New Image Graphic Novel Is Monster Effort!

Neil Vokes Follows Parliament of Justice with The Black Forest in March!

ORANGE, CA — 3 November, 2003–

The First World War, which introduced trench warfare and chemical weapons and involved some of history’s bloodiest battles, was frightening enough. But imagine a WWI in which soldiers must face not only enemy artillery and mustard gas, but vampires, werewolves, an army of the living dead and the Frankenstein Monster himself.

That’s the idea behind The Black Forest, a stunning new graphic novel coming in Spring 2004 from Image Comics. Brilliantly blending wartime action-adventure with gothic horror, The Black Forest marks a bold new step in the career of artist Neil Vokes and heralds the debut of two exciting new voices in comics, writers Robert Tinnell and Todd Livingston.

Vokes is best known from his work on Superman Adventures, Untold Tales of Spider- Man and for his critically acclaimed Image one-shot, Parliament of Justice. Tinnell, a director/screenwriter whose credits include Believe and Frankenstein and Me, crossed over to the world of comics for The Black Forest and brought with him Livingston, the writer/director of the indie comedy So, You’ve Downloaded a Demon. Michael Avon Oeming, (Powers, Hammer of the Gods and Bastard Samurai) contributes the cover art, which will be colored by Tom Smith, George Perez’s colorist on the Avengers/JLA crossover.

Vokes has realized Tinnell and Livingston’s nail-biting story in glorious inkwashed black-and-white, reminiscent of the classic Universal Studios horror films that inspired The Black Forest. His enthusiasm for the project radiates from every page of this, the artist’s finest work to date. Tinnell calls the piece “All Quiet on the Western Front meets House of Frankenstein.” The creative team is working hand-in-hand with Image to ensure maximum exposure, including producing an online trailer and a “Making Of” documentary that will make the festival and convention rounds.

The Black Forest should fire the imagination of anyone interested in monsters or military adventure – or anyone who simply loves a ripping good story and gorgeous artwork.

“If Hell were a machine, the Black Forest would be its battery.”

The Black Forest will be available for order in the January 2004 issue of Previews and will go on sale in March.