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Ash and the army of Darkness #1. Cover by Ben Templesmith.
Steve Niles is the popular writer of comics including 30 Days of Night, Criminal Macabre, mystery Society, and Chin Music. now he’s turning his attention to Dynamite’s Ash and the army of Darkness. Westfield’s Roger Ash contacted Niles to learn a lot more about the book.
Westfield: What attracted you to Ash and the army of Darkness?
Steve Niles: I am a long time Evil Dead and army of Darkness fan. I’ve always loved the world, so when Nick used me the book I just couldn’t refuse. I feel very comfortable writing Ash. Not sure what that says about me, but I’m having the time of my life.
Ash and the army of Darkness #1 preview page 1. Art by Dennis Calero.
Westfield: Why was the decision made to reboot the series?
Niles: To me, the reboot was vital and you won’t hear me say that too often. I always thought the one thing that set army of Darkness besides the other films was the Dark Ages setting. I wanted to go back to that. I just love Ash out of his element. So, considering that all the other AoD comics had Ash in a modern setting, we all figured a reboot was in order. It will make sense when you see the first issue. We are picking up the story in the next frame and running from there.
Ash and the army of Darkness #1 preview page 2. Art by Dennis Calero.
Westfield: What are your plans for the book?
Niles: I’ve joked that I’m doing game of Thrones…with Ash and all jokes aside, that’s not too far off. I’m writing a monster-packed Dark Ages story filled with characters and new settings and an entire land under the control of the creeping Deadites. Ash is going to have to fight a lot more than one battle to set this right. It’s going to take a war.
Ash and the army of Darkness #1 preview page 3. Art by Dennis Calero.
Westfield: will you be introducing new characters in the series?
Niles: I am introducing lots of characters from the film with a new twist and quite a few new characters as well. You’ll see the war between Arthur and Henry has escalated and Sheila is missing. also Wiseman now plays a major roll. He was the last one seen with the book of the Dead. I have created an buy of monks who worship Ash. They all willingly cut off their ideal hands in tribute and I affectionately call them The buy of the Stump.
Ash and the army of Darkness #1. Art by Dennis Calereo.
Westfield: What can you say about your collaboration with artist Dennis Calero?
Niles: I can say Dennis is nailing it. I love what he’s doing. It’s hard to balance horror, adventure and comedy without one taking over and I think Dennis is doing it just right.
Westfield: any closing comments?
Niles: I’m on for at least 12 issues. normally I write short, 4 issue series so this is a chance I don’t get typically and I plan to make sure the books are on time and fun as hell.
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Ash and the army of Darkness #1