Highlander (comics)
| Highlander | |
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| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Dynamite Entertainment |
| Format | Limited series |
| Publication date | July, 2006 - 2007 |
| Number of issues | 13 |
| Main character(s) | Connor MacLeod Duncan MacLeod |
| Creative team | |
| Writer(s) | Brandon Jerwa Michael Avon Oeming |
| Artist(s) | Lee Moder Cover: Gabriele Dell'otto Dave Dorman |
| Letterer(s) | Simon Bowland |
| Colorist(s) | Brian Buccellato |
| Creator(s) | Gregory Widen |
Highlander was a thirteen-issue comic book limited series that was first released in 2006 and ran for one year ending in 2007. It is written by Brandon Jerwa and Michael Avon Oeming in close collaboration with David Abramowitz,[1] who was Creative Consultant in charge of the writing on Highlander: The Series and the subsequent Highlander movies. It is published by Dynamite Entertainment.[2] The preview issue released in July 2006 had over 100,000 copies pre-sold.[3]
It is inspired from Highlander, the franchise about Immortals battling each other throughout history. The comic book series deals with what the main characters of the franchise, Connor MacLeod and Duncan MacLeod, do concerning happenings from the films and television series. It spawned a second comic book mini-series, Highlander: Way of the Sword.[4]
Contents |
[edit] Plot details
The initial issues (issues 0-4) deal with Connor MacLeod after the events that took place in the first Highlander film. Although the Kurgan has been defeated, some of those who followed him still seek to bring about some of his plans. Connor also deals with battling within himself for control over the impulses and emotions he received from the Dark Quickening of the Kurgan (issues 6-9).
The last story arc (issues 10-12) introduces Duncan MacLeod and has him assisting his kinsman Connor in defeating the followers of the Kurgan.
The separate plot line issues (Dark Quickening and The Coldest War, Armageddon") were bound into three separate trade paperbacks by Dynamite Entertainment.[5]
[edit] Reception
Critical reaction to the Highlander comics has been mixed to positive, more favorable in general than the film sequels to the original Highlander, which have mostly received negative reviews (with the exception of the animated film Highlander: The Search for Vengeance, which has received mostly favorable reviews). Michael Bailey of Comics Bulletin was "pleasantly surprised," and felt that "this could turn out to be a really neat story." Bailey praised the story, saying, "I always felt that Connor's story was pretty much done with [after the first film, but] reading this first issue, I am seeing where Connor's story can continue," but felt that artist Lee Moder "wasn't the right choice for this world."[6]
Dave Baxter of Broken Frontier praised Moder's artwork, calling it "fluid, well-executed, [and] flawlessly paced," as well as the writing by Jerwa and Oeming, in particular their "above-average, rhythmic dialogue and a fabulous use of the more obscure characters and sequences from the film." Baxter criticized the "lackluster plot," however, as well as the fact that the comic "manages to ignore entirely the continuity of the first film's premise and especially its conclusion, [creating its] own "alternative" Highlander universe." Baxter added, "Why another alternative Highlander universe? [A]fter three sequels and a long-running TV show, is it really necessary to produce more of the same?"[7]
Though the comic's sales figures have dropped slowly since release,[8] Dynamite Entertainment released a follow-up comic series, titled Highlander: Way of the Sword.
[edit] Collections
The series is being collected as trade paperbacks:
- Volume I (collects Highlander #0-5, 140 pages, January 2008, softcover ISBN 1933305320, hardcover ISBN 1933305312)
- Volume II (collects Highlander #6-9, 120 pages, February 2008, softcover ISBN 1933305592)
- Volume III:Armageddon (collects Highlander #10-12, 80 pages, July 2008, softcover ISBN 1933305673)
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes
- ^ There Can Be Only Two: Jerwa and Oeming Talk "Highlander" Comic Book Resources, August 28, 2006
- ^ IGN previews Highlander
- ^ Article at ScifiSlacker.com
- ^ Comicon on Highlander: Way of the Sword
- ^ Trade Paperback
- ^ Highlander #1 review, Michael Bailey, Comics Bulletin, December 19, 2006
- ^ Highlander #1 review, Dave Baxter, Broken Frontier, October 29, 2006
- ^ "Dynamite discusses sales and hopes with fans", Dynamite Entertainment
[edit] References
- Highlander at the Comic Book DB
[edit] External links
[edit] Interviews
- Catching up on Highlander with Brandon Jerwa, Newsarama, January 24, 2007
- Talking to Dynamite's Highlander team, Newsarama
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