Alex Ross cover
Dynamite Entertainment has announced a new ongoing The Spirit series, penned by Matt Wagner, launching in July.

Veteran comic book creator Wagner (Mage, Grendel) will write, and issue #1 will feature covers by Alex Ross, Eric Powell, and Wagner.  Dynamite will announce the series artist at C2E2.

Will Eisner’s classic crime-fighting hero will be celebrating its 75th Anniversary this year, having first appeared in Quality Comics in 1939.  Dynamite acquired the rights last year (see "Dynamite to Publish New 'Spirit' Comic").

"I discovered The Spirit via the black-and-white, magazine-sized reprints of the mid-70s.  It was the first time that I truly perceived sequential narrative as a legitimate art form, of the immense creative power of a comic-artist in his prime," said Wagner.  "I can honestly say that seeing and experiencing The Spirit in my formative years ultimately led to my career as a comics author."  Wagner’s recent Dynamite credits include The Shadow: Year One, Green Hornet: Year One and Zorro (see "Matt Wagner Writing 'The Shadow: Year One'").

"Matt's mastery of the pulps made him our top choice for The Spirit, right from the start," said Dynamite CEO and Publisher Nick Barrucci.  "What he has in mind for Denny Colt and the rest of Eisner's colorful cast is guaranteed to thrill long-time fans and new readers alike."