VIGIL ENTERS FRAZETTA'S DARK KINGDOM

**MattBrady** · 10-04-2007, 12:09 PM

Announced at the Image Comics Show at the San Diego Comic-Con, the line of Frank Frazetta-inspired comics published through Image will expand next year with a variety of projects. One such Frazetta-inspired title will be Frank Frazetta’s Dark Kingdom, written by Mark Kidwell. Like the current Death Dealer series at Image, the one-shot, due in early 2008 uses a Frazetta painting and character as its launchpad, and will be set in the same world as Death Dealer.

While Kidwell and Jay Fotos (who’s shepherding the growing line of projects) have already been attached to the project, the artist for Dark Kingdom hasn’t been named – until now.

Fotos and Image have confirmed for Newsarama that Tim (Faust) Vigil will illustrate the one shot.

“We are so happy to bring Tim to Frazetta Comics,” Fotos told Newsarama. “Tim is a vet in the industry and brings back the ‘ol’school’ classic look we want. His work thus far on the book is incredible and already anticipating a Dark Kingdom Part 2, knowing this book will blow people’s minds and they’ll want more!”

Nat Jones and Vigil will supply alternate covers for the 27 page one shot, in addition to the Frazetta painting cover.

Skinshark · 10-04-2007, 12:16 PM

Wow, what a good fit for the book.

Really some of the best work I've seen from Tim in some time. Nice open negative space too!

Way to go Jay!

=s=

Fletcher · 10-04-2007, 12:30 PM

I haven't seen Vigil art in comics for some time, but then again I was out of it for awhile. i do remember Faust. So I hope in Dk there is alot of T and A and ripped clothing. What would a story like this be with out some gratuitous T and A? I can't wait!!!!!

Cadence · 10-04-2007, 12:34 PM

Wow!

This looks incredible.

DavidWRyan · 10-04-2007, 12:50 PM

Tim is on the very short list of artists who's worthy of working on a Frazetta book. Can't wait to pick this up!!

ShinAkuma666 · 10-04-2007, 02:21 PM

Great match for this project and impressive artwork, so much that it would not even need color. Looking forward to anything inspired by Farazetta's paintings.

Troy Brownfield · 10-04-2007, 02:30 PM

But I want to take a minute to acknowledge that I'm really looking forward to seeing what my pal Mark Kidwell does with the story. A lot of people know that Kid is a rock-solid artist, but his talents as a writer deserve some attention too. Jay and Nat made a smart grab by getting him for the book.

batlash · 10-04-2007, 02:34 PM

Now THAT's what I'm talkin' about!!!

Tim Vigil is a comic book artist who just isn't in enough comic books. I don't know if it's because he doesn't want the work or that "respectable" publishers shun him because of his past projects. My inner pervert loves Faust and his other naughty works (whatever became of EO?), but there's just not enough of it. This is welcome news indeed. That's at least one Frazetta comic I'm buying. (Plus it sports the cover from my old buddy, the late, lamented Karl Edward Wagner's Dark Crusade!)

Green Llama · 10-04-2007, 02:38 PM

WOW! That art is fantastic! Molly Hatchet would be proud!

IIRC the Frazetta painting was originally done for Karl Edward Wagner's Kane series...will this be based on that...or will it be an all-new character...?

Noir56 · 10-04-2007, 02:49 PM

Good choice from the long list of artists!

I met personally Tim back in the 80's during his Faust prime time. A really nice person and I even did him some reproduction photos during my camera work career in the advertising deptartment for free.

He even let me lettering a few words in his disturbed EO 2-issue series.

Welcome back, Tim.

turk9 · 10-04-2007, 03:02 PM

Cool, I'll definitely be ordering this. Mr. Vigil did me a Howard the Duck sketch a few years ago at Chicago ComiCon. Super nice guy.

By the way, wasn't that a Molly Hatchet album cover (like Death Dealer)? I vaguely remember my older brother having those on cassette...and me hating the music.

Sean Patty · 10-04-2007, 03:29 PM

This project does look IMPRESSIVE....certainly the art is far stronger than the current Death Dealer book, which I have been collecting, but has been a disappointment thus far.

ComicsReader · 10-04-2007, 03:51 PM

WOW !!!!

That's some incredible art. I always liked Vigil's work and this stuff makes you drool.

batlash · 10-04-2007, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noir56

He even let me lettering a few words in his disturbed EO 2-issue series.

There was a second issue?!? Dang. Something else I have to go digging for.

Kikaider · 10-04-2007, 05:37 PM

Wow, Tim' work looks amazing on this. I am definitely getting this issue. Tim Vigil' artwork alone is enough to pull me towards a project. Even Faust in which I found the sexuality disturbing, the artwork and gore more than made up for the things I didn't like.

Reaper · 10-04-2007, 06:07 PM

I'll buy this. It looks great!

-Tim

hondo · 10-04-2007, 06:09 PM

I never had any of his work but I've seen it before flipping through an issue of Faust that I saw. His work is impressive, indeed, and yes, one of the few artists that are of the caliber to work on a Frazetta book.

The other artist that immediately comes to mind is Liam Sharp.

Sean Patty · 10-04-2007, 06:16 PM

Yes, Liam Sharp and the great original Death Dealer comics artist Simon Bisley. That first Death Dealer book Verotik released back in the 90s was a great book visually, although the writing was lacking. Liam's follow-up work was very detailed and powerful, as well.

Those books blew away the current Image Death Dealer incarnation.

ShinAkuma666 · 10-04-2007, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sean Patty

Yes, Liam Sharp and the great original Death Dealer comics artist Simon Bisley. That first Death Dealer book Verotik released back in the 90s was a great book visually, although the writing was lacking. Liam's follow-up work was very detailed and powerful, as well.

Those books blew away the current Image Death Dealer incarnation.

As someone really interested in getting the Death Dealer series when it comes out in TPB, I was wondering what you dont like or think that the series is lacking ?

JoshuaOrtega · 10-04-2007, 06:51 PM

Great to see these pages up on Newsarama! Man, is Tim nailing the look of this book, or what!?

Beautiful work, Tim, and as Troy posted, Mark Kidwell's no slouch in the writing department either!

JoshuaOrtega · 10-04-2007, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShinAkuma666

As someone really interested in getting the Death Dealer series when it comes out in TPB, I was wondering what you dont like or think that the series is lacking ?

As the writer of the current series, I've gotta admit I'm curious too!

coldwarmyth · 10-04-2007, 07:36 PM

Gorgeous art.

Buying this one.

8leggedfreak · 10-04-2007, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by batlash

There was a second issue?!? Dang. Something else I have to go digging for.

Yep, good luck tracking that one down.

Tims' art looks awesome--- I'd love to see what he could do with the Death Dealer!

ShinAkuma666 · 10-04-2007, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoshuaOrtega

As the writer of the current series, I've gotta admit I'm curious too!

Now he wont tell ! lol and will have to find out by getting the tpb, wich I am waiting for because the price of the HC wish is release first was a bit too pricey for my taste, even with Amazon.ca rebate.

In any case, the art looks great and I only heard good things about it thus far.

Sean Patty · 10-04-2007, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShinAkuma666

As someone really interested in getting the Death Dealer series when it comes out in TPB, I was wondering what you dont like or think that the series is lacking ?

The new Death Dealer series does have some strong points...and weak ones, as well.

Ortega's writing is superior to Danzig's version of the character in that more effort is made on developing secondary and tertiary characters and a fully realized world. However, Frazetta's work is both of a violent AND erotic nature. While violence is naturally depicted by the Image team, the eroticism and nudity of the Verotik series incarnation is not found in the Image version...much to the diminishment of the original Frazetta vision. But Ortega is working within the Image template, which is largely geared toward a juvenile mindset, as are the other big mainstream publishers, so no fault lies with Ortega personally on that level. He's merely working with the tools he has been allowed to wield. Commercialism over artistic integrity and faithfulness to Frazetta's original vision is not surprising nowadays, but it is disappointing.

Now with appreciation to Ortega's world building in the book, I must say that there is not enough of the book's namesake, Death Dealer, and the dark energy and carnage that follow him to the battleground included in this tapestry. In the Verotik books the dark rider was CENTRAL to each book, which is the way he should be portrayed....however, the Ortega vision has relegated this force of nature to a distant background figure rarely coming to the fore, and we are already 4 issues in to the series! I understand the need to create a realized environment and world and build upon events to a climactic conclusion, which Ortega does to excess. Yes, the Death Dealer is a mysterious character and Ortega has used this element to centralize the character in a subtle way... but a little less of the world building and a little more of the visceral impact of the Frazetta warlord would suit me better, in light of the 4 issues released thus far. I am hopeful that the last 2 issues will finally capture the Death Dealer in his dark glory.

Nat Jones' art is detailed and generally expressive and his panels have wonderful detail and depth, although his rendition of the Death Dealer is odd with that ratty bird-feather type of cape/garment he wears....never saw that in a Frazetta Death dealer painting. But that is a minor complaint. Overall, his work is certainly elevated and worthy, although not as dynamic as more experienced artists like Simon Bisley or Liam Sharp...or in this thread's case, Tim Vigil. But the long hours at the drawing table are certainly evident on his pages and worth the money on the issues thus far.

Fotos brings a darker palette to the book, somber tones that are much closer to the Frazetta vision than were portrayed in the Verotik books. A superior coloring job.

So here's looking forward to the Death Dealer conclusion, even with its watered down adult content... and to the coming of Dark Kingdom and Vigil. And thanks to Image for bringing this work to press in an industry still obsessed with superheroes.