Marvel’s headed back to the Savage Land this fall, and writer Zac Thompson and artist Germán Garcia will be your tour guides.
Following his appearance in Empyre last year — where he died and came back — Ka-Zar will headline a new miniseries — Ka-Zar: Lord of the Savage Land. The comic will flesh out Ka-Zar’s new abilities since his resurrection, as well as introduce a new Savage Land villain.
“Ka-Zar: Lord of the Savage Land is the book I’ve always wanted to write,” Thompson said to Marvel.com. “It’s an absolute dream-come-true to take a character created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby and propel them into the modern Marvel universe with a whole host of horrifying new powers! It’s been years since Ka-Zar had his own series and we wanted to mark the occasion with an evolution that channels something like Immortal Hulk but with a distinct throwback to the old adventure pulps that inspired the character’s creation 65 years ago.”
Thompson and Garcia are joined by colorist Mat Lopes and cover artist Jesús Saiz on the miniseries.
“I’m in awe of our team,” Thompson said. “Germán Garcia is delivering mind-blowing work that channels the best of Jack Kirby. I’ve literally gasped at multiple pages in each issue. Then we have the gorgeous colors by Mat Lopes that feel organic and ethereal. We’re all under the leadership of our brilliant editor Sarah Brunstad who’s expertly guided the vision of this ambitious book from day one. Together we’ve created a story that’s epic, personal and terrifying. One that’s going to change Ka-Zar and the Savage Land forever!”
Per the description, Ka-Zar will have a new perspective that comes with his new lease on life: The alien Cotati murdered him. The Savage Land brought him back. Lord Plunder has returned—with a vastly new perspective! Now united with Shanna the She-Devil in a mystical merging of life energies, Ka-Zar has new abilities, new needs…and new enemies. An ancient evil has surfaced in the Savage Land—one that is rapidly reshaping the forgotten world and its inhabitants. Ka-Zar and Shanna must fight together to protect their home and family! But their son Matthew has plans of his own…
“There’s nothing better than having the opportunity to explore a classic Marvel character under a new light, and this is what we’re doing here,” Garcia said. “And it’s not just Ka-Zar, but the whole family, and as important as them, the Savage Land itself! It’s unreal and fantastic and I’m having a great time trying to portray the way I imagine it.”
Ka-Zar first debuted in the pages of Uncanny X-Men #10 by Stan Lee and jack Kirby, way back in 1963. Since then he’s gone on to be featured in his own title a few different times, and is a frequent guest star whenever a Marvel hero heads to the South Pole to explore the Savage Land. Besides Empyre, he most recently has been featured in Avengers as an agent of Wakanda.
Check out a few preview pages and a variant cover by Juann Cabal below.
