It’s not out of the ordinary for fiction and non-fiction writers, those prose stylists of columns, short stories, novels or journalistic contributions, make the jump to the comic book forum.
We’ve all read great comic books and graphic novels from the likes of Harlan Ellison, Stephen King, Brad Meltzer, Nancy Collins and many others.
And of course, other professions have been involved in our favourite artistic medium including politician John Lewis (March), famous chef and culture aficionado Anthony Bourdain (Get Jiro, Hungry Ghosts), and rocker Gerard Way (Umbrella Academy) to name only a few.
And, although it’s not entirely new or surprising, we’ve seen a host of actors lend their storytelling abilities to the four-colour page. I’m sure we’ve all taken a turn reading comic books by the likes of William Shatner, Kevin Smith and Felicia Day, with many others taking a turn – especially of late.
It only makes sense. Actors are able to tap into characters in ways that are similar in nature to fiction writers. Even more so, they are able to instinctively inhabit characters like no one else.
Writing comics seems an exciting leap for actors, especially when they work alongside an experienced hand who knows the guideposts and the tricks of the comic book trade. Great success has come to Keanu Reeves (first working with celebrated comic book writer/artist Matt Kindt), for example, with his BZRKR series, a comic book that established a pop culture universe that has transcended its original format and moved into novels and film.
Today sees another star performer of the silver screen lineage make the move to the comic book format with actor and creator Tom Hardy adding his creative engine to the new 12-part monthly series, Arcbound from publisher Dark Horse Comics.
Clik here to view.
Co-created by Hardy and working alongside comic book industry titans in Scott Snyder (Batman, American Vampire, Wytches, Barnstormers, Night Of The Ghoul), Frank Tieri (Wolverine, Weapon X, Gotham Underground, Red Sonja: The Black Tower) and artist of comics and films, Ryan Smallman (Walt Disney, Marvel Studios, Sony Pictures Entertainment), Arcbound is a new science fiction series meant to birth a whole new universe of characters and story that will leap from the printed page and into other forms of media.
No small task. But nothing to seer at either if the first issue of the series is any sort of example. It’s electrifyingly enticing!
Arcbound is, essentially, a story of humanity, truth and ethics, set upon the backdrop of a far-flung future awash in nihilism and violence. It’s a world-building saga where character and identity are at the center of storytelling. Earth is a wasteland and the despotic Zynitec organization exerts its unmatched influence across the galaxy. When one of its most promising Mediators, Kai, receives an unexplained message from a mysterious entity, his eyes are opened, and he can never look at his once-perceived reality in the same way again. Betrayed and conscripted into a new existence, how can one man survive the truth?
In a tale that harkens the best of Star Wars, Dune, Avatar and Rebel Moon, Arcbound is the beginning of something far grander: a universe full of life and mystery and danger, a broad white canvas to colour with immersive storytelling by compelling storytellers.
Make the run to your local comic book shop and pick up the first issue of the new Arcbound epic sci-fi series today!
You can catch a sneak preview of Arcbound right here or watch the trailer to the series directly below.