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03/17/16 @ 8:59 pm EST
A Writer’s Commentary: Corinna Bechko talks Lords of the Jungle #1 (of 6), on sale now from Dynamite. Cover is by Alex Ross. Interiors by Roberto Castro.  Page 1 Since we’re dealing with a different Sheena than many people might be used to seeing, it’s important to get her origins established right off the bat. And so we start in her jungle, in South America instead of Africa, and make it clear that this is happening now, in 2016. This will be an important contrast for later in the story. Page 2 And here she is! And she’s not alone. We’re introduced to the fact that she’s got a great rapport with animals here, and see that she’s a woman of action. Page 3 We also see that she cares deeply about one thing: her home. Forests around the world are disappearing at an alarming rate. Luckily for this stretch of fictional jungle, Sheena’s willing to fight to make sure it stays pristine. She can’t be everywhere at once, though… Page 4 Now that’s an explosion! Roberto Castro does such a great job conveying big action. I’m very lucky to be working with him on this project. Page 5 More Sheena action as we meet another of her animal friends. Parrots are very smart animals, and we’ll be seeing more of this one soon. Meanwhile, something very strange is happening…  Page 6 Sheena might live in the modern world now, but she’s still a pulp character. Here we get to have some fun with that, as the ruins something strange lurking beneath them… Page 7 Sheena’s determined, though. Nothing is going to stop her from seeing this fight through… But noticing that tattoo certainly gives her pause. Hopefully we’re setting up a couple of different mysteries here, things that will resonate later on. Page 8 Oh, hubris! When has it not gotten people like this guy into trouble? It’s the one thing that Sheena didn’t quite count on… Page 9 A vortex! Well, Sheen’s got to more across time and space somehow… And we’ll be learning much more about exactly how as the story progresses. We’ll also be learning why, but for now, I just want to point out that last panel, with the guy cut in half. I just love what Roberto did there. Page 10 & 11 Nothing like being set adrift in time and space to make you focus on your past regrets. Happily, it also makes for a compact way to bring the reader a little more up to speed on what Sheena’s like since we’ve only seen her in action up to now. Page 12 What’s this? More ruins, and more jungle. But not Sheena’s jungle! She’s attuned to this, and will notice right away. Most of us would probably have a harder time picking up on the clues, especially after such a disorientating trip. However, we might recognize that tree house fairly quickly…  Page 13 Okay, so at this point Sheena still doesn’t understand the time component of her trip, or exactly how much trouble she’s in. Happily, she’s about to meet someone who can help her out… As long as she’s willing to offer some aid in return. Page 14 It’s true, the natural world is under threat just about everywhere, and has been for the entire last century. What these people are doing here is mirroring what’s happening back in her own time, which will turn out to be the opposite of a coincident… Page 15 Sheena’s not at all what these workers were expecting, especially dressed in her iconic costume that is a bit worse for wear after all she’s been through. The subtext here is that they don’t trust what they’re seeing, because they associate this area with an entirely different jungle protector. Page 16 What? More people dressed rather like Sheena attacking the workers? Sheena doesn’t know them, but she recognizes something about them (and the reader will perhaps remember a certain tattoo from earlier in the story)… Page 17 These men obviously want this area left alone, but they aren’t prepared for what they’re up against. And they don’t know that Sheena isn’t with the workers.  Page 18 & 19 It’s a slaughter. The workers are prepared, and they’re not taking any chances. Hopefully the sympathy of the reader here will be with the attackers since they are trying to defend their home, just as Sheena was doing at the start of the issue, but are not equipped with guns as the workers are. Page 20 A classic cliffhanger for Sheena, something I’m a fan of doing for characters that have their roots deep in the pulps. Page 21 So, we’ve seen Tarzan’s home, and his friend Cheetah, but where is the Lord of the Jungle himself? Page 22 London! Something pretty important must be going on for Tarzan to leave his home unprotected like this, and we’ve already seen the consequences. We’ll be learning much more next issue, but for now we leave Tarzan on a cliffhanger too, but one that functions in a different way from Sheena’s. It can be tough to serve both characters during a crossover, and this first issue was heavy on Sheena’s story. That’s because we’re meeting her in such a different time and place than we expect, and we’re seeing a lot of the mystery through her eyes. Future issues will focus more on Tarzan, as his fight becomes Sheena’s fight, and vice versa. But for now building the mystery is of primary importance. 10/11/18 @ 8:07 pm EST
LAST CALL FOR THE TROMA EXPERIENCE!  Friday, 10:44 AM EST marks the end of Dynamite’s Kickstarter campaign for “The Art of Troma Experience” and the last chance for fans to get their hands on several unique Troma goodies that will not be available again! Dynamite Entertainment has teamed with Troma Entertainment to offer fans an exclusive “Troma experience”, an event for fans that goes beyond the anticipated book and provides an immersive connection to the film studio and its long history. ORDER HERE! The deluxe hardcover is written by New York Times bestselling author Fred Van Lente (Archer & Armstrong, Cowboys and Aliens) and will compile never-before-seen art, photos, and trivia from the cult classic studio. Supporters can choose between two versions of the book and countless reward tier options. Both editions are 256 pages and 9”x12”. The Standard Edition features green cloth binding with gold foil stamping. Deluxe Editions feature a retro book design in a slipcase. They will also include a 37-page fan art booklet, an 8”x10” Toxic Avenger print signed by Lloyd, and a bonus “bookmark” of actual film from Troma’s library. Other items that can be received include one-of-a-kind “Toxic Waste” editions of the Standard Editions personally defaced by the Troma team. Toxic Avenger tee shirts are available. Fans can even get original props from their favorite films. The Kickstarter campaign is running now, but due to end tomorrow at 10:44 AM EST so make sure you reserve your Troma rewards ASAP! 10/02/18 @ 9:14 pm EST
Dynamite Entertainment announced today that Elvira will return this winter for a new four-part miniseries by writer David Avallone (Elvira, Bettie Page) and artist Fran Strukan (Hack/Slash vs. Vampirella) that will have movie fans reeling!
In Elvira: Shape of Elvira, the Mistress of the Dark lands the leading role in a touching art film about human/gill monster romance, but there’s something decidedly fishy about her costar. Is there an Oscar™ in her future, or is director Billy Bullworth interesting in spawning something more than an Academy Award-winning movie?
“Given Elvira’s history as a “horror host”, homage is always on the table. A certain Oscar-winning fish story seemed worthy of parody, and a natural setting for Elvira,” remarked writer David Avallone. “More personally, I’ve been in movie production for decades, and doing a series that takes place mostly on a movie set lets me mine those rich experiences for the story.”
“The people have said, ‘We want more Elvira!’ And in return, we said, ‘You got it, screaming fans of the macabre! Also, please stop yelling.’ But they are just really excited, so I get it," said Kevin Ketner, Editor at Dynamite Entertainment. "David has been doing an amazing job with Elvira and this going to keep that going."
“David’s writing on Elvira is outstanding. He truly understands the character and delivers a fantastic script,” said Nick Barrucci, CEO and Publisher of Dynamite Entertainment. “This series is going to really resonate not only with Elvira fans but with moviegoers who’ve been looking for their new favorite comic. The Shape of Elvira will not disappoint!”
The first issue of Elvira: Shape of Elvira delivers a wide selection of cover variants, providing fans and retailers a chance to collect the whole set! The cover ... 10/02/18 @ 2:49 pm EST
Dynamite Entertainment is set to launch a brand new program for high-end giclée prints this winter. The Dynamite Giclée Program will feature some of the company's most iconic characters illustrated by the most prestigious fine artists, perfect for the art collector or comics enthusiast.
The first print to reach specialty retailers and comic shops will be Vampirella, drawn by Dave Stevens (The Rocketeer) and measure 34 3/4" X 17 1/2". Following releases will see creations by Jae Lee, Joe Jusko, Joseph Michael Linsner and more.
Giclées are high-end reproductions that capture every detail of the original humanly, mechanically, or technically possible. The resulting print has no perceptible dot pattern, an endless array of richly-saturated color, and every nuance of the original image. The latest inks offer a 70-year light-fastness and UV-resistance under museum archival conditions.
Beyond this description, a Giclée print simply must be seen to be fully appreciated. Printed on canvas, stretched, then framed, these high-end Canvas Giclées are the ultimate tribute to this famous moment in comic book history!
“We're incredibly passionate about the artists we work with and the artwork they create. This new Giclée program will give fans a chance to appreciate some of the more iconic pieces we've published in our history,” said Nick Barrucci, CEO and Publisher of Dynamite Entertainment. “We're beginning with a beautiful rendition of Vampirella by the excellent Dave Stevens, from there we'll offer limited print runs of additional characters and artists on a monthly basis."
The Dynamite Giclée Program commences with Dave Stevens' Vampirellaand will be solicited in Diamond Comic Distributors' November 2018 Previews catalog, the premier source of merchandise for the comic book specialty market, and slated for release in January 2019. Die-Hard Comic book fans are ...
10/02/18 @ 2:40 pm EST
Dynamite Entertainment is set to launch a brand new crossover as Leah Williams (Adventure Time Comics, X-Men: Black) teams with Carlos Gomez (Red Sonja) for a fun, deadly, mind-bending epic inBarbarella/Dejah Thoris!
In Barbarella/Dejah Thoris, two heroines from opposite ends of time unite for an otherworldly adventure! Barbarella, the siren of space, meets Dejah Thoris, Princess of Barsoom, and together they must solve a murder mystery that spans time and space in order to find their way home.
“I’ve been workshopping the story with my editor, Matt Idelson—who is Dynamite’s Senior Editor and an all-around comics titan—and it's been a blast,” said author Leah Williams. “Matt is creative and has really amazing ideas, so being able to bounce ideas off each other while we’re figuring out how to make a tricky time-travel concept really land with readers has been super fun.”
"Leah’s awesome and awesome to work with. You haven’t seen her first work for Dynamite yet—her Bettie Page Halloween one-shot will be on stands October 24th," said Matt Idelson, Senior Editor at Dynamite Entertainment. "She’s got great ideas, endless energy and she’s super-smart. And if it sounds like I’m writing a job referral, I guess that’s because I sort of am—it’s your job to go out and get this book. It’ll be worth it."
“Leah was the obvious choice for this wild crossover. Her writing style fits the tone of both these heroines and makes for a fantastic adventure story,” said Nick Barrucci, CEO and Publisher of Dynamite Entertainment. “We’ve been seeing great success with both Barbarella and Dejah Thoris from fans and retailers so it’s about time we saw the two in one book."
“There is definitely going to be some romantic tension between the ... 10/02/18 @ 2:39 pm EST
Dynamite Entertainment is set to launch a brand new series written by acclaimed storyteller Ron Marz (Green Lantern, Silver Surfer, Witchblade), with exquisite art by Roberto Castro (Red Sonja, Flash Gordon) as a new hero rises in...Turok!
In this new series from Dynamite Entertainment, Turok pursues his kidnapped brother… in the Badlands of the Old West! In the waning days of the Indian Wars, the U.S. cavalry has captured Andar, but Turok will stop at nothing to rescue him. But that quest will lead Turok, Andar, and even the soldiers to a strange, lost land inhabited by creatures beyond their imaginations. This is Turok as you’ve never seen him before ... and Turok as you’ve always seen him!
“I wanted to build my Turok story by going back to the original version, not so much in terms of the specifics, but in terms of the spirit. We're not imitating anything that's come before, but we're definitely trying to capture the feel of what made those stories cool,” said author Ron Marz. “We have a Native American and his brother, we have a lost land inhabited by dinosaurs and other time-lost denizens. But this is not a specific Turok we have seen before, because we're setting this in the 1880s, in the waning days of the Indian Wars in the Old West.”
"We’ve seen a few variations on Turok over the years, but what Ron’s doing here is both true to the roots of the character while threading together an even larger narrative which I think will be satisfying to both Turok fans and new readers alike. And based on what Roberto’s done so far, I think readers are in for a treat," said senior editor Matt Idelson.
“Ron is one of the most ... 10/02/18 @ 2:31 pm EST
Dynamite Entertainment is set to launch a brand new series with superstar writer Kieron Gillen (Star Wars, The Wicked + Divine) and artist Caspar Wijngaard (Limbo) as the publisher brings iconic character Peter Cannon: Thunderbolt back into action this winter!
Peter Cannon, the orphaned son of an American medical team, was raised in a Himalayan lamasery, where his parents had sacrificed their lives combating the dreaded Black Plague! After attaining the highest degree of mental and physical perfection, he was entrusted with the knowledge of the ancient scrolls that bore the secret writings of past generations of wise men. Peter Cannon: Thunderbolt debuted in January of 1966 through Charlton Comics. In 2012, Dynamite Entertainment resurrected the character in a self-titled series written by Steve Darnall and Alex Ross, drawn by superstar artist Jonathan Lau.
“I've been away from the genre for a few years. This is me refreshed, grinning and more than a little bit angry. I want to try things. I want to have fun. Hell, we've created a whole new supporting cast of heroes for this series because we wanted to. I wanted to do a state of the art, state of the superheroic nation, and Peter Cannon: Thunderbolt is it,” remarked author Kieron Gillen. “High adventure, big ideals, epic destruction, heroism, despair, and nine-panel grids.”
“We’ve been working on this with Kieron for a good long while and he’s really leaning into the character and concepts that put him in mind to write the series for us," said Joseph Rybandt, Editorial Director for Dynamite Entertainment. "And we’re letting him have free reign to work his particular talents on this book and it’s going to be one of our most talked-about series in 2019.”
Kieron Gillen’s experience as both a comics writer and ... 10/02/18 @ 2:24 pm EST
 Dynamite Entertainment announces a Kickstarter campaign for “The Art of Troma Experience.” The publisher expands and takes their partnership with Troma Entertainment to the next level by offering fans an exclusive “Troma Experience” that goes beyond the anticipated book for an even more immersive connection to the film studio and its long history.
The deluxe hardcover is written by New York Times bestselling author Fred Van Lente (Archer & Armstrong, Cowboys and Aliens) and will compile never-before-seen art, photos, and trivia from the cult classic studio. When asked about the book, Troma President and evil mastermind Lloyd Kaufman had the following to say, "If you know how to read, then "The Art of Troma" is the best book for your collection. And if you DON'T know how to read, you should probably run for office! Michael Herz, The Troma Team and I are TROMAZED with the excellent work Dynamite Entertainment has accomplished with this book and are honored to be a part of the “Troma Experience” on Kickstarter! I love "The Art of Troma!" It is the Best Book of all time! My mother reads it to me every night before she tucks me in at bedtime.” 
"Troma's film library is vast. And while Toxic Avenger is their most well-known creation, they've also released so many other much beloved films. In addition, they were the starting point for the careers of some of the most talented people in entertainment today, including JJ Abrams, David Boreanz, Kevin Costner, Samuel L. Jackson, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, and James Gunn." "We're honored to be working with a living legend such as Lloyd and his team at the studio!" states Dynamite CEO/Publisher Nick Barrucci. Supporters ... 09/26/18 @ 7:06 pm EST
 Following a very successful launch and amazing community response for Dynamite Entertainment’s premier trading card set, most distributors have sold out of the R ed Sonja 45th Anniversary Collectible Card Packs with allocations through all markets. "The demand for the 45th Red Sonja Anniversary Trading Card series has simply been overwhelming. A lot of thought and hard work went into this series and we knew we knew we would have strong sales, but we never would have predicted that we would have sold through our whole stock in advance of the in-store date!" said Nick Barrucci, CEO and Publisher of Dynamite Entertainment. "We always knew Red Sonja had a dedicated fanbase, but the stellar response at both comic shops and specialty retail stores has simply exceeded all of our expectations. Supporting stores has been a top priority for us." This trading card set is like no other ever created. In April, Dynamite Entertainment successfully funded a Kickstarter campaign for the Deluxe-Premiere set of trading cards featuring a select group of Red Sonja's most renowned artists portraying the "She-Devil with a Sword" in all of her savage, majestic beauty! The complete set includes an 18-card base, plus Dynamite chase cards that include: 6 autographed cards, 3 B&W art cards, 9-card puzzle cards, 2-box-topper special cards, and hand-drawn original art signed sketch cards. Every autographed card features a color ink or ultra-rare, gold ink signature! "We’re actively working on preparing our deluxe premium trading card sets for KISS and Fallout for debut in October," explained Barrucci. “ The Fallout Collectible Trading Cards and the KISS Trading Cards look stunning and are the perfect item for the avid fan or collector. They will be available in October at retailers everywhere” The Red ...09/26/18 @ 6:51 pm EST
 Coming this November, Dynamite Entertainment is offering a limited release of rare remarked hardcover and trade paperback editions of Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson’s best selling comic book series The Boys, signed and sketched by artist Darick Robertson.
Currently, multiple volumes of The Boys are available in limited quantity for order through your local comic shop retailer and will make the perfect holiday gift for fans of this highly regarded comic series. These highly collectible versions each feature a personal touch from the superstar artist. Not only will each book feature Darick Robertson’s autograph, but these Remarked Editions will feature a character illustration and signature from Robertson, making them especially rare.
The Boys, a monumentally successful comic book series co-created by Garth Ennis (Preacher, Punisher) and Darick Robertson (Wolverine, Transmetropolitan), introduced a world where superheroes bring peace and justice… but when they abuse their power and authority, who brings justice to the superheroes? The answer: The Boys do. Billy Butcher, Wee Hughie, Mother’s Milk, The Frenchman, and The Female comprise the tough-as-nails crew that keeps the “supes” in line – protecting mankind from some truly deranged superheroes.
“The Boys is truly a legendary series and an iconic part of our company history," said Nick Barrucci, CEO and Publisher of Dynamite Entertainment. "Darick Robertson’s artwork, with its eye-catching and thought-provoking style, made it stand out in comic shops everywhere. We’re incredibly happy to offer these very limited remarked editions!”
Darick Robertson is an American artist best known for his work as a comic book illustrator. Highly prolific, Robertson has illustrated hundreds of comics in his twenty-plus years in the industry. His body of work ranges from science fiction characters of his own creation to headlining on renowned classic characters from Marvel ... 09/19/18 @ 12:46 pm EST
Dynamite Entertainment brings holiday cheer as Red Sonja gets her own holiday special! Authors Amy Chu (KISS, Red Sonja) and Erik Burnham (Ghostbusters, Red Sonja) team-up once again to find the Red Goddess in holiday hijinx. The 40-page Red Sonja Holiday Special will available December 5th, making it the perfect gift for comics fans everywhere.
Featuring cover artwork by the talented Leonardo Romero (Hawkeye) and interior art by Ricardo Jaime (The Shadow) Red Sonja reminisces about the time she and Sir Max rescued a drunk Santa from the Grinch (Kulan Gath of course!) and learns the true meaning of Christmas.
“I don't believe a Red Sonja Holiday Special has ever been done before in her 45-year history, so this is a rare honor and challenge for me and my writing partner and friend Erik Burnham,” said co-author Amy Chu. “Erik calls me a "mad genius" but I say he is the true wizard with words. Erik is the only person I've ever co-written with, starting with KISS: The Demon miniseries and now Red Sonja. I love that I can lob the craziest ideas at him and he never says, nah, but, hey, that could work! ”
“I love working with Amy in general, but specifically on Red Sonja. I think we found a great rhythm in the last few issues of volume four and I'm excited to see what kind of shenanigans we can get the She-Devil into,” remarked co-author Erik Burnham. “Amy and I will talk about a few ideas, then she'll go off and write out an outline, filling it with everything she wants. I'll get her outline, find some surprises, and then try to surprise her as well when I build the final script. We've talked through several ideas for ... |
