- Army of Darkness (comics)
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Army of Darkness 
Cover of Army of Darkness 1 (Nov 1992).
Art by John Bolton.Publication information Publisher Dark Horse Comics
Dynamite EntertainmentSchedule Monthly Formats Original material for the series has been published as a set of limited series and one-shot comics. Genre Horror
Based on Army of DarknessPublication date November 1992 – present Reprints Collected editions Omnibus Volume 1 ISBN 1606901001 Army of Darkness comics are based on the film of the same name published originally by Dark Horse Comics, and later by Dynamite Entertainment who initially published them through Devil's Due Publishing.
The stories follow the adventures of the Evil Dead series, Ash Williams, and has included a number of crossovers with a wide variety of characters such as, Marvel Zombies, Darkman, Freddy Krueger, Jason Voorhees, Xena, Danger Girl and even Barack Obama.
First series
Film adaptation (#1-3)
In 1992, Dark Horse published an adaptation of the film with the original ending intact. John Bolton adapted the story from the script written by Sam Raimi and Ivan Raimi, in addition to providing the artwork.
It was published as a three issue mini-series and was released as a trade paperback by Dynamite in 2006 (ISBN 0-9749638-3-6).
Ashes 2 Ashes (#1-4)
Main article: Ashes 2 AshesThe plot picks up right at the end of the film. It was written by Andy Hartnell, with art by Nick Bradshaw.
It was a four issue mini-series, collected as a trade paperback which was released in late February 2005 (ISBN 0-9749638-9-5).
Shop till You Drop Dead (#1-4)
Main article: Shop till You Drop DeadThis story starts where Ashes 2 Ashes ends.
It was written by James Kuhoric, with art by Nick Bradshaw and Sanford Greene.
It was a four issue mini-series, collected as a trade paperback which was released in November 2006 (ISBN 1-933305-26-6).
Army of Darkness vs. Re-Animator (vol. 1) #1-4
A crossover with Herbert West from H. P. Lovecraft's short story, "Herbert West–Reanimator" and well-known from the film Re-Animator and its sequels.
This story starts where Shop Till You Drop Dead ends.
This was published as issue #1-4 of the ongoing Army of Darkness series. The trade was released in late October 2006 (ISBN 1-933305-13-4).
Old School (vol. 1) #5-7
Ash returns to the cabin in the woods in an attempt to stop the evil at its source.
This was published as issue #5-7 of the series. It was published in September 2006 (ISBN 1-933305-18-5).
Ash vs. Dracula (Ash vs the Classic Monsters) (vol. 1) #8-11
Ash must face Dracula, who wants to use the power of the Necronomicon to plunge the world in eternal night. Introduces Dynamite's new character: Eva Daughter of the Dragon.
This was originally published in the series #8-11. The trade paperback collects the Ash vs. Dracula series and The Death of Ash.
The Death of Ash (vol. 1) #12-13
The story starts where Ash vs. Dracula ends and leads up to Marvel Zombies vs. The Army of Darkness.
It was published as issues #12-13 of the ongoing series.
Second series
From The Ashes (vol. 2) #1-4
Ash vs. Evil Ash Prime and his many mutants and monsters in a post-apocalyptic world. #1 August 2007. It was a four issue story arc.[1]
The Long Road Home (vol. 2) #5-8
A four issue story arc that will follow the aftermath of Ash defeating Evil Ash Prime and his quest (with Sheila by his side) to repair the damage done to the world.
Home Sweet Hell (vol. 2) #9-12
A four issue story-arc taking place after "The Long Road Home" written by James Kuhoric and Mike Raicht featuring Ash, having lost his memories and status as the "Chosen One", battling demons.[2]
King For A Day (vol .2) #13
Hellbillies and Deadnecks (vol. 2) #14-17
Montezuma's Revenge (vol. 2) #18
The Necronomicon transports Ash to Mexico, against his will, where he's forced to stop an ancient god who has been revived.
Untitled Storyline (Georgia) #19
A special self contained story from writer Mike Raicht, joined here by artist Pablo Marcos. Ash finds love with a woman named Georgia, only to find shes a murderous succubus and that there may be other chosen ones. Ash leaves her and prevents a deadite outbreak.
Ashley J Williams Goes to Europe #20-21
In Europe Ash meets a werewolf named Brad, a protector and learns that there are a line of protectors, who protect the areas of the world. He also finds that many of the chosen ones before him have been taken over by Hell's Prophet, and have been the cause of many disasters throughout history. The only thing that has stopped Hell's Prophet is the League of Light. Ash and Brad set out to stop it before Hell's Prophet takes him over.
Ash and the League of Light #22-27
Ash travels to different continents of the world recruiting other protectors to help him defeat Hell's Prophet, which has possessed him. Unbeknownst to him, the very people he is gathering may end up being his undoing, as it is foretold the protectors must kill him.
Ash dies, his new League of Light fails to stop Hell's Prophet from taking over causing the world to go to hell. Five years later, a time machine is made by the last surviving members of the League of Light, as they go back in time and stop Hell's Prophet from taking over Ash. The ghost of future Ash warns his past self in a note on what to do, and he saves the world; causing everything to snap back to normal.
Other comics
Tales of Army of Darkness
A 48 page annual issue including 5 new stories by various writers and artists.
Army of Darkness Sketchbook
A jumbo sized sketchbook published by Devils Due Publishing.
The Evil Dead (#1-4)
In January 2008, Dark Horse Comics released a four-issue comic book mini-series based on The Evil Dead, which is written by Mark Verheiden, with art by John Bolton.
Ash's Christmas Horror (one-shot)
A 2008 Christmas special in which Ash tries to stop Evil Ash and a Deadite Santa from destroying Christmas.
Army of Darkness: Ash saves Obama (#1-4)
According to writer Elliott Serrano, it is not just a commentary on the many Barack Obama comic books but also "all the other trends that have occurred in comics over the decades."[3]
Crossovers
Army of Darkness vs. Re-Animator (#1-4)
Although this was a crossover, it served in the mainstream continuity of the series and shall be credited as part of the actual series.
Marvel Zombies vs. The Army of Darkness (#1-5)
Main article: Marvel Zombies vs. The Army of DarknessA five-issue mini-series crossover with Marvel Comics set in the Marvel Zombies universe, also doubling as an origin story for that universe alongside the interlinked prequel Marvel Zombies: Dead Days. Marvel Comics has since designated this Earth-818793 of the Marvel Comics multiverse
Darkman vs. Army of Darkness (#1-4)
A crossover with another Sam Raimi film character, Darkman. It was written by Roger Stern and Kurt Busiek, with art by James Fry. It ran for four issues from August 2006 to March 2007 and the trade paperback was released in late 2007.
Freddy vs. Jason vs. Ash (#1-6)
Main article: Freddy vs. Jason vs. AshBased upon and unused script to a possible film sequel to Freddy vs. Jason, Wildstorm Comics and Dynamite co-published the story in comic form as the six-issue mini-series Freddy vs. Jason vs. Ash.[4]
Freddy vs. Jason vs. Ash: The Nightmare Warriors (#1-6)
Main article: Freddy vs. Jason vs. Ash 2: Nightmare WarriorsJames Kuhoric and Jason Craig returning to write and illustrate, respectively. The story picks up where Freddy vs. Jason vs. Ash left off and featured cameos of known characters from the Friday the 13th and A Nightmare on Elm Street franchises.
Army of Darkness / Xena: Why Not? (#1-4)
A four issue mini-series in which Ash travels to Xena's dimension in order to stop a mini version of himself from destroying that world.[5]
Xena / Army of Darkness: What, Again? (#1-4)
A second crossover with Xena: Warrior Princess written by John Layman and Miguel Montenegro.[6]
Danger Girl and the Army of Darkness (#1-6)
A six-part crossover with IDW Publishing's Danger Girl characters which began in April, 2011.[7]
Collected editions
The various stories and limited series have been collected into trade paperbacks.
Dynamite are also collecting all the comics into larger omnibus editions:
- Omnibus, Volume 1 (collects first 18 issues including film adaptation, 300 pages, released in 2010, ISBN 1-60690-100-1)
Awards
- 2006: Won the "Best Screen-To-Comic Adaptation" Spike TV Scream Award[8]
- 2008: Nominated for the "Best Scream-To-Comic-Adaptation" Spike TV Scream Award
Maquette
On May 11, 2005 it was announced that Dynamite Entertainment would be releasing a maquette based on J. Scott Campbell's cover of Army of Darkness: Ashes 2 Ashes #1. The maquette was sculpted by Anthony Colella and stands at 13” tall.[9] It has a limited release of 150 pieces[10] with 50 Artist Proofs being released[11] at a later date. When released both the Maquette and AP held a MSRP of $149.99.[12]
See also
Notes
- ^ Renaud, Jeffrey (July 2, 2007). "Kuhoric Channels Ash in "Army of Darkness: From the Ashes"". Comic Book Resources. http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=10648. Retrieved January 11, 2011.
- ^ Home Sweet Hell #9 at Dynamite
- ^ Phegley, Kiel (June 18, 2009). "Bringing Out the Dead w/ Ash & Obama". Comic Book Resources. http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=21645. Retrieved August 7, 2009.
- ^ WW: Chicago - Freddy vs. Jason vs. Ash Coming in November, 12 August 2007, Newsarama
- ^ Army of Darkness/Xena: Why Not? at Dynamite
- ^ Xena & Army of Darkness: A Ridiculous Round 2, Comic Book Resources, October 22, 2008
- ^ "Danger Girl" Takes On "Army of Darkness", Comic Book Resources, January 10, 2011
- ^ Army Of Darkness Wins Scream Award, Broken Frontier
- ^ http://insidepulse.com/2005/05/11/37473/
- ^ http://www.hobbydiscounter.com/brands/Dynamite/Army_Of_Darkness_Ashes_2_Ashes_Statue_B0035U3JPA.htm
- ^ http://www.dynamiteentertainment.com/htmlfiles/viewProduct.html?PRO=C105899
- ^ http://insidepulse.com/2005/05/11/37473/
References
- Ash at the Comic Book DB
- Army of Darkness (Dark Horse) at the Comic Book DB
- Army of Darkness (Dynamite Entertainment) at the Comic Book DB
- Army of Darkness: Ashes 2 Ashes at the Comic Book DB
- Army of Darkness: Shop Til You Drop Dead at the Comic Book DB
- Army of Darkness vs. Reanimator at the Comic Book DB
- Darkman vs. Army of Darkness at the Comic Book DB
- Marvel Zombies/Army of Darkness at the Comic Book DB
- Army of Darkness: From the Ashes at the Comic Book DB
- Army of Darkness: The Long Road Home at the Comic Book DB
- Freddy vs. Jason vs. Ash at the Comic Book DB
- Army of Darkness/Xena at the Comic Book DB
- The Evil Dead at the Comic Book DB
- Tales of Army of Darkness at the Comic Book DB
External links
Sam Raimi's Evil Dead series Films Video games The Evil Dead · Evil Dead: Hail to the King · Evil Dead: A Fistful of Boomstick · Evil Dead: RegenerationComic books Unofficial sequels Other topics 
Book:The Evil Dead series · 
Category:The Evil Dead · 
Portal:HorrorCategories:- Army of Darkness comics
- Dynamite Entertainment titles
- Devil's Due titles
- Dark Horse Comics limited series
- One-shot comic titles
- 1992 comic debuts
- Cthulhu Mythos comics
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