diff --git a/Libraries/Image/RCTImageLoader.m b/Libraries/Image/RCTImageLoader.m
index 7c6685a0704..a460f712a04 100644
--- a/Libraries/Image/RCTImageLoader.m
+++ b/Libraries/Image/RCTImageLoader.m
@@ -444,7 +444,9 @@ static UIImage *RCTResizeImageIfNeeded(UIImage *image,
 
   // Download image
   __weak __typeof(self) weakSelf = self;
-  RCTNetworkTask *task = [networking networkTaskWithRequest:request completionBlock:^(NSURLResponse *response, NSData *data, NSError *error) {
+  __block RCTNetworkTask *task =
+  [networking networkTaskWithRequest:request
+                     completionBlock:^(NSURLResponse *response, NSData *data, NSError *error) {
     __typeof(self) strongSelf = weakSelf;
     if (!strongSelf) {
       return;
@@ -488,8 +490,15 @@ static UIImage *RCTResizeImageIfNeeded(UIImage *image,
   }
 
   return ^{
-    [task cancel];
-    [weakSelf dequeueTasks];
+    __typeof(self) strongSelf = weakSelf;
+    if (!strongSelf || !task) {
+      return;
+    }
+    dispatch_async(strongSelf->_URLRequestQueue, ^{
+      [task cancel];
+      task = nil;
+    });
+    [strongSelf dequeueTasks];
   };
 }
 
@@ -505,7 +514,7 @@ static UIImage *RCTResizeImageIfNeeded(UIImage *image,
   __block volatile uint32_t cancelled = 0;
   __block dispatch_block_t cancelLoad = nil;
   dispatch_block_t cancellationBlock = ^{
-    if (cancelLoad) {
+    if (cancelLoad && !cancelled) {
       cancelLoad();
     }
     OSAtomicOr32Barrier(1, &cancelled);
diff --git a/Libraries/Network/RCTNetworkTask.m b/Libraries/Network/RCTNetworkTask.m
index 3438143b6da..1a177fca060 100644
--- a/Libraries/Network/RCTNetworkTask.m
+++ b/Libraries/Network/RCTNetworkTask.m
@@ -53,6 +53,7 @@ RCT_NOT_IMPLEMENTED(- (instancetype)init)
   _incrementalDataBlock = nil;
   _responseBlock = nil;
   _uploadProgressBlock = nil;
+  _requestToken = nil;
 }
 
 - (void)dispatchCallback:(dispatch_block_t)callback
@@ -66,6 +67,11 @@ RCT_NOT_IMPLEMENTED(- (instancetype)init)
 
 - (void)start
 {
+  if (_status != RCTNetworkTaskPending) {
+    RCTLogError(@"RCTNetworkTask was already started or completed");
+    return;
+  }
+
   if (_requestToken == nil) {
     id token = [_handler sendRequest:_request withDelegate:self];
     if ([self validateRequestToken:token]) {
@@ -77,6 +83,10 @@ RCT_NOT_IMPLEMENTED(- (instancetype)init)
 
 - (void)cancel
 {
+  if (_status == RCTNetworkTaskFinished) {
+    return;
+  }
+
   _status = RCTNetworkTaskFinished;
   id token = _requestToken;
   if (token && [_handler respondsToSelector:@selector(cancelRequest:)]) {
diff --git a/React.podspec b/React.podspec
index 58c99796c46..90434f1d0b8 100644
--- a/React.podspec
+++ b/React.podspec
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ package = JSON.parse(File.read(File.join(__dir__, 'package.json')))
 
 Pod::Spec.new do |s|
   s.name                = "React"
-  s.version             = "0.36.0-rc.0"
+  s.version             = "0.36.0-rc.1"
   s.summary             = package['description']
   s.description         = <<-DESC
                             React Native apps are built using the React JS
diff --git a/ReactAndroid/gradle.properties b/ReactAndroid/gradle.properties
index 020a0e37aa6..95f99131547 100644
--- a/ReactAndroid/gradle.properties
+++ b/ReactAndroid/gradle.properties
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-VERSION_NAME=0.36.0-rc.0
+VERSION_NAME=0.36.0-rc.1
 GROUP=com.facebook.react
 
 POM_NAME=ReactNative
diff --git a/docs/HeadlessJSAndroid.md b/docs/HeadlessJSAndroid.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..e7a79f9a36f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/HeadlessJSAndroid.md
@@ -0,0 +1,59 @@
+---
+id: headless-js-android
+title: Headless JS
+layout: docs
+category: Guides (Android)
+permalink: docs/headless-js-android.html
+next: running-on-device-android
+previous: native-components-android
+---
+
+Headless JS is a way to run tasks in JavaScript while your app is in the background. It can be used, for example, to sync fresh data, handle push notifications, or play music.
+
+## The JS API
+
+A task is a simple async function that you register on `AppRegistry`, similar to registering React applications:
+
+```js
+AppRegistry.registerHeadlessTask('SomeTaskName', () => require('SomeTaskName'));
+```
+
+Then, in `SomeTaskName.js`:
+
+```js
+module.exports = async (taskData) => {
+  // do stuff
+}
+```
+
+You can do anything in your task as long as it doesn't touch UI: network requests, timers and so on. Once your task completes (i.e. the promise is resolved), React Native will go into "paused" mode (unless there are other tasks running, or there is a foreground app).
+
+## The Java API
+
+Yes, this does still require some native code, but it's pretty thin. You need to extend `HeadlessJsTaskService` and override `getTaskConfig`, e.g.:
+
+```java
+public class MyTaskService extends FbHeadlessJsTaskService {
+
+  @Override
+  protected @Nullable HeadlessJsTaskConfig getTaskConfig(Intent intent) {
+    Bundle extras = intent.getExtras();
+    if (extras != null) {
+      return new HeadlessJsTaskConfig(
+          "SomeTaskName",
+          Arguments.fromBundle(extras),
+          5000);
+    }
+    return null;
+  }
+}
+```
+
+Now, whenever you [start your service][0], e.g. as a periodic task or in response to some system event / broadcast, JS will spin up, run your task, then spin down.
+
+## Caveats
+
+* By default, your app will crash if you try to run a task while the app is in the foreground. This is to prevent developers from shooting themselves in the foot by doing a lot of work in a task and slowing the UI. There is a way around this.
+* If you start your service from a `BroadcastReceiver`, make sure to call `HeadlessJsTaskService.acquireWakelockNow()` before returning from `onReceive()`.
+
+[0]: https://developer.android.com/reference/android/content/Context.html#startService(android.content.Intent)
diff --git a/docs/NativeComponentsAndroid.md b/docs/NativeComponentsAndroid.md
index 03d1cb66f06..7311713e0cb 100644
--- a/docs/NativeComponentsAndroid.md
+++ b/docs/NativeComponentsAndroid.md
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ title: Native UI Components
 layout: docs
 category: Guides (Android)
 permalink: docs/native-components-android.html
-next: running-on-device-android
+next: headless-js-android
 previous: native-modules-android
 ---
 
diff --git a/docs/RunningOnDeviceAndroid.md b/docs/RunningOnDeviceAndroid.md
index b0af260e4e1..c1eaedcfe45 100644
--- a/docs/RunningOnDeviceAndroid.md
+++ b/docs/RunningOnDeviceAndroid.md
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ layout: docs
 category: Guides (Android)
 permalink: docs/running-on-device-android.html
 next: signed-apk-android
-props: native-components-android
+previous: headless-js-android
 ---
 
 ## Prerequisite: USB Debugging
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index c161af23ed1..bb31825cdd2 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "react-native",
-  "version": "0.36.0-rc.0",
+  "version": "0.36.0-rc.1",
   "description": "A framework for building native apps using React",
   "license": "BSD-3-Clause",
   "repository": {