B-movie icon Bruce Campbell will be lending his creative talents to a new comic book series from DC Comics. The company announced on Thursday that Campbell is writing DC Horror Presents: Sgt. Rock vs. The Army of the Dead, a six-part miniseries coming this fall. Featuring artwork by Eisner and Harvey Award-Winning Artist Eduardo Risso (100 Bullets), it follows Sgt. Rock, hero of the European Theatre, and his Easy Company as they find themselves facing off against Nazi Zombies in enemy territory.
The official synopsis reads: "The story begins in Berlin, 1944. The Nazis are flanked on all fronts by the combined Allied forces, and defeat seems inevitable. In a last-ditch effort to turn the tide of the war, Hitler and his team of evil scientists create a serum that resurrects their dead soldiers, creating an army of the dead even stronger than they were in life."
The Sgt. Rock character first appeared in DC comic books in 1959, starting with Our Army at War #83. He was created by writer Robert Kanigher and artist Joe Kubert. Sgt. Rock is best known for battling Nazis in stories set during World War II, but adding zombies to the mix courtesy of Campbell's writing puts a horror spin on Sgt. Rock's adventures.
The first issue goes on sale on Sept. 27, 2022. This will include a Duffel Bag Gore variant cover by Frank Quitely (The Authority) that is said to be especially gory. Another 1:25 variant is illustrated by The Walking Dead artist Charlie Adlard, marking the first zombies he's drawn since the Robert Kirkman-created comic series ended. Other variant covers for Issue #1 come from Francesco Francavilla (Batman: Black Mirror), Chris Mooneyham (Joker Presents: A Puzzlebox), Pia Guerra (Y: The Last Man), and Gary Frank (Supergirl).
Bruce Campbell Is the Man for the Job
Bruce Campbell is best known for his acting prowess, but he does have experience in writing comic books. His previous work with comics includes writing an issue of The Hire and comic book adaptations of his film The Man With the Screaming Brain. He has plenty of experience appearing in comic book movies as well, big thanks to his pal Sam Raimi, who brought him back once again to appear in a vital role in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
Campbell is also an author with several books to his name. He published his first autobiography more than two decades ago with the 2001 release of If Chins Could Kill: Confessions of a B Movie Actor. He followed this up with Make Love! The Bruce Campbell Way in 2005 followed by Hail to the Chin: Further Confessions of a B Movie Actor in 2017. Campbell's writing has been praised as the actor's charm and wit come through on the printed page just as well as it does on screen.
DC Horror Presents: Sgt. Rock vs. The Army of the Dead will be releasing its first issue on Sept. 27, 2022.