Dynamite Entertainment has revealed the full creative team, launch date and story details for their new Buffy the Vampire Slayer series, the first details since the publisher announced the license at San Diego Comic-Con last summer.
Artist Stephen Byrne will join Kelly Thompson on the title, along with colorist Lee Loughridge and letterer Jeff Eckleberry. Nate Cosby is editing the series.
The oversized first issue kicks off an event story drawing in characters from both Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel, with Thompson describing a “mythic new villain” and a major twist she says will shake longtime fans. The series picks up at a pivotal point in the character’s timeline and includes the comics debut of a beloved character from the TV series. Thompson is also writing a companion Angel title, with further details to come.
“Buffy Summers is, in my opinion, one of the best modern heroes of science-fiction/fantasy,” Thompson said. “This idea for Buffy has been sitting with me for a long time — and so when the chance to grab both Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel came along, I couldn’t resist trying it.”
The two properties have enjoyed healthy comic runs in the past at Dark Horse Comics and BOOM! Studios, with Angel also spending time at IDW. But the franchises lost some luster after allegations of workplace harassment against TV creator Joss Whedon surfaced, following accounts from actors Ray Fisher and Charisma Carpenter. Whedon is not mentioned in the announcement and does not appear to be tied to the new series.
Cover artists for the first issue include David Nakayama (above), Amanda Conner, Joshua “Sway” Swaby and Juliet Nneka, along with a remastered version of Arthur Adams’ original 1998 Buffy comic cover.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer #1 arrives July 22.