Dynamite Entertainment has just announced an all-new comic book series, Ash Vs. The Army of Darkness, based on the 1992 cult favorite film. The #0 issue is being offered at an introductory retail price of only 99¢. This low price, billed as “S-Mart Special Pricing” serves as an inside joke to Army of Darkness (AOD) enthusiasts, while also welcoming new fans as the perfect impulse buy. The opening chapter in the latest AOD epic is being led by Chad Bowers and Chris Sims (X-Men '92, Swordquest), along with artist Mauro Vargas (Crossed: Badlands).
For 25 years, Ash Williams has been engaged in an all-out war – both in film and comics – against the Army of Darkness. Now, Dynamite Entertainment is presenting the next spine chilling chapter, kicking off in this special prelude. Being the Chosen One isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, especially when you can’t even hold down a steady job at S-Mart. When Ash is left scrambling for employment, will he find himself once again thrown into battle against the Deadites? Well, the book isn’t called Ash: The Guy With A Regular Job Who Doesn't Battle Against The Forces of Evil, so chances are high.
“Army of Darkness, and really Sam Raimi's entire filmography, is such a major influence on how we approach storytelling. Being turned loose inside that sandbox and having a chance to add to the AOD mythology feels like something we've been working toward for years, and hopefully it reads that way, too. And I dare anybody to tell me Ash Williams isn't the toughest ass-kicker in horror! What he lacks in brains, he more than makes up for by having a chainsaw for a hand. That'll get you a long way in this world!” shared Bowers.
“I saw Army of Darkness when I was nine, and I've literally described it as a life-changing experience. It might've been the most influential movie I've ever watched – in terms of the stories that I like and how much I love smartass everyman heroes that stumble into having to do the right thing – and almost everything I've written has had a variation on that idea kicking around in it. One of our big goals whenever we sit down to write a new story is to keep things moving fast enough that nobody has a chance to get bored, and with Ash, escalating those situations was so much fun,” added Sims.
“Chad and Chris bring such vibrant life to their scripts; they translate their own enthusiasm so incredibly to the work, and they are Army of Darkness fans through and through. Teaming them with Mauro Vargas, an exceptional rising star (especially in the realm of hardcore horror), will ensure that longtime fans and curious newcomers are more than satisfied! Celebrating AOD's anniversary with a 99¢ introductory-priced #0 issue is a great way for our retail partners to welcome as many customers as possible to the world of Ash Vs. The Army of Darkness with minimal risk. Put copies on your store shelves and watch as impulse buys ensue - Ash is back, and we couldn't be happier!” Nick Barrucci, CEO and Publisher of Dynamite Entertainment, said.
The 99¢ introductory issue of Ash Vs. The Army of Darkness features a cover by artist Nick Bradshaw (Wolverine & The X-Men). Five variant editions are also available as retailer incentives for comic shops supporting the launch issue. Included within these variants are three “Sneak Peek” editions by Reilly Brown (Deadpool & Cable), Vargas (Crossed: Badlands), and Pasquale Qualano (Doctor Who). As well as a Blood Red Line Art cover edition by Bradshaw, and a J. Scott Campbell 13th Anniversary Flashback cover edition – re-presenting Dynamite’s first Army of Darkness cover.
Ash Vs. The Army of Darkness #0 will be solicited in Diamond Comic Distributors' April 2017 PREVIEWS catalog, and is slated for release in June.
Fans are encouraged to reserve copies with their local comic book retailers, but the series will also be available digitally through Comixology, Dynamite Digital, iVerse, and Dark Horse Digital.
