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06/12/15 @ 8:54 am EST
Writer’s commentary by David Avallone for Legenderry: Vampirella #5Legenderry: Vampirella was my first series as a comic book writer, and I have to thank Allison Baker, Chris Roberson, Bill Willingham and Joseph Rybandt for pushing me to do it, recommending me for it, and having the faith that I could pull it off. I hope they were satisfied with the results. And so here we find ourselves in the final issue. In Chapter Four I tried to set up all the elements for the climax, and now the curtain rises on my (hopefully) Grand Finale. What follows will have some MAJOR spoilers, including the really big twist I’ve been building up to: this is best read AFTER you’ve read Legenderry Vampirella Chapter Five.  Page 1: Mercy and Rudolf Rassendyll riding to the rescue of Vampirella, and arriving to see her handiwork. On the one hand I always want to stress that Vampirella doesn’t want anybody’s assistance. On the other… we could all use a little help from our friends.  Page 2 & 3: A beautiful two-page splash from David Thomas Cabrera. I take every chance I get to say nice things about DTC, because his work on this book has been extraordinary. He’s used every piece of photo reference I threw at him, and graciously accepted my occasional small tweaks on framing and layout. The title of this issue is HEARTS OF LIGHT AND DARKNESS: the reference to Jospeh Conrad (already present in the “Kurtz” character) is obvious. The reference to Roger Zelazny’s craziest novel is a little more obscure. The last page of the previous issue teased this issue’s title as THE VAMPIRE STRIKES BACK, but that was a joke.  Page 4: Vampirella has been previously established (long before I started writing her) as invulnerable. But… she’s made of matter, and a disintegrator (or “demolecularizer”, as my characters like to call them) is going to disintegrate matter. The glancing blow here isn’t quite enough to make her disappear in a puff of smoke, though. The sizzling glow where the beam hit is her body replacing cells at almost the same speed that the beam is burning them off. It’s worth mentioning here that in Chapter Three I tried to make it clear that I favor her original “Planet Draculon” sci-fi origin story, in all of its insane glory. No Biblical hoo-hah here.  Page 5: In my first drafts, I rarely gave the Clones any lines. When I see David’s art I am invariably moved to give them something to say. They’re pawns, and what’s really going on is always above their pay grade. Still, they see what’s happening and react like any confused pawn does when the important pieces start moving (and wiping them out.) Page 6, Panel 5: Doing a book set in a world populated by legends, you want to work with iconic characters. Bill Willingham, when he created the world of “Legenderry”, brought together a fantastic group of the Dynamite Comics characters and reimagined them in fun and interesting ways. When I was asked to spin-off a series with Vampirella, I was given a lot of freedom to add new characters to this setting. Working with turn-of-the-century public domain characters is not a new idea, and Alan Moore worked these fields rather thoroughly in his LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN, so I had to take to my shelves to find characters I loved and wanted to write, given this opportunity. (I also took a moment to check with the irreplaceable Jess Nevins that Alan had not exploited any of these characters already in his books.) In this panel you see three at once: Kurtz, The Emperor Jones, and Rupert of Hentzau. In this “alternate universe” of Legenderry, I postulate that MY Kurtz – rather than dying – opens a trade route to the Jungle and becomes a very rich man, with some of the personality traits of a certain other famous billionaire whose initial is “K”. Likewise, the Emperor Jones survives his nightmarish flight from revolution, and finds refuge in the Council. The Devil-may-care Hentzau is much as he was at the end of The Prisoner of Zenda: out of a job, and pretty pissed off at Rudolph Rassendyll. I have loved writing these three guys, and hope I get a chance to use them again. Page 6, Panel 6: Valcallan returns, with an electro-rifle. We all know who the “mad old Sikh” is, right?  Page 8: I intended these panels to mirror each other, but left that out of the script. I thought the framing wouldn’t work. David Cabrera read my mind and did it anyway. Rassendyll is probably flashing back to his desperate assault on Zenda. His memory is hazy, though… because… (spoiler!) he’s not really Rassendyll. Page 9: The constable is named Sennett. Of course he is. Later, this man will go on to form the Keystone Kops, klearly. Page 10: I hate to send Mercy away from the big finale, but that’s how it worked out. She’s based on a pulp character from the late fifties, but I won’t say who… maybe next time.  Page 12: I love the “climbing the airship tow-rope” action beat. So did the producers of A VIEW TO A KILL. I think we’re BOTH ripping it off from a 1971 Michael York WWI movie called ZEPPELIN. And here’s a little more chatter from the Clones, for laughs. I think they’d definitely be talking about the death toll this one lady has racked up among their ranks. Page 14-15: Here we go. I’m genuinely curious if this worked… if people saw it coming. Naturally, Rupert figures it out before everyone else.  Page 16: It could be argued that Black Mass saving Vampirella here is a deus ex machina moment… but I did my best to set it up. It’s not random. Black Mass has been there all along, and he saves her because he loves her. It’s a love story. I’m pretty sure in the solicits for the first issue I mentioned that. You just forgot, in all the violence and fun. Page 17: The moment in the previous issue, where Rassendyll is looking at himself quizzically in the mirror, should come to mind here. Black Mass lost himself for a bit. The disguise was too perfect, including susceptibility to knock-out drugs. Page 18: This is a good time to mention Dave Lanphear, letterer and Robby Bevard, colorist. Like a bad movie director, all I told Dave about anything in this series was “it would be nice if there was a cool lettering treatment” (when Kurtz is orating, or Black Mass is speaking). I didn’t give him a single useful idea other than “make it cool”, and he did. In this issue, it was Robby Bevard’s idea to have the sun slowly setting, and the sky turning colors, as the story progressed. A perfect idea, beautifully pulled off, that helps the story – indeed TELLS the story – magnificently. Robby’s work on the whole series has been stunning, and always in service of the narrative. Page 19: In issue one, the story began on the airship platform of Kurtz tower. It ends there, too. I like that sort of thing.  Page 20: Last issue, Kurtz said “Exterminate the brutes!” Here he gets to use his most famous catchphrase. Page 21: Vampirella hasn’t had a reason (or a chance) to extend her wings in this series… I thought it would be lovely to do it here, at the end. I always listen to music when I write, and soundtrack nerds might find it interesting that I listened to “Taarna Forever” from Elmer Bernstein’s score for Heavy Metal when I was writing this sequence. (No one else will care.) Page 22: Our story ends, for now, with a joke from Citizen Kane, a hopeful ending not unlike Here Comes Mr. Jordan and the final payoff of the running gag about Rudolf’s silly name. I hope you enjoyed the ride… For more on Legenderry: Vampirella #5, click here.
01/08/21 @ 8:38 am EST
Dynamite announces a brand new prestige Reanimator comic book from creators Cullen Bunn and Blacky Shepherd, connecting the maniacal Herbert West to the wider Cthulhu mythology of H.P. Lovecraft, with a story that serves as a direct sequel to the original short story. Fans can reserve their copy right now on Indiegogo! 
Though he’s presumed dead at the end of Lovecraft’s original tale, nothing can keep the mad scientist Herbert West down. He’s back and with his reanimation serum stolen, he must travel to the infamous town of Innsmouth, home to degenerate townsfolk and dark gods alike. This story is full of monsters, scares, and surprises for both longtime Lovecraft disciples and new readers. It will kill off all expectations for what readers think they know about Herbert West, only to reanimate them with something new and terrifying. "There have been so many incarnations of Herbert West, but we’ve been given the opportunity to take the character back to formula, if you’ll pardon the pun," said Cullen Bunn. "This story finds West in the 1920s, not long after the conclusion of the original short story. From there, we were able to go in some sinister new directions I think readers will love."
Artist Blacky Shepherd added, "As a lifelong fan of the visceral horror that you get with Reanimator, and the cosmic dread of the rest of the Lovecraft mythos, the chance to stitch the two together, as written by one of the Modern Masters of the Macabre was too exciting. This story gives me everything I love in a horror story and dials it up to 13!"
Eisner-nominated writer Cullen Bunn is a master of horror, with the critically acclaimed independent title Harrow County. Other hits of his include stints on Deadpool, X-Men, and ...
12/30/20 @ 10:24 pm EST
It’s the battle of the bloodsuckers in March, with Dynamite Entertainment launching a new comic book series bringing iconic comic book vampires Vampirella and Purgatori together for the first time in decades. Vampirella Versus Purgatori sees both characters become embroiled in a plot to corrupt certain members of humanity whose very goodness serves as a symbol of man’s worthiness to survive. But can Vampirella — an alien who arrived on Earth and works for good — and Purgatori, a demon who traditionally walks a far less altruistic path, work together to bring this plan to an end, or are they going to end up at each other’s throats? (Note the use of “versus” in the title, for those looking for a hint.) The series is written by Ray Fawkes (Constantine, Justice League Dark), with art from Álvaro Sarraseca (Turok). "Like many comics fans — and horror fans — I’ve fostered a love for Vampirella for a long time," Fawkes said in a statement. "I was reading Vampirella comics way back when, in the stone ages when I was probably too young to be reading stories that were so bloody and so sexy." Vampirella first appeared in 1969’s Vampirella No. 1, published by Warren Publishing; the character has been published by Dynamite since 2010. Purgatori, meanwhile, debuted in 1994’s Evil Ernie: Revenge No. 1, published by Chaos! Comics; Dynamite purchased the rights to the character in 2010. The two characters had previously co-starred in Chaos! Comics’ 2000 one-off ... 12/28/20 @ 2:20 pm EST
Takeshi Kovacs is back in action on the page in ONE LIFE, ONE DEATH, and creator Richard K. Morgan delivers the most exciting chapter yet, filled with action and revelations about the iconic character's past. In a future defined by the ability to swap bodies, or sleeves, identity and mortality take on whole new meanings. Takeshi Kovacs was once a member of the Envoy Corps, an elite unit of the Interstellar Earth Protectorate. Now he drifts between worlds as a freelance enforcer in an age where the flesh you wear is as disposable as your clothes.
In Morgan's upcoming entry to the New York Times best-selling franchise, Kovacs finds himself imprisoned not only in jail, but within a weak body. He's even missing a major swath of memories. Everything heats up as he learns that former squad members have been sold to one of the richest people in the universe, causing him to swear vengeance. As he careens through fight after fight across the stars, an avalanche of secrets will redefine everything he knows about his past and his future.
"We really pushed the body-shock boat out for this one," said writer Richard K. Morgan. "Scott's brutal, innovative story assists and Max's delirious in-your-face visuals combine to dial up the noir and put Kovacs face down in the dirt, right at the heart of a corrupt interstellar regime as never before.”
Author Richard K. Morgan is joined by writer Scott Bryan Wilson (Nancy Drew & the Hardy Boys) and artist Max Fuchs (Halcyon Days) for this exciting adventure in continuity with the fan-favorite novels and the previous Dynamite-published graphic novel, DOWNLOAD BLUES. The series has been adapted to the screen for Netflix, starring Joe Kinnaman and Anthony Mackie as Kovacs, thanks to the franchise's ... 12/21/20 @ 3:42 pm EST
When Vampirella and Purgatori cross paths, which vampiress will come out on top and will anyone around them survive? Dynamite reveals the legend in a new series debuting in March.
Writer Ray Fawkes (Constantine, Justice League Dark) brings his talents for the creepy side of things to these two misunderstood figures of darkness. The multi-talented creator is working closely alongside artist Alvaro Sarraseca (Turok) to bring this prophetic clash to the page. Colorist Salvatore Aiala and letterer Tom Napolitano round out the clan.
"Like many comics fans - and horror fans - I’ve fostered a love for Vampirella for a long time!," said writer Ray Fawkes. "I was reading Vampirella comics way back when, in the stone ages when I was probably too young to be reading stories that were so bloody and so sexy."
  
 
Vampirella, the Daughter of Drakulon, escaped her dying planet and arrived on Earth as a stranger, feared for her magnificent abilities and unique biology. Purgatori, or Sakkara, was born in Ancient Egypt as a slave, but managed to escape thanks to a vampire who turned her, only for her then to evolve further as a demonic goddess in the depths of Hell. Both women are known as vampires, but are so much more than that. While Vampirella has primarily devoted herself to the light, even the vicious Purgatori has shown moments of antiheroism. For their first major meeting in Dynamite's canon, the two women become entangled in a conspiracy related to the 36 Tzadikim Nistarim. This prophecy, originating in Judaism, dictates that there are people hidden among ... 12/21/20 @ 3:37 pm EST
Following up the critically acclaimed two year tenure of the Eisner-nominated Mark Russell, Red Sonja #25 is an oversized anniversary celebration honoring the road taken and the road ahead for the She-Devil With a Sword!
The double-sized special start of a new story arc is written by Sonja all-star Luke Lieberman (Birth of the She-Devil, Price of Blood) and drawn by the talented Drew Moss (Vampirella/Red Sonja, Star Wars). They're joined by letterer Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou, who has graced the Hyrkanian steppes of this series with his talents from day one.
  
Picking up 10 years after the epic conclusion of the previous issue, Sonja the Red is older and has been through her share of war, triumph, and the death that comes with conquest. That won't stop the fire-haired heroine from enjoying herself with some ale though! As Hyrkania's current leader, Isolde, approaches old age, she desires once more to see the legendary warrior before she passes on. As aides set out to track down Sonja, she's tempted by an invitation to the great games being hosted by the Sultan Kimuchi. What will happen when all converges and will Sonja return to her homeland she liberated so many years ago? "Sonja is a sprawling legend," said writer Luke Lieberman. "In many ways this is about how the real Sonja clashes with that legend as seen through the eyes of Isolde's young proteges. This story was fun to write, can't wait to share it!"
A special back up story written and drawn by Will Robson (Thanos, Future Foundation) hearkens back to the very first appearance of Red Sonja, with her sporting the original chainmail tunic as designed ... 12/04/20 @ 12:46 pm EST
After a fantastic debut year, Dynamite Books wants to celebrate their anniversary by giving readers their first-ever sale. From now until the end of the year, all the digital novels introduced this year will be 50% off through Amazon.com. This includes the latest from the military fiction titles SEAL Team Six: No More and the new SEAL Team Six: AX, as well as horror icons Vampirella and Purgatori and the novelization of the first story arc of The Boys comic series. For horror lovers, this sale includes the work of fan-favorite author Nancy A. Collins as she explores a world where the last remnants of Vampirella’s homeworld have come to invade the Earth in Vampirella: Blood Invasion. Then Dan Wickline takes the Daughter of Drakulon to Hong Kong where she must team with a new heroine to stop the resurrection of an ancient malevolent force in Vampirella: The Blood Dragon. And for fans of the CHAOS! Comics’ demon queen, find out how Sakkara goes from a simple slave girl to ruling ancient Egypt in Purgatori: Chaos Rising.
Vampirella: Blood Invasion
Vampirella: The Blood Dragon
Purgatori: Chaos Rising   
Fans of Military Fiction can dive into multiple tales of patriotic heroism starting with the return of the popular SEAL Team Six: No More – A New Flame written by Max Kent and Dan Wickline. Flame heads to war-torn Syria to rescue a misguided 16-year old boy before all hell breaks loose. Then spinning out of those pages comes the new SEAL Team Six: AX – Killswitch by Max Kent and SB Wilson featuring a new team lead by former CIA Agent Tori Bennett where she is tracking down a ... 12/02/20 @ 11:50 pm EST
Dynamite is linking up with fan-favorite comic book and collectibles YouTuber Gem Mint Collectibles for his first-ever exclusive variant cover. Featuring a stunning Vampirella by artist Ken Haeser and incorporating Gem's signature diamond imagery, fans can get this limited collectible comic on Indiegogo now! 
"I'm beyond excited to work with Dynamite for my first exclusive cover!" said Stephen Small aka Gem Mint. "Ken did a great job delivering my vision of Vampirella holding a gem surrounded by loot. I know fans of the channel and Dynamite are going to dig this unique cover!" Today Gem Mint Collectibles is one of the foremost destinations for comic book, graphic novel, statue and trading card collectors on YouTube. Gem got his start on Instagram in 2014 building up his name by selling and trading comics and key issues. Then he kicked off his channel on YouTube and just a couple years later is rounding the corner on 100 thousand subscribers and 15 million views. Fans come to him for his laid back personality, fun streams and discussions with his wife Phie, and all the latest news and reviews. With a specialty in unboxing and analyzing the biggest statues, biggest books and keeping fans updated on the biggest keys, he's an essential source for collectors. For his first-ever exclusive variant cover, Dynamite brought in acclaimed and multitalented creator Ken Haeser. He's a graduate of the prestigious Kubert School of cartoon and graphic art and is best known for his creator-owned series The Living Corpse. His diverse, adaptable style has graced the covers, interiors, and scripts of such wide ranging properties as Grumpy Cat, Batman, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Back to the Future, and much more.
The Indiegogo campaign offers a bounty of options for all kinds of collectors. ... 12/01/20 @ 8:22 pm EST
Dynamite is proud to announce the latest instant classic, fully painted comic book cover from legendary artist Greg Hildebrandt. His latest masterpiece uses Red Sonja to pay homage to his world-famous "Star Wars" poster from over 40 years ago. And it's available right now on Kickstarter! 
“I was honored to work with Nicky and the Dynamite team on this Kickstarter campaign," said artist Greg Hildebrandt. "When they told me it was Red Sonja and explained what they wanted, I really got into the project. It’s fun for me to paint a badass woman with a sword. Then seeing the final product and what they are doing with the various covers made it a complete package for the fans. My fans and Red Sonja’s fans! Hope you enjoy the art.” Often working alongside his twin brother Tim as the "Brothers Hildebrandt," Greg has always had close ties to comics. After building a strong reputation with works like their cherished Lord of the Rings calendar artwork, their painting appeared on the cover or inside such early boundary-pushing comics magazines as Heavy Metal and Epic Illustrated. In the 1990s the pair, jointly and separately, rose to the top of the industry with their in-demand cover art. An entire generation of fans connected with their work through the popular 1994 Marvel Masterpieces trading cards. Almost every single person familiar with popular culture can recognize one major piece from the Hildebrandts. Commissioned to paint a new theatrical poster for the original Star Wars film's 1977 UK release, the twins finished it up in a tight 36-hour window. The image played a crucial role in one of the defining fandoms of the 20th century and beyond, and today the She-Devil with a Sword finds herself in those same footprints. To complete this classic ... 11/24/20 @ 3:29 pm EST
Dynamite announces a duo of romantic special one-shots for February, starring its flagship heroines, Red Sonja and Vampirella. Fans will think Cupid is hiding in their pull list!   The She-Devil With a Sword celebrates the season in a special story by Bill Willingham (Fables, Robin) and Giuessepe Cafaro (Catwoman, Suicide Squad). The creative duo reunites following their collaboration on the Vampirella: Trial of the Soul one-shot that featured the first appearance of Prester John. Sonja is faced with the ultimate dilemma, as her arch-nemesis, Kulan Gath is suddenly... her greatest admirer? Is there more at play here than her eyes can see? Sonja will face her greatest challenge resisting the urge to kill a love that can not die.
In addition to the perfect fit of Joseph Michael Linsner for a cover, and a cosplay photo from Savannah Polson, Jimmy Broxton joins with a genius cover homaging the classic romance comics of earlier eras.   Over in a terrifying alternate reality and Vampirella's special, the Daughter of Drakulon has married Dracula and the world faces a dark crisis like no other. The king of the vampires has subjected humanity to cattle for his people, and his bride has sworn a sacred oath to him. However, hope survives with a rebellion brewing in the shadows. Who is the mysterious Bloodwing and why does Dracula fear her so much? And will she return in future stories? (Yes!) Prolific Vampirella writer Tom Sniegoski brings in comics newcomer Jeannine Acheson to co-write this tale ripped from the Book of Prophecy, following successful collaborations in prose. They're joined by rising artist Marco Ramos.
Sniegoski added, “Working on any Vampirella project is something ... 11/24/20 @ 3:24 pm EST
Everyone's favorite She-Devil With a Sword, Red Sonja, is back in the new series Sonjaversal this February - but this time she's joined by many, many Sonja's of all colors and more!    Critically acclaimed writer Christopher Hastings (Unbelievable Gwenpool, Adventure Time), artist Pasquale Qualano (Dejah Thoris), and letterer/designer Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou have assembled to depict this cataclysmic crisis threatening the entire multiverse. This self-described "most important comic book to ever come out in the history of the world" cannot be missed by fans of crossovers and mashups that dial it up to eleven. "My favorite projects are the ones where I ask 'How are they letting me do this?' and in this case, Dynamite isn't just letting me do this, they've explicitly asked me to," said writer Christopher Hastings. "Our mission with Sonjaversal is to go as big as possible, and our only enemy is restraint. That said, I'm just the writer, and I can say things like 'Red Sonja jumps out of Blue Sonja's helicopter to drive her sword through Giant Ape Sonja's gargantuan skull!' all day, but it means nothing without Pasquale to make it look amazing. I can't wait for everyone to see what he does with this comic."
It's roll call time. The classic Red Sonja that everyone knows and loves going back nearly 50 years is front and center of course. This time she's joined by Blue Sonja, ripped right out of a 1980s action blockbuster, with big guns, a big bike, and bigger explosions. How about Green Sonja, aka the She-Devil With a Dinosaur? Or mecha pilot Sonja? Others that fans will meet include Orange Sonja, Saint Sonja, Hell Sonja, and countless others. Only limited by ... |
