Award-winning writer and producer Chris McAuley has revealed creating a new fantasy universe with veteran comic artist Dell Barras – and we can reveal the first page of “Blood in the Black Vault” to downthetubes readers.
The story is under tight wraps, but we can reveal it will be published by SHIFT, date To Be Announced.
“Dell reached out to me on New Year’s Eve and said that he wanted to work with me,” Chris tells us, “after my strip was featured in the Dell Barras SHRIEEEK! Special. We came up with a classic fantasy universe together.”
The new universe is also being considered for productions from Trinity Studios, which Chris co-owns with Brooke-Woods Bechtol and Owen Cotter.
Although it’s early days and details of the new saga Top Secret, Chris and Dell have shared some art that suggests the style of the new adventures to whet adventure and horror fans appetite…
Chris McAuley is an award-winning writer and producer working across horror, science fiction, comics, audio drama, games, and film. He is the co-creator of the StokerVerse with Dacre Stoker and Dark Legacies with Claudia Christian, and has written for major licensed universes including Doctor Who, The Terminator, Star Trek, and classic monster properties.
With more than 80 books to his name, Chris is known for deep character-driven storytelling and large-scale franchise world-building across multiple media. His work has earned international awards and nominations, alongside recognition for film and video game contributions with partners including Sony and Warner Brothers through his film company, Trinity Studios, which he co-owns with Brooke-Woods Bechtol and Owen Cotter.
Legendary artist Dell Barras is a 40 year veteran in the comic book industry having worked with Marvel UK, DC Comics, Antarctic Press and other indie publishers. He spent most of his career as a storyboard artist for Warner Bros., Dreamworks, Nickelodeon, Disney, Fox, Marvel Films, Cartoon Network and Hanna Barbara.
Living today in Panorama City California, He’s been drawing comics for five decades, his amazing career launching in his native Philippines, initially working with Nestor Redondo, who hired him as art director on his Superyor komiks, followed by Mars Ravelo, who hired him to work for Atlas and Gasi titles such as Ang Taong Isda.
Moving to the United States, he initially worked with Romeo Tanghal on DC Comics titles, followed by work for Marvel. His credits include titles such as Green Arrow, Batman, The Incredible Hulk and Conan the Barbarian.
He also worked with Neal Adams for five years, penciling and inking for his Continuity Comics.
Then, back in the 1990s, Paul Neary hired him to work on several projects for Marvel UK, where he took over from Liam Sharp on Death’s Head II and provided art on issues of Motormouth and Killpower, Dark Angel, and more.
Head downthetubes for…
• Follow Chris McAuley on Facebook
• Follow Dell Barras on Facebook
• The Art of Dell Barras (AmazonUK Affiliate Link)
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.
He’s the writer of comics such as Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs”, with Dave Hailwood.
Categories: British Comics, Comic Previews, Comics, Creating Comics, downthetubes Comics News
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