Deathstalker: The Damned Blood

by Slash, Adrian F. Wassel (editor), Der-shing Helmer (editor)

Swords, sorcery, and mad science square off as the cult-cinema hero DEATHSTALKER bursts into comics with an all-star lineup of creators featuring SLASH (Guns N’ Roses) in this action-packed adventure!The cult-cinema hero Deathstalker bursts into comics from an all-star lineup of creators including Slash (Guns N’ Roses), writer-director Steven Kostanski (The Void), Tim Seeley (Hack/Slash) and Jim Terry (West of Sundown). Hired to escort a perfect priestess and her to a celebration of purity, Deathstalker’s journey doesn’t go as planned (damn those good looks and big sword). Once again, Deathstalker is on the run caught between forces larger than himself, including the virgin-worshipping cult, a sorcerer hell-bent on saving the world through mad science, and the pissed-off army of the Abraxeon kingdom…not to mention his ex-lover, Princess Evie. Monsters, magic, and mayhem abound! Can’t a guy just swing his sword anymore? Slash The Damned Blood Written by Tim Seeley ( The Masquerade, Money Shot, West of Sundown, Hack/Slash, Revealer), Steven Kostanski (writer/director of The Void and Psycho Goreman), and Slash (Guns N’ Roses). Illustrated by Jim Terry (West of Sundown, Heavy Metal, Come Home, Indio) Cover Art by the legendary fantasy artist Boris Vallejo and modern master Nathan C. Gooden (Barbaric, Brandon Sanderson’s Dark One). The Deathstalker Kickstarter (for exclusive hardcovers) was fully funded in less than 12 hours, sported the much-coveted “Projects We Love” label, was a “Featured Project of the Day!,” and overfunded 150%! The The Damned Blood trade paperback includes the entire 3-issue miniseries and the BARBARIC vs. DEATHSTALKER crossover one-shot (written by Michael Moreci (Barbaric, Wasted Space, Revealer, The Plot, Spree) and Tim Seeley, illustrated by Nathan C. Gooden)! The super special one-shot features the cursed barbarian Owen and the warrior- king Deathstalker as the two most reluctant heroes of all time to square off in a clash of steel. It’s Axe vs. Sword in this epic crossover! For fans Conan the Barbarian, Barbaric, the Deathstalker movies, Head Lopper, Rumble, Spawn, Hellboy, God is Dead, I Hate Fairyland, Red Sonja, Little Bird, Hack/Slash, Queen of A Barbaric Tale, and Dark Knights of Steel.

208 pages, Paperback

Published October 8, 2024

About the author

Saul Hudson, better known by his nickname Slash, is a British-American musician, record producer, film producer and songwriter.He is best known as the former lead guitarist of the American hard rock band Guns N' Roses, with whom he achieved worldwide success in the late 1980s and early 1990s. During his later years with Guns N' Roses, Slash formed the side project Slash's Snakepit. He then co-founded the supergroup Velvet Revolver, which re-established him as a mainstream performer in the mid to late 2000s.

Reviews

[Country Mama · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Deathstalker and a very mature graphic novel for adults and older young adults. I really enjoyed the 1983 movie Deathstalker, so I knew I had to read this particular graphic novel. There is a lot of nakedness in this book, which kind of fits the movie from the past too😉Also Deathstalker was known as a lady’s man, so that part of the story makes perfect sense.
I liked when Jotak and Deathstalker head off on adventures together. The journeys of the take is a very interesting part of the story. Ten something happens and Deathstalker heads off on his own trying to figure out what to do next. In this book are then meets one of the pigmen and they kind of get along but also kind of don’t. I also enjoyed the relationship that the Queen Ev and Deathstalker had together. There are interactions and conversations that made me chuckle sometimes. I particularly enjoyed in this volume at the end there is a barbaric versus death stalker short, and I also enjoyed the part of the comics where there was the original motion picture screenplay as well that was really cool and interesting to read. This volume was a highly enjoyable, bloodthirsty filled with a good time for all!

[B.J. Burgess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fans of 1980s cheesy sword and sorcery flicks will be excited about the return of DEATHSTALKER, a prequel graphic novel to the upcoming reboot film. The graphic novel, which consists of three issues and a crossover with Barbaric, has its fair share of fun, cheesy moments, probably intentional. It includes blood, gore, nudity, sex, and a bit of humor. The illustrations are lively and pop off the pages, reminiscent of fantasy comics from the past. Fans will surely be delighted by the return of DEATHSTALKER, with its bloody mayhem, swords, and sorcery. ╌★★★★★

[Jame_EReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished this graphic novel with my jaw dropped to the ground. It is definitely a fast-paced packed with actions, activities, a bit of sexual content and nudity, emotional content and plenty of humor. Very ancient fantastical, gothic and medieval-ish styles, swords and sorceries and finally quite bloody-filled souls. This was such a stress-reliever after reading because it was full of entertainment and gratifying beautiful graphics and images. I haven’t been reading graphic novels for a while and this is absolutely stunning!

[Julia Cannistra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good Deathstalker

The story works for Deathstalker - it’s not too complicated, is violent, and has its share of humor. It also wraps up some story elements from the original movies.

The art is gritty and a bit rough - it fits.

Also includes a short story of Deathstalker and Barbaric. The art here is in the style from Barbaric, it’s much cleaner and looks really good.

Cover gallery is included as well.

If you like the original Deathstalker, you may very well enjoy this too.

[Brent Ecenbarger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Closer to a 3.5 than a 4. I really enjoy Conan movies and Red Sonja comics, but I wasn't familiar with Deathstalker (aside from by reputation) prior to reading this. This fit in nicely with the style of those, with the exception that the nudity and misogyny were ramped up to a comical level. The forward and post script add that this is a prequel to an upcoming movie, which I don't see any release date scheduled for but based on the comic I look forward to trying it out.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

A suitably trashy revival of Deathstalker, with juuust enough self awareness to make it work in a modern context. Fun action scenes and some cool monsties. If you enjoyed the film you'll like this one.

[Carl Grider · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to give this a 4 but it's a little too disjointed for me and hard to follow what's going on at times. the art is good to not so good at times. I want this to continue so there was something there I truly liked.

[Sam Nicholson · Rating 4 out of 5]

8/10

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was unfamiliar with the original Deathstalker property, but it did not matter coming into this. The whole creative team did an excellent job introducing us to Deathstalker and creating a whole new fantastic story. I loved the fantasy world and storytelling happening hear and this is great for anyone with a love for sword and sorcery will love this.

[Robert Jenner · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am a big fan of the Deathstalker movies, especially 2. I was looking forward to reading a graphic novel based on the films. However, this series is mediocre at best, anger-inducing at worst. The plot's just plain pointless and depressing, the artwork barely rises above serviceable, and the script is a chore to read. In fact it left me wondering if, considering how "subversion" is in fashion these days among pop culture circles, if the creators deliberately made their artistic choices based on "deconstructing" (i.e., ruining) the material. As if somehow Deathstalker was some sort of cultural touchstone maintained by legions of fans who were sworn to the Patriarchy, instead of a loose group of sword & sorcery fans, VHS aficionados or Gen-Xers who remember Boris Vallejo's legendary Deathstalker movie posters at the local Kroger video rental shelf. Well, great job comrades! I'm sure you'll be justly rewarded for your heroic efforts for the brilliant triumph over the Deathstalker movies. That's a big notch on your belt.

I bumped the score up one star because Deathstalker Meets Barbaric was mildly entertaining.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

In Deathstalker: The Damned Blood, co-created by Slash, the legendary sword-swinging antihero is thrust into a chaotic quest involving a virgin-worshipping cult, a mad scientist sorcerer, and a vengeful ex-lover. Hired to escort a priestess to a festival celebrating her purity, what should have been a simple mission goes terribly wrong. He soon finds himself on the run, pursued by both a fanatical cult and a deranged sorcerer.

The graphic novel is packed with sex, blood, and gore, with humor woven throughout. The artwork is detailed and well executed. Overall, it’s an entertaining read, and longtime fans of Deathstalker will likely enjoy this latest adventure. As someone unfamiliar with the franchise, I appreciated the background information included at the beginning, along with the mention of an upcoming movie adaptation for fans who are interested in seeing a live-action version of the book. My favorite part of the graphic novel was the bonus short story featuring Barbaric.