|
11/06/13 @ 3:36 pm EST
Arvid Nelson has been in comics a long time having published his first issue of Rex Mundi with Image Comics over a decade ago. Since then he’s worked for Marvel (X-men Unlimited), DC (The Joker Asylum) and Dark Horse (Kull). Now he’s switching form Robert E. Howard to Edgar Rice Burroughs as he takes on John Carter in Lords of Mars for Dynamite Entertainment. Nancy Collins did a quick peer-to-peer interview with Nelson to talk about the new project.
NANCY COLLINS: How old were you when you first became aware of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ work? Was your first exposure Tarzan, John Carter, or one of his other series, like Pellucidar?
ARVID NELSON: Exactly the age when Nick Barrucci first approached me about writing Warlord of Mars! Isn’t that pathetic? But it’s true. Burroughs is one of those things you’re “supposed” to read, I think that’s why I never got around to it beforehand. It felt like homework.
But imagine my delight! The Mars novels are surprisingly accessible and fresh. I read the first three in a span of 48 hours, I literally only put them down to urinate and eat. One of the most amazing things about the Mars books is their universal influence. John Carter is, in my opinion, the world’s first superhero. Star Wars is heavily based on the Mars novels, too.
I went on to read the Tarzan and Pellucidar novels, of course, but the Mars stories will always have a special place in my heart. They launched Burroughs’s career, and they’re the bedrock of modern-day Science-Fantasy.
NC: You’ve cited Robert E. Howard as a literary influence–does the same hold true for Edgar Rice Burroughs?
AN: Absolutely. Burroughs was constantly bursting with ideas and creative energy. Each successive Mars novel is like delving into a new world all over again. But it’s more than that – Burroughs is a great storyteller. He knows how to keep you reading, page after page. He ends chapters brilliantly. He lures you into complacency with what you think is going to be a tired, reheated plot cliché… and then he utterly defies your expectations. There are very interesting, satisfying and complete arcs for his secondary characters – Xodar and Phaidor, for instance. Reading the novels a second time was especially educational for me.
NC: Do you see LORDS OF MARS as science fiction, heroic fantasy or heroic adventure?
AN: I try not to worry too much about genre conventions. That’s one of the best things about the Mars novels – they were written before conventions existed, so there’s a wonderful freeness to them. I mean yes, there are elements of heroic fantasy in Lords of Mars. But it’s mostly a world of science, not magic. And there’s no shortage of adventure! If I had only one word to describe Lords of Mars, it would be “heroic”. John Carter and Tarzan are heroes. They’re the good guys, period. Of the two, Tarzan is darker and more conflicted, but neither of them are cynical or self-serving, they’re not Han Solo. Any other portrayal just wouldn’t do them justice.
NC: You’ve worked on films in the past–how does it compare to working in comics?
AN: Hah! My “work” in film culminated with a glorious tenure as a production assistant on a Woody Allen movie my summer after college, and as a special effects intern on a Troma movie – Small Time Crooks and The Toxic Avenger Part IV, respectively. Film, especially independent, East Coast film, is a real meat grinder. It just wasn’t for me. It’s not like anyone was going to say “Hey, Arvid! You do such a great job fetching coffee and diverting pedestrian traffic, why don’t you direct this next scene?” In fact, Woody Allen dropped out of school to start writing, so I followed his example – I dropped out of film to start writing. It was a scary decision, but I haven’t looked back.
Comics are much more gratifying than film, for the simple fact that the production costs are several orders of magnitude cheaper. Money just screws everything up. Nobody sets out to create a terrible film that nobody wants to watch, but the obscene amount of money it takes to make a movie means you have to play it safe. You can take more risks with comics, and you can make fewer compromises. Dynamite’s goal from the beginning with the Burroughs adaptations was to tell the stories the “right” way, capturing the essence of the originals while maintaining the integrity of what Burroughs “is” and “is not”. Whether or not we succeeded is for readers to judge, but I feel great about what we accomplished.
NC: Do you have anything up your sleeve for 2014 that your fans might like to know about?
AN: I’ve got several things up my sleeve – way, way up my sleeve. Right now I’m in the process of trying to pull them out. It would be premature to say anything else! Suffice it to say I’m really excited about the future.
07/17/19 @ 7:58 pm EST
Peek Inside the Garth Ennis/The Boys Humble Bundle!!97% Off Nearly 5,000 Pages of Comics! Dynamite and Humble Bundle have teamed together to offer almost all of Garth Ennis's bibliography at the publisher in an unparalleled deal for fans! Starting as low as $1 and with a top tier of only $15, comic readers can get nearly 200 issues that would normally cost over $500! It's the perfect time to binge on The Boys, with the Amazon Prime Video show premiering next Friday, July 26! The bundle will only be available for a short time, so check it out here!
GARTH ENNIS/THE BOYS HUMBLE BUNDLE!
Dynamite presents this sneak peek into a few highlights of the Humble Bundle. But we can't show everything, as Garth's boundary-pushing mind and his artistic collaborators have cooked up a few very explicit comic books in their day. So buy the bundle to see everything uncensored! The cherry on top is that a portion of all proceeds will be contributed to the non-profit EveryLibrary Institute, which researches and educates on the importance of libraries as pillars of free speech and accessible arts and information!
THE BOYS
  
BATTLEFIELDS
  
JENNIFER BLOOD
   Don't miss these limited deals! Garth Ennis/The Boys Comics Bundle! $1 Tier The Boys #1-14
The Ninjettes #1-6A Train ... 07/17/19 @ 3:20 pm EST
Dynamite and Archie Comics announce the extension of the Red Sonja & Vampirella Meet Betty & Veronica series, doubling from 6 issues to 12! The response from fans, retailers and critics on this series has been an overwhelming hit! Who could imagine that teaming up four of the most iconic female characters in the medium would be so popular? Jokes aside, Dynamite is beyond grateful for all the positive reactions to this book and the perfect way to give back was simple - make more of what people love! The same beloved creative team, top to bottom will pick right up with issue 7 this November. Amy Chu (Poison Ivy, Green Hornet) continues her victory lap writing Red Sonja following her acclaimed run with Carlos Gomez. Plus her further exploration of Vampi and Riverdale's leading ladies. Maria Sanapo (Sheena Queen of the Jungle, Charmed) will keep contributing some of the sharpest and cleanest artwork in comic books. While colorist Vinicius Andrade and letterer Taylor Esposito keep raising the bar. Fans will also be excited for more covers from the existing cast of diverse styles. Including Fay Dalton, Robert Hack, Laura Braga, Dan Parent and Cat Staggs. "I literally just saw the sales numbers for the first issue and my jaw dropped! I've been completely bowled over by the amount of support for this series," said writer Amy Chu. "Of course I'm excited to continue with the series as long as the fans want. This is my first time working in the Archie universe, and it's been non-stop fun working with Maria. Expect even crazier antics with this next arc!"
   
Red Sonja ... 07/17/19 @ 3:17 pm EST
The Vampirella Poster Book allows fans to enjoy some of their favorite covers of the Daughter of Drakulon at an increased size and free of logos.  2019 is the Year of Vampirella, celebrating her big 50th anniversary, and Dynamite has made it their mission to spoil Vampirella fans as much as possible across countless new series, reprints, collectibles and more. One great way to celebrate her indelible impact on the comics landscape is a showcase of 24 of the greatest Vampirella covers ever! All at a beautiful 12 by 16 inches poster size on heavy cardstock paper, easily removed from the book that can alternately serve as an art book. Tack up your favorites, give some to your fellow Vampi fans or line an entire Vampirella room with them! The artists spotlighted in the poster book include Frank Cho, Alex Ross, Joe Jusko, Adam Hughes, Stanley "Artgerm" Lau, Fay Dalton, Guillem March, Derrick Chew, Tyler Kirkham, Warren Louw, Joshua Middleton, Gabriele Dell'Otto, Joseph Michael Linsner, Billy Tucci, Terry Dodson, Jenny Frison, J. Scott Campbell, Lucio Parrillo, Jee-Hyung Lee, Milo Manara, Adam Hughes, Art Adams and Jay Anacleto. A truly unparalleled assembly of talent!
"As both a publisher and a fan, we've been beyond blessed to have some of the greatest cover artists of all time contribute pieces to the Vampirella legacy!," said Nick Barrucci, Dynamite CEO and Publisher. "Picking just one image from each artist and even narrowing the list down to 24 artists - when we originally planned for 20 - was incredibly difficult. We hope fans will appreciate our selections and who knows, there are plenty of covers left..."     Read More Here 07/17/19 @ 10:18 am EST
Dynamite announces a licensing deal with F. Paul Wilson to bring his "fixer" mercenary to the graphic novel format. The best-selling and award-winning F. Paul Wilson will be the sole writer tackling this original contribution to the urban antihero's saga.
Repairman Jack first appeared in Wilson's 1984 novel The Tomb, as part of his "Adversary Cycle." Over a decade later, Repairman Jack was spun off into a dedicated series of novels and altogether has now starred in more than 20. Jack makes his living fixing problems for people in his future society, often dealing with issues contemporary to our times as well. Through these missions, Jack encounters both the mundane and otherworldly supernatural forces out of his control. 
"Originally I agreed just to write new stories for the Repairman Jack graphic novels and have someone else script them, but anal me couldn't give up the reins," said writer F. Paul Wilson. "So I'm doing the whole deal, story and script. Jack's fans can expect to see a lot of familiar faces, while new readers will come away with a damn good idea of who this urban mercenary is, what he does, and how he gets it done."
Nick Barrucci, Dynamite CEO and Publisher added, "F. Paul Wilson is one of the most talented and prolific writers of his era. It's always a thrill reading a new Repairman Jack novel and we all agreed that level of action with his unique sprinkling of supernatural and sci-fi elements would translate perfectly to a visual medium. Paul is a longtime fan of comics and we can't wait to announce more!"
The first Repairman Jack original graphic novel will be solicited and released in 2020, with more details coming soon from Dynamite. 07/16/19 @ 3:49 pm EST
Vampirella has dominated the comic book page, and now sets her sights on collectible coins! Dynamite is releasing two coins, and each features a stunning artistic take on Vampirella by top artists Stanley "Artgerm" Lau and Lucio Parrillo!
Dynamite's limited edition coins use an innovative colorization technique over top a base of authentic US John F. Kennedy Half-Dollars plated in real 24-karat gold. Packaged with a full-color Certificate of Authenticity and within an acrylic capsule to protect the coin, this currency is in fact legally able to buy a newspaper or bag of chips - but you won't want to do that!
The coin featuring superstar Lucio Parrillo takes its design from Vampirella (2010) #15, with a classic image of Vampi staring down a skull. One of the hottest artists in comics and pop culture illustration today, Artgerm, has his image originating from Vampirella (2019) #2!
The recommended retail price of these coins are $29.99 each. Though to celebrate Vampirella's big 50th anniversary Dynamite is offering them at a special introductory price of $19.69, denoting the year of Vampi's iconic creation and first appearance.
"In our 15 year history, Dynamite has always strived to offer fans not only the highest quality comic books, but also collectibles of all types," said Nick Barrucci, CEO and Publisher. "Fans were excited about the Red Sonja coins we offered recently, so we knew had to bring our other flagship heroine to this category, with all of the Vampirella hype around Christopher Priest's series, the Vampirella/Red Sonja ongoing and the just announced Vengeance of Vampirella revival."
 
The Vampirella Lucio Parrillo Collectible Coin and Vampirella Artgerm Collectible Coin will be solicited in Diamond ... 07/16/19 @ 12:22 pm EST
Dynamite announces their slate of San Diego Comic Con 2019 panel appearances and creators attending the show!
2019 is a huge year for Dynamite, marking the publisher's 15th anniversary as well as the 50th anniversary of their flagship heroine Vampirella! It's a big year of the San Diego Comic Con as well. The very first SDCC, then actually known as the Golden State Comic Book Convention, was 49 years ago. But wait... Think the math over again, that makes this the 50th convention. 50-50!To celebrate all these anniversaries and other exciting developments in the "Dynamite Universe," the team has prepared a trio of tantalizing talks for longtime fans as well as newcomers jazzed about the latest critically acclaimed titles and more just around the corner. Executive Editor Joseph Rybandt will feature on all panels and be bringing along top tier talent to discuss the past, present and future of Dynamite!
First on Thursday, Dynamite kicks off the convention festivities with the Vampirella 50th Anniversary panel! Come by Room 8 from 5:30 - 6:30 PM to join current Vampirella writer Christopher Priest, legendary Vampi chronicler and scribe of the just announced Vengeance of Vampirella Tom Sniegoski, writer/artist and independent comics legend Joseph Michael Linsner, and veteran Vampi cover artist Joe Jusko. Lead by editor Joseph Rybandt, this merry team of pros will delve into their involvement on current Vampirella projects as well as fondly look back at her 50 years prior. She still looks just as good! And kicks just as much ass!
   Then on Friday from 1 - 2 PM in Room 4, the party starts with the Dynamite Entertainment 15th Anniversary panel. Joseph Rybandt is joined by ... 07/16/19 @ 11:59 am EST
The Nemesis of Crime is back in a new limited series by writer Max Bemis (Moon Knight, Polarity) this October!
 In this series, Bob Benton aka the Black Terror, is living in the 1970s and contending with his post-war mental health as well as the rapidly evolving social landscape around him. Say Anything band frontman and acclaimed comics writer Bemis is joined by artists Matt Gaudio (John Wick, Bettie Page) and Ruairí Coleman (Cloak & Dagger, Turok). Rounding out the team on colors and letters are Brittany Pezzillo (Bettie Page, Green Hornet) and Taylor Esposito. Each issue of the series acts as both the next chapter and a standalone deep dive into the Black Terror's life and the chaotic 1970s setting. Fans can expect to see Black Terror's infamous plain-named sidekick Tim, cult leaders, mobsters, experimental drugs and more. Bemis has described the title as a bit of an Alan Moore take, but less depressing and with some 70s Batman DNA.
Writer Max Bemis said, "I loved working with Dynamite on our take on Atari's Centipede and they were kind enough to let my imagination run wild in terms of how I interpreted that world. They've let me go just as nuts with Black Terror, an awesomely designed and conceived vigilante who has never gotten a chance to venture into weirdness. If you're a fan of Swamp Thing or Sandman and making a "conventional" superhero go all wacky, but maybe want a bit more humor with your psychedelic, this is the book for you!"
“Being able to work with Max and the whole creative team on this vision of the Black Terror has been an absolute pleasure," said artist Matt Gaudio. "Those guys allowed me the freedom to interpret it as ... 07/16/19 @ 11:56 am EST
07/15/19 @ 2:29 pm EST
Dynamite proudly announces a statue bust reproducing Stanley "Artgerm" Lau’s not-yet-released, yet already classic cover for Vampirella #2!
  This 7.5 inches tall high quality resin bust is Dynamite's most unique rendering of Vampi to date. Artgerm's haunting cover has been expertly translated to the third dimension by veteran sculptor Steve Kiwus. To then be meticulously hand-painted, right down to the heroine's bloody "outfit." Dynamite already knew that anything Artgerm tackled would turn out spectacular, but the entire team jumped out of their shoes when they saw his latest sultry yet fierce take on the Daughter of Drakulon. When fans went wild following its reveal, everyone knew it just had to be brought off the page and onto the shelf! The pose and scale of the image was perfect for a bust. With the added bed of detailed three-dimensional skulls for a base, it turned out even better than expected! More detailed photos from the produced piece will be shared closer to release.
"It has been a wonderful experience working with Dynamite and contributing my first comic cover to Vampirella’s legacy. It’s even more exciting to see my art come to life with this bust format statue, which is a first for me," said artist Stanley "Artgerm" Lau. "For all Vampirella fans out there, I hope the statue will be a great addition to your collection and a reminder of how much you love this beautiful and deadly lady."
The bust is priced at only $89.99, allowing even more fans of both Artgerm and Vampirella to pick up this exceptionally striking collectible.
Not only is Dynamite releasing this collectible statue - there is also a new Artgerm Vampirella cover! This October's issue 4 will ... 07/15/19 @ 2:27 pm EST
Lucio Parrillo's long history with Dynamite is showcased for fans in new deluxe art book!
 Today Lucio Parrillo is one of the most in demand and acclaimed cover artists in the comics industry. Long before this was universally acknowledged, Dynamite recognized Parrillo's masterful painting abilities and worked with him on countless covers for the biggest titles. The Dynamite Art of Lucio Parrillo is a deluxe hardcover art book reprinting these pieces on oversized high quality paper without logos or other distractions so fans can marvel at the work. It's just one step away from seeing the paintings in person! "I have been working with Dynamite for over 10 years and have made so many covers of Red Sonja, Vampirella and many other important characters," said Lucio Parrillo. "I grew artistically studying the artists of the past and frequenting the museums of Paris, Rome and Florence. My style blends 19th century classics with a modern twist. Traditional painting techniques are more rare in today's market, with so many going digital, and I think that is a part of what attracts my fans to me."
Parrillo is recognized as one of Red Sonja's greatest cover artists, depicting her throughout her storied barbarian life. He's painted the fiery heroine's early and later life, including the covers of almost every issue of the Queen Sonja series. Parrillo has also crafted countless covers for everyone's favorite Drakulonian, Vampirella! His often dark compositions stick in the minds of collectors. Just as at home in pulpy jungles and Martian sand, Parrillo has also added to the legacy of Edgar Rice Burroughs's creations John Carter, Dejah Thoris and Tarzan. Plus even more covers of zombies, pirates and the Chaos! Comics crew!
Add it all together and that's 200 pages of amazing sci-fi ...
|
