AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. TO END

ABC has announced that Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., the longest-running Marvel television series, will end next year after seven seasons. The final 13 episodes are scheduled to air next summer. Season six is currently airing Fridays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and will air its finale on Aug. 2 with a special two-hour episode.

Currently, S.H.I.E.L.D. ranks as the No. 1 program in Friday's 8 p.m. hour this summer among Adults 18-49 and is improving in its new time period by 14 percnt over the comparable weeks last summer to stand as ABC's highest-rated series in the slot in three years.

"Agent Coulson is one of the most beloved cinematic heroes of our time, and we're so glad to have spent seven seasons with him and the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents as they saved the world from countless unimaginable big bads," said Karey Burke, president, ABC Entertainment. "I am so impressed with the eternally fresh, heart-pounding, and emotional stories the writers and creative team at Marvel Television brought to life that led S.H.I.E.L.D. to be the longest-running Marvel series to date."

"It will be bittersweet saying goodbye to Marvel Television's flagship series," said Jeph Loeb, executive producer and Marvel's head of Television. "Our success is a true testament to the extraordinary fans and we remain forever indebted to them for their endless support. We want to end on a very high note and complete the incredible saga after seven amazing seasons and 136 hours of quality television."

DYNAMITE, ARCHIE CONTINUE COLLABORATION

Dynamite Entertainment and Archie Comics have announced the extension of the Red Sonja & Vampirella Meet Betty & Veronica series, doubling from six issues to 12.

The same creative team will pick up with #7 this November -- writer Amy Chu, artist Maria Sanapo, colorist Vinicius Andrade and letterer Taylor Esposito.

Cover artists will include Fay Dalton, Robert Hack, Laura Braga, Dan Parent and Cat Staggs.

"I literally just saw the sales numbers for the first issue and my jaw dropped! I've been completely bowled over by the amount of support for this series," Chu said. "Of course I'm excited to continue with the series as long as the fans want. This is my first time working in the Archie universe, and it's been non-stop fun working with Maria. Expect even crazier antics with this next arc!"

VALIANT ENTERTAINMENT FIRST LOOKS

For covers and four- to five-page previews of Valiant Entertainment titles arriving in stores on Wednesday, July 24, click on the cover thumbnails or the links below for the individual titles.

* LIVEWIRE #8.

* PSI-LORDS #2.

BRIEFLY

SUNDAY PRESS TO IDW: IDW Publishing has announced the inclusion of Sunday Press Books into its publishing family.

Sunday Press Books is a specialty publishing house best known for its restoration of classic American comic strips, reprinted as gorgeous hardcover editions in the original size and colors. The brainchild of Peter Maresca, Sunday Press has rekindled fascination with such beloved features as Little Nemo in Slumberland, Krazy Kat, Thimble Theatre and more.

"Since I accidentally became a publisher in 2005, my goal has been to do what no one was willing to do at the time: accurately recreate the experience of reading newspaper comics that were destined to disappear," Marseca said. "But the business end has been daunting. Partnering with IDW allows me to take advantage of their experience and infrastructure to reach a broader audience while concentrating on the production of new editions."

IDW's first Sunday Press publication, Little Joe (the uncredited work from Little Orphan Annie creator, Harold Gray), will debut in late 2019.

SEPTEMBER 2019 SOLICITATIONS

Below are solicitations posted for September. Click on the publisher's name for the full listings.

* ARCHIE COMICS.

* ASPEN COMICS.

* BOOM! STUDIOS.

* DARK HORSE COMICS.

* DC COMICS.

* DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT.

* IDW PUBLISHING.

* MAD CAVE STUDIOS.

* MARVEL COMICS.

* VALIANT ENTERTAINMENT.

E-mail the Continuum at RobAlls@aol.com

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