It has been forever since we last talked about “Roundeye: For Love.” We first mentioned it back in 2010 when Tony Harris was looking for help funding it via Kickstarter for an IDW Anthology, although it failed on the first attempt. After lowing the funding price point and putting it back online, we were happy to report a few months later when it was reported that he had succeeded in gaining funds. We’ve been supporters of the project for a long time, as well as Tony Harris and his wonderful work on “Ex Machina”, and we’ve been anxiously anticipating the announcement of when and where “Roundeye” would come to life.
Today at Emerald City Comic-Con, it was announced that Tony Harris would be bringing the project to Image Comics in addition to his upcoming book with Steve Niles, “Chin Music.” Rejoice, one and all! The above image is the first new material for “Roundeye” we’ve seen in a year, and is being sold exclusively at ECCC at the Image Comics booth right this very second (#310).
The book will no longer be a graphic novel, but will instead be serialized as a six issue mini series. However, Harris did confirm that the book will be collected in a deluxe hardcover with extras when the series completes. No news on what this means for those of you who contributed to the Kickstarter, but we will update as we learn more.
Not excited enough yet? Ok, fine. Check out Harris’ description of the series as well as first 8 pages unlettered after the cut, and an additional image which may end up being a cover. Oh, and prepare to get excited.
A mysterious , hulking white man known only as ROUNDEYE stumbles out of the jungle, and into the arms of a woman(Tulip) who is forbidden to all who know her. She is the wife of Roundeyes soon to be Master, Yoshitsuni, a fierce Samurai, who controls the region with an Iron fist and little mercy. Their cursed love affair produces a child that damns them both to fates they can’t possibly imagine, ripping them apart and flinging their helpless souls to the farthest corners of the planet.
ROUNDEYE is left for dead, and his Tulip banished to a Brothel by her vengeful husband.
Yoshi, praying in his temple is approached by a Shinto underworld demon who offers him “SIGHT”. An ability to “see” his opponents every move in battle before they make it, transforming Yoshi into an invincible and horrible man. His price? He must blind himself in return for the Dragons Claw, which contains it’s eye, protected inside it’s balled up fist. Yoshi, blinded, and able to see clearer than ever before amasses a blind Army of Samurai that ride the land wielding the Dragons Claw as their standard, unstoppable, and terrible.
ROUNDEYE is found by a retired swordsmith on the verge of death and nurses the Hulk back to health at the cost of his arm, which the Smith has replaced with an artificial limb. He gifts ROUNDEYE the last sword he created before retiring, and sends ROUNDEYE on a path to regain a love lost, twisting and turning on a blood-soaked road to the ultimate battle against Yoshitsunis unstoppable army, with the hope of reuniting with his Tulip.
