Highlander (comics)

Supercbbox|
title= Highlander


caption=
schedule=
format= Limited series
publisher= Dynamite Entertainment
date= July, 2007 - 2008
issues= 12
main_char_team= Connor MacLeod
Duncan MacLeod
writers= Brandon Jerwa
Michael Avon Oeming
artists= Lee Moder
Cover:
Gabriele Dell'otto
Dave Dorman
pencillers=
inkers=
letterers= Simon Bowland
colorists= Brian Buccellato
creative_team_month=
creative_team_year=
creators= Gregory Widen

"Highlander" was a twelve issue comic book limited series that was first released in 2006 and ran for one year ending in 2007. It is written by Brandon Jerwa and Michael Avon Oeming in close collaboration with David Abramowitz, [ [http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=8222 There Can Be Only Two: Jerwa and Oeming Talk "Highlander"] Comic Book Resources, August 28, 2006] who was Creative Consultant in charge of the writing on ' and the subsequent "Highlander" movies. It is published by Dynamite Entertainment. [ [http://comics.ign.com/articles/677/677712p1.html IGN previews "Highlander"] ] The preview issue released in July 2006 had over 100,000 copies pre-sold. [ [http://www.scifislacker.com/comics/highlander-comics-01.shtml Article at ScifiSlacker.com] ] Though ' was released at the same time that the comic was in production, the comic is the only of the two considered canon to the franchise.Fact|date=January 2008

It is inspired from "Highlander", the franchise about Immortals battling each other throughout history. The comic book series deals with what the main characters of the franchise, Connor MacLeod and Duncan MacLeod, do concerning happenings from the films and television series. It spawned a second comic book mini-series, "". [ [http://www.comicon.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=36;t=006878 Comicon on "Highlander: Way of the Sword"] ]

Plot details

The initial issues (issues 0-4) deal with Connor MacLeod after the events that took place in the first "Highlander" film. Although the Kurgan has been defeated, some of those who followed him still seek to bring about some of his plans. Connor also deals with battling within himself for control over the impulses and emotions he received from the Dark Quickening of the Kurgan (issues 6-9).

The last story arc (issues 10-12) introduces Duncan MacLeod and has him assisting his kinsman Connor in defeating the followers of the Kurgan.

The two separate plot line issues were bound into two separate trade paperbacks by Dynamite Entertainment [ [http://www.dynamiteentertainment.com/htmlfiles/c-Highlander_TPB.html Trade Paperback] ] . "Dark Quickening" and "The Coldest War", respectively.

Reception

Critical reaction to the "Highlander" comics has been mixed to positive, more favorable in general than the film sequels to the original "Highlander", which have mostly received negative reviews (with the exception of the animated film "", which has received mostly favorable reviews). Michael Bailey of Comics Bulletin was "pleasantly surprised," and felt that "this could turn out to be a really neat story." Bailey praised the story, saying, "I always felt that Connor's story was pretty much done with [after the first film, but] reading this first issue, I am seeing where Connor's story can continue," but felt that artist Lee Moder "wasn't the right choice for this world." [ [http://www.comicsbulletin.com/reviews/116657503090989.htm "Highlander" #1 review] , Michael Bailey, Comics Bulletin, December 19, 2006]

Dave Baxter of Broken Frontier praised Moder's artwork, calling it "fluid, well-executed, [and] flawlessly paced," as well as the writing by Jerwa and Oeming, in particular their "above-average, rhythmic dialogue and a fabulous use of the more obscure characters and sequences from the film." Baxter criticized the "lackluster plot," however, as well as the fact that the comic "manages to ignore entirely the continuity of the first film's premise and especially its conclusion, [creating its] own "alternative" "Highlander" universe." Baxter added, "Why another alternative "Highlander" universe? [A] fter three sequels and a long-running , is it really necessary to produce more of the same?" [ [http://www.brokenfrontier.com/reviews/details.php?id=1088 "Highlander" #1 review] , Dave Baxter, Broken Frontier, October 29, 2006]

Though the comic's sales figures have dropped slowly since release [ [http://www.dynamiteentertainment.com/htmlfiles/blogdisplay.html?display=BG0817051361380715 "Dynamite discusses sales and hopes with fans"] , Dynamite Entertainment] , Dynamite Entertainment released a follow-up comic series, titled "".

Collections

The series is being collected as trade paperbacks:

* Volume I (collects "Highlander" #0-5, 140 pages, January 2008, softcover ISBN 1933305320, hardcover ISBN 1933305312)
* Volume II (collects "Highlander" #6-9, 120 pages, February 2008, softcover ISBN 1933305592)

ee also

*Highlander (franchise)
*List of comics based on films
*List of comics based on television programs

Notes

References

*comicbookdb|type=title|id=8647|title="Highlander"

External links

* [http://www.dynamiteentertainment.com/htmlfiles/c-Highlander.html Highlander Comic Official Page]
* [http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=7740 Preview: "Highlander" #0] , Comic Book Resources, July 5, 2006

Interviews

* [http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=98766 Catching up on "Highlander" with Brandon Jerwa] , Newsarama, January 24, 2007
* [http://www.newsarama.com/dynamitenew/Highlander/HighlanderTeam.html Talking to Dynamite's Highlander team] , Newsarama