Highlander (comics)
Encyclopedia
Highlander was a thirteen-issue comic book
limited series
that was first released in 2006
and ran for one year ending in 2007
. It is written by Brandon Jerwa
and Michael Avon Oeming
in close collaboration with David Abramowitz, who was Creative Consultant in charge of the writing on Highlander: The Series
and the subsequent Highlander movies. It is published by Dynamite Entertainment
. The preview issue released in July 2006 had over 100,000 copies pre-sold.
It is inspired from Highlander, the franchise about Immortals battling each other throughout history. The comic book series deals with what the main characters of the franchise, Connor MacLeod
and Duncan MacLeod
, do concerning happenings from the films and television series. It spawned a second comic book mini-series, Highlander: Way of the Sword
.
after the events that took place in the first Highlander film
. Although the Kurgan has been defeated, some of those who followed him still seek to bring about some of his plans. Connor also deals with battling within himself for control over the impulses and emotions he received from the Dark Quickening
of the Kurgan (issues 6-9).
The last story arc (issues 10-12) introduces Duncan MacLeod
and has him assisting his kinsman Connor in defeating the followers of the Kurgan.
The separate plot line issues (Dark Quickening and The Coldest War, Armageddon") were bound into three separate trade paperbacks by Dynamite Entertainment.
, which have mostly received negative reviews (with the exception of the animated film Highlander: The Search for Vengeance, which has received mostly favorable reviews). Michael Bailey of Comics Bulletin
was "pleasantly surprised," and felt that "this could turn out to be a really neat story." Bailey praised the story, saying, "I always felt that Connor's story was pretty much done with [after the first film, but] reading this first issue, I am seeing where Connor's story can continue," but felt that artist Lee Moder "wasn't the right choice for this world."
Dave Baxter of Broken Frontier praised Moder's artwork, calling it "fluid, well-executed, [and] flawlessly paced," as well as the writing by Jerwa and Oeming, in particular their "above-average, rhythmic dialogue and a fabulous use of the more obscure characters and sequences from the film." Baxter criticized the "lackluster plot," however, as well as the fact that the comic "manages to ignore entirely the continuity of the first film
's premise and especially its conclusion, [creating its] own "alternative" Highlander universe." Baxter added, "Why another alternative Highlander universe? [A]fter three sequels and a long-running TV show
, is it really necessary to produce more of the same?"
Though the comic's sales figures have dropped slowly since release, Dynamite Entertainment
released a follow-up comic series, titled Highlander: Way of the Sword
.
:
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
limited series
Limited series
A limited series is a comic book series with a set number of installments. A limited series differs from an ongoing series in that the number of issues is determined before production and it differs from a one shot in that it is composed of multiple issues....
that was first released in 2006
2006 in comics
-January:*January 1, 2006: Newsweek offer a look back at 2005 through editorial cartoons. *January 2, 2006: The Cincinnati Enquirer cartoonist Jim Borgman starts a blog to detail his creative process...
and ran for one year ending in 2007
2007 in comics
-January:*January 10: Superman & Batman vs. Aliens & Predator released.*January 24: The Boys is canceled with issue #6.-February:*February 2: Newsarama reports that The Boys has been picked up by Dynamite Entertainment....
. It is written by Brandon Jerwa
Brandon Jerwa
Brandon Jerwa is an American comic book writer and musician currently residing in Seattle, Washington. Jerwa is best known for his work on comic tie-ins for several prominent licensed properties, including Battlestar Galactica, Highlander, G.I. Joe and Army of Darkness. Jerwa also collaborates...
and Michael Avon Oeming
Michael Avon Oeming
Michael Avon Oeming is an American comic book creator, both as an artist and writer. He is known for using a stark art style to tell stories with sophisticated and mature subject matter.-Career:...
in close collaboration with David Abramowitz, who was Creative Consultant in charge of the writing on Highlander: The Series
Highlander: The Series
Highlander: The Series is a fantasy-adventure television series featuring Duncan MacLeod of the Scottish Clan MacLeod, as the Highlander. It was an offshoot and another alternate sequel of the 1986 feature film with a twist: Connor MacLeod did not win the prize and Immortals still exist post-1985...
and the subsequent Highlander movies. It is published by Dynamite Entertainment
Dynamite Entertainment
Dynamite Entertainment is an American comic book company that primarily publishes licensed franchises of adaptations of other media. These include adaptations of film properties such as Army of Darkness, Terminator and RoboCop, literary properties such as Zorro, Dracula, Sherlock Holmes, Alice in...
. The preview issue released in July 2006 had over 100,000 copies pre-sold.
It is inspired from Highlander, the franchise about Immortals battling each other throughout history. The comic book series deals with what the main characters of the franchise, Connor MacLeod
Connor MacLeod
Connor MacLeod, also known as The Highlander, is a fictional character in the Highlander film series, as well as the television programs Highlander: The Series, and Highlander: The Animated Series...
and Duncan MacLeod
Duncan MacLeod
Duncan MacLeod is a fictional character from the Highlander multiverse. Duncan MacLeod serves as the protagonist for the TV continuation of the Highlander franchise, which comprises Highlander: The Series and its spin-off movies, Highlander: Endgame and Highlander: The Source...
, do concerning happenings from the films and television series. It spawned a second comic book mini-series, Highlander: Way of the Sword
Highlander: Way of the Sword
Highlander: Way of the Sword was a four-issue, monthly comic book limited series published by Dynamite Entertainment from 2007 to 2008. It was Dynamite's second Highlander comic, which followed the publisher's previous 13-issue miniseries, which was published from 2006 to 2007.-Plot:It is inspired...
.
Plot details
The initial issues (issues 0-4) deal with Connor MacLeodConnor MacLeod
Connor MacLeod, also known as The Highlander, is a fictional character in the Highlander film series, as well as the television programs Highlander: The Series, and Highlander: The Animated Series...
after the events that took place in the first Highlander film
Highlander (film)
Highlander is a 1986 fantasy action film directed by Russell Mulcahy and based on a story by Gregory Widen. It stars Christopher Lambert, Sean Connery, Clancy Brown, and Roxanne Hart. The film depicts the climax of an ages-old battle between immortal warriors, depicted through interwoven past and...
. Although the Kurgan has been defeated, some of those who followed him still seek to bring about some of his plans. Connor also deals with battling within himself for control over the impulses and emotions he received from the Dark Quickening
Quickening (Highlander)
The Quickening is a phenomenon in the Highlander films and television series. When an Immortal is beheaded, there is a powerful energy release from their body which is called a Quickening. Lead Highlander: The Series actor Adrian Paul explains, "The Quickening is the receiving of all the power and...
of the Kurgan (issues 6-9).
The last story arc (issues 10-12) introduces Duncan MacLeod
Duncan MacLeod
Duncan MacLeod is a fictional character from the Highlander multiverse. Duncan MacLeod serves as the protagonist for the TV continuation of the Highlander franchise, which comprises Highlander: The Series and its spin-off movies, Highlander: Endgame and Highlander: The Source...
and has him assisting his kinsman Connor in defeating the followers of the Kurgan.
The separate plot line issues (Dark Quickening and The Coldest War, Armageddon") were bound into three separate trade paperbacks by Dynamite Entertainment.
Reception
Critical reaction to the Highlander comics has been mixed to positive, more favorable in general than the film sequels to the original HighlanderHighlander (film)
Highlander is a 1986 fantasy action film directed by Russell Mulcahy and based on a story by Gregory Widen. It stars Christopher Lambert, Sean Connery, Clancy Brown, and Roxanne Hart. The film depicts the climax of an ages-old battle between immortal warriors, depicted through interwoven past and...
, which have mostly received negative reviews (with the exception of the animated film Highlander: The Search for Vengeance, which has received mostly favorable reviews). Michael Bailey of Comics Bulletin
Comics Bulletin
Comics Bulletin is a website with an emphasis on the American comic book industry, updated daily with news, reviews, interviews, and editorial content. Coverage ranges from mainstream to independent/small press comic book and graphic novel publishers.-History:...
was "pleasantly surprised," and felt that "this could turn out to be a really neat story." Bailey praised the story, saying, "I always felt that Connor's story was pretty much done with [after the first film, but] reading this first issue, I am seeing where Connor's story can continue," but felt that artist Lee Moder "wasn't the right choice for this world."
Dave Baxter of Broken Frontier praised Moder's artwork, calling it "fluid, well-executed, [and] flawlessly paced," as well as the writing by Jerwa and Oeming, in particular their "above-average, rhythmic dialogue and a fabulous use of the more obscure characters and sequences from the film." Baxter criticized the "lackluster plot," however, as well as the fact that the comic "manages to ignore entirely the continuity of the first film
Highlander (film)
Highlander is a 1986 fantasy action film directed by Russell Mulcahy and based on a story by Gregory Widen. It stars Christopher Lambert, Sean Connery, Clancy Brown, and Roxanne Hart. The film depicts the climax of an ages-old battle between immortal warriors, depicted through interwoven past and...
's premise and especially its conclusion, [creating its] own "alternative" Highlander universe." Baxter added, "Why another alternative Highlander universe? [A]fter three sequels and a long-running TV show
Highlander: The Series
Highlander: The Series is a fantasy-adventure television series featuring Duncan MacLeod of the Scottish Clan MacLeod, as the Highlander. It was an offshoot and another alternate sequel of the 1986 feature film with a twist: Connor MacLeod did not win the prize and Immortals still exist post-1985...
, is it really necessary to produce more of the same?"
Though the comic's sales figures have dropped slowly since release, Dynamite Entertainment
Dynamite Entertainment
Dynamite Entertainment is an American comic book company that primarily publishes licensed franchises of adaptations of other media. These include adaptations of film properties such as Army of Darkness, Terminator and RoboCop, literary properties such as Zorro, Dracula, Sherlock Holmes, Alice in...
released a follow-up comic series, titled Highlander: Way of the Sword
Highlander: Way of the Sword
Highlander: Way of the Sword was a four-issue, monthly comic book limited series published by Dynamite Entertainment from 2007 to 2008. It was Dynamite's second Highlander comic, which followed the publisher's previous 13-issue miniseries, which was published from 2006 to 2007.-Plot:It is inspired...
.
Collections
The series is being collected as trade paperbacksTrade paperback (comics)
In comics, a trade paperback is a collection of stories originally published in comic books, reprinted in book format, usually capturing one story arc from a single title or a series of stories with a connected story arc or common theme from one or more titles...
:
- Volume I (collects Highlander #0-5, 140 pages, January 2008, softcover ISBN 1933305320, hardcover ISBN 1933305312)
- Volume II (collects Highlander #6-9, 120 pages, February 2008, softcover ISBN 1933305592)
- Volume III:Armageddon (collects Highlander #10-12, 80 pages, July 2008, softcover ISBN 1933305673)
See also
- Highlander (franchise)
- List of comics based on films
- List of comics based on television programs
External links
- Highlander Comic Official Page
- Preview: Highlander #0, Comic Book ResourcesComic Book ResourcesComic Book Resources, also known as CBR is a website dedicated to the coverage of comic book-related news and discussion.-History:Comic Book Resources was founded by Jonah Weiland in 1996 as a development of the Kingdom Come Message Board, a message forum that Weiland had created to discuss DC...
, July 5, 2006
Interviews
- Catching up on Highlander with Brandon Jerwa, NewsaramaNewsaramaNewsarama is an American website that publishes news, interviews and essays about the American comic book industry.-History:Newsarama began in Summer 1995 as a series of Internet forum postings on the Prodigy comic-book message boards by fan Mike Doran. In these short messages. Doran shared...
, January 24, 2007 - Talking to Dynamite's Highlander team, NewsaramaNewsaramaNewsarama is an American website that publishes news, interviews and essays about the American comic book industry.-History:Newsarama began in Summer 1995 as a series of Internet forum postings on the Prodigy comic-book message boards by fan Mike Doran. In these short messages. Doran shared...