Welcome to the Dynamite Comics Pubwatch for the month of May! I’m Lisa, Dynamite is my explosive beat, and here’s this month’s news!
Vampirella Reboot Slated for July; Adds New Anniversary Statue and Trading Card Set to Kickstarter
2019 marks the fiftieth anniversary of the first issue of Vampirella, and Dynamite is going all out to mark the occasion.
Most noteworthy is that the character is receiving a rebooted regular series, which will solicit in May with eyes on a July release. Writing duties will be covered by Christopher Priest, with art by Ergun Gunduz. Various covers will be produced by Frank Cho, Joe Jusko (see above), Guillem March, and Alex Ross. The series is set to launch with a free issue on Free Comic Book Day with Vampirella #0.
The card set will celebrate all eras of Vampirella’s history. Each pack includes two Base Cards, two Sketch Cards, one line art card, one puzzle card, and one autographed card. Artists for the sketch cards include Sanna U, Tim Shay, Axe, Ken Haeser, Mitch Ballard, Rich Molinelli, and Amy Jackson.
Other benefits include everything from digital issues of the comics to pins to hardcover volumes. At the higher end, purchasing three foil packs will result in being allowed to commission a custom Vampirella card from the buyer’s artist of choice.
Click here to check out the trading card Kickstarter.
The resin Vampi statue, meanwhile, is based on artwork by José González. It stands 12.5 inches tall, and is available in a standard edition, a black and white edition, or at a higher backer tier, rare artist proofs.
Other rewards include a bundled selection of graphic novels, art books, and enamel pins.
Click here to read more about it or support the statue campaign!
Red Sonja Sets Up Next Arc; Bob Q to Take Over as Primary Artist
Vampirella isn’t the only iconic Dynamite property set to move in a new direction soon. Dynamite announced recently that it will release a special issue in July: “Red Sonja: Lord of Fools,” which will prepare the series for Bob Q becoming the comic’s primary artist for the majority of its next ten issues.
The issue will feature two stories: one by Mark Russell (writing) and Bob Q (art), the second by Russell and Katie O’Meara.
You can check out some process panels by going to Dynamite’s website here.
The Boys Set to Debut on Amazon Prime July 26th; Dynamite Releases Complimentary Omnibus Volumes
It’s had a checkered history and a controversial origin in comics, but Amazon Prime viewers are slated to judge for themselves. On July 26th, the series—based on Dynamite’s long-running comic—will debut on the streaming service with a six-episode run.
In concurrence, Dynamite will offer the first of several The Boys omnibuses in TPG format starting in April. Three more volumes, to be released in May, June, and July, will continue the story.
Exclusive Vampirella Litho Available in Support of Joyce Chin GoFundMe
Dynamite is proudly supporting a GoFundMe for Joyce Chin, who suffered a stroke, exacerbated by a broken ankle resultant from a fall on the way to C2E2 this past March.
Chin is on the mend but needs help with her medical bills. If you’d like to help in a way that doesn’t involve directly contributing to the GoFundMe, Dynamite is directing all funds from purchases of their Vampirella Chin Lithograph (as seen above), available in signed and unsigned editions, to her.
Funds raised in excess of Joyce’s needs will go toward the Hero Initiative.
Dynamite Announces Charlie’s Angels/The Bionic Woman Crossover for July
Continuing its history of crossovers between its licensed properties, Dynamite has announced that the Angels are going to meet Jamie Sommers in July. The Angels, hired to steal a patent back for a mysterious inventor, will come in direct conflict with Jamie, who is working counterintelligence on the same case.
Charlie’s Angels/The Bionic Woman will feature writing by Cameron DeOrdio (Josie and the Pussycats) and art by Soo Lee (Fight Like a Girl). Tom Napolitano will handle the lettering and Addison Duke the colors. Among others, covers will be handled by Cat Staggs, Jim Mahfood, and Ron Lesser.
Sheena Kickstarter Adds New Stretch Goals and Rewards
Dynamite’s Sheena Kickstarter has added more stretch goals and rewards. The latest stretch goal is $25,000. New benefits include a Sheena pin based on J. Scott Campbell’s art and a special $2,000 level at which the pledger can obtain a piece of original comics cover art by Roberto Castro, two of the Sheena statues in their requested variant design, and three diamond eye variants of the company’s Dejah Thoris, Red Sonja, and Vampirella statues, all done in Campbell’s style.
The Kickstarter continues to run here.
Big Blasts of the Month
Xena: Warrior Princess #2
Vita Ayala (writer), Paulina Ganucheau, Emanuela Lupacchino, David Mack (covers), Olympia Sweetnam (art)
Dynamite’s fourth attempt at a Xena reboot series is the best of the TV show’s many tie-in comics. Written with the spunk, sweeping character drama, and butt-kicking awesomeness of the show, it’s a beautiful, refreshing piece of work that effortlessly delights.
The second issue shows us what happens when Discord takes Xena up on her offer to trade her life for the lives of the supernaturally strong children living in a village that made a bargain with the goddess years ago. What happens—and how Xena, Discord, and Gabby end up tangled up with yet another angry god looking to intervene in Xena’s destiny—must be seen to be believed!
Red Sonja and Vampirella Meet Betty and Veronica #1
Lauren Braga (cover), Amy Chu (writer), Fay Dalton, Francesco Francavilla, Paulina Ganucheau, Robert Hack, Dan Parent (covers), Maria Sanapo (art), Cat Staggs (cover)
A rare double-bang means that we’ve got something amazing afoot—and any crossover that deposits an ancient goddess and an immortal vampire into the pleasant, cheerful world of Riverdale is going to be a treat.
The issue seems to be leaning strongly in the direction of Riverdale: the Series, as the foursome team up to uncover who’s killing folks in the small suburban hamlet. This sounds like it’s gonna be a delight that will outlast the novelty of its premise.
Bangs and Fizzles
Bettie Page: Unbound #2
David Avallone (writer), Scott Chantler (cover), Julius Ohta (art/cover), John Royle (cover), David Williams (cover)
It’s Bettie Page playing the part of Vampirella! I echo what I said last month with the Red Sonja quantum leap—what more can ya ask for?
Leftover Mortar
CHARLAINE HARRIS’ CEMETERY GIRL BOOK THREE: HAUNTED TRADE PAPERBACK
VAMPIRELLA/DEJAH THORIS TRADE PAPERBACK
