DYNAMITE ANNOUNCES XENA CREATIVE TEAM
Press Release
Runnemede
“These guys have really nailed it,” explained Dynamite Spokesperson J. Allen. “Writer John Layman is one of the best writers working in the business and his blend of deadly serious adventures and humor are perfect for this book, and artist Fabiano Neves, is now really turning out career-defining art on this new series.”
Series Writer Layman added: “Working on Xena is a blast. I am a big fan of the show. It probably all goes back to when I was a kid; I could never get enough of those Ray Harryhausen Greek-mythos monster movies. Xena reminds me a lot of those, with kick-ass heroes (heroines, in this case--which is ever better) vengeful gods, astonishing monsters, quirky supporting characters and unpredictable stories rooted in fable and legend.”
After looking at the completed pages to issue #1 of Dynamite’s Xena, Layman commented: “Fabiano Neves perfectly captures both the action of the story and the acting of the cast, as well as the monster and adversaries they face. I’m grateful to Dynamite for teaming me up with him.”
Layman is currently finishing the Dynamite/DC cross-over Red Sonja/Claw: Devil’s Hands, and found that, “Writing Xena is similar to Red Sonja, in that it’s high-octane action about a tough warrior chick kicking all kinds of ass. But Xena the comic, like Xena the TV show, is a lot more tongue-in-cheek. As people who follow my writing know, I get a big kick out of sneaking in subversive comedy into my writing. With Xena, I don't have to hide it. Xena is the perfect venue for humor and goofy-fun mixed with non-stop adrenaline.”
Look for Xena #1 in the Dynamite Section of Diamond Previews with an anticipated July release with a launch cover by Billy (X-Men) Tan and other high profile artists.
About Xena
Xena of Amphipolis is a fictional character who first appeared on the Hercules: The Legendary Journeys television series (in the episode "The Warrior Princess"), at which point she was presented as a seductive but treacherous warlord. Shortly afterwards, she became the main character of a spin-off series Xena: Warrior Princess (Xena was one of the first female leads in an action series for many years, hugely influencing subsequent fantasy series from Buffy to Alias). In this series the character sets out to redeem her murderous past by fighting against tyranny and saving the lives of innocents. Many of her adventures prior to the televised stories were subsequently revealed in flashback episodes. Xena was played by Lucy Lawless.
About Universal Studios Consumer Products Group
Universal Studios Consumer Products Group (USCPG) is responsible for global licensing and retail strategies as well as building brand recognition of the extensive catalogue of NBC Universal properties. Universal Studios Consumer Products Group is a unit of NBC Universal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80% owned by General Electric and 20% owned by Vivendi Universal.
About Dynamite Entertainment
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT was founded in 2004 and is home to several best-selling titles and properties. Beginning with their Army of Darkness comic book series – launching as the #1 independent comic in July of ’04 – and recently ranked the #1 selling Independent Horror comic -- and continuing to their best-selling Red Sonja series – issue #0 alone selling over 240,000 copies and ongoing issues and one-shots recently ranked among the best-selling titles in unit sales and dollar volume – and not only has Dynamite consistently released Red Sonja as THE top selling single comic outside of Marvel and DC Comics, Dynamite successfully places more titles in the Top 100 than most non-Marvel, non-DC publishers.
Now, in addition to the ongoing Red Sonja and AOD series, DYNAMITE is preparing and launching the all-new Painkiller Jane series from creators Joe Quesada and Jimmy Palmiotti; the Lone Ranger with Brett Matthews and John Cassaday, Battlestar Galactica with Greg Pak and Nigel Raynor, Classic Battlestar Galactica, the Re-Animator, Highlander, have launched Red Sonja Vs. Thulsa Doom with Luke Lieberman and Peter David and a Red Sonja Vs. Claw cross-over with DC Comics’ Wildstorm imprint, Dynamite has more on the horizon!
In addition to the creators mentioned - Dynamite works with some of the most high profile creators in comics, including Alex (Justice) Ross, John (Astonishing X-Men) Cassaday, Michael (Superman/Batman, Aspen Comics) Turner, Jim (All-Star Batman) Lee, Michael (Red Sonja) Avon Oeming, Mike (Red Sonja/X-Men) Carey, Jim (Justice) Kruegar, Greg (The Incredible Hulk) Pak, Brett (Serenity, The Lone Ranger) Matthews - as well as working with up and coming new talent and enhancing strong creators!
The company also produces new and classic material from such creators as Paul Gulacy, Doug Moench’s Six from Sirius, Carlos Trillo and Eduardo Risso’s Borderline and other titles, Jim Starlin Dreadstar, in addition to reprint editions of classic Red Sonja material and more.
For updated information on Dynamite Entertainment and their titles, please visit the Dynamite website at www.dynamiteentertainment.com