This week Dynamite Entertainment announced that, after more than three decades since the horror classic hit cinema screens, Ash Wiliams will be returning to the world of Evil Dead once more, this time to explore Army of Darkness’ alternative ending in the form of a comic book: Army of Darkness Forever.
The end of the original movie sees Ash returning to present-day (at the time) Michigan, but as fans know all too well, at first the finale was meant to be much different. The original ending saw Ash fail the ritual that would send him back home, and instead waking up 100 years into the future. In this dystopia, most of humanity and the world around them have been wiped out. However, in favour of the happier ending set in the aisles of S-Mart that we eventually got, this was scrapped.
The comic series will pick up straight from where the movie left off, but will be swapping between three separate narratives timelines: S-Mart during the ’90s, the post-apocalyptic hellscape of 2093, and the Middle Ages. Speaking on the original ending of the movie, and his inspiration for starting the project, writer Tony Fleecs (Stray Dogs) detailing in the Dynamite Press Release that, “Instead of Ash ending up back in 1990s Michigan, fighting Deadites at S-Mart, he wakes up 100 years after the end of the world in 2093. I remember the first time I saw it on DVD, my mind just exploding at the possibilities. Ash vs. the post-apocalypse?! But then the theatrical ending has that iconic action scene and last line: “Hail to the King, baby.” So, you don’t want to lose that either.”
Fleecs is collaborating with artist Justin Greenwood (Stumptown) on the series. “He’s one of the funniest guys in person,” says Fleecs. “A real raconteur. And that comes through in the way he draws Ash. They both feel like blue-collar guys with interesting jobs to do.”
To accompany the series, Dynamite is also releasing the Army of Darkness Movie Adaptation 30th Anniversary Edition, featuring artwork from John Bolton (X-Men). It also features a new interview with star Bruce Campbell, conducted by comics legend Kurt Busiek.
Another accompanying release will be Army of Darkness 30th Anniversary Trading Cards, featuring a range of new photo and artwork cards, and rare hand-drawn sketch cards to hunt down.
A sure-to-be must-read for Evil Dead fans, Army of Darkness Forever #1 is slated to hit shelves in October 2023, along with the hardcover film adaptation and trading cards.
