Xena is back...at least in comics rather than live action. Check out the press release below!
Dynamite Entertainment, a leading publisher of English language comic books and graphic novels, is proud to announce the extension of their publishing deal with NBCUniversal Television Consumer Products for comic books and graphic novels based on the Xena: Warrior Princess television series. The first new series is set to launch in February 2018 with Xena #1 from writer Meredith Finch (Wonder Woman, Justice League Saga, Rose)! Finch will be joined by husband David (X-Men, Wolverine), who will lend his legendary talents by serving as cover artist for the series debut issue!
Writer Meredith Finch says, "In an industry filled with strong female superheroes, Xena stands out as a woman who's only super power is her sheer strength of will and character. She has overcome tremendous obstacles to become a beacon of hope for her people and readers alike. I could not be more thrilled to have the opportunity to add to her mythos."
Meredith Finch is a comic book writer, best known for her work on DC Comic's Wonder Woman in 2011. Since, she has worked with a number of top publishers and most recently launched her first creator-owned series, Rose, in 2017.
The Xena: Warrior Princess franchise first expanded into comic books in 1997 with several series published by Topps Comics, including crossovers with their Hercules: The Legendary Journeys comics. Two years later, Dark Horse acquired the rights and published a fourteen-issue series. In 2006, Dynamite Entertainment acquired the rights, publishing Xena: Warrior Princess #1-4 (the "Contest of Pantheons" storyline) and a second series, subtitled Dark Xena. Also, two tongue-in-cheek crossover series materialized with Dynamite's long-running Army of Darkness series, as both Xena and AOD had roots at Renaissance Pictures and featured actor and cult film hero Bruce Campbell. In 2015, Dynamite reacquired the Xena license, publishing a new core series, an additional AOD crossover (subtitled Forever and a Day), and high-quality reprints of classic Xena comic books from the 1990s and early 2000s.
"We're proud to be the comic book home for Xena: Warrior Princess, now and for the future," says Nick Barrucci, CEO and Publisher of Dynamite. "The fit is perfect: between our library of licensed fantasy (A Game of Thrones, Warlord of Mars, Army of Darkness, Wheel of Time, etc.) and penchant for strong, charismatic female protagonists (Sheena, Vampirella, Red Sonja, Barbarella, and more), Dynamite is the perfect arena for the continuing adventures of Xena and Gabrielle! And there could not be a better writer than Meredith Finch to convey Xena's strength and power, and we're thrilled to have the opportunity to work with both Meredith and David on this exciting new launch!"
Xena #1 will be solicited in Diamond Comic Distributors' December 2017 Previews catalog, the premier source of merchandise for the comic book specialty market, and slated for release in February 2018. Comic book fans are encouraged to reserve copies of Xena #1 with their local comic book retailers. Xena #1 will also be available for individual customer purchase through digital platforms courtesy of Comixology, Kindle, iBooks, Google Play, Dynamite Digital, iVerse, Madefire, and Dark Horse Digital.