Dynamite is proud to show the first look at interior
pages for Ash and the Army of Darkness #1, a new comic book that continues the
story the smart-mouthed hero of the 1992 cult-favorite film! Written by Steve
Niles, acclaimed author of 30 Days of Night and Batman: Gotham County Line,
this series horror/action series with dark comedic overtones will please all
Army of Darkness fans! Ash and the Army of Darkness #1, with interior art by
Dennis Calero and covers by Ben Templesmith and Dennis Calero hits stores
October 30th!
The first issue of Ash and the Army of Darkness is
solicited in the September Previews catalog for preorder by retailers
worldwide. Ash and the Army of Darkness
#1 features a cover illustration by Ben Templesmith and a subscription cover by
Dennis Calero. And as a special
incentive, retailers that match or exceed 120% of their final Red Sonja #1
orders with Ash and the Army of Darkness #1 will allow their orders to be fully
returnable.
Here's an interview with Ash and the Army of Darkness
writer, Steve Niles!
At times, Ash Williams is a square-jawed, resolute
bad-ass. At other times, he's a complete spastic goofball. What are your thoughts on how these two very
divergent aspects of his personality may play a role in your storyline?
Ash is kind of the perfect horror character because of
the way he responds to danger. Ash is capable of extreme violence but at the
same time he has a pretty good sense of humor about things. I think that's one
of the things that makes him invulnerable, because he laughs at the most
horrible things and can joke in the most dangerous situation. His sense of
humor and goofiness is sorta his super power. Ash is our eyes on the world and
it's his reaction to heinous events that brings out the humor. It's one reason
I chose the Dark Age setting. I love how he reacts to what he sees as
primitive. Always cracks me up.
You've penned some very dark horror comics over the years
- really pushing the boundaries and showing us that comics can be truly scary
again. What should we expect from the
tone of the new ASH AND THE ARMY OF DARKNESS series?
I am shooting for equal parts scary and funny without
either stepping on the other. That's why almost all the humor comes from Ash's
reactions. The curse of the dead is very serious and it is only through Ash's
eyes we are able to laugh. I don't want people to feel too safe because of the
jokes. There will still be extreme horror. Dennis' art is perfect for what we
are going after. It's very realistic so the horror is in your face and the
comedy plays much better.
ASH AND THE ARMY OF DARKNESS returns the titular hero to
the familiar setting of the Middle Ages.
What's the appeal of the medieval time period for this new adventure?
There is nothing better for scares and humor than placing
characters completely out of their element. The Dark Age setting offers so much
in the way of keeping Ash off balance, which is when he is at his best. We see
a side of him I love, a romantic adventurous side.
The cult classic film featured numerous memorable
enemies: Pit Deadites, the skeleton
hordes, the never-seen Chase Deadite, winged demons, miniature Mirror Ashes,
possessed witches, Real-Ugly Sheila, and (of course) Bad Ash. Should we anticipate a return of these
beasties, or all-new menaces?
You should anticipate those and many many more. The world
that Ash returns to is much worse than the Dark Ages he left. Armies of the
dead have destroyed kingdoms and are spreading fast. In the film the curse was
limited, in the new series it threatens to go global. We're going to see all
kind of dead and undead creatures, twisted version of Ash and others. There
will be deadites and cults and witches and all evil.
You're a longtime ARMY OF DARKNESS fan. Would you be willing to share a particularly
fond memory of how the film impacted you, or perhaps your thoughts on AOD
fandom?
The Evil Dead films were huge for me. As an indie guy
seeing Raimi and crew do what they do and without the help of major studios was
a huge. I remember seeing the end of Evil Dead 2, which sets up AOD, and just
about losing my mind. That was the last thing I expected and in that one scene
they turned the franchise on its head and expanded the scope.
ARMY OF DARKNESS is Dynamite's flagship title, a series
with many contributors and incarnations over the past decade. What will readers need to know coming into
ASH AND THE ARMY OF DARKNESS?
Readers are going to get what they want I hope. I am
loading this thing with so much action and horror weirdness. Ash is more than
just a funny action hero in this series, he is crucial to the survival of the
world as we know it. THAT in itself cracks me up. Ash is our savior? We are
doomed! Haha. Seriously though, this comic is writing itself. Ash and the world
of darkness is so rich and full of shocks and surprises.
What parallels would you expect your fans to see between
the type of story you wish to tell in ASH AND THE ARMY OF DARKNESS, and those
stories told in your past projects?
If we had to make comparisons I'd say people can expect a
tone not unlike my series Criminal Macabre or The Ghoul or even Mystery Society
where action, horror and humor go hand-in-hand.
I'm not going to hold back of laughs or scares. We will see extremes of
both.
What's the most important thing you want fans and
retailers to know about the new, improved ASH AND THE ARMY OF DARKNESS?
Fans can expect the Ash they know and love in an
amped-up, new series full of terror and laughs. I have signed on for the long
haul so they will get books monthly. Besides Simon Dark, I have never done a
monthly title so I am getting to use muscles I've never used before. I want old
and new fans to enjoy the ride so I am putting everything into this one.