Image Comics and Top Cow are diving into Aztec mythology for the alternate reality fantasy series Helm Greycastle, coming this April.
Henry Barajas (La Voz de M.A.Y.O.), artist Rahmat M. Handoko (Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Mix, Ultimate Spider-Man: Infinite Comic) and colorist Bryan Valenza (Witchblade) will team up for the new series, which will blend Aztec history and mythology with comic book fantasy elements to tell the story of Helm Greycastle and his crew saving the people of the Aztec Empire and rescuing the last dragon prince.
The first issue will also include a one-shot Latinx RPG (5E compatible) written by Tristan J. Tarwater (Rolled & Told) and illustrated by Jen Vaughn (d20 Dames). Get your first look at issue #1 below, along with variant covers by David Lapham (Stray Bullets), Tony Parker (God of War) and Becky Cloonan (Immortal Wonder Woman).
In Helm Greycastle, the last dragon prince has been abducted—kept prisoner by an unknown threat: AZTEC MEXICA! Helm Greycastle and his outsider comrades are here to save the prince—but are recruited by a resistance plotting to overthrow Montezuma. Will Greycastle help save the people of MEXICA...or rescue the dragon prince and flee?
The alternate history story will borrow from actual events but deviate in a key way—while also adding in numerous fantastical elements to embellish the story. By doing so, writer Barajas and artists Handoko and Valenza will be able to explore a world in which the Aztec Empire never fell and the Spanish never colonized the region. For Barajas, it's a powerful way of exploring heritage and a culture that's long been obscured from mainstream history.
"What if the Aztec Empire defeated the Spanish Conquistadors? As a Mexican-American who has had no formal education on my Indigenous background, writing this book has been very empowering," said Barajas. "I'm excited to share some Mesoamerican history while mixing it with swords and sorcery."
"Working on Helm has been very challenging for me because this time I am not only a colorist but also a co-creator," said Valenza. "One of my biggest achievements in 2020 is being able to be involved in this project."
Helm Greycastle #1 arrives this April from Image Comics/Top Cow.
Source: Top Cow
