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03/19/15 @ 9:46 pm EST
Nancy Collins, writer of Red Sonja: Vulture’s Circle #3, talks with writer David Avallone about the Altered States: Doc Savage one-shot, both on sale now. Cover by Billy Tan.  NANCY COLLINS: What makes your version of Doc Savage an Altered State?DAVID AVALLONE: For this one, I took the assignment maybe too literally and the set-up is a reference to the Paddy Chayevsky book (and Ken Russell movie) of the same name: Doc takes a Mayan drug to unleash the beast within and learn about human capacity for evil. Where the story becomes a true “altered state” is how it all ends, but I don’t want to spoiler it. NC: How does writing an Altered States one-shot compare to your work on Legenderry, which features parallel universe steam-punk versions of established Dynamite characters?DA: In the Legenderry: Vampirella series, the characters and the entire world they inhabit is “altered” from established norms and continuity. In the Doc story, particularly, I wanted the setting and characters to be familiar with just one big change – in this case, Doc regressing to a primitive state – to drive the story. With only 20 pages to work with I wanted to keep the focus on that one story element. NC: Could you give a brief run-down of the characters for those readers unfamiliar with Doc Savage and his Fabulous Five?DA: For readers of my generation, the best shorthand might be “Doc Savage is Buckaroo Banzai”, but that’s cheating. Doc is not a superhuman in the standard comic book sense. He’s a combination of Batman’s training, gadgets and wealth with Superman’s unbreakable moral code and goodness (and first name and Fortress of Solitude.)The Fabulous Five are five guys Doc was in a German prisoner-of-war camp with during World War One. They bonded there, because best friends, and after the war they became his personal A-Team. Quick roll-call: Monk is a chemist who has a rough persona and looks kinda like a monkey (hence the nickname.) Ham is a dandified lawyer with a sword cane, who bickers with Monk. Renny is a very tall, very strong, very moody construction engineer. Long Tom is an electrical engineer, looks sickly and weak but in fact quite tough. Johnny is sort of the nerdiest of the bunch, with glasses and a penchant for using big words, but like the rest of the team, good with his fists. Mention must also be made of Doc’s cousin, Patricia Savage… who, like everyone else on Doc’s team is tough, smart and resourceful. Without her the team is a just a bunch of white dudes, and I was happy to include her here. In my story she takes command when Doc is incapacitated. I don’t think that’s standard in the old stories, but it worked better and was more interesting for me. NC: Were you a Doc Savage fan growing up?DA: I was. My dad had been a fan of the original run of the stories (when he was a little boy in the 1930s), and when the paperbacks came out in the 1970s, with those incredible Bama covers, we got them all. (I’m totally dating myself here.) The stories were so crazy and the prose so purple, they were irresistible to me. As the pulp characters go, The Shadow is probably my favorite, but Doc is a close second, followed by G8. I hope someday Dynamite calls and asks me for a G8 story. NC: David, if I’m not mistaken, you have a family connection to the pulp era—could you elaborate on that?DA: As above, my dad – Michael Avallone — was a big fan when he was a kid and that is very much what inspired him to become a writer himself. In the 1950s the pulps were starting to die out, but he did end up getting a short story into Weird Tales, and he contributed hundreds of stories to the mystery pulps that were still around at the time: Mike Shayne, Ellery Queen, etc. Mostly these stories revolved around his private eye character Ed Noon, who also appeared in 37 novels. He finally paid direct homage to Doc in his final novel, Since Noon Yesterday, which has a villain named “John Sunlight” (Doc’s Professor Moriarity). But all that said, you can find that pulp sensibility – fast paced stories, vivid characters, impossible plots, action and mayhem – in everything he ever wrote. It’s a style, and a legacy, I’m trying to live up to in all my comic book work. He’s gone now, but he would be very proud and thrilled to see me writing a Doc Savage story.
07/28/22 @ 2:38 pm EST
Announced during San Diego Comic Con, superstar artist Shannon Maer's hotly anticipated creation Sirens Gate is kicking off this October in time for New York Comic Con. Alongside the Previews catalog hitting the stands this week for fans to begin preordering this scorching hot series, Dynamite debuts a thrilling trailer for the title crafted by Maer himself!
Fans can head to Dynamite's YouTube channel at 1:30 PM EST to tune in to this snappy preview of one of the biggest splashes of the year. Shannon Maer is renowned across the industry by fans and retailers for his remarkable painted cover artwork that flies off the shelves. His technique and style captures a blend of realism, sensuality, and allure that is perfect for the medium of comics and many hit characters such as Dynamite's own Vampirella. Countless fans have been inquiring and clamoring about the possibility of Shannon tackling full interiors on a comic book. That time has finally come, and it's not just a quick little short story or special one-shot, but a full blown series created, written, and illustrated by Shannon himself. Following in the footsteps of other juggernaut painters in the comics field like Alex Ross, Joe Jusko, Bill Sienkiewicz, Joseph Michael Linsner, Simon Bisley, Dave McKean, and many other greats, Shannon Maer is offering fans a treat all too rare in the medium. "As the pages began coming together, it felt like another level of dimension added to my work," said creator Shannon Maer. "I loved exploring a scene from multiple angles, and still feeling like the entirety of the book was a singular painting." "Shannon saw the incredible reception to the announcement of the series at SDCC, and wanted to take ... 07/19/22 @ 1:52 pm EST
Dynamite is excited to announce a new thrilling special story featuring the Project Superpowers standouts Cat-Man and Kitten written by the incomparable Jeff Parker (Batman ’66, Aquaman) with art by the incredible Joseph Cooper (Ninjettes). This sensational new story that features both gangsters and boa constrictor men, will be available in comic shops later this year. An astonishing standalone superhero story that only Jeff Parker could create! Witness the heroic Cat-Man and his loyal sidekick Kitten as they become embroiled in a dangerous race to recover a priceless artifact that may hold the key to conjuring an ancient god of death! Can our classic adventurers evade pterodactyls, throw hands with the Lavender Gang, and survive the serpentine Snake Men? Find out, in this thrilling tale by writer Jeff Parker and artist Joseph Cooper with covers by Junggeun Yoon, Jonathan Case, and Jacob Edgar!
  "The Cat-Man & Kitten special is artist Joe Cooper and I taking the reader into the world of a relatively obscure Golden Age hero and exploring how cool that can be if you embrace the wild elements instead of trying to subvert everything," said writer Jeff Parker. "I wanted to craft a story that starts at one end of the pulp spectrum and keeps expanding in scope. Also, we have some appearances from other Project Superpowers characters and we're keeping an air of mystery around them that fits the feel of the book. Boss Editor Nate Cosby is bringing in powerful cover artists like Case, Edgar, and Yoon to really cap this project.” Editor Nate Cosby unintelligibly chimed in, "MEOW HISSSSSSSS COUGH COUGH (sorry, furball)."
The character was brought to Dynamite in the pages of Project Superpowers: Chapter Two by ... 07/19/22 @ 1:48 pm EST
Young readers are invited to discover Santa's Secret Society this holiday season, the first title in The Adventures of Herbert Henry book series to be released from Dynamite Entertainment and publishing partner Curiosity Ink Media Books.
This prose story by best-selling children's author Amber Stewart (Little by Little, Rabbit Ears) , complemented by adorable spot illustrations from Sònia Albert, introduces readers to Herbert Henry. It's the heartfelt kickoff to the series, with future entries to come. He's a young boy and sadly, right before Christmas his father has lost his job. Even worse, his holiday cheer has been lost in turn. Determined to save the season for himself and his family, young Herbert sets out on a hopeful journey north to hand-deliver his letter to Santa Claus and get his help. "I am so happy that Herbert Henry, wild and curious as he is, continues his journey into the hearts and minds of child readers in this lovely book," shared writer Amber Stewart. "I hope that anyone picking it up will enjoy reading the story as much as I enjoyed writing it and it becomes a Christmas favorite among families." Along his quest, Herbert will meet a handful of colorful friends and learn of his own power to help others. From busy elves to a stranded snow bear, the friendships and lessons learned along the way could be the key to everyone's merry Christmas. The whole he's joined by his only slightful helpful yet adorable dog. When he finally gets to the House of Claus, Herbert is surprised to find himself surrounded by chaos. Christmas is in jeopardy not only for his own family, but for the whole wide world. With his industriousness and the cast of characters befriended ... 07/18/22 @ 7:20 pm EST
Ahead of Comic-Con International, Dynamite is announcing a new publishing partnership with Immortal Studios, to bring the Los Angeles-based publisher’s shared universe of Wuxia martial arts-fantasy comic books to the broader marketplace. Through the Kickstarter crowdfunding platform, the Los Angeles-based publisher Immortal Studios has to date successfully funded three comic book series as part of a larger shared universe. Now Dynamite is set to bring these action packed titles to the direct market comic stores, digital vendors, bookstores, and beyond in multiple formats, with more releases and titles to come. Immortal Studios’ Storyverse is spearheaded by the company’s Founder and CEO Peter Shiao, who is collaborating with a team of comic book storytellers to bring a modern sensibility to the Wuxia genre that has influenced contemporary pop culture, including Marvel's Shang-Chi, Avatar: The Last Airbender, The Matrix, and Star Wars, as well as countless anime and manga like Naruto. Wuxia, pronounced "woo-sha," is a long running genre born from China that depicts the adventures and trials of martial arts heroes, often but not always in historical settings and with fantasy elements. The Immortal Studios’ Storyverse is inspired by the storytelling of one of the foremost authors in the Wuxia genre, Peter Shiao’s father Shiao Yi, whose novels have been adapted into film and television more than thirty times, including films by the Shaw Brothers and Golden Harvest.
"I am very excited that with this new partnership with Dynamite, one of the preeminent comic publishers, Immortal has dramatically increased our reach and visibility to fandom," said Shiao. "This is a very important step in our goal to build a multi-pronged distribution footprint to reach different market segments that are important for us. We look forward to sharing these Immortal stories which have already gained initial traction through our growing community to ... 07/18/22 @ 4:20 pm EST
Sugar, sugar, a brand new super-sweet antiheroine is hitting the stands! Meet NYC's Sweetie Candy Vigilante - from creator/writer Suzanne Cafiero and producer John Cafiero.
Honey-dipped and dark humor infused, Sweetie Candy Vigilante is a unique multimedia character following in the footsteps of other "bad girls" like Harley Quinn and Dynamite's own Vampirella. She first debuted on the cover for the album Ear Candy by the group Osaka Popstar (featuring a dynamic punk cover of the classic Archies track, "Sugar, Sugar"). The first issue of the new comic series comes bundled with an MP3 download code to check out the song - perfect to put on while reading the book!
   “I’m honored to have Sweetie continue the long legacy of badass vigilante women in comics and media, including those in the stellar orbit of Dynamite’s roster," said writer Suzanne Cafiero. "I created Sweetie Candy Vigilante because I wanted to read a comic that has authentic NYC flavor infused with fantasy, horror, and dark humor. I’m really immersed in the SCV story. My lifelong NYC residency, along with childhood obsessions, love of art, music, film and comics has culminated in the creation of Sweetie, so buckle-up gumdrop!” Dynamite and the creative team are kicking off this exciting treat with an extra-sized first issue - extra pages, same sweet price of $3.99. The comic series is written and created by Suzanne Cafiero, produced, edited, and art directed by John Cafiero, and features artwork by Jeff Zornow (Godzilla). Artist Josh Howard (Dead@17) provides two variant covers in addition to Zornow's, with one presenting the artwork he created for the aforementioned album cover. Sweetie is an ethereal, charming, and beautiful relative of the mythical "candy ... 07/18/22 @ 11:35 am EST
A story like no other, a firsthand peek behind the curtain of the Italian American mafia and a heartfelt story of fatherhood, is soon coming to the comics format by way of Dynamite Entertainment. The publisher has licensed writer James M. LaRossa Jr.'s memoir of his father, to bring visuals and a new audience to this compelling story. "If one were to choose a trial lawyer whose life reflected the unique characteristics of America’s 'Wild West' of a criminal justice system in the latter half of the Twentieth Century, that person likely would be my father, Jimmy LaRossa," shared James LaRossa Jr. "Thanks to Dynamite, which is bringing in a team of the most talented creators and writers, led by editor Matt Idelson, the creative journey that is Last of the Gladiators, A Son’s Memoir of Love, Redemption, and the mob, is ready to join the ranks of the wildest graphic novels. As his son and confidant, my dad revealed to me at the end of his life the secrets of his courtroom dramas and eccentric clients, which included the most feared Mafia chiefs, assassins, counterfeiters, money launderers, defrocked politicians of every stripe, and bankers arriving in the dead of night in their private jets. These clients sought the counsel of one man—my father. All I can say is, you better buckle up for the ride." The book, entitled Last of the Gladiators: A Memoir of Love, Redemption, and the Mob by the Son of the Legendary Trial Lawyer Jimmy LaRossa, may be published in this new format under an altered title, while maintaining the spirit of the original. This is part of a planned True Crime line in Dynamite's library. Jimmy LaRossa lived a full life, from ... 07/18/22 @ 11:10 am EST
Every superstar creator has their breakout story to share with the world, and now beloved artist Shannon Maer is ready to invite fans to Sirens Gate, his first ever creator-owned comic - Sirens Gate!
Following in the footsteps of absolute legends like Alex Ross, Shannon Maer is unquestionably one of the comics form's biggest stars when it comes to cover artists. His lush painted pieces have been showcased on countless best-selling top titles across the industry, including countless classics on Dynamite's own Vampirella and others. His unique style captures a level of realism and sensuality that few can match. Fans have been asking for years if and when Shannon might take on the full interior artwork and writing for a comic.
Well, they need not wait any longer, as Shannon and Dynamite unveil Sirens Gate. First there were Marvels, Kingdom Come, and Masks by Alex Ross, and other like Vampirella: Blood Lust by Joe Jusko, among others, all chronicled in Dynamite's own The Art of Painted Comics. Sirens Gates continues that legacy in offering readers a premium level of artwork through the entire book, a treat that is rarely seen.
"As the pages began coming together, it felt like another level of dimension added to my work," said creator Shannon Maer. "I loved exploring a scene from multiple angles, and still feeling like the entirety of the book was a singular painting."
The urban fantasy tale introduces and focuses on Tara, an aspiring writer. She's never thought of herself as anyone special, but all that is about to change. When a mysterious young man extends an unexpected invitation, Tara is awed at the opportunity to meet with her literary idol, Lady Rose. This unique encounter sparks a series ... 07/18/22 @ 11:05 am EST
Fire and Ice returns! The beloved sword and sorcery masterpiece of artwork, animation, and storytelling is making its way back to the hearts and hands of fans thanks to a new partnership between Dynamite Entertainment, the Frazetta Girls brand, and Bakshi Productions for both new comic books and tabletop games.
With the coming 2023 marking 40 years since the 1983 release of the original film, now more than ever is the time to celebrate and continue the legacy of this innovative and memorable film. Dynamite is working alongside the Frazetta family and Bakshi Productions with talented creators to craft a truly special set of follow ups that will delight fans new and old. “My grandpa introduced me to his film, Fire and Ice when I was in grade school," said Sara Frazetta. "Watching movies together, especially Fire and Ice, bonded our relationship. We felt the intensity of the scenes together. We were transported into the world he created. It was magical. Fire and Ice has remained in my top favorite films of all time and to be able to reignite the property with the Bakshi family and Dynamite is incredibly exciting!”
"Bakshi Productions is excited to work with the Frazetta Girls and Dynamite Comics to create new Fire & Ice media," shared Eddie Bakshi. "It is an honor to again explore the fantastic world that Frank Frazetta and Ralph Bakshi created. I know that Bakshi fans have been waiting a long time for more Fire & Ice material, and that’s what we plan to give them."
Dynamite CEO and Publisher Nick Barrucci added, "Fire and Ice is a seminal classic animated feature that is beloved by fans and creators alike. In having discussions with Sara Frazetta, and having brought up my love of ... 07/12/22 @ 12:15 pm EST
Dynamite is honored to announce the first ever professional contribution of all-star artist Jim Starlin to the Warlord of Mars mythos with an exciting new limited edition variant cover featuring Dejah Thoris. Plus, Dynamite is also offering a limited edition trading card set celebrating the 40th anniversary of Starlin's signature Dreadstar, and more celebrating 50 years total in Starlin's incredible career. The premium collectible comic book and trading cards are available now on Indiegogo.
Jim Starlin has himself built much of the "cosmic" genre as fans know it in comic books, reinventing and creating countless sci-fi characters at Marvel, DC Comics, and others through an extensive and incredibly successful career. Including creating the likes of Thanos, the Infinity Gauntlet, and more inspirations for Avengers: Endgame and more. Yet to date he has never officially drawn the likes of Dejah Thoris, John Carter and the world of Edgar Rice Burroughs' Barsoom. Now Dynamite is helping Starlin and fans bring this fantasy pairing to life.
"I read John Carter as a kid and dreamt of battling four-armed aliens and rescuing beautiful Martian maidens," said Jim Starlin. "Guess this is as close as I am going to come to realizing those fantasies, aided and abetted by the lovely and talented Jaime Jameson.”
The limited variant cover is available with or without logo trade dress, as a color-free inked version, and with signed and sketched editions for collectors. Copies are also available slabbed and graded with CGC, as well as combo packs for the best deals and exclusives. Don't miss out on the opportunity to reserve this historic comic!
Starlin's Dreadstar broke out in 1982 and now Dynamite is celebrating 40 years of Starlin's fan-favorite cosmic franchise. To celebrate each year ...
06/14/22 @ 2:03 pm EST
Bursting from the pages of Jennifer Blood, writer Fred Van Lente (Incredible Hercules, DIE!namite) and artist Joseph Cooper invite readers to meet the Ninjettes in their new spotlight series this September! With a story evoking the likes of Hunger Games, Squid Game, and more, this is going to be a can't-miss action romp! Corrupt and twisted government forces think they've got their solution to stop violence among young people. They've devised a "Profile," a range of personality and attitudes that they feel can pinpoint those prone to these acts before they strike. So then, what better way to deal with these identified students than whisking them away blinded by black hoods, and forcing them into a brutal battle royale death match to determine which will move on to an elite black ops assassin training program? That sounds just perfect!
Readers will meet a new roster of potential Ninjettes, as some distrust and rebel against their captors and the system, while others buy in and are eager to become trained operatives with a license to kill. Readers should be warned though, this title is set to stack up a significant body count, maybe even starting on the first page. One can't get attached to any one Ninjette too much. Except maybe Steph, a politically active cartoonist who believes she's only been targeted for her beliefs. She doesn't have a violent bone in her body, but in order to escape the Concrete Dojo and exact revenge on her captors, that may need to change.
   
"My favorite thing to do in comics is to put characters in extreme situations and see how they react--and how ...
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