#NYCC: Dark Horse and Dynamite Announce CONAN & RED SONJA Crossover!

 

Conan and Red Sonja Reunite for the First Time in Fifteen Years
Epic Crossover Event from Dynamite and Dark Horse

October 8th, 2013- New York Comic-Con Announcement: Dynamite Entertainment and Dark Horse Comics are proud to announce the 2014 crossover of swords-and-sorcery icons Red Sonja, She-Devil with a Sword and Conan the Barbarian, a reunion that fans have asked for since their last team-up over fifteen years ago. Two series will be published, Conan/Red Sonja and Red Sonja/Conan, by Dynamite and Dark Horse, respectively. Acclaimed writers Gail Simone and Brian Wood are confirmed as the writers for the epic crossovers, both firmly established as valuable contributors to the Robert E. Howard fantasy mythos.

Gail Simone, current Red Sonja series writer, states, "It's only the crossover that readers have been begging to have for over a decade: the two greatest barbarian adventurers ever created in an epic tale of blood, lust, and vengeance. This is the kind of stuff that made me a reader in the first place, and working with Brian Wood and his amazing version of Conan? It's just a sword-and-sorcery dream come true. It's sword vs. sword, Cimmerian vs. Hyrkanian, loincloth vs. bikini, and it'll probably be the most fun you'll have reading a comic all year."

Brian Wood, current Conan series writer adds, "Conan and Red Sonja together are a genre dream team, and I'm looking forward to not only working with Gail on the story, but creating a crossover story that is epic and huge as these things should be... and something that matters, that's relevant, and adds something to each character's rich history."

Nick Barrucci, CEO and Publisher of Dynamite Entertainment, says, "Red Sonja and Conan are the power-couple of fantasy comics. They define the genre together, the iconic figures by which all others are measured. Their history is intertwined, and I suppose it was only destiny that would lead them together again. Well, that and a lot of planning alongside great folks like Mike Richardson, Gail Simone, and Brian Wood and the editorial teams from both of our companies. And the timing could not be better as this is a huge cross-over to hit as we go into our 10th Anniversary. We couldn't be more pleased to see the Robert E. Howard legacy made whole again with two Hyboria-shaking crossover events."

Mike Richardson, President and Publisher of Dark Horse, says, "I think the fans of these series have been waiting a very long time to see them together again. I'm happy that we could work this out with the good folks at Dynamite."

Gail Simone is a multiple award-winning writer of comics and animation. She began her career writing the popular comics parody column, "You'll All Be Sorry," which led to writing The Simpsons at Bongo Comics, Deadpool at Marvel, and Killer Princesses at Oni Press. She has since written for many different publishers, including popular runs on iconic books like Birds of Prey, The All-New Atom, Secret Six, Wonder Woman, Catwoman, and Red Sonja. n addition to her comic book work, Simone has written prose, game material, and animation, including Tomb Raider, Justice League Unlimited, and Batman: Brave and the Bold. She was also a co-writer of the critically-acclaimed Wonder Woman animated film released in 2009.

Multiple Eisner Award-nominee Brian Wood released his first series, Channel Zero, to considerable critical acclaim in 1997 and has gone on to create hard-hitting original series such as DMZ, Northlanders, The Couriers, and The Massive. Adding to that body of work, he's also written some of the biggest titles in pop culture, with work on Star Wars, Conan the Barbarian, Lord of the Rings, and The X-Men.

More information will be available in coming weeks regarding the long-awaited Conan and Red Sonja reunion event.

Star Wars Issue Number 3 Review.

Star Wars # 3
By Brian Wood
Art By Carlos D' Anda

The Third issue of Brian Woods Star Wars comic book is out and this time he brings the action.   We have Han Solo and Chewie meeting up with Mon Mothma’s agent and before all you know it all hell breaks loose as Imperial Stormtroopers arrive and all hell breaks loose.   It appears that the agent wasn’t all he cracked up to be and Han and Chewie have to shoot their way out of the building the meeting is taking place. 

Meanwhile Leia appears to be getting things going looking for the Imperial mole that has infiltrated the Rebel Alliance.  But things are not going so smoothly as Leia seems to be getting jealous of Luke and his friendship with fellow pilot Prithi.  It seems Luke has been spending time with her and since they came back latte from a scouting mission in the same X – Wing, well, need we say no more.  All this and Darth Vader begins his punishment on the lowly Star Destroyer The Emperor has assigned him to.

I have been really impressed on how good the new Star Wars comic book has been.  Brian Wood has been setting up an excellent first story arc that keeps me interested to see what is going to happen next.  I love the Han Solo arc that is going on as it seems to be the one with the most action and seems to have the most going on.  Plus its Han Solo and Chewie so of course it’s pretty cool to see them back in action as they should be.

The Luke and Leia story arc is going slow and you can tell it is building up to something big. The mystery is pretty good and I’m sure when we find out who the spy is it will all make sense in a big way and also I believe it will tie in to what new Imperial bad guy Colonel Bircher has planned and looking at the last page of the book it looks to be something big.  So if you are not reading this book and a fan of Star Wars you should do yourself a favor and but this book as it is really good to read Star Wars the way it should be.

Star Wars Issue 2 Review (Mild Spoilers)

Star Wars # 2
By Brian Wood
Art By Carlos D’Anda

Continuing on from issue one Princess Leia is putting together her team to look for a planet that would be suitable for a rebel base.  This time under orders from Mom Mothma she is doing it in secret and hand picking her team to avoid the mole that embedded in the rebel fleet.  They have also been issued ne X – Wing fighter to help in the search.  Meanwhile Han Solo and Chewie are heading for a rendezvous with one of Mom Mothma’s contacts.  This takes them to Corsucant deep in the Empire.  They had to take the long way as a familiar bounty hunter has caught their trail and are trying to cash in on Jabba the Huts bounty on Han’s head.  Plus the new commander who is taking command of Darth Vaders Imperial Star Destroy takes command and promises to outdo the Jedi.

What can I say?  Two issues in and I’m so hooked on this new Star Wars comic book by the good folks at Dark Horse Comics.   Brian Wood has so far written a pretty good story that has a really good mystery behind it.   Like with issue one issue two has that good feel to it that harkens me back to my childhood when I was reading the Start Wars comic books from the 80’s.  So far so good as this story has gotten its grips in me and is very entertaining and intelligent.  What most fans should expect from a comic book that is from the Star Wars Universe.  Looking forward to seeing what happens next and what other surprises Brian Wood has in store for us.

Yet again Carlos D’Anda art was magnificent.  For a comic book the art is very important to the story. If the art isn’t up to snuff or not to my liking then the story will suffer or I might not like the story as much.  But not the case here as the art like in issue one was magnificent.  Very well done and it looks awesome especially the space scenes.  So Star Wars issue two by Dark Horse is another fine example of a good read and you must head out and buy this book as it is so far a really good start for Star Wars Adventures between New Hope and Empire Strikes Back.

Star Wars Issue 1 Review (Mild Spoilers)

Star Wars Issue 1
Written By Brian Wood
Art By Carlos D’Anda
Cover by Alex Ross

Dark Horse Comics has returned Star Wars back to the glory days of Star Wars comics by starting over more or less.  They have gone back to where Star Wars comics got their start by giving us stories that take place after Star Wars Episode 4 A New Hope.  The first issue is out today and I have to say that Star Wars fans old and new will be really happy with the issue that Brian Wood and Carlos D’Anda have given us.

I like the story so far as it takes place not that long after the Battle of Yavin and the destruction of the Death Star.  I like how it deals with the ramifications for everyone involved in that battle and what the characters are dealing with.   For instance Darth Vader is dealing with the shame of being defeated and allowing the Death Star to be destroyed.  For this he loses command of his Star Destroyer and is sent on a mission.  This is pretty awesome as I have always wondered what happened between the two movies.

What I also like is that this book reminds me of the Star Wars comics I used to read as kid and which is now available in trade paperback by Dark Horse Comics.  It really had that same feel and excitement for me as Brian Wood really captured the spirit and feel of the Star Wars universe.  The story is really interesting and grabbed me in right from the first page.   The art by Carlos D’Anda really complimented the story and was very stunning to look at mainly when you were looking at the spaceships like the tie fighters and x- wing fighters.

Star Wars issue one was a great beginning to this new series and I will be definitely be putting this comic book into my pull list and will be looking forward to reading what Brian Wood comes up with every month in Star Wars.