ThePunishermeets theWolfmanasThomas Janeunveils his new horror comic,The Lycan. In addition to starring in 2004’sThe Punisherfeature film, Jane is a lifetime comics fan, and has written and edited them as well.The Lycan, Jane’s latest book, holds a lot of promise: a historical horror story pitting big game hunters against murderous beasts, set in the backdrop of the British Isles.
IGNunveiled a first look atThe Lycan. The book will be scripted by Mike Carey, from a story by Jane andLoganscreenwriter David James Kelly. Diego Yapur will be drawing the book. The series will first be published online as Comixology Originals, with a print edition coming later from Ablaze. The solicitation forThe Lycan# reads as follows:
Year of Our Lord 1777: A hardened band of international big game hunters returning from Africa are shipwrecked off a small British island.
In exchange for new supplies and the repairing of their good ship The Calydonian, Lord Ludgate engages the men for a task they are particularly well suited for: find the Berserking Beasts that have been eating his subjects, including a group of young Benedictine Nuns, and destroy them.
The publishers also providedIGNwith preview pages, shared below, showing off Yapur’s art.
Thomas Jane is So Much More Than the Punisher
Thomas Jane Has Extensive Experience in the Horror Genre
WhileThe Punishermay be the role most fans identify Thomas Jane with, he in fact has extensive acting experience in other genres–all in addition to being a writer and musician. Prior toThe Punisher, Jane starred in films such asFace/Off, Boogie NightsandDeep Blue Sea. Thomas Jane also has been behind several other comic book series in his day, includingBad Planet, which saw him collaborate withhorror comic icons Steve Nilesand Bruce Jones. Jane’s other comic book credits include editingDark Country.
Bad PlanetandDark Countryhave given Thomas Jane serious cred within the horror comics community, and his work with NIles and Jones only strengthened this connection. The preview pages provided toIGN, while not showing the Berserking Beasts central toThe Lycan’sstory, nevertheless build a sense of dread. The big game hunters are caught in a terrible storm–never a good omen in horror fiction. Fans know they will soon run ashore, and be confronted by something so evil and terrifying that it will shake them to their cores.
Thomas Jane Picked the Perfect Time to ReleaseThe Lycan
Both Horror Comics and Werewolves Are As Popular As Ever
Horror comics are currently experiencing something of a renaissance at the moment, andThe Lycanis sure to take its place alongside other books propelling the movement.
Horror comics are currently experiencing something of a renaissance at the moment, andThe Lycanis sure to take its place alongside other books propelling the movement. Werewolves are also having a moment in pop culture, thanks to movies such as the recentWolfmanremake. Werewolves are staples of horror and folklore, and exert a powerful hold on audiences and readers, one likely to never go away.PunisherstarThomas Janehas starred in enough horror pictures to understand what makes them work, and he will bring these skills to bear onThe Lycan.
