Fantasy, drama comics debut under Allegiance
“Red Rooster”
Written by Mark Pellegrini and Mitch Breitweiser, illustrated by Mitch Breitweiser
“Red Rooster” is the first title in Allegiance Arts & Entertainment’s stable.
“I dub it ‘Batman in a Barn,’’’ Breitweiser says.
The story is set during the Depression and follows Frank Cooper, the latest in a long line of Red Roosters, who have for centuries battled the world’s evils.
In this iteration, however, the Rooster — that Cock-a-Doodle-Do-Gooder and fine-feathered pun machine — has become more of a corporate marketing tool whose crime-fighting exploits are limited to what might be staged newsreels.
A clever new villain is out to destroy Red Rooster and his Order of the Dawn allies.
“It’s a cape-and-cowls mystery with a bit of a Lovecraftian tinge,” Breitweiser says. “We have big plans for the rest of the Frank Cooper story.”
“Bass Reeves”
Written by Kevin Grevioux, illustrated by David Williams
This book tells the true story of Reeves, who was born a slave in Crawford County and escaped to live with the Creek and Seminole Indians.
After the Civil War he lived with his wife and children in Van Buren and was a successful and feared bounty hunter. In 1875, he was one of the first Black men west of the Mississippi to become a member of the U.S. Marshals Service.
“We’ve got lightning in a bottle with this,” Mitch Breitweiser says. “He is not only an Arkansas legend but an American hero.”
Grevioux, the writer, created the “Underworld” film series and worked with Breitweiser on the “Young Avengers” comic.
Elizabeth Breitweiser also worked with illustrator David Williams on earlier projects.
“I knew I wanted David to be a part of this,” Mitch says. “I pitched him a number of different titles and when I got to Bass Reeves, he said, ‘That’s the one.’”
“The Futurists”
Written by Patrick Stiles, illustrated by Butch Guice
An action-packed, historical fantasy-adventure created by Breitweiser and longtime friend Stiles, “The Futurists” is set in 1866 India and follows three dangerous foes as they race to unearth the secrets of the lost land of Shambhala.
“We wanted an exotic location for this epic, archaeological mystery story,” Breitweiser says. “It’s got tinges of ‘Indiana Jones.’ We describe it as ‘Apocalypse Now’ meets ‘Peter Pan’ through the lens of Jules Verne; it’s got a little bit steampunk, a little bit of ‘Indiana Jones.’ Every character is essentially cursed, and this family is caught in the middle of these huge characters.”
It’s a story about redemption and family that Stiles and Breitweiser first batted around when they were students at Harding University. Artist Guice brings an almost “Classics Illustrated” look to the comic.
“Norah’s Saga”
Written by Blake Northcott, illustrated by Kelsey Shannon
Norah Karlsson was just trying to fit in at her new high school when she was catapulted back in time to a realm of icy lands, monsters and Norse legends (there’s a reason “Norah’s Saga” sounds like Norse saga).
“It’s like ‘The Wizard of Oz’ meets ‘Vikings,’” Elizabeth Breitweiser says.
After a mysterious accident, Norah finds herself rescued by Vikings who believe she is a witch. She has to use her 21st-century smarts to convince them otherwise and find her way back home.
“Norah is sweet and inquisitive, and like everyone else her age she just wants to be accepted by her peers,” Northcott says. “But she’s also impulsive and can be a little self-centered at times, which is another part of growing up.”