Shortly before San Diego Comic Con International, comic book writer Grant Morrison was announced as the new editor-in-chief of Heavy Metal, the long-running sci-fi and adult fantasy comic book magazine. Under Morrison, Heavy Metal will be entering the monthly comic book arena as well, and last weekend, the first new project was announced at Stan Lee’s Comikaze.
Sideshow Collectibles’ popular Court of the Dead property is making the leap to comics at Heavy Metal’s new comic line. The creative team of Court of the Dead will feature writer Corrina Bechko (Star Wars: Legacy II, Vampirella vs. Aliens) and artist Nat Jones from a story created by Tom Gilliland and Landry Walker.
Court of the Dead is a fantasy series that takes place in a world torn apart by the never-ending battle between Heaven and the forces of Hell. Only Death itself stands opposed to the celestial powers, alongside the titular Court of the Dead. The surviving humans have been splintered into the competing factions of Bone, Flesh, and Spirit, and they may turn on each other long before they can defeat their common enemies.
Comic Book Resources debuted the Court of the Dead # 0 cover from the upcoming December issue of Heavy Metal. The cover was illustrated by Tom Jilesen with colors by Fabian Schlaga.
“Court of the Dead was the first property I’ve seen since The Lord of the Rings that had my mind racing about the world, the characters and the lore,” said Heavy Metal co-CEO Jeff Krelitz in a statement. “It is a masterwork and Heavy Metal is proud to help launch Sideshow’s beautiful and ambitious epic.”
The Court of the Dead comic book series will launch in early 2016.