Dynamite Signs Warren Ellis To Relaunch Its Project Superpowers Universe

Warren Ellis will be doing his first work for Dynamite Entertainment by the end of 2014, just in time for the publisher's 10th anniversary. The gig? Ellis will be taking over Dynamite's entire Project Superpowers universe, which includes The American Spirit, The Black Terror, Daredevil (the Golden Age non-Marvel guy with the spikes on his belt), Green Lama and many other Fox Comics/Crestwood Publications/Nedor Comics and other public domain heroes and villains with origins in the 1930s and '40s.

"I've long been fascinated by the period in comics that produced these characters, and I'm very much looking forward to working out the strange, atmospheric take on the weird thriller that they inspired. Also, it's going to be a pleasure to finally do a job through the good offices of my old friend Nick Barrucci," wrote Ellis in an official Dynamite press release.

Dynamite's initial Project Superpowers run condensed a selection of Golden Age superheroes and villains into a new shared universe with callbacks to its source material and ran for 21 issues between 2008 and 2010. The book was written by Jim Krueger and Alex Ross, and illustrated by Doug Klauba, Stephen Sadowski and Adrian Moreno. Ross Also illustrated the series' covers. Four character-centric spinoffs expanded the story as well.

It's unclear what Ellis' Project Superpowers line will look like in terms of its publishing slate. So far Dynamite hasn't specified if it will mirror its previous incarnation as a single series with tie-in limited series. It's also a bit unclear if the new books will simply relaunch the line and continue its existing narrative, or if it will serve as a New 52 style reboot that starts from zero. Dynamite's press release does not include the word "reboot," and Dynamite CEO/Publisher Nick Barrucci's comments in the press release merely says Ellis will "bring back" the Superpowers Universe.

"I've wanted to work with Warren for many years, and have approached him more than a few times," said Barrucci in Dynamite's press release, "I can honestly say that when his schedule allowed for us to work together, I was speechless. We've been waiting for the right creative vision to bring back Dynamite's Superpowers Universe, and I can't think of anyone better than Warren to do so. I was elated that both came together. He will make this series his own and will bring a larger audience to Dynamite's Super Powers universe. This is truly an honor to be working with him, as Warren elevates Dynamite to a new level."

For his part Dynamite Senior Editor Joe Rybandt focused on the new line's aim at accessibility. "Warren is truly a visionary storyteller and he's been given carte blanche to reimagine these characters and this world," said Rybandt. "The results will appeal to his existing fans for sure, but the world he is creating is accessible to all from the start."

No artists have been named for the project yet, but Dynamite included previous Project Superpowers artwork with its press release which could be a hint at some talent that could be involved in the relaunch in some capacity.