Per Newsarama, Dark Horse Comics will publish “Hound,” an original graphic novel based on the legend of the Irish demigod Cú Chulainn (rendered here simply as Cú Cullan), the Hound of Ulster. It will be written and illustrated by animator and storyboard artist Paul J. Bolger, with co-writer Barry Devlin, and coloring by Dee Cunniffe.
“Hound” is described as depicting Sétanta (Cullan’s birth name) as the ward of the war goddess the Morrigan in 50 BCE. It will show how he earned his title (which means “Culann’s Hound” in English), and his later life, as he “realizes the immense power he has (and darkness) and decides to lay it all down to become a farmer. Enflamed by this rebellious act, Morrigan begins a full-on invasion of Ireland which Cú Cullan is the only one able to lead a resistance against.”
Bolger is a film/TV veteran who has worked for Don Bluth, Ralph Bakshi, and Aardman Animations, while Devlin is a musician, writer and director who collaborated regularly with U2 on their films and music videos in the 1980s. They conceived the book alongside a live-action film version, which they described as “drawing on the latest discoveries and theories on ancient Ireland and Britain, their peoples and cultures.” The project has received advance praise from film director Tomm Moore (The Secret of Kells, Wolfwalkers), who called it “a stunning example of comics storytelling being used to reinvigorate ancient legends for a modern audience.”
“Hound” will be released online and in comic book stores on March 9, 2022. In the meantime, you can check out more about the comic (which was originally self-published) and its artwork, at the official website here.
