Epic fantasy and horror will collide in a new series from DC Black Label — The Last God, by Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Riccardo Federici, Dean White and Tom Napolitano.
According to the press release, the story “will follow a cross-generational quest to kill an evil tyrant king—also known as the Last God—as he seeks to destroy the land of Cain Anuun.”
“This is a terrifying horror story told in a stunning epic-fantasy world,” Johnson said. “Set in two different generations, it follows a mighty fellowship of heroes that travels beyond the borders of creation to kill a god, and the next generation, who learn their predecessors aren’t the heroes the world believes them to be.”
Johnson’s previous work includes Aquaman and several books for BOOM! Studios, including Last Sons of America and Low Road West. He also was featured in DC’s New Talent Showcase series last year. Federici has also worked previously for DC, including Aquaman, while White has colored the hell out of all sorts of titles, including Uncanny X-Force, which, yes, he colored the hell out of in ways that they don’t make adjectives for.
“When I was asked to draw this series I was so excited, both because I love the fantasy genre, especially when there are horror connotations, but also because it was an opportunity to graphically create a new world,” Federici. said. “Everyone on the team and at DC has shown me such confidence and I am so thankful.”
Here’s how DC describes the series:
Thirty years ago, a fellowship of legendary adventurers saved their world by slaying the demonic tyrant Mol Uhltep—The Last God. Following his downfall, the realm entered a new age of peace and prosperity. But a generation later, when the leader of the original fellowship dies, their children and successors learn their terrible lie:
The Last God still lives.
A new generation of heroes must unearth the secrets that their parents kept, and set out to finish what was started thirty years before. And this time, they must not fail.
Johnson teased the new series with several “journals of Lord Romm,” which can be found on Twitter. Check out part one, part two, part three, part four and part five.
This series seems to scream “Vertigo!” so you have to wonder, if DC wasn’t ending the imprint, if it would be coming out under that label. It is notable that this is a completely new series that doesn’t seem to be tied to anything in the DCU; Publisher Jim Lee noted that despite the demise of the Vertigo brand, they still had plans for the types of books you might find there:
The 12-issue series begins October 30. Check out some art below, including a map of Cain Anuun (my D&D-loving heart always appreciates a good map).
