Dynamite has been rolling out a series of big announcements today, and of course, some of their top leading ladies are on the list. Take a look at what some of the publisher’s favorite females have coming up this summer.
Vampirella’s Year One Explored by Christopher Priest
Three years ago acclaimed writer Christopher Priest celebrated Vampirella’s 50th anniversary with a new ongoing series. Now, the next chapter begins. Vampirella: Year One debuts this summer, with the limited event series exploring not only the Daughter of Drakulon’s earliest days, but also a follow up to the explosive conclusion of Vampirella/Dracula: Unholy.
Details are below:
“Our vampiress is now wanted for murder, with every demon, vampire, whack-job zealout, reporter, and law enforcement officer on Earth hunting for her. As she takes refuge hidden away, Vampirella begins to recall and question how and why she came to this planet in the first place.
Dynamite invites readers to travel to the scenic, exotic sites of Drakulon, and then back in time to 1960s New York City, where Vampi finds herself grappling with depression and intense loneliness as she attempts to build a new life.
Through the series she will meet her first friends like the fan-favorites Pantha and Pendragon, as well as her first enemies. She’ll also be navigating the turn of the decade amidst one of America’s most turbulent periods. Grab your go-go boots, Afro Sheen, and love beads!”
Priest said in a statement:
“I’m actually a bit surprised this hasn’t been done before. There are vast areas of Vampirella’s life, especially her childhood on Drakulon, which remain largely unexplored. Half our series will be a kind of ‘pilot’ episode to gauge interest in artist Ergün Gündüz’s amazing reinterpretation of Drakulon and the new history we created during our ‘Interstellar’ story arc in Vampirella #18-21.
“The remaining issues will take an odd turn on the E.T. story, examining the plight of many refugees who come to America seeking asylum and freedom. Vampirella leaves Drakulon on a mission of mercy, unaware that, due to the crude state of Earth technology, it will be a one-way trip.
“Stranded in a strange land, Vampi is a literal illegal alien, immigrant and lost soul in 1969 New York City–a far more dangerous city than it is today. Vampirella does not understand our language, our culture, our politics. We land her squarely back in the pages of her original Warren Publishing book, with cameos from some of the original cast. The book is a lot of fun while also exploring important themes of who we are as Americans and how to live up to our core values.”
Artist Giovanni Timpano returns to illustrate the present-set framing sequences. For the core tale, Priest is reunited with Gündüz, and letterer Willie Schubert rounds out the creative team. Together, they plan to expand the classic origin story from Forrest J. Ackerman and Tom Sutton.
As for covers, look for entries from Collette Turner, Lucio Parrillo, Guillem March, Derrick Chew, and Joseph Michael Linsner. Rachel Hollon makes history as the first cosplay cover with the white costume, and fans can find a limited incentive cover featuring pencils by Kevin Nowlan.
Vampirella: Year One #1 is set to release in July 2022. It will also be available for individual purchase through digital platforms courtesy of Comixology, Kindle, iBooks, Google Play, Dynamite Digital, ComicsPlus, and more.
Masquerade, Lady Satan, The Woman in Red return thanks to Alex Segura’s The Scarlet Sisters
Dynamite has a new title starring Masquerade, the Woman in Red, and Lady Satan coming soon. The Scarlet Sisters comes to you thanks to writer Alex Segura (Archie, Secret Identity) and artist Emiliana Pinna (Immortal Red Sonja).
While no release date is set just yet, we do have some details about the series (and the exciting trio) below:
“This deadly trio of heroines bring their own special brand of vigilantism in addition to their captivating red threads. Together they will dish out justice in a tale steeped in noir tradition, a genre not unfamiliar to acclaimed author Alex Segura. His recently released novel Secret Identity, which blends mystery with fictional tales of the comic book industry, has been met with rave reviews. Segura also has plenty of experience in the comics world himself, as the writer on hit stories like Archie Meets the Ramones and The Black Ghost.
Previous iterations of the Scarlet Sisters featured Masquerade as a socialite on vacation, with a last minute need for a masquerade ball costume. She doesn’t heed the warning by the shop keeper that the costume she’s picked out is possessed by the spirit of justice. When the spirit prods her into action, it turns out she likes this whole crimefighting deal.
The Woman in Red made history in 1940, as the first masked female crime fighter in the burgeoning comic book medium. By day she is police detective Peggy Allen, already pushing boundaries. Yet she is constantly frustrated with criminals escaping justice, and seeks to take matters into her own hands.
Lady Satan has been perhaps the most mysterious of the three. What is known is that she was a young woman with a bright future ahead with a dashing fiancé. All of that was ripped away from her with a Nazi bombing. Since then she has been a scourge against all evil, sometimes even exhibiting supernatural abilities.”
Stay tuned for updates.
Savage Tales of Red Sonja, Vampirella, & More
Fans of the legendary title Savage Tales have new stories for their summer reading list. This July Dynamite is releasing a special anthology featuring stunning artwork and four new stories starring Red Sonja and Vampirella written by Scott Brian Wilson, and Allan Quatermain and Captain Gullivar Jones by David Avallone.
Red Sonja’s “The Executioner’s Sword” features the art of Al Barrionuevo (Batman Gotham Knights, Storm), as the She-Devil deals with a horrific mix of magic and swordcraft.
“Missionaries of Madness” starring Allan Quatermain with art by Will Rio pits the legendary hunter against a cult worshipping Cthulhu. Equipped with just a rifle, can Quatermain stand against the dread of the Great Old Ones?
The stories starring Vampirella and Captain Gullivar Jones are drawn by two up and coming artists from the legendary Kubert School. Founded by the innovative Joe Kubert, known for his acclaimed war, superhero, drama, and autobiographical comics, the prestigious institution offers students an unparalleled education in cartooning and graphic art.
Vampirella stars in the comically titled “Horrible People Doing Horrible Things To Horrible People” for a Warren-era styled morality tale. Kubert School artist Mariano Benitez Chapo is excited to take on this classically styled story.
Captain Gullivar Jones is drawn by Kubie Hamish Cook, in “His War.” Taking place years after his adventure on Mars, Jones finds himself amidst a new darker war that may just lead to his redemption.”
What’s an anthology without a great cover? For this one Arthur Suydam depicts Vampirella in an homage and now companion to his cover starring Red Sonja for Dynamite’s first Savage Tales title from 2007. A variant starring Sonja is handled by sword and sorcery great Rafael Kayanan. Finally, Liam Sharp turns in a cover featuring both of Dynamite’s stars.
Savage Tales #1 is set to release in July. Fans can preorder in May at their favorite comic shop or purchase digitally on Comixology, Kindle, iBooks, Google Play, Dynamite Digital, ComicsPlus, and more!
