ARMY OF DARKNESS FOREVER #1, from Dynamite Comics on 10/10/23, begins a new chapter in Ash’s career after his return trip to his own time from the Dark Ages runs afoul of an old doppelganger.
The Details
- Written by: Tony Fleecs
- Art by: Justin Greenwood
- Colors by: Brad Simpson
- Letters by: Troy Peteri
- Cover art by: Francesco Mattina (cover A)
- Comic Rating: Teen+
- Cover price: $3.99
- Release date: October 10, 2023
Is ARMY OF DARKNESS FOREVER #1 Good?
Let’s get right to the point. This is not a good comic. ARMY OF DARKNESS FOREVER #1 is our first exposure to Tony Fleecs as a comic writer (we’re more familiar with him as a cover artist), and our first impression is one of bafflement and mild annoyance.
Fleecs story recounts part of the Army of Darkness film, then sends Ash forward in time too far, but another version of himself returns right where he belongs while Bad Ash is waiting for him in a car. That’s right. Half the comic is a cliffnotes version of the film we already know (if you’re an AoD) fan, and the other half is convoluted time travel shenanigans that don’t make any sense.
To be fair, more Ash Williams is almost always a good thing, even if it is in a clunky context. Dynamite produced this comic to coincide with the 30th Anniversary of the Army of Darkness premiere, so the Dynamite’s hearts are in the right place, even if the execution is faulty.
What’s great about ARMY OF DARKNESS FOREVER #1? Despite the unnecessary retelling of large swaths of the original film, the old nostalgia bone can’t help but feel a tingle for the first time Ash traveled through time. If nostalgia counts for anything, this issue earns bonus points for it.
What’s not so great about ARMY OF DARKNESS FOREVER #1? The plot is a weird mess. Equal parts film adaptation and time travel confusion, you know you’re in trouble when a series can’t get its story straight in issue #1.
How’s the art? Well, there’s some good news. Justin Greenwood’s art is light, fun, and bubbling with personality. You won’t find outright gory visuals in this issue, but the classic AoD feel is palpable.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at the covers, or Click Here to jump right to the story description with some spoilers.
What’s ARMY OF DARKNESS FOREVER #1 About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
We begin with a lengthy but shortcut retelling of Army of Darkness up to the point where Ash receives the instructions to return home from the alchemists. Ash follows the instructions but overshoots the mark and awakes in the United States seventy years from now.
Back in the Dark Ages, Lady Sheila believes the Darkness Ash defeated may still be present, and she implores the alchemists for help. They don’t believe her, so she sets out to find proof.
Back in 1993, Ash (???????) relives his famous S-Mart story before the end of his shift. We conclude the issue with smooches, rides, and deadly eyes.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at preview images of the internal pages, or Click Here to jump right to the score.
Final Thoughts
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ARMY OF DARKNESS FOREVER #1 is a fun nostalgia trip back to the Army of Darkness film, but it’s a little too long because half the comic is simply retelling the same story. The other half inserts a time travel oopsie that doesn’t make any sense, so the net result is a comic that relies on nostalgia in a convoluted mess.
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