After announcing a Mark Waid co-written/Gabriele dell’Otto illustrated Spider-Man original graphic novel at Marvel (and the long-promised, but still not solicited, “The Saviors” with J. Bone at Image), many have been wondering what else James Robinson is going to be doing now that he is no longer writing at DC. Well, the first puzzle piece has been revealed – Robinson is creating a new series, “Grand Passion” for Dynamite comics. Robinson had this to say about the series:
Grand Passion is definitely a departure from what I’ve been doing in the last few years. This series is about two wayward characters Doc and Mabel — one a cop, the other a crook — who are fated to fall in love at first sight even as Mabel swears she’ll kill Doc if it’s the last thing she does. It marries elements of a Harlequin romance with hard-boiled crime and takes it off in a direction that’s surprising, funny, violent, and sexy. I’m very excited to roll up my sleeves and immerse myself in writing this tale.”
No artist has been named to the series as of yet. This is another in a line of exciting creators being paired up with Dynamite, from Rick Remender to Joshua Hale Fialkov to Gail Simone. Simone and Walter Giovanni’s “Red Sonja” debuts this week and has already sold out at the distribution level.
The full press release is below, and we will keep you updated with any future “Grand Passion” developments.
Official Press Release
Dynamite is proud to announce that celebrated comic book writer James Robinson (Starman, Justice Society of America, Earth 2, Leave It to Chance) has signed a deal to create a new series entitled Grand Passion. This partnership marks the first time that Robinson will work with Dynamite Entertainment to develop new content.
“I’m thrilled to be working with Nick Barrucci and Dynamite Entertainment on a series I think will surprise a lot of readers,” James said. “Grand Passion is definitely a departure from what I’ve been doing in the last few years. This series is about two wayward characters Doc and Mabel — one a cop, the other a crook — who are fated to fall in love at first sight even as Mabel swears she’ll kill Doc if it’s the last thing she does. It marries elements of a Harlequin romance with hard-boiled crime and takes it off in a direction that’s surprising, funny, violent, and sexy. I’m very excited to roll up my sleeves and immerse myself in writing this tale.”
Nick Barrucci, CEO and Publisher of Dynamite, says, “I have known and been friends with James Robinson for nearly two decades, and wanted to work with him since the launch of Dynamite. Between James’ exclusivity with DC Comics and our growing Dynamite, it took time to find the right project. After some nice conversations, the right project came together. I am thrilled to welcome James Robinson’s Grand Passion to comics retailers and fans. This is something I’ve wanted to see happen for a long, long time. I think the world of James — his imagination, talent, and detail to attention. We’ll be releasing more information and art as they are ready, but prepare to see something completely new and unexpected from this fan-favorite, brilliant writer!”
James Robinson is a British writer of comic books and screenplays. Perhaps best known for the DC Comics title Starman, he received tremendous critical and fan praise for his groundbreaking reinvention of an obscure hero into a beloved series deserving of an Eisner Award for Best Serialized Story. An expert at revitalizing classic concepts with a fresh new look and perspective, Robinson has written acclaimed story arcs in such titles as The Golden Age, Justice Society of America, Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight, Hawkman, and more. His creator-owned series Leave It to Chance won two more Eisner Awards in 1997, for Best New Series and Best Title for Younger Readers. Additionally, he was nominated for an Eisner Award for Justice League: Cry for Justice. He also wrote the screenplay for the 2003 movie version of The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.
Continued belowFor art and more information, please visit: http://www.dynamite.com/.
About Dynamite Entertainment:
Dynamite was founded in 2004 and is home to several best-selling comic book titles and properties, including The Boys, The Shadow, Vampirella, Warlord of Mars, Bionic Man, A Game of Thrones, and more. Dynamite owns and controls an extensive library with over 3,000 characters (which includes the Harris Comics and Chaos Comics properties), such as Vampirella, Pantha, Evil Ernie, Smiley the Psychotic Button, Chastity, Purgatori, and Peter Cannon: Thunderbolt. In addition to their critically-acclaimed titles and bestselling comics, Dynamite works with some of the most high profile creators in comics and entertainment, including Kevin Smith, Alex Ross, John Cassaday, Garth Ennis, Jae Lee, Marc Guggenheim, Mike Carey, Jim Krueger, Greg Pak, Brett Matthews, Matt Wagner, and a host of up-and-coming new talent. Dynamite is consistently ranked in the upper tiers of comic book publishers and several of their titles – including Alex Ross and Jim Krueger’s Project Superpowers – have debuted in the Top Ten lists produced by Diamond Comics Distributors. In 2005, Diamond awarded the company a GEM award for Best New Publisher and another GEM in 2006 for Comics Publisher of the Year (under 5%) and again in 2011. The company has also been nominated for and won several industry awards, including the prestigious Harvey and Eisner Awards.
