Posted in: Comics | Tagged: army of darkness, Comics, dynamite, entertainment, mark rahner, vampirella

"A Silly, Grotesque Lost Chapter." – Mark Rahner Talks Vampirella / Army of Darkness

Published Tue, 28 Jul 2015 21:00:47 -0500

Mark Rahner has been responsible for bringing together two horror icons for Dynamite. Now the writer talks about the series and the meeting of Ash Williams and Vampirella. Cover art by Tim Seeley.

BYRON BREWER: Mark, in October you reach the climax of this mini with Ash and Vampirella. Did you tell the story you wanted to tell?

MARK RAHNER: No, I wanted to tell an uplifting story of the power of love and the beauty of faith, or the beauty of love and power of faith. But this filthy, violent, profane monster adventure came spilling out of me instead.

The story was meant to fit seamlessly within the canonical Army of Darkness movie – a lost chapter. A silly, grotesque lost chapter. We learn that Vampi is collateral damage from Ash's idiocy in handling the Necronomicon Ex Mortis. In that sense, it was a satisfying climax. Was it good for you, too?

By the way, I'm also pleased that the aftertaste of this story will be lingering in fans' mouths when the new Ash vs. Evil Dead series starts.

BB: What was the greatest challenge? Introducing Vampirella into one of Ash's world or introducing Ash's broad humor into the monstrous world of Vampi?

MR: Finding a way to get Ash into Vampi's skimpy red outfit was the greatest challenge, and I was forced to abandon that. But now you have that visual in your mind.

And they clearly don't fit anywhere in each other's worlds – which is where the fun comes in. She's a no-nonsense vampire, and the Necronomicon has transformed and possessed her at the outset. She's furious with Ash for bringing her to 1300 A.D., thinks he's a dimwit and really doesn't like this wise-cracking jerk. But she needs him alive if she wants to get back to where she belongs.

BB: If given a choice, which of the two characters would you like to do an ongoing with and why?

MR: What is this, Sophie's Choice? You can't make me choose between my children, damn you!

I've written plenty of Vampi – in fact, go get the Vampirella Bites collection right now! And I've also written Ash in Army of Darkness/Reanimator, which I especially dug because I put him right into the narrator/assistant's role in the original H.P. Lovecraft tale. Believe it or not, I like 'em both. I also like writing humor. I did a lot of that in my previous career as a newspaper hack, and don't see a ton in mainstream comics. Much of the Vampi I've written has been satire, and I'd like to take her in a darker direction at some point. Ash is pretty much outright comedy. I'd be happy to spend more time with either one.

BB: There is always something special about a Vampirella team-up. Why does this iconic character remain one of the favorites for writers to play with in the toy box?

MR: I cannot deconstruct pleasure, sir.

BB: How did you find artist Jethro Morales' interpretation of Ash and Vampi?

MR: I've worked with him before, and I think he just keeps getting better. (I think I've said that before, too, but it's true!) I was especially tickled seeing his depictions of Ash as I described him in the script: drunk, cocky, buffoonish, cool … I didn't want it overly cartoonish, and I think Jethro struck just the right balance.

BB: A lot of possessed monks around Issue 4. Just saying … (lol)

MR: You were thinking monks are scary enough on their own. But possessed monks who have also invoked something awful that they can't control? Pass the diapers!

For more on Vampierlla / Army of Darkness, click here.

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