AfterShock Comics has announced a new book called Oberon, which is coming in February from writer Ryan Parrott (Volition) and artist Milos Slavkovic, drawing from a wide range of fantastical influences that include the likes of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream as well as classic Grimms’ fairy tales.

The basic plotline of this new title is that a deposed fairy king has been banished to Earth and is now trying to manipulate an innocent child into being an ultimate weapon that he can use to regain his throne. Not really stuff to read at bedtime with your kids. Although, most fairy tales in their original versions weren’t kid-friendly, either, published as they were by Germans in the 19th century. Loss of innocence is a fairly common theme (to the point that Google autofills too scary and too twisted when I type were Grimms’ fairy tales…).

This quote from Parrott in the press release announcing the title is perhaps most illustrative of what readers can expect:

“If you look at some hallmarks of popular fantasy — Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings, for example — it’s traditional for a guide to sorta lead naive characters (and the audience) through new magical worlds, explain the rules and give insight. Well,  I personally love villains. I can’t get enough of characters that are gleefully self-serving, so I thought — what if the guide that was leading you was completely unreliable and serving their own devious motives? How would you even know? That’s the black little heart at the center of “Oberon.”

Anyway, solicit info, preview art, and full PR from AfterShock are below:

OBERON #1 / $3.99 / 32 pages / Full Color / ON SALE 2.06.2019
Writer: Ryan Parrott
Artist: Milos Slavkovic
Letterer: Charles Pritchett
Cover A: Milos Slavkovic
Incentive 1:10 Cover: Marco Rudy

Betrayed by his people and exiled to Earth, Lord Oberon, the former king of the fairies, seeks out an innocent prophesied child in order to manipulate her into becoming his ultimate weapon so that he can reclaim his rightful throne.

From writer Ryan Parrot (VOLITION) and artist Milos Slavkovic, Oberon is a new supernatural adventure proving once and for all that fairies should never be trusted.

WHAT IS THE BOOK ABOUT AND WHY ARE YOU EXCITED FOR COMIC READERS TO CHECK IT OUT?

Oberon tells the story of the legendary King of the Fairies who, after being betrayed by his wife, Queen Titania, loses his crown and is banished to Earth. He obviously doesn’t take it well, so he seeks Bonnie Blair, a ten-year-old “promise child” who is destined to one day save the universe from some ancient evil and, instead of protecting her like any good fairy might — Oberon proceeds to lie and manipulate her into using her gifts to help reclaim his throne and get some good old fashion revenge.

I grew up on classic fantasy and fairy tales so I’ve always been on the lookout for a story that could subvert some of the standard settings and characters — and more accurately mirror our modern world — where heroes and villains are sometimes interchangeable.”

OBERON COMES FROM THE SHAKESPEARE PLAY ‘ A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM’ – WHICH OF THE ROWDY TEENS IN THAT PLAY IS YOUR FAVORITE?

“Robin Goodfellow is an honest puck, and I’ll have words with anyone who says otherwise. But seriously, because magic and portents are featured prominently in so many of Shakespeare’s plays, I always loved the idea that The Tempest’s Prospero, Macbeth’s Three Witches and the fairies of Mid-Summer were all part of the same shared magical universe. Many of Shakespeare’s most famous characters make appearances in one way or another — even the rowdy teens.”

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE FAIRY TALE AND WHY?

“All the original Grimm Brother’s fairy tales are splendidly dark and twisted. In fact, Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother actually plays a prominent role in the first arc of Oberon. I mean… she is a fairy… so who is she and why was she watching over the special young girl? That’s part of the draw of the series for me — taking some of the pieces from ancient lore and connecting them in unexpected ways.”

IF YOU HAD TO GIVE ADVICE TO SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO KEEP FAIRIES AWAY, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO THEM?

“In some cultures, it’s actually considered good fortune to encounter a fairy because they’re so rare. However, their magic is based in barter so, buyer beware, because — the only thing a fairy likes more than getting what they want in a deal is making sure the other party doesn’t.”

WHAT SETS APART THIS BOOK FROM OTHER FANTASY/ MAGICAL STORIES?

“If you look at some hallmarks of popular fantasy — Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings, for example — it’s traditional for a guide to sorta lead naive characters (and the audience) through new magical worlds, explain the rules and give insight. Well,  I personally love villains. I can’t get enough of characters that are gleefully self-serving, so I thought — what if the guide that was leading you was completely unreliable and serving their own devious motives? How would you even know? That’s the black little heart at the center of “Oberon.”

YOU’VE WORKED ON SUCH TV SHOWS AS CHANCE AND REVOLUTION, WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE TV PROGRAMS YOU’RE WATCHING, AND WHAT WAS TRHE LAST MOVIE YOU SAW IN A THEATRE?

“I really enjoyed The Haunting of Hill House and am currently watching the folksy craziness of the second season of Patriot. The last film I saw was “A Star is Born”. Apparently… I’m a sucker for musicals.”