Here’s how you know Rodney Barnes and Jason Shawn Alexander’s Killadelphia is one of the best books Image Comics publishes. Both Todd McFarlane’s Spawn and Erik Larsen’s Savage Dragon will pay a visit. It’s not a stunt; it’s a crossover that plays throughout a story arc starting with issue #31. Heaven and Hell collide, and those classic Image heroes aren’t coming alone.
Prince Mamuwalde, better known as Blacula, joins the fray as the streets of Philadelphia run red with blood. Since his antagonistic sire Count Dracula has to have a stake (no pun intended), he’ll be there, too. So you might want to catch up on Barnes and Alexander’s Blacula: Return of the King graphic novel from Zombie Love Studios. (As an Amazon affiliate, Fanboy Planet may earn a commission from your purchase.)
Don’t just take my word for it. If you note the pull quotes at the end of the press release, you’ll see some heavy hitters in the horror community. And let me pause to hope that somewhere out there, the late great actor William Marshall smiles at how key Blacula has become in 2023.
The arc starts in November, but that just means Halloween lasts all year long… at least in Killadelphia.
From Image Comics:
The Eisner Award nominated ongoing series Killadelphia from writer Rodney Barnes (HBO’s American Gods, HBO’s Winning Time, and record-breaking Star Wars: The Mandalorian comic book series) and Jason Shawn Alexander (the artist who redefined Todd McFarlane’s legendary Spawn for a whole new generation) have more surprises in store for fans with a fleet of iconic characters ready to join in on the action. The new story arc begins with issue #31 in November from Image Comics.
The Killadelphia series follows a small-town beat cop who returns home to bury his murdered father, revered Philadelphia detective James Sangster Sr. What he doesn’t anticipate is digging up a mystery that will lead him down a path of horrors and shake his beliefs to their core. The city that was once the symbol of liberty and freedom has fallen prey to corruption, poverty, unemployment, brutality… and vampires. Now, it’s up to Jimmy and an unexpected companion to stop long-thought-dead president of the United States John Adams from building an undead army and staging a bloody new American revolution.
The forces of Heaven and Hell clash on the battleground that is Philly and weave into the tapestry of a larger universe when Todd McFarlane’s greatest creation crosses over into the pages of Killadelphia! All the power SeeSaw has gained and all the magic he’s learned will be put to the test when he faces off against comics’ greatest anti-hero! Anything can happen in this bold jumping-on point for new readers that will redefine the Killadelphia universe as we know it. The sold-out, Eisner Award-nominated series continues in a landmark story arc that will also feature canon surprise appearances by recognizable characters from outside Philadelphia’s city limits.
“It’s tough to convey how excited I am about this story arc. Big thanks to Todd McFarlane and Erik Larsen for lending us their creations” said Barnes. “Also thanks to MGM studios for allowing Blacula to visit the city of Philadelphia. And lastly a humongous thanks to the late great Bram Stoker for creating Count Dracula who will be joining the battle as well. Great times!”
This next arc also contains a backup stories featuring Hell’s Baddest Badass: Johnny Gatlin.
Killadelphia #31 will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, November 15:
- Cover A by Alexander – Lunar Code 0923IM415
- Cover B by Francesco Mattina – Lunar Code 0923IM416
- Cover C by Jae Lee – Lunar Code 0923IM417
- Cover D by Alexander B&W noir edition) – Lunar Code 0923IM418
Killadelphia, Spawn, and Savage Dragon are all also available across many digital platforms, including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play.
Select praise for the Killadelphia series:
“The stunning and fresh horror fable I’ve been craving. This one feels like a classic.” —Jordan Peele
“It’s the best graphic novel I’ve ever read. Five times more graphic and eight times more novel.” —Chris Rock
“A strong sense of place, an offbeat take on vampire mythology, and gorgeously grim illustration combine to make this first volume in an ongoing horror series a memorable standout.” —Library Journal
“This smart, stylish thrill ride runs on enough social relevance to appeal to an audience outside of gore hounds.” —Publishers Weekly
“Jason Shawn Alexander is one of my favorite artists working today, and writer Rodney Barnes is the perfect collaborator for this atmospheric horror story with a terrifyingly real sense of place.” —Brian K. Vaughan, Saga, Paper Girls
“Sparely written, beautifully rendered and topical, Killadelphia is a genuinely frightening horror graphic. Can’t wait to read the next issue!” —Steven Barnes & Tananarive Due
“Killadelphia speaks to race, class, culture and vampires. All things that lead to a captivating story. What isn’t there to love!!!” —Michael Strahan
“A dark, deep, seamless story that plays into multiple genres without becoming fully any one of them…offers a tantalizing nightmare of urban horror that feels real, rich, and mysterious. It’ll infect you if you let it, and you should.” —ComicBook.com
