Radical’s « Hercules » covered by Jim Steranko

[ENGLISH] Radical Publishing is proud to announce that legendary, award winning artist Jim Steranko has provided covers for issue #1 and #2 of Hercules: The Thracian Wars. Steranko also designed the Hercules character and created the logo that is being used on all issues of Radical’s Hercules.  For issue #2 of Hercules: The Thracian Wars, Jim Steranko’s cover is a homage to the popular 1968 Incredible Hulk King-Sized Special #1 cover. The story of Hercules: The Thracian Wars is described as: Three thousand two hundred years ago, a tormented soul walked the Earth that was neither man nor god. Hercules, powerful son of the god king Zeus, received nothing but suffering his entire life. After twelve arduous labors and the loss of his family, this dark, world-weary soul turned his back on the gods finding his only solace in bloody battle. Over the years he warmed to the company of six similar souls, their only bond being their love of fighting and the presence of death. These men and woman never question where, why, or whom they go to fight, only how much they will be paid. Knowing this, the King of Thrace has hired these mercenaries to train his men to become the greatest army of all time. However, Hercules begins to question King Cotys’ motives when he takes his army out to battle and sees them practice on innocent men, women, and children. Deep in his soul something stirs, but is it enough to stop a mad king and his army of the damned from marching across Greece or even Olympus itself?

« Obviously, we are very honored to have Jim Steranko, a legend in this business, to provide not only these two gorgeous covers but to have helped shape our Hercules character using his vision and expertise, » stated Radical Publishing President and Publisher, Barry Levine. « This, combined with the designs and interior artwork of Imaginary Friends Studios based on Steve Moore’s epic adventure, creates a unique Hercules that no one has ever attempted to bring to life. »

In discussing his cover for issue #1 of Hercules: The Thracian Wars, Jim Steranko explains,

« The series’ story takes place after the Labors, we felt the traditional action approach would be a cliche. The Radical version is different from all other comics’ versions and I felt my cover should underscore that quality. So, instead of casting it in spine-cracking action, I did the opposite: I visualized a silently inert, fearsomely intense Hercules, a Hercules just before the storm, a moment crackling with tension! I deliberately hid his face in shadow–except for a slash of light across one eye that reveals his fierce, tortured, inner emotions. »

Hercules: The Thracian Wars #1 (DCD# MAR083922) is featured in March 2008 Diamond Previews catalogue and will ship in May of this year. Hercules: The Thracian Wars #1 will ship with two covers, one by Jim Steranko for cover A and one by Admira Wijaya and Sunny Gho of Imaginary Friends Studios for cover B. Cover A will ship in 3:1 ratio to cover B. 

Hercules: The Thracian Wars #2 (DCD# APR084073) is featured in April 2008 Diamond Previews catalogue and will ship in June of this year. Hercules: The Thracian Wars #2 will ship with three covers, one by Greg Broadmore of WETA Workshop, one by Admira Wijaya and Sunny Gho of Imaginary Friends Studios, and a limited edition cover by Jim Steranko (DCD# APR084074) that is available as a 1-in-20 retailer incentive.

About Radical Publishing
Radical Publishing is founded by Barry Levine (Producer for Rogue Pictures Blood on the Tracks, and Executive Producer for the in development Warner Brothers Rex Mundi movie, written by JIM UHLS starring JOHNNY DEPP and Universal Picture’s R.I.P.D), his protégé Jesse Berger, and longtime writer and publisher David Elliott (Atomeka Press and Tundra Publishing). 

Radical Publishing is bringing the best in writing, storytelling and fully-painted cover and interior artwork to the global comic book market by prominent international talents such as Yoshitaka Amano, John Bolton, Luis Royo, Jim Steranko, Steve Niles, Ian Edginton, Steve Moore, Sam Sarkar, Stjepan Sejic, Dave Wilkins, Steve Pugh, James Heffron, Tomm Coker, Clayton Crain, Bill Sienkiewicz, Weta Workshop, Imaginary Friends Studios, and many more.


www.radicalcomics.com