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07/08/16 @ 3:25 am EST
Ben Fisher, best known for writing Grumpy Cat, is now shifting gears and working on a post-apocalyptic drama series called The Great Divide. He talks with Byron Brewerabout the first issue that will be on sale from Dynamite in September. Cover A by Mike Henderson, Cover B by Adam Markiewicz, Cover C by Kyle Strahm.  BYRON BREWER: Ben, Dynamite readers may know you best as a writer on the tremendously popular Grumpy Cat title, but this is something worlds away. Tell us how you came to create The Great Divide as a concept and how it came to Dynamite.BEN FISHER: As a writer, I’m always interested in exploring how people with different backgrounds and viewpoints interact – particularly if they’re forced to come together under unusual circumstances. That concept holds true whether the premise is comedy or (in this case) post-apocalyptic drama.One day I was standing on an overcrowded bus heading into downtown Portland, uncomfortable and claustrophobic, and the thought occurred to me: how would the world operate if physical contact was literally a death sentence? Could personal relationships exist if just being in the same room as someone else was a potential risk?So I reached out to Adam Markiewicz, who really has a gift for letting human emotion shine through his panels, and together we brought the concept to Dynamite. They were immediately enthusiastic about the idea, and we really couldn’t have asked for better partners. BB: How closely have you Adam collaborated on the look and design for this book? I would imagine atmosphere is important in this type of series.BF: Atmosphere is essential, absolutely. Adam and I had many discussions about how people completely lacking human contact might express themselves in art, and the post-Divide world is filled with examples of that. We also wanted to capture a society at the beginning stages of admitting defeat – of recognizing that its extinction is a foregone conclusion.As a matter of pure aesthetics, Adam (along with Adam Guzowski, the book’s colorist) put a ton of consideration into conveying loneliness in their depiction of the landscape. BB: Tell us, if you will, about the world in which this series takes place.BF: The series is set in the near future, where all of humanity suffers from a mysterious affliction that causes any skin contact to result in agonizing death. But things only get stranger from there: when two people touch, only one dies, and the victim’s memories transfer to the survivor – usually with devastating effects (such as mental instability and the complete loss of the ability to read and write). To make matters worse, the entire planet periodically enters a temporary sleepwalking trance.And nobody has any idea why all of this is happening. (Well, okay, Adam and I might have an idea.)  BB: Simply, what is the “Divide” that occurs?BF: The “Divide” refers to the exact moment when every person simultaneously contracted “dermadik” – a condition that results in instant death upon skin contact. It also refers to the time when “walkabouts” (the unconscious, uncontrollable bouts of migration) first started.It speaks to the gap in genuine human connection that plagues so many of us in real life, only in this world it has become literalized.Wait, was that “simply?” Sorry, I’m terrible at following directions. BB: A post-apocalyptic environment is very popular in today’s comics, it seems. How will The Great Divide set itself apart from those other series?BF: The concept itself is a bit of a departure from traditional post-apocalyptic stories. We’ve created a fairly unique world and populated it with some very non-traditional characters.But truthfully, almost every action/adventure/horror story is “pre-apocalyptic,” with the protagonists valiantly struggling to stop the Really Bad Thing. A “post-apocalyptic” story just happens to take place after the Really Bad Thing has already happened. I think there’s a lot of headroom for both. BB: Who are the protagonists for this horror-fueled sci-fi drama?BF: At the heart of the story are two people who connect in traditional Hollywood romantic fashion: Paul is an aimless wanderer content to run out the clock on his life. At least, until he meets Maria, who immediately beats him unconscious, robs him, and leaves him for dead.During their journey, we’ll be introducing a strange and diverse cast, including a former solider who often serves as the group’s moral compass, a sociopath who collects memories, and a “baredevil” who thrives on the adrenaline rush of over-exposure.  BB: From what I understand, this is a very character-driven story. Was there any particular inspiration for the challenges our pair face?BF: That’s exactly right, and the post-Divide world allows us to focus a spotlight on the fears of intimacy and human connection that we all share. That’s the real inspiration for Paul and Maria’s relationship. Getting too close to another person is – literally – dangerous. And all the voices from your past encounters echo around your head until you aren’t sure if your own thoughts and emotions can be trusted.So it’s the same issues we all face – just with deadlier consequences and the occasional roving marauder. BB: I understand each issue of The Great Divide will also contain unique bonus content. In fact, #1 includes a download code for “Teowawki,” a doomsday-oriented song written and performed by … Ben Fisher! Tell us about it, and some of the other bonus content which may be coming.BF: Adam and I wanted to include additional digital content with each issue as our way of thanking readers who choose to spend time with us. The first issue will include a tongue-in-cheek song I wrote about a doomsday prepper on a first date. It felt like a thematically appropriate choice. The second issue will have downloadable pages to a post-apocalyptic adult coloring book drawn by Adam.We’ve got a lot of fun stuff planned and, as I hope is evident, we’re not letting the dark tone of the book suck all the fun out of the room. The story is filled with bits of humor and lighter moments to offset humanity’s grim situation, and the bonus content will certainly reflect that.In addition to the digital content, our enthusiasm for The Great Divide has spilled over into our other passions. We’re both musicians (Adam in particular has an ear for ambient soundtracks) and we’ve written a full original score for the series, which we’ll make available online (for free!) to help set the mood.
07/03/20 @ 3:33 pm EST
07/03/20 @ 3:25 pm EST
Coming up soon, just as everyone celebrates other fun stuff - we're going to celebrate the underrated skills and talent of cosplayers. In this crazy time with no conventions to get together, enjoy the hobby and experience cosplay in person, we want to tip our hats to the ones we've worked with on our exciting cosplay covers. Featuring all your favorites like Jacqueline Goehner, Karrigan Taylor, Anastasya Zelenova, Ireland Reid, Ashley Du, Joanie Brosas, and many more! More details coming soon... Sign Up Here for Updates! 07/02/20 @ 12:54 pm EST
This September's Red Sonja #19 kicks off a new arc in writer Mark Russell's critically acclaimed treatise on leadership, war, and sword & sorcery action.
Hot new artist Alessandro Miracolo (Zorro) joins for this next stage of the run, as pieces fall into place and everything connects back around. Fans will want to track down his limited Independence Day variant cover for the preceding Red Sonja #18 in anticipation and to complete their collections. His exciting style follows in the footsteps of other great artists who have contributed to this volume, lead by Mirko Colak and Bob Q. Colorist Dearbhla Kelly and letterer Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou will continue on the title with their expert craft. While superstars Jae Lee and Joseph Michael Linsner continue their runs on covers, joined now by Miracolo and other exciting talents like Erica Henderson (Assassin Nation).
"Red Sonja returns to Shadizar in hope of ending the wars that have destroyed every kingdom they've touched," said Mark Russell. "But the end of one war is the cause of the next and how can she find the way out when every dead foe has someone to avenge them? This is the answer that the previous eighteen issues have been building up to."
   "I am very happy to join this fantastic team and be welcomed to the Hyborian Age," said artist Alessandro Miracolo. "I grew up with the characters and stories of Robert E. Howard, so for me, this is a dream. And to follow the work of great artists like Mirko [Colak] and Bob Q, as well as collaborate on a book with one of my favorites in Jae Lee, it's hard to believe this ... 06/30/20 @ 3:01 pm EST
No delay - so CLICK RIGHT HERE to join in! If you miss out, don't worry, you can always catch up later.
Billy Tucci and Maria Laura Sanapo join Dan "Couchdoodles" Fraga for a livestream discussion about Miss Fury and comic book history. Haul out those Comics Journals, Comics Interviews and more, as Fraga is bringing the insightful, historically minded questions as he discusses the innovative and boundary-busting backstory of Miss Fury and her creator June Tarpé Mills.
And be on the lookout for even more updates, as we are breaking down our next fun stretch goal soon!
Get Your Copy of Miss Fury: Joy Division Here!
06/29/20 @ 9:31 pm EST
You get a stretch goal! You get a stretch goal! Billy Tucci and Maria Laura Sanapo's Miss Fury campaign has been such a rousing success that we've been trying to keep up with all the support. Today we're talking about multiple stretch goals! You may be aware of the first and second stretch goals we unveiled, and that were quickly unlocked. Off the bat, we decided to add 10 extra pages to the book. Then everyone wanted to see the cool "nose art" design in a cool way, so we launched the first promo trading card. For the third stretch goal - which is already unlocked! - anyone who picks up the trading card set add-on will now have 6 cards instead of 5. A representation of Maria's alternate cover is now added. And now on to the fourth stretch goal! Which, guess what...? Has already been unlocked too! With the campaign passing $55,000 now every physical backer will receive a special promo trading card of Marla Drake's glamorous entrance into the story, as we've all seen through Maria's gorgeous art and Ceci de la Cruz's masterful coloring. This is separate from the trading card set, but go for it all! So with that all said... stay tuned for the next one! Get your copy and all the great extras here!    06/29/20 @ 9:55 pm EST
Thank you to the fans! Mindy Wheeler's spectacular new Vampirella variant was funded on Indiegogo in just a couple hours! Let's see how high we can take it in the next couple days! Make sure to share the campaign with your collecting friends and fellow fans.
Were you able to join her for the launch party livestream? She discusses all the background on the piece and how exciting it is to see the support from fans. You can catch up after the fact here.
We also want to spotlight some of the alternate options on the cover. In addition to the traditional version you would expect, we're also offering with Mindy the options to get a "virgin" edition. This one does not feature the logo and "trade dress," allowing for a more pristine way to appreciate the art and coloring. On the other hand, the black and white line art edition really emphasizes Mindy's precise abilities as an artist. You can pick up either, or all three with the regular version in a package. Also take a look at the options for signed copies and CGC grading!
Get Mindy's Cover Right Now! 06/26/20 @ 11:34 am EST
Dynamite announces a jaw-dropping new exclusive variant cover by artist Mindy Wheeler, live right now on Indiegogo! "I'm so excited to be working with Dynamite on this 50th anniversary cover! It's especially an honor to be creating a Vampirella piece at this time when she has reached such an important milestone (50 years!)," said Mindy Wheeler. "Fans are the best and to be able to see their response in real-time through crowdfunding is a unique experience for any creator. It really connects an artist with their fan base and offers them perks they can't get elsewhere."
This spectacular piece of art inspired by the likes of Michael Turner and José "Pepe" González will be available in many ways, through the perks of crowdfunding, as noted by Wheeler. The default edition includes the iconic Vampirella logo and the trade dress to match the record-breaking first issue underneath the cover written by Christopher Priest and drawn by Ergün Gündüz. A "virgin" alteration without the logos allows another way for fans to experience the art untouched. Another maintains the intricate pencil work of Wheeler. Special reward tier packages are available with the covers signed by Mindy, as well as graded by CGC to preserve their limited edition value. Awesome add-ons include a tee-shirt featuring the art and a huge 11 by 17-inch high-quality lithograph print - also available signed. Just one lucky collector can also add the original piece of pencil art at full size to their collection!
Mindy Wheeler is a rising artist with work published through IDW, Zenescope, others - and now Dynamite! Entering the industry in 2014 as both a penciler and colorist, she's worked on Grimm Fairy Tales, ROM, and Divinica. She's collaborated with Dawn McTeigue, Sabine Rich, Eric Basaldua, Jamie Tyndall, Jason Metcalf, ... 06/25/20 @ 8:13 pm EST
The weekend is just around the corner, and that's precisely why we want to give you a head's up that this spectacular sale is closing out tonight. In just a couple hours it'll disappear. So don't miss out on this epic deal for almost 75 comic books, 4000+ pages and $320 worth, for just a dozen bucks! Or starting at just a buck! Stock up on great reading for this weekend and those to come! There are a ton of gems in the bundle. The entirety of Max Bemis and Eoin Marron's unexpected masterpiece take on the classic Centipede arcade game is included. Check out the first full volume of Bettie Page's declassified adventures. Also included are meticulously remastered early adventures of Vampirella and Red Sonja. Also the critically acclaimed adaptation of Casino Royale by Van Jensen and Dennis Calero. In addition to some of the newest hits from Dynamite! Grab the Dynamite Action Bundle on Fanatical here!
 06/25/20 @ 3:16 pm EST
In a can't-miss standalone tale coming this September, just in time for Halloween, Vampirella meets the newest member of her spine-tingling rogues' gallery! Multiple Eisner Award-winning writer Bill Willingham (Fables, Robin) writes the Daughter of Drakulon for the first time ever in Trial of the Soul. Willingham is joined by artist Giuseppe Cafaro (Catwoman, Suicide Squad), colorist Andrew Dalhouse, and letterer Carlos Mangual. The blood-filled cherry on top is the haunting cover by Bart Sears (Justice League, Blade).
This extra-length special tale asks the question, "Does Vampirella have a soul?" New character Prester John has made it his mission to determine this and enact judgment on her. If she passes the test, she will be spared. If not, he must destroy her. No matter how charming he finds her...
"I always found Vampirella so intriguing and I've always had a crush on vampires so this one-shot for me will be definitely a great chance to test my skills with this classic character," said artist Giuseppe Cafaro. "Plus, with Bill at the script, I'm sure that this will be an amazing journey! I always loved what he did with Fables and the Sandman Universe! Can't wait to show fans what we are doing!"
Based on the legend of the medieval Christian leader of a lost wealthy African kingdom, the Prester John of the Vampirella universe represents a force that our heroine has occasionally found herself contending with. Based on a design by Willingham, John is portrayed as a handsome young man, though he's lived well over 1,000 years. When not hiding among man, he dons an ornate armor made in the forges of Heaven. It pairs with his sword, which is actually on loan from Saint Michael ... 06/25/20 @ 3:11 pm EST
This October Dynamite and artist Brent Peeples show respect to one of the industry's most influential figures with a 5-piece set of variant covers homaging Rob Liefeld's famous covers!
Artist Brent Peeples (James Bond, Titans) brings maximum effort to these covers that mirror some of the most recognizable covers of all time. Brent and Rob have worked together on the smash-hit Major X and other projects together, so there is respect and admiration in these pieces.
All six of these covers grace Dynamite's top titles. The Princess of Mars has green martians in her sights, as Dejah Thoris #8 calls back to New Mutants #87, Rob's second issue on the title. Arguably even more iconic is the 98th issue of that series, which Killing Red Sonja #5's cast stepping in for a merc with a mouth. Bettie Page #3 reenacts the pivotal next issue that moved toward a huge shift in Liefeld's career and the industry as a whole. Vampirella/Red Sonja #11 places those two Women of Dynamite into the iconic image of X-Force #1. The blockbuster second and third issues of that record-breaking series are spotlighted with Red Sonja #19 and Vampirella #14.
“Man! What a kick getting to recreate these iconic Rob Liefeld covers for Dynamite!," said artist Brent Peeples. "Rob‘s work was and still is such an influence on me, and being involved in this cover series, recreating some of his most classic and iconic work, is such an honor. I’ve always loved his energy on AND off the page. I just hope I did them justice and did Rob proud."
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