MONDO, the producer of original screen-printed posters based on film and television properties, has selected The Black Beetle as the subject of its next limited edition exclusive. Created by Francesco Francavilla, the mysterious pulp/noir crime fighting comic is published by Dark Horse.
The Black Beetle is centered on a pulp-noir character and takes place in a fictional universe that’s based in Colt City. The character debuted on the pages of Pulp Sunday, Francesco Francavilla’s blog devoted to all things pulp, and had a brief life as webcomic before stepping in the print world with an ashcan first, and on the pages of Dark Horse Presents anthology later. Francesco quickly realized that many fans were interested in exploring this world with him, so soon after the short run in DHP, a new 4-issue mini – titled “No Way Out” – was released. The first 2 issues have sold out and have required DH to go back to press for a second printing.
With issue 4 coming out next week and with the first hardcover volume – also titled “No Way Out” – available for pre-orders right now, there is no better time to jump on board of the fantastic adventures of The Black Beetle.
The Black Beetle is a Detective/Vigilante SuperHero – His mission is to fight crime in Colt City. We don’t know who he is, not yet anyway. We do know that he has access to some advantaged technology and that he is patrolling the city streets and protecting the citizens the best he can. He is – after all- one man. Colt City is a fictional city set in the late ’40s America on the East Coast and has a very “pulp” vibe to the city’s depiction and inhabitants.
Commenting on his collaboration with Mondo, Francavilla said, “I’ve been a huge fan of Mondo for a while, and I’ve recently become one of their poster artists (which brings me joy all the time), so you can only imagine how happy I was when I heard that they were a big fan of my creation, The Black Beetle. From there it didn’t take too long to get to the poster you see here. Hopefully it’s just the first of many. Hope you guys enjoy the poster and consider jumping on the books as well: they are what comics should be: 100% entertainment and FUN! Thanks again, Mondo, for making this happen.”
Measuring 24″ x 36″, the extremely limited variant edition will go on sale this weekend at HeroesCon in North, Carolina, where Francavilla will be available for autographs. The regular edition — also very limited — will go on sale later on the Mondo website.
The variant edition — distinguished by the maze-like lines in the background, limited to just 110 copies and priced at $75 each — will go on sale this Saturday at HeroesCon, but you’ll have to follow Francavilla and Mondo on Twitter to find out exactly where and when the print will be available.
Francesco official website: www.francescofrancavilla.com
The Black Beetle official blog: http://theblackbeetle.blogspot.com/
Pulp Sunday blog: http://pulpsunday.blogspot.com
Regular Edition
Title: The Black Beetle
Artist: Francesco Francavilla
Size: 24” x 36”
Edition: 225
Price: $55
Variant Edition
Title: The Black Beetle
Artist: Francesco Francavilla
Size: 24” x 36”
Edition: 110
Price: $75