Guns ‘n’ Roses guitarist Slash, Vault Comics, Shout! Studios, and Raven Banner Entertainment are joining forces to resurrect the Deathstalker universe. The sword and sorcery saga is set to return in comic book form, and it will feature some of the finest artists and writers working in genre entertainment.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Tim Seeley (Hack/Slash) will write the comic, which is based on a story by Steven Kostanski (Psycho Goreman). Jim Terry (The Crow: Skinning the Wolves) will handle the artwork.
The plot details are being kept under wraps for now, but the story has been described as the reimagining of the 1983 fantasy film. As such, readers can expect a genre-mashing experience that delivers all of the elements that sword and sorcery purists want to see from a story of this ilk.
“Our Deathstalker is a reimagining of that fine specimen of ’80s sword and sorcery,” Slash said. “With fantasy, you get a little of everything: horror, magic, sex, thrills, blood, guts, swords, and weirdness. You know — all those things you can’t look away from. And that’s what we’re bringing.”
Damian Wassel, Vault’s CEO, added that the comic will be a throwback to the halcyon days of sword and sorcery fare, albeit with some modern twists. “The whole idea of this project is to balance nostalgia for the so-bad-it’s-good fantasy filmmaking of the 1980s with the storytelling sensibilities of our time.”
The original Deathstalker was released to capitalise on the fantasy craze that followed in the wake of Conan the Barbarian, but it’s developed a cult following and stands out as one of the decade’s most charming B movies. Produced by the legendary Roger Corman, the film follows the titular warrior (Rick Hill) as he embarks on a quest to find an amulet, sword, and chalice. It isn’t a safe journey, though, as his adventure sees him forced to contend with ogres, blood tournaments, and the evil sorcerer Munkar (Bernard Erhard). The movie was followed by three sequels in the form of Deathstalker II, Deathstalker and the Warriors from Hell, and Deathstalker IV: Match of Titans.
The Deathstalker comic will receive its own Kickstarter campaign, which is set to launch on October 10. In the meantime, fans can sign up to be notified of the launch when it happens.
