Gail Simoneâs Swords of Sorrow crossover event brought together all of the comic book heroines of Dynamite Entertainment, but itâs not her last word on the characters. Ahead of New York Comic Con, Dynamite has announced a major relaunch of Red Sonja, Vampirella, and Dejah Thoris for 2016 that features new versions of the iconic characters as overseen by Simone and redesigned costumes by artist Nicola Scott. Simone will also lay out the creative direction of the three books.
“We’re doing a monster makeover with these characters, and it’s a joy to be part of this,” said Simone in a press release. “Make no mistake, these are characters we love, badasses all; the She-Devil with a Sword, the queen of all vampire hunters, and the warlord princess. Characters do not get any better than that. Our mission here is to spruce up their look and remind people that these were the original female ass-kickers that inspired Xena, Buffy, and Leia Organa.”
The relaunch will begin in January 2016 with Red Sonja # 1 by the new creative team of Marguerite Bennett and the artist known as Aneke. The storyline finds Sonja returning to her homeland in Hyrkania, where she discovers that her people have fallen under the rule of âa Nazi-like regime.â
Dejah Thorisâ new ongoing series will be written by Frank J. Barbiere (Avengers World) and will feature the Princess of Mars on the outskirts of Barsoomâs civilization as she goes into a self-imposed exile and takes on the identity of a rookie soldier. An artist for the series has not been announced, but the first issue will be released in February 2016.
And finally, Kate Leth (Adventure Time) takes over the new Vampirella monthly title launching in March 2016, which relocates the title character to Los Angeles and makes her into a Hollywood sensation after a video of her fighting monsters goes viral. Vampirella will use her newfound status as a celebrity to investigate a connection âbetween silver screen killers and a real conspiracy of monsters.â
Comic fans, what do you think about the new designs for Red Sonja, Dejah Thoris, and Vampirella? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!
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Image Credits: Dynamite Entertainment