Sci-Fi Western ‘Marshal’ Now Available Via Digital Download
Two weeks ago we reported that Lionsgate and After Dark Films were set to adapt Laurell K. Hamilton’s Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter into a made-for-television movie. Though Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter is most well known as a series of novels, the franchise has also been adapted into a Marvel comic. Interestingly, the first pages of the Anita Blake:Vampire Hunter comic actually debuted months before its own first issue via a special preview release that was tucked away in the back of another comic – a science fiction/western themed story titled Marshal.
Marshal was initially planned as a four part story to be delivered via a partnership between US Publisher Dabel Brothers and Marvel. The first printed issue, which included the first ever published pages from Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter, was an instant sell out. Under normal circumstances such a popular response would bode well for the remaining three issues, but not so for Marshal. A number of publishing hiccups plagued the comic’s creators, Marvel then aquired Dabel Brother’s licenses, and amongst the turmoil Marshal #2 never found its way to comic store shelves.
If you were one of the many fans who scored a print copy of Marshal #1 and have been wanting more, prepare to be happy.
Andrew LoVuolo, one of the writers behind the Marshal concept, has through his independent design studio and comic publishing arm ‘Graphics Illusions Studios‘ championed the continuation of Marshal and as a result Issues #1 and #2 are now available for digital download via Eagle One Media. If digital downloads prove successful, the creators intend to press forward with their original plans to release the four-part series in print form and as a graphic novel.
The setting for Marshal is very similar in theme to Joss Whedon’s Firefly, or perhaps you could refer to it as a kind of Deadwood in space. Transport even occurs via “Horses”, although these are more of the metal hovering kind (with ignition keys in the form of boot “spurs”, which is quite unique and kind of cool). It may also be reasonably accurate to refer to Marshal as Firefly meets V for Vendetta meets Terminator.
The story unfolds in a place known as Tranquility – a space colony many light years from Earth – a fresh untainted world where the ills of humanity were meant to be forgotten and settlers were able to forge new lives. But after the death of the last Marshal of Tranquility (James Masters) the settlement takes a turn for the worst.
Twelve years after Masters’ death and all communication and trade with Earth is a thing of the past. Tranquility is a dangerous place to be and no longer a settlement that offers hope for a new life. Instead, the colony is now mostly controlled by the corrupt Merkaid Corporation, a ruthless organization with only one mission statement – total domination.
Hope returns in the form of Curtis Masters, the son of James Masters and new self-proclaimed Marshal. He was a child when his father was murdered, and now he’s out to avenge his father. He’s been watching and studying the Merkaid Corporation for years and has taken it upon himself to form his own posse of Deputies – and he’s going to take Tranquility back ala Punisher style. But as he and his Deputies begin to lead the revolution the true horror of what the Merkaid Corporation is up to becomes apparent.
The character of Marshal is a little Batman like in his ideals and setting, yet Punisher like in his final approach. Though unlike Batman or Punisher he’s not all perfect and indestructable, which in turn places a greater emphasis on his need for others to support him if he is to succeed in saving Tranquility. He’s also young, perhaps early 20’s at best, and just as the Merkaid’s front men more or less tell him, he’s in way over his head.
Marshal is written by Bill Torolini and Andrew LoVuolo with artwork by the talented Abdul Rashid. The whole look of the comic is very cool, almost Lobo like, with a style that is totally suitable to the setting.
The first two issues of Marshal are a mere $1.50 and available now from Eagle One Media for immediate download. Go support Marshal’s creative team and enjoy the read…and check out the cover to the as yet unreleased Marshal #3 below:
