Top Cow knows dark and gritty. Hell…The Darkness says it in the name and anyone who read Wanted knows that the big cow is not afraid to go where the sun don’t shine. It looks like the creative team at Top Cow are getting ready to go there again with the announcement of Impaler.
Impaler – a comic series created by William Harms – will be receiving a big exposure boost by Top Cow. Not only will the first story arc be published as a new trade paperback, but also TC intends to launch a new series based off of the IP in December.
The trade includes the first three issues of the comic – which were originally published by Image Comics in 2006 – 2007 – and adds three final issues of the story arc that have not seen the light of day up until this point. From there, the series will continue in a re-imaged project put out by Top Cow. The trade will debut in October – perfect timing to get you in the mood for Halloween.
Cover for October’s Impaler Vol. 1 by John Paul Leon
No reason was given as to why the series was cut short the first time around, but the story did well for itself even in its short run. Among other recognitions it was a finalist for the International Horror Guild Award.
The story of Impaler stars Vlad Tepes – who is the real life inspiration for the legend of Dracula. Known as Vlad the Impaler – for not-so-nice reasons if you were on the wrong side of his moral compass – Tepes is New York’s only hope for survival when a vampire plague is unleashed on the city during a record-breaking blizzard.
“William Harms has managed to put a truly unique spin on ‘the vampire story’ by taking Vlad the Impaler and making him a vampire hunter,” said Top Cow Publisher Filip Sablik. “This trade collection gives birth to this original idea but the upcoming ongoing series from Harms and Matt Timson will really keep you up at night!”
The trade will be published in full color and run 160 pages. Selling for $14.99, the book will feature a cover by John Paul Leon of Earth X and artwork by Nick Marinkovich of Nightwolf, Nick Postic of Underworld and Francis Tsai of Marvel Comics Presents. The new re-imaged series will feature work from artist Matt Timson of Popgun. I checked out his work, and his stylized and moody panels seem to be a perfect fit for the series.
Cover for December’s Impaler #1 by Matt Timson
I am a vampire fan at heart so I am sure to pick this title up. True, I am more of a fan of the smutty vampire publications ala-Anita-Blake, but I will give anything with fangs a try once. It will be interesting to see how this series pans out. I am curious to learn more about Tepes, as he was not the friendliest guy in legend. Why the hell is he still alive? What is in it for him to save the New York? Is this some sort of redemption story? I will keep you updated when I get my mitts on the trade in October.
August 26th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
Ohhhh. I’ve never read the series, so I’m excited!!
Looks good!
And that second pic is CREEEPY, haha! Did that remind anyone else of something out of Silent Hill? ;;shudders;; ;D
August 26th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
Both the pics are creepy! Also, I think I have the captions switched around, the second pic is by John Paul Leon.