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Simon Spurrier “Power of the Dark Crystal” signing at Forbidden Planet London next month

By John Freeman on January 19, 2017

Simon Spurrier will be signing The Power of the Dark Crystal #1, at the Forbidden Planet London Megastore on Wednesday 15th February 6 – 7.00pm.

Archaia, the award-winning imprint of publisher BOOM! Studios, and The Jim Henson Company, announced The Power of the Dark Crystal, comic last year after plans for a film sequel foundered.

Based on the screenplay by David Odell, Annette Odell, and Craig Pearce that was written for the planned feature film, the 12-issue monthly limited series is adapted by Eisner Award-nominated writer Simon Spurrier (The Spire, Six-Gun Gorilla) and illustrated by rising artists Kelly and Nichole Matthews (Toil and Trouble, Lumberjanes/ Gotham Academy).

The first issue of The Power of the Dark Crystal debuts on 15th February.

“The Power of the Dark Crystal is an all-new chapter in the world of Jim Henson’s classic film,” said BOOM! Studios Editor-in-Chief Matt Gagnon when the book was first announced. “We’re thrilled to bring aboard series artists Kelly and Nichole Matthews, a spectacular art team who will pay homage to Brian Froud’s incredible designs of the Skeksis, Gelflings, and a new cast of characters/creatures called the Firelings.

“Writer Simon Spurrier, a longtime fan of Henson — and one of our favourite writers — brings new life, color, and intrigue to this beloved world.”

In celebration of the 35th anniversary of Jim Henson’s The Dark Crystal, return to the world of Thra, in a new story set countless decades since the events of the original film. Though Jen and Kira have ruled Thra from the Crystal Castle peacefully as King and Queen, bringing Gelfling back to the land, they have become distracted by power and can no longer feel or see the needs of the world and its people the way they once did.

The new story features an all-new race of creatures – Firelings – that live in a realm near the planet’s core, based on official character designs by Brian Froud.

Thurma, a young Fireling girl, is tasked with obtaining a shard of the Dark Crystal — by any means necessary — to restore power to her realm. This sets in motion an incredible adventure in which Thurma will attempt to steal a crystal shard, befriend the young Gelfling Kensho, and accidentally bring back the Skeksis and Mystics.

“Like the ending of The Dark Crystal, in which the duality of good and evil is collapsed and reconciled, the story of The Power of the Dark Crystal is that of reconciling the inner and the outer worlds — perhaps even the unconscious and the conscious. This is an amazing and original theme,” said Lisa Henson, President and CEO of The Jim Henson Company.

“The creativity that went into writing and designing the feature film was such that we wanted our fans to be able to see and enjoy it now through this comic book series. We are very proud of the story that the screenwriters David Odell, Annette Odell, and Craig Pearce wrote. Our partners at Archaia and BOOM! Studios are the only people we could trust to expand and illustrate the story, and we are thrilled that it will soon see the light of day.”

The main cover to Issue #1 is illustrated by Eisner Award-winning artist Jae Lee and June Chung. Variant covers are illustrated by Sana Takeda (Monstress) and David Petersen (Mouse Guard).

Author and comics writer Simon Spurrier’s recent comics work includes Hook Jaw, Cry Havoc, Doctor Who, X-Men Legacy, Marvel Zombies, and Eisner Award nominated science-fantasy series, The Spire. His latest prose novels are Contract and A Serpent Uncoiled, while his first digital-only project is the “absurdist-noir” novella Unusual Concentrations.

He lives in London, regards sushi as part of the plotting process, and does not have a cat.

• You can pre-order a signed copy of The Power of the Dark Crystal here on the Forbidden Planet web site – using this link helps support downthetubes

• More books and comics by Simon Spurrier on the Forbidden Planet web store

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “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.