In anticipation of the premiere of the neo-Victorian fantasy television series “Carnival Row”, Legendary Comics has announced From the Dark and Sparrowhawk, two prequel one-shot comic book companions available today on comiXology, Amazon’s premier digital comics service.
The two issues introduce readers to the show’s two main characters: the war-hardened investigator Rycroft Philostrate played by Orlando Bloom and faerie refugee Vignette Stonemoss Cara Delevingne, allowing readers to get a sneak peek into the histories of both protagonists prior to the launch of the highly-anticipated television series. Both issues are free to enjoy for the first week and $0.99 after September 4.
A rich world with intriguingly complex characters,” said Robert Napton, Senior Vice President of Legendary Comics. “We enjoyed working with the creative team to delve even further into both Philo and Vignette’s backstories offering viewers a chance to learn more about these enthralling characters, as well as get a deeper understanding of their motivations.”
Legendary Comics developed both stories working in conjunction with the incredible Carnival Row showrunners and writing staff,” said Executive Producer Marc Guggenheim. “They’re not only both in-canon, but also Philo’s story actually ends with the cold open of Season One.”
From the Dark follows Rycroft Philostrate as he adjusts to his life in The Burgue, and the memories of his former life intertwine with a mystery that will take him through the strange city streets that he now calls home. A recent bomb attack has only intensified the situation. Can he find the people responsible before there is another explosion? From the Dark was written by C.M. Landrus and Charles Velasquez-Witoksy, with story by Travis Beacham, Marc Guggenheim, Kai Wu, Georgia Lee, Marc Bernadin, and Stephanie Smith. Illustration by Harvey M. Tolibao with HMT Studios’ Tristan Jurolan and Jhun Mar Tadong Entico, with colors by HMT Studios’ Kevin Tolibao and Kevin Anthony de Castro.
Sparrowhawk features Vignette and her fellow Fae, who after finding their homeland under attack, must fight and sacrifice in order to reach safety. Mythical powers only count for so much, when the other side has them too. Will they find the refuge they are looking for or does an even bigger threat wait for them? Written by Jordan Crair, with story by Travis Beacham, Marc Guggenheim, Kai Wu, Georgia Lee, Marc Bernadin, and Stephanie Smith. Art by Giorgia Sposito, with colors by Triona Farrell.
Orlando Bloom (Pirates of the Caribbean) and Cara Delevingne (Suicide Squad) star in “Carnival Row“, a series set in a Victorian fantasy world filled with mythological immigrant creatures whose exotic homelands were invaded by the empires of man. This growing population struggles to coexist with humans—forbidden to live, love, or fly with freedom. But even in darkness, hope lives, as a human detective, Rycroft Philostrate (Bloom), and a refugee faerie named Vignette Stonemoss (Delevingne) rekindle a dangerous affair despite an increasingly intolerant society. Vignette harbors a secret that endangers Philo’s world during his most important case yet: a string of gruesome murders threatening the uneasy peace of the Row.”
The series is from Amazon Studios and Legendary Television, with Executive Producers Marc Guggenheim (Arrow, Eli Stone), René Echevarria (Star Trek, Teen Wolf, Castle, Medium), Jon Amiel (Outsiders), Bloom, and Travis Beacham (Pacific Rim, Clash of the Titans) whose A Killing on Carnival Row, on which the project is based, appeared on the very first installment of the Hollywood Blacklist in 2005.
“Carnival Row” premieres on Amazon Prime on Friday, August 30, 2019. You can snag your copies of the prequel comics now (here).
