Image Comics imprint Top Cow Productions will be releasing a new four-part Latinx fantasy mini-series, “Helm Greycastle,” by writer and creator Henry Barajas, artist Rahmat M. Handoko, colorist and co-creator Bryan Valenza, and letterer Gabriela Downie. The first issue will be released with a main cover by Handoko, along with variants by David Lapham, Tony Parker, and Becky Cloonan.
The series will imagine an alternate version of history where the Spanish Conquistadors were defeated by the Aztec Empire, and the Emperor Moctezuma formed a new nation, Aztec Mexica. When the last dragon prince is kidnapped by the Aztecs, the outsider Helm Greycastle and his comrades are recruited by a resistance group to stage a rescue. Greycastle soon finds himself torn between helping overthrow Montezuma, or simply rescuing the dragon prince and fleeing.
Speaking to THR, Barajas described “Helm Greycastle” as “a love letter to J.R.R. Tolkien and Dungeons and Dragons,” which will show people of color “can exist in this space, too.” He stated that his work on his previous project “La Voz De M.A.Y.O.” with artist J. Gonzo, which told the oral history of the founder of the M.A.Y.O. organization, Ramon Jaurigue, “opened my eyes to how ignorant I am to my ingenious roots as a Mexican-American.”
“Helm Greycastle” will be supported by a Latinx RPG by Tristan J. Tarwater and artist Jen Vaughn.
“Helm Greycastle” #1 is scheduled for release physically and digitally on April 28.
