’ll need to buy yourself a pack of Doritos

If you want the full backstory for BvS, you’re going to need to start mowing down some potato chips. A new comic book prequel to the upcoming Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice will be available from Walmart, but only with the purchase of select Doritos products.

Titled Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice – Upstairs/Downstairs, the 24-page digital comic prequel follows the unveiling of the Superman statue, which has already been seen in the movie’s trailers. This one-shot is by writer Christos Gage and artist Joe Bennett, and will be available free with the purchase of Doritos’ Batman v Superman Family Fun Mix. The comic will be available beginning February 29 (Superman’s birthday no less) and instructions on accessing the comic will be on the packages. [Comic Book]

What do you think about this week’s comics news? Let us know in the comments below.

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IMAGES: DC Comics / Marvel Comics / Dark Horse Comics / 3 Floyds Brewing Company